A s the cue marks flash their warning that the end of the reel is near, it appears that the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch is asleep at the projector. Its up to them whether the next reel plays or the story ends here for East Vans cherished Rio Theatre according to owner Corrine Lea.
At the receiving end of licensing fixes that she claims make it impossible to conduct business, Lea stated bluntly on the phone with WE that the Rio theatre will close if nothing is done.
Everyone thought we won about two weeks ago thought the restrictions had been lifted but we cant operate.
She's asking supporters to join her at a "high noon" protest at Premier Christy Clark's office at 3615 West 4th on March 1. (A bus from the Rio will leave at 11 a.m. Volunteer drivers are also encouraged to rendezvous at the Rio to offer rides to East Van protesters.)
The Rio triumphed in the fight to serve alcohol at live events; however it has hit a seemingly impenetrable wall of bureaucracy.
In order to show movies, they now have to permanently remove their liquor licence on film days. There is a cost involved with every licence reinstatement, which is complicated by the fact that schedules are constantly changing.
Its a severe step to take. The restrictions are pretty much impossible to use.
Lea says close to 30 employees will be out of work for the next 10-15 days because she cant show movies. In an open letter to Minister Rich Coleman, she begs for some leeway. Quoting from a story in the media, she questions his assertion that they have fixed the problem.
If the fix was really true then why is our film programming being banned by the LCLB once again? The LCLB just came back with more red tape and unrealistic regulations that are are impossible for any venue to follow, which only sets us up for failure. We are the last single-screen theatre in East Vancouver and the community does not want to lose the Rio like so many other independent theatres have been lost. Our business model works, and it could very well be a practical solution for other indie theatres to stay in business.
Leas suggestion is to allow venues to lock up their alcohol when they have events with no bar service to mitigate the safety issue that shapes the LCLB reasoning.
Since penning the letter, Lea says she has received even more disheartening news. Karen Ayers, general manager of the LCLB, is apparently considering canceling the licence completely if Lea keeps trying to show movies.
If my licence gets cancelled then all this work Ive done for a year and three months is over. The Rio will de done.
While phone calls to Rich Coleman and Karen Ayers had not been returned at press time, WE received an email from a ministry spokesperson this morning stating, "The Rio Theatre applied for a liquor licence as a live event theatre, knowing it could not be licensed as a movie theatre under the current regulations. Like every other liquor primary licensee, they occasionally can apply to de-license during licensed hours on three weeks notice.
"The Rio now has come forward with new requests, which may or may not work for other live event theatre liquor licensees. In the interest of fairness, the provincial government must consider industry requests as a whole, not just those from a single licensee. If a liquor license holder is unable or unwilling to comply with the terms of their license, action may be taken that could include cancelling the license."
The Ministry goes on to say that they are currently reviewing their liquor policies related to movie theatres and the Rios requests will be considered as part of that review. Until that is completed, the Rio will be required to abide by the current regulations and policies.
