As of: February 21, 2024, 3:00 p.m
By: Tobias Gmach
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The days of the blue chairs are numbered: the operators of the Gilching film station, Ulf Maneval and Matthias Bojen, are replacing the seats in the large cinema hall.
And the carpet – they already have the pattern.
© Dagmar Rutt
The large hall of the Gilching film station will be more comfortable and equipped with some special features, but will lose around 30 seats.
The cinema operators are investing around 100,000 euros.
Before that, visitors can remove the old seats and take them home.
Gilching – The large hall of the Gilching film station will be closed for almost three weeks, from March 4th to 22nd.
“We are replacing the seats and changing the carpet as well,” explains Ulf Maneval, who runs the cinema together with Matthias Bojen.
Removing the old carpet from under the seats, cleaning up its residue, sanding the floor and laying a new carpet takes two weeks, including the drying phase.
“That surprised us,” says Maneval.
He is aware that the timing of the work is not ideal - especially since the second part of the science fiction film Dune starts on February 28th.
But it's time to replace the cinema seats after 25 years.
Visitors should then have more comfort and more space.
The new copies will be slightly wider and deeper.
Instead of the previous 190, the hall will only offer around 160 seats - also because the cinema operators have a few exclusive seating options installed.
Maneval doesn't yet know exactly how much the renovation will cost.
“It's heading towards 100,000 euros.” Is that brave in times when other cinemas like the Tutzinger are fighting for survival with help from citizens (we reported)?
“No,” says the operator clearly.
He is sure that the film station will soon return to pre-Corona levels.
Recently there have hardly been any films on the market with strong visitor numbers in the Star Wars or Avatar categories.
A trend in cinemas: luxury or “VIP seats”
He and his partner haven't given much thought to the new pricing structure, says Maneval.
Something will definitely change - if only because there will be different categories in the future.
The two back and two middle rows will be equipped with leather armchairs - and illuminated tables on which visitors can place drinks and snacks.
The Gilching film station is thus jumping on a trend: luxury or “VIP seats” have been finding their way into cinemas for some time now.
Further special features: On the side, group seats are planned in the form of a couch, for example for a family of four.
And the front row is enhanced by armchairs with an integrated footstool.
They are ergonomically designed in such a way that moviegoers are spared a stiff neck, explains Maneval.
Moviegoers can take old seats home with them
The old cinema seats will probably soon be in living rooms or home cinemas in Gilching and the surrounding area.
The film station encouraged visitors to remove their seats the day before the renovation and take them home with them.
An offer that was well received: the performance on March 3rd is sold out.
The film “New Stories from Pumuckl” will be shown.
Maneval: “We wanted something fun that was also about craftsmanship.” He hopes that everyone will come and actually take their seats with them.
“They have to go.” You can no longer make money with the 25-year-old blue armchairs anyway.
But they are definitely a gem for nostalgic people.
“And you sit quite comfortably in it,” says the cinema operator.
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The seating in the second Gilching cinema hall, which currently has 104 seats, is also to be renewed.
Maneval: “We are in the planning stage – at the earliest at the end of 2024, but probably not until 2025.”