The closure followed an inspection by the General Inspectorate of Cultural Activities (IGAC), which highlighted deficiencies requiring correction. Necessary works include replacing the floor, upgrading around 200 seats, and installing a new alarm system. IGAC has confirmed that the venue, which is privately owned, must remain closed until all issues are resolved and a fresh inspection is carried out.
Barradas, who operates the cinema under a contract with Hotel Melius for the next seven years, admitted uncertainty over whether the space will continue to host films or other activities. “Everything is so expensive, it leaves you disheartened,” he said.
According to the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), Melius Beja is the district’s only privately run regular cinema. Audience numbers have been modest: in 2024, 629 spectators attended 47 screenings, with Mufasa: The Lion King drawing the largest crowd. By September 2025, attendance had risen to 1,529 across 170 screenings, led by Microsoft: The Movie.
“The cinema as it stands is dead,” Barradas remarked, adding that only major blockbusters manage to attract significant audiences.
With Melius Beja closed, regular screenings in the district capital are now limited to the municipality-run Pax Julia Theatre, which also hosts theatre and music. In 2024, its 27 film sessions attracted 1,411 spectators, while this year’s 14 screenings up to August drew 1,519.
Beja remains one of Portugal’s least active districts for cinema-going, with just 11,920 spectators recorded in 2024, representing 0.1 admissions per inhabitant.