Cinema operator rejects prospect of demolition

Mission Bay's Berkeley cinema has no plans to shut, and its operator yesterday dismissed talk of the building's demolition.

Barry Everard, who owns Berkeley cinema operations in Auckland, said he had a long-term lease on his four-screen Tamaki Drive complex.

He had plans to enhance the complex and perhaps even develop a restaurant/bar on the upper-level balcony overlooking the waterfront.

Mr Everard was responding to Retail Holdings' move this month to get confirmation from independent planning commissioners that it did not need Auckland City resource consent to demolish the cinemas or surrounding properties.

Darryl Henry of Retail Holdings said on Tuesday his company would make no immediate move on its string of waterfront sites.

But it did have long-term plans for a larger mixed-use apartment/shop/commercial complex there, he said.

Mr Everard scoffed at talk of tearing down the art deco building, saying he had no plans to shift and would enhance the property.

"We have an existing lease and there's no demolition clause in that. We have a right of renewal for a further eight years from 2010."

But he was critical of Retail Holdings' development plans for new buildings on the site.

"They have no vision to create a vibrant precinct which Mission Bay deserves.

"It's all about how many apartments they can squeeze in."