An update over the future of Palas cinema has raised hopes as a Galway TD responded to pleas to save the iconic institution.
On Wednesday it was announced that the cinema would be closing its doors after seven years in business with owners citing rising costs and the oversaturation of the industry as reasons for calling it a day.
The announcement saw widespread heartbreak across the city and beyond as many called on the council to salvage the beloved cinema.
Galway TD Hildegard Naughton responded to pleas to save Palas as she confirmed it was a 'matter for the council' but added that the cinema 'should not be lost to the people of Galway'.
She added that the matter would come before the council in due course, saying: "As I understand, it the building itself is actually owned by Galway City Council and was leased out for a fairly nominal fee, to the operators, for the purposes of the art house cinema.
"Obviously it is a matter for the Council itself as to what the next steps will be but my view, and one I will communicate to my colleagues on the Council, is that it should not be lost to the people of Galway, if at all possible.
"It will come before the Council in due course for consideration I understand and I will be monitoring developments closely."
The devastating closure news arrived on Wednesday afternoon with the cinema issuing a statement to customers.
They said: "It is with deep regret that after seven years of trading, Pálás will be closing its doors at the end of February 2025.
"To many, Pálás is more than just a cinema and we have loved being a part of the community. We are so proud of our incredible team, the partnerships we have forged and the loyal audience we have fostered for Irish, arthouse and independent films in Galway.
"We have worked hard to avoid this outcome but the stark reality is rising costs and the oversaturation of the Galway cinema market have made continued trading unviable, and we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the business.
"We intend to provide the best possible filmgoing experience until we close our doors and we look forward to welcoming audiences until then.
"We are forever grateful for all of the love and support you have shown us over the last seven years."
The loss of the cinema will leave Eye cinema in Wellpark, the Omniplex in Salthill and the IMC Cinema on Headford Road.
The cinema is operated by Light House Cinema Group, who shared an additional statement that read: "Light House Cinema Group today announced that it has made the difficult decision to close the doors of the Pálás Cinema at the end of February, 2025.
"This decision follows months of engagement by the Pálás team with Galway City Council, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the Western Development Commission and Screen Ireland as all stakeholders worked together to try to save the cinema. Regrettably, no viable alternative funding solution has been identified at this time and this leaves us with no option but to close the doors.
"The Light House Cinema Group invested €1.5m in Pálás Cinema in 2018 with the objective of giving the people of Galway, and surrounding areas, access to an arthouse cinema and cultural space where independent films and a variety of events could be enjoyed.
"Since that time, Pálás has brought three thousand independent films to Galway audiences, has hosted festival events, Q&As, local school screenings, and supported local filmmakers and artists
"The Pálás team is very proud of these achievements, of the cultural partnerships that have been forged, the loyal audience that has been fostered and the incredible group of people that have worked tirelessly at Pálás Cinema to help fulfil its mission. However, the financial situation at the cinema is stark and continuing to operate at the level of financial loss isn’t an option.
"Since the Light House Group invested €1.5M in the cinema it has incurred operating losses of over €1.8m and is now at the point where it is incurring losses of roughly €250,000 per annum to keep the doors open. Rising costs, the impact of Covid and the oversaturation of commercial cinemas in the Galway area have all contributed to the situation that is faced today.
"The Pálás team intends to continue to provide the best possible film-going experience until the end of February and is committed to facilitating an orderly transition of the building to its owners, Galway City Council.
"The Light House Group recognises the impact that this decision will have on the team that works at Pálás and is providing all available supports to them during this difficult time."
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