A music-filled future for Wollongong's Regent Theatre is in sight, with new owners diving into a rejuvenation of the much-loved site as a performance venue.
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Joe McGuinness, the man behind the Thirroul Beach Motel, Jose Jones and the Timbermill Studios, is teaming up with the Yours and Owls production group to run what they aim would be a nationally prominent venue.
The art-deco building was bought from the Awaken Pentacostal church in a deal which stayed confidential but was believed to have been consummated early last year. The sales agent would only say it was a "consortium" of Wollongong and Sydney-based figures who were experienced running entertainment venues.
But now, documents made public in a liquor licence application show McGuinness is the client for a refit, while Balunn Jones applied for the licence.
Jones is a founder of the Yours and Owls production group, which they have grown from humble beginnings into the host of the region's biggest music festival, plus other shows.
The documents list the proprietor as Regent Arts Theatre - a company owned by McGuinness, who in recent years has bought the Thirroul Beach Motel and the old Molloy's timber mill at Bulli, setting up the bar and restaurant Jose Jones at the motel, and a hub for art studios and other creative business at the timber mill.
In an application for an on-premises liquor licence from 10am-2am daily, with a capacity of 1000, Jones said the impact will be positive.
"The Regent Theatre has great potential to enhance the artistic and cultural activities of the Illawarra," he wrote. "It is a beautiful old building that is being restored for regular public use.
"The business mission and goals is to establish a nationally recognised entertainment venue that presents live music and other performance arts of the highest level.
"The diverse spaces in the venue are being utilised to provide as many attractions as possible. This includes presentation of live performances, art shows, meeting spaces and food and beverage service."
Neighbours and government agencies have been notified, and licensing police have visited the site.
The refit plans indicate a new bar to be built on the ground floor within the auditorium space, while the milk bar on the first floor would become a mezzanine bar.
A month for public submissions on the license application closed on April 29 and it is now under assessment by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
The Mercury sought comment from both McGuinness and Jones for this story.
Ben Langford
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
