The curtain may soon fall on the heritage-listed Chauvel Cinema in Paddington as deteriorating conditions and poor box office takings threaten its existence.
Just months after the closure of the Verona, Palace Cinemas’ last remaining venue on Oxford Street is, according to chief executive Benjamin Zeccola, nearing its final days.
He stated that he doesn’t believe it will remain open past the end of September unless something significant changes.
The Chauvel, located within Paddington Town Hall, has been an art-house institution for over four decades. Palace Cinemas, which assumed the lease in 2006 following a “Save the Chauvel” campaign, once operated three cinemas on Oxford Street.
However, the Academy Twin closed in 2010 due to a rental dispute, and the Verona shut its doors in February for a planned redevelopment. Palace opened a new venue, Palace Moore Park, at the Entertainment Quarter.
The potential closure of the Chauvel would be another blow to the once-thriving retail and entertainment strip. Zeccola cited “paltry” attendance figures this year and the lack of long-discussed renovations with the Sydney City Council, which owns the Town Hall, as contributing factors.
Nine years ago, Palace proposed a joint funding arrangement with the council for upgrades, including new seats, carpets, toilets, and improved exterior signage, estimated at $675,000. In return, Palace sought a 10-year lease and future rental discounts.
Zeccola expressed frustration that years had passed with repeated requests for updates, only to be told that progress was always imminent. In April, he emphasised the situation’s urgency, stating that they needed to know the plans for the cinema.
He highlighted the cinema’s deterioration, including water damage and other infrastructure issues, and the need for “a couple of million dollars of investment.” The Chauvel’s condition has led to the Sydney Film Festival and Antenna Documentary Film Festival no longer wanting to use it for screenings.
Zeccola admitted that customer feedback echoed these concerns, with patrons opting for other cinemas until improvements are made. He conceded that Palace might consider keeping the Chauvel open for a few more years if the council upgraded the seats, carpets, and toilets.
However, he expressed his frustration with the council’s lack of progress, stating that he had lost confidence that anything meaningful would actually happen due to the council’s indecisiveness over a long period.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore acknowledged the Chauvel as “a much-loved institution on the famous strip”. She assured that council staff were meeting with the cinema to discuss ways to ensure its continued success. Moore also emphasised the City of Sydney’s commitment to revitalising Oxford Street through building refurbishments and new planning controls.
A City of Sydney spokesperson confirmed that Palace had written to the council in May requesting a lease extension beyond 2026. The council had indicated plans for capital works upgrades to Paddington Town Hall in the short to mid-term.
City staff and Chauvel operators are scheduled to meet next Friday to discuss further steps. The spokesperson also noted that the Palace is responsible for the upkeep of the cinema’s interiors, including seats and carpets, as part of its lease agreement.
Published Date 12-September-2024
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