Dome Cinema

In Gisborne, on the east coast of the North Island, the Poverty Bay Club was built in 1898. It housed the gentlemen’s club founded in 1874 by the Resident Magistrate, Sir William Nesbitt.

The Club’s association with the building ended in 2003, when it was wound up and the building was sold (though it has retained the Poverty Bay Club name). Witters Partnership, owners from 2003-06, undertook many renovations including re-painting the exterior and partial replacement of the roof. Interior changes included the installation of a large commercial-standard kitchen and the facilities for a small café in the former Strangers Room, bar and parlour (opened up as one room, and now occupied by the appropriately-named PBC Café).

Local company Winston PBC Ltd. acquired the building in 2006. It is occupied by a number of businesses - and the former billiards room is home to the Dome Cinema, founded in 2006 by Sally Shanks.

Its name derives from the three large backlit stained glass domes in the ceiling. It is a determinedly ‘quirky’ venue, with seating comprising large single and double bean bags, with leather couches at the rear. Food orders (mainly gourmet pizzas) are served during the intermission. The Dome Cinema is usually open from Wednesday to Sunday, and hosts live events in addition to the film programme.

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