Majestic Cinemas provides update on the Kempsey Cinema construction

Majestic Cinemas are hoping for the Kempsey Cinema to be operational in mid November with staff recruitment planned for September, it was revealed at the council meeting today.

A report was presented to councillors during the meeting on the current progress of the Kempsey Cinema project with CEO of Majestic Cinemas, Kieren Dell, also addressing councillors on the update.

"Seeing it rise on the skyline makes it real for everyone, to see the walls and roof go on is exciting," Mr Dell said.

Mr Dell said the construction of the cinema at Kempsey Central is on track and should be finished by the end of the year.

"We haven't got final timing yet, but my guess at this stage is that we will be looking at the middle of November, this will give us time to recruit and settle down and to get ourselves ready for the busy summer season," he said.

"The biggest movie release at the end of November is the sequel to Frozen, the ninth episode of Star Wars in the middle of December and the sequel to Jumanji on Boxing Day and a range of others coming up this summer.

"I anticipate we will be open for these big movies, some of the biggest of the year."

Majestic Cinemas are also hoping to show vintage films as well as some earlier movies from this year for the opening.

"We may even have a few older films from this year for people who might have missed them, like The Lion King. This will be for people who might not have made it to Port Macquarie or Nambucca Heads to see them."

Mr Dell also said the manager role has been filled with staff recruitment taking place in a couple of months.

"We have an experienced manager already and the majority of staff will be local people. We have around 100 CV's that have been sent to us," he said.

"We're looking at September 7 for a public process of recruitment which will get locals in to learn what it's all about.

"This recruitment process will be done early so we can get people in and start training them in the school holidays in Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads."

Mr Dell said the cinema will employ young locals in Kempsey, giving them a chance to gain experience.

"We will employ around 20 people, most of them being kids as well as young adults and also some older adults as trainee supervisors."

In regards to the construction update the report states the roof is currently underway, the air conditioning plant has been procured and installation of the ductwork has begun. The main stairway has been delivered to the site and will be installed mid July. The curtain wall of glass will be delivered in August, this will make the site water tight and secure for the commencement of the fit-out and finishes which will transform the construction site into an operational cinema.

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