The company taking over the former Hoyts cinema in the Octagon is about to spend ''millions'' refurbishing the building and is in no rush to reopen it, it says.
Reading Entertainment managing director Wayne Smith, of Melbourne, said the company, which owns the building, was in no hurry and would take the time needed to develop ''something special''.
''We [have] taken the decision to undertake a more thorough design process and develop up a completely new offer,'' Mr Smith said.
''This has required months of two different specialist architectural firms working up a scheme and theme that we are comfortable with and one I'm happy will see out some longevity in a suitable way given the multimillion-dollar spend that's going to be invested,'' Mr Smith said.
There was no firm date for reopening, but in an ''ideal world'' it would be in the first half of next year, he said.
''Our board wants whatever we do with Dunedin to be innovative and something special. If that takes a little more time they'd prefer we take our time, don't rush things and do it right the first time.''
The design process was expected to be finished by the end of this month and construction would begin after the council gave consent.
Council building services manager Neil McLeod said Reading applied for building consent on September 2, but withdrew its application on October 15.
