No plans for Admiral Park cinema

Thursday 04 July 2019

Comprop has confirmed there are no current plans to open a cinema on its development site at Admiral Park.

However, the property developer is not ruling out the idea completely and is considering "any business opportunities" for the remainder of the area.

It has recently announced plans for a Premier Inn hotel, office block, restaurant and multi-storey car park at the site with work due to commence soon. Although original proposals did give permission for a small cinema, it appears no operators are available to run it.

"In my experience it would be very difficult to operate a viable cinema in the space provided by the plans at Admiral Park," said General Manager at the Mallard Cinema, Daniel Phillips. "I have also mentioned the project at Admiral Park in casual conversation with the owners of some of the UK cinema chains I've worked for, who have agreed the cinema market in Guernsey is probably not large enough to attract any considerable investment.

Pictured: Guernsey's Mallard Cinema (image from VisitGuernsey website).

"Rent and building upkeep costs are one of the largest burdens, even for the big cinema chains, and the death knell for many cinemas each year. Unless you own your building outright, Guernsey isn't a big enough population for most cinema chains to be a safe enough bet on a healthy return for their trouble. As for 'boutique' luxury cinemas, as lovely as they are, the majority of these are a last-ditch attempt by the big chains to enhance the experience enough to compete with home streaming, and of course cover their escalating costs."

The upcoming development at Admiral Park will take up two thirds of Comprop's remaining space, with no solid plans for the final third. Managing Director of the property developer Steve Marie has said the company would "welcome any approaches from [cinema] operators and explore opportunities if they arise".

None of the larger UK chains seem to be interested though, with Vue saying it has "no current plans to open a cinema in Guernsey" and the Odeon commenting: "We will be sure to share any relevant local updates if they emerge".

Pictured: The Admiral Park development is due to be completed by December 2021.

"With the Mallard, we are able to offer a cinema experience that is affordable to everyone in Guernsey and, in comparison to the ticket and concession prices of larger cinema chains, very competitively priced," continued Mr Phillips. "We would unfortunately not be able to maintain ticket and concession costs at anywhere near their current level if having to pay for the premises costs that would be incurred at Admiral Park.

"We are always open and mindful of the possibility of UK chain opening up, as back in 1994 the Mallard was originally conceived as a stop gap when the island no longer had a dedicated cinema. We are confident the the standard and service we deliver, the competitive prices, as well as a more flexible and Guernsey-specific programme of films than a corporate cinema chain could deliver, would enable the Mallard to continue comfortably as a cheaper and friendlier alternative."