THE 400-seat Wellesley Cinema in Mantle Street, Wellington, has new owners following the retirement of Stewart Cusack and Keith Nash.

They have sold their business interest to Merlin Cinemas which owns and operates 14 other cinemas, many in the Westcountry.

The lease of the Wellesley was first purchased by Stewart and Keith in April, 1999, when the cinema was at a low ebb.

During the next eight and half years, they poured in thousands of pounds of their own money and turned it into a successful

business.

In September, 2007, the business changed hands and was sold to Reel Cinemas on the understanding that Stewart and Keith would have first refusal if it was ever sold.

In March, 2013, Reel did just that and offered the Wellesley back to the pair who duly took over the business again under the umbrella of Stage & Kinema Entertainment Ltd.

During the past three and a half years the Wellesley business has gone from strength to strength. It has also introduced ‘Live Event’ performances before they became widespread.

These shows have been extremely popular and have twice been listed in the Royal Opera House UK ‘Top Ten’ league tables.

During this period the Wellesley Cinema has had to display the ‘house full’ sign outside the building five times, which is a great achievement for a large 400-seat cinema in a small town.