It is with heavy hearts that we make this announcement.
In early 2015 the Astor Theatre in Melbourne as you know it will close its doors.
By way of explanation we should clarify the distinct difference and separation between the landlord of the building we lease, Ralamar Nominees Pty Ltd, and the business that you know as The Astor Theatre, our tenancy that, since 1982, created and operates the business within the landlord’s building.
The Astor is so much more than just the bricks and mortar that has become Melbourne’s spiritual home for film. Without a lease renewal, the expert repertory programming we have cultivated for a community of Melbourne moviegoers, and the ‘Astor Experience’ will come to an end. We were offered a lease that would have been financially and operationally crippling, but negotiations failed to resolve the key issues.
We do not know what the landlord has planned for the future of the building, only that we are not included in those plans. We hope that you can embrace the final leg of our journey after 32 years of memorable movie experiences at The Astor Theatre. Further information can be found in due course on our Blog and on the Friends Of The Astor website.