Pioneer Village Theatre and Cinema

Hello everyone and anyone, I'm writing to see if I can get some feedback on the Pioneer Village Theatre /Cinema in Armadale. I've done quite a bit of research about this building and it was last used as a cinema back in Autumn last year (Oct/Nov time). I'm considering emigrating to Australia and I was considering an option to lease this bulding and run it as an independent cinema/theatre. Obviously, this is only a thought at this moment in time. Trouble is I know little about this town only that it seems to be quite a way out of Perth and in a small touristic village of middle class/middle age population. I spoke with the owners agents and they suggested I should do more research and try to contact people who know of the area to get an idea of what they thought. My idea would be to run it as a independent cinema showing independent, art house and quality mainstream films but I don't really know of the likly hood of such a venue working in Armadale as I don't know the place at all. I would dedicate some time over to theatre groups and maybe look at putting on music, cabaret, comedy etc to diversify the programme a bit as I don't think that as a normal cinema it wouldn't be able to compete with the nearby Piccadilly Cinema complex (incidently owned by the same company which is why they closed the Pioneer). There is a real danger that if the owner doesn't find someone to take it on soon he will redevelop it as a Lodgings House - as he already has a few and wants more. I wondered if anyone who knows the area could give my some idea of the area and if they thought such a project would be likely to work in Armadale or would I be committing financial suicide!!?? Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts. Thanks for you help. jonko

Keep up research. I grew up in this area in the eighties, and then I would have said not a chance. However, the landscape is changing, there's more money everywhere, and Perth is in desperate need of new venues. the ideas above for council support, local schools etc. are excellent. Reality is that Armadale still isn't a 'top end' suburb, and as such I couldn't say if there was local demand for musicals/cabaret/independant theatre, these things traditionally in Australia limited to more wealthy and 'sophisticated' areas. BUT, the fact that there is really not much else in the area to mention could make you the trendsetter, marketed and managed correctly. (or could leave you in a big hole!) To be honest, if I had the money to spend, I'd probably love to do something like this myself. Just don't expect to make lots of money, and don't expect to make anything quickly. I know there are many on this site who would love to see you get up, and would be able to provide lots of on the ground support when you arrive! (the op to lease the space was a big topic on the forums some time ago from memory?) good luck, and hope to see you in Armadale Nev It's the simple things stupid...

Definitely possible

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