Reeltime director's letter to cinema staff (From Barry And District News)

Reeltime director's letter to cinema staff

7:35am Thursday 6th March 2008

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THE Operations Director of Reeltime Cinemas Ltd has written a letter to staff at the closure-threatened Theatre Royal, explaining the reasons for the decision - saying the venue is running at a serious loss.

Martin Dunn also warned staff to be 'extremely cautious' over making statements to the press on the matter, which could be construed as representing Reeltime's views.

Here is the letter in full:

Dated 26 February WITHOUT PREJUDICE To all staff, Theatre Royal, Barry.

I am writing to you regarding press coverage and related incidents in connection with the closure of the Theatre Royal.

I have decided to write to all staff as, at the present time, I do not wish to single any particular member of staff out.

I feel it would be useful if all staff were aware of my comments to prevent any future confusion.

We are aware that this is a sad and worrying time for staff and customers of the Theatre Royal Barry.

I also know that some of the staff have taken up the cause for saving the cinema.

I can totally understand why they have done this.

As a result I was more than prepared not to interfere, take a back seat and let things take their course.

However, having reviewed the press coverage, I am no longer prepared to do this.

Two articles from the local press have been sent to me, containing serious errors and I am now growing increasingly concerned at the direction things seem to be going.

I would therefore like to make all staff (irrespective of any involvement or not) aware of the following: No one has the right to pass comment on the situation in a way that infers that they are speaking on behalf of Reeltime cinemas.

I have not authorised anyone at the Theatre Royal to speak on our behalf.

Especially when the information they are giving is grossly incorrect.

The building has not been deliberately left to go to ruin so as to facilitate its closure.

Mr. Brian Bull of Circle Cinemas has invested a substantial amount of money into the Theatre Royal.

Had Mr. Bull not done this, Barry would have lost its cinema many years ago.

I would strongly advise anyone to be extremely cautious about making statements like this, which to be frank are bordering on libellous.

Despite the reasons for the closure being lease based, the "Save the Cinema campaign" seems to be gaining support under a false premise.

The claim is that a viable and thriving cinema is being closed down.

I have no idea where cinema supporters have got this notion.

This is a throwaway statement to drum up support and is not based on any facts at all.

Using this as a reason for not closing the cinema, is deception.

The Theatre Royal Barry is NOT a thriving cinema.

It doesn't take a genius to see that the number of people that come through the door each week cannot possibly support the running of the cinema.

The correct fact is that the cinema loses a substantial amount of money.

Other cinemas in the company currently support it.

In fact for much of the year, with the film distributors taking on average 50 per cent of the box office, the weekly taking don't even cover staff wages.

This is not because the management and staff do not work hard to make the cinema succeed, but because of one thing.

Other than a loyal - but very small - customer base, the local population simply does not use the cinema in great enough numbers.

More than twice the current number of admissions would probably only enable the cinema to just about break-even.

I am extremely angered to see the latest press article, in which members of staff apparently allowed members of the Welsh Assembly and local councillors to enter the premises and be photographed without knowledge or permission of the Company or the Manager.

Not only that but, I am led to believe that people (CADW) were shown around private areas of the building belonging to Mr. Brian Bull without his permission.

I sincerely hope that this was not the case, as the staff member who did this has effectively committed trespass.

Absolutely no one is to allow unauthorised members of the public to enter or view the building without the permission of either the Reeltime Cinemas' Directors or Mr. Bull.

Also no one is to be shown around without Mr. Williams being present.

Not only did the staff who did this have absolutely no right to do so, they also jeopardised our health and safety insurance by taking members of the public around private parts of the building.

I wish to make it perfectly clear that - despite the current circumstances; and any ill feeling caused, I will not hesitate to take the strongest disciplinary action possible against any member of staff who instigates or is involved in a reoccurrence of the above.

I also understand that some Theatre Royal staff are attending a "Ring of Support" around the cinema on St David's Day.

Although we have no wish to prevent peaceful demonstration, please be aware that Reetime Cinemas Ltd will take and extremely dim view if any customer or other members of staff are prevented from entering the building or harassed in any way.

I also expect staff to attend any such action in their own time - and not on company time.

I am extremely saddened that I have had to write this letter.

I totally appreciate the force of feeling regarding the closure and admire people's enthusiasm for trying to prevent it.

Reeltime Cinemas has no intention of stifling anybody's personal views or prevent staff from following their cause.

However, I feel a few well-intentioned but over-enthusiastic and mis-informed people are in fact harming the very cause they support.

If people are going to take on a cause they should at the very least, do so on the basis of factually correct information.

Yours sincerely Martin Dunn.

Operations Director - Reeltime Cinemas Ltd.

cc. Mr Mike Vikers - Managing Director Reeltime Cinemas Ltd Mr. Brian Bull: Circle Cinemas Ltd Mr. Lyn Williams - Manager: Theatre Royal Barry.

Editors note: A "Ring of Support" did not take place around the cinema on St David's Day because cinema campaigners had not allowed sufficient time to gain Vale Council and Police authorisation.

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