Newcastle 'pretty darn excited' about revival of Tower Cinemas

The cinema complex will pull back the curtains in late 2024.

The new owners and operators, Five Star Cinemas, told the Newcastle Herald they expected to open the cinema in December.

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It was reported in March 2023 that the site would house a recreational facility.

When the cinema shut in 2018, Sinead Francis-Coan launched an online petition to save it.

Her campaign persisted for six years through the petition and a Facebook group, Save the Tower.

Over 7000 people signed her petition, with 550 people in the Facebook group.

"I am so excited, I hadn't heard it in the wings, so it was a lovely surprise to hear that it would operate as a cinema again," Ms Francis-Coan said.

Ms Francis-Coan said the cinema re-opening was a win for film lovers and the Newcastle community.

"The anxiety was palpable about losing the cinema," she said.

"People are pretty darn excited this morning about this news."

Ms Francis-Coan looks back fondly on catching a movie at the cinemas.

"I just loved the atmosphere and feeling that you could go and have a night out so close to home," she said.

She hoped to see a mix of arthouse and major films in the re-established space.

"Those sorts of more unique films are what have made this place what it is and made it a home for groups like the Newcastle Film Society, the French Film Festival and a Japanese film festival," she said.

Tasha Ireland, owner of furniture store Monsoon Living, remembers the days when Novocastrians flocked to King Street to catch the latest flick.

Monsoon Living has been open for eight years, with two of those years in the space next to Tower Cinemas, and now in a store just across the road.

"On rainy days, people would flock to the cinema, and friends would go out for lunch and movies, and it just brought in more people," Ms Ireland said.

"I loved that it brought in a huge amount of the big film festivals, like the Italian and French festivals," she said, "I'm hoping they will come back now."

She was very excited when she woke up to the news this morning and her kids were looking forward to not travelling out of the city for the latest movie.

"I did a little happy dance when I heard," she said.

"It is fantastic for the community, the residents, the businesses, just great for the city overall."

Neighbouring cafe, Arno Deli owner's Will O'Brien said it was good to hopefully see more activity happening in the area.

Mr O'Brien bought the cafe two years ago because of the developments happening in the East End and he is hoping customers will grow with the cinema.

"I think it could be cool if it is like Dendy Cinemas in Sydney with a few more alternative films mixed in with a few mainstream ones to bring people in," he said.

"It's been quiet there so it will be good to get the doors open."

Relaxing in Civic Park on his lunch break, James Gallagher reminisced on his childhood days at the cinema.

"I have fond memories of the place from when I was little," he said.

"Nan would take us down there, get all the popcorn and watch a movie, it was such a nice vibe to have in Newcastle city."

He is really excited to see the doors open once again, and see that part of the city rejuvenated.

Lyndall Johnston said it was fantastic news to give families and locals more entertainment options.

"I hope they show all sorts of things, for kids and families but also for teenagers and adults," she said.

Emily McDonnell said she visited the cinema years ago and would be keen to go back once it's refurbished.

Ms McDonnell hopes the cinema development is a sign of preserving older buildings throughout the city.

"There are a lot of new renovations coming up, but it's important to give some love to the older features of Newcastle," she said.