Movie moves

By Shaun Inguanzo
MOVIE lovers left high and dry by Village Cinemas’ withdrawal from Dandenong Plaza and Waverley Gardens may soon be lining up for a fresh bucket of popcorn at a new theatre complex in the Dandenong CDB.
Village closed its Dandenong cinema late last year, and its Waverley Gardens complex on Monday, citing operating costs and site locations as closure reasons.
But a glimmer of hope appeared this week with rumours that another cinema company was looking at opening in the Dandenong Plaza at the old Village site.
Dandenong Ward councillor Jim Memeti told the Star that he and other councillors had heard that Reading Cinemas, operated by Reading Entertainment, might be that cinema company.
The Star contacted Reading Entertainment for comment, but the company failed to respond.
Cr Memeti said he was uncertain whether or not the new site would be used as a cinema.
But he said he was aware that Plaza management was keen to fill the entertainment gap after Village pulled out late last year.
“I know that the Dandenong Plaza is trying very hard to attract another cinema group,” Cr Memeti said. “If it is Reading then I will definitely welcome them.”
Cr Memeti said he had received upwards of 50 phone calls from residents upset by this week’s closure of Waverley Gardens.
He said they were demanding to know when, or if, another cinema would open in Greater Dandenong.
Dandenong Plaza management refused to comment on rumours that Reading Cinemas would lease the site.
But the centre said an announcement on the future of the old Village cinemas site would be made in the near future.