Cinema chain looks to expand

American-headquartered Reading Entertainment this week opened the new eight-screen LynnMall multiplex and its Australian boss vowed further expansion, naming Ponsonby as a desirable location.

Australian-based Reading managing director Wayne Smith spoke before the 7.30pm screening of the Lance Armstrong film The Program on Wednesday night, telling how a range of locations were being considered.

He addressed the audience in the new 460-seat Titan giant theatre at LynnMall's The Brickworks entertainment precinct which also includes seven new large-format restaurants.

The cinemas are spread over a third of a hectare and the Titan has a four storey-high move screen and 460 seats and the "explosive sound" Dolby Atmos audio technology, said to give a 3D sound experience. The screen is 20m wide by 11m high.

Smith said that Titan was the world's best, having the most sophisticated new technology available. Two premium theatres have their own premium lounge and no standard seats within the theatres. The premium lounge costs $15/seat while standard tickets are $10.

A further five theatres range from 75 seats up to 200, allowing a big range of films to be screened from blockbusters to art house.

For 14 years, New Lynn has not had a cinema and the development is part of a $39 million extension by listed landlord Kiwi Property which is also adding a new dining precinct with seven outlets.

Before the screening, Smith told the Herald that Ponsonby would be an ideal location for a new Reading. However, securing the right site was a challenge.

He referred to the large Soho development project as one scheme which initially had cinemas in its design. However that was later changed and the new $200 million Vinegar Lane will have offices, a large new Countdown and residences. Construction by Progressive Enterprises is well under way.

Smith attended Wednesday's opening along with Reading's New Zealand general manager Mark Kendrick, based in Wellington, representatives of landlord NZX listed Kiwi Property and project builder NZ Strong.

Reading is headquartered in Los Angeles, employs more than 2300 people and has operations in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.