The Biberach cinema is getting old. When the Sailer company from Neu-Ulm took over the cinema a year ago, it was clear that something had to be done. Extensive renovation work began at the end of May this year. From now on, visitors can enjoy a completely new cinema experience at the Cineplex Biberach. And in September, an American diner, the Peach Pit, will also open, which is located right next to the cinema in the premises of the former Café Berlin. For managing director Roman Sailer, these are all necessary measures to make a visit to the cinema perfect.
Four of the eight cinema halls have already been completely renovated. There are new seats, the latest technology and new lighting concepts. The highlight will definitely be the so-called recliners, which will be installed soon. These are luxury seats that are electrically height-adjustable and make going to the cinema even more comfortable. There are also new seats in hall 6, called D-Box, which move during action scenes. “In the future, we want to offer people in Biberach a special cinema experience and get the best out of what a film can do,” says Roman Sailer. He is the managing director of the Sailer company, which also operates the Dietrich Theater in Neu-Ulm and the Mephisto, Lichtburg and Obscura arthouse cinemas in Ulm.
Cinema hall with all technical features
Anyone who currently goes to the Cineplex Biberach will not notice any changes at first glance. The entrance area has hardly changed so far, but that is also to come. However, if you take a look inside the cinema halls, things change very quickly. Hall 6 in particular is unrecognizable. “We have really stepped up our game here; this is our top cinema hall with all the technical features that are currently available,” says Roman Sailer.
A new cinema experience in Biberach: Hall 6 is already equipped with the latest technology, including a 4K laser system, new lighting and new seats. All halls will soon be renovated. (Photo: Tanja Bosch)
The new lighting system can be completely animated and can be colour-coded to match the film. The sound comes from many new speakers on the walls and ceiling in Dolby Atmos. The projection system used to project the films onto the screen has also been expanded – with a 4K laser system and a new 3D system. “We have all the features that a modern cinema has to offer,” says Roman Sailer. He himself watched “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 3D in Hall 6 at the Cineplex Biberach before the film’s official release. “It was very convincing and really good, everything is high-end.”
Old cinema seats can be purchased
But the modernized cinema halls 2, 3 and 4 are also impressive; here too, 70 percent of the cinema seats were replaced, the walls and lighting were redesigned and the floor was also renewed. Incidentally, the old cinema seats could be purchased for a small price during a seat removal campaign. “This campaign was really well received; people could buy a ticket and then bring their own tools,” says Roman Sailer. The campaign will be repeated in mid-September when halls 1 and 5 are modernized and get new seats.
All cinemas are currently open again. “The summer holidays are an important time for cinemas and we want to offer the full range of services. After the summer holidays, we will continue with the renovation work,” said the cinema operator.
For Roman Sailer, it is important to offer visitors a special kind of cinema experience. Here, on the new chairs, called D-Box, films can be watched with even more action because they move. (Photo: Tanja Bosch)
But modernizing the cinema is only one side of the coin. Appropriate catering also plays a crucial role in Sailer’s cinema concept. Next to the cinema, the second Peach Pit Diner is currently being built, based on the one in Neu-Ulm in the Dietrich Theater. Here, too, renovation work is in full swing. Where Café Berlin used to be, there will soon be an American diner in the style of the 2020s.
Second Peach Pit in Biberach
“We have renewed everything here, it was actually a shell,” says Roman Sailer. There is a brand new kitchen, new toilets, some of the walls have been moved and new windows have been installed. In future, Biberach will be similar to Neu-Ulm, where the Peach Pit Diner has been in the Dietrich Theater since 1996. “It should be recognizable,” says Sailer. “And we are looking forward to opening the second Peach Pit in Biberach.” If everything goes according to plan, the new American diner could open on Waldseer Strasse as early as September.
The menu traditionally includes burgers, steaks, sandwiches, salads, cocktails and much more. Roman Sailer is currently looking for employees. “It’s not that easy in the restaurant business right now,” he says. “But I’m confident that we’ll find people to join our team.”
The fact that the Sailer company was able to take over the premises next to the cinema in October 2023 was a stroke of luck. “The combination of cinema and gastronomy is simply good, we know that from Neu-Ulm,” says Roman Sailer. Before that, the well-known Biberach restaurateur Wolfram Pfeifer ran the Café Berlin in these premises for around ten years. When it became clear that he would be closing his cult café, it was the perfect time for the cinema operators from Neu-Ulm. And so a new era will soon begin at Waldseer Strasse 3 in Biberach.
