Allan Webb says all the adjectives in the world would not sum up his gratitude.
After a month of donations there is light at the end of the tunnel for Te Awamutu’s Regent Theatre – and owner Allan Webb can’t thank those who have support the cinema enough.
“All the adjectives in the world do not describe my sincere gratitude to all those that gave a little and some that gave a lot, to my embarrassment, not only through the Give-A-Little page but also to the theatre itself.”
After four weeks of donations to its Give-A-Little page the cinema has been donated $18,935, with 245 people having contributed to the theatre.
The last 13 months have devastated the cinema industry world-wide – rural towns have been hit hard and some theatres have closed permanently.
But the monetary boost it is set to help keep the theatre alive and maintained just in time for what is likely to be a busy period ahead for the cinema.
“We have just been advised that another projector has to have an expensive maintenance service and that can now be given the green light,” Allan said.
“The Easter weekend gave us a brief respite and I expect the School Holidays to be busy during the day with Peter Rabbit and other solid family films.
“Unfortunately, some more films have been moved back again and the release schedule is still in a state of flux, although there are some bigger films looming which should boost the Box Office.”
Theatre employee Brooke Adler, who started the page, said she was blown away at the amount of generous donations that were made.
“It was donation after donation I wasn’t able to keep on top of thanking everyone individually” she said.
“It makes me so so happy that Allan is receiving the support he deserves.”
Brooke said she can’t thank everyone enough for making donations to help keep the theatre alive.
Allan sees the donations as one step closer to a greater milestone for the theatre.
“I am hoping we will still be here next year to celebrate 90 years of showing movies at the Regent.”
