Transcendence, a science fiction story starring Johnny Depp, will be the last film on the big screen at 8.45pm next Wednesday.

When the credits roll at 10.45pm the projection surface will fade to black forever.

Contractors from a labour force company are expected to move in within days to strip the five-screen cinema bare.

Projection equipment and seats are expected to be transferred to other Reading sites.

A Riverdale source said "hundreds of stories" had been circulating about the shopping centre and cinema complex since Reading announced it was pulling out of Dubbo.

"We've heard a new cinema company is taking over on July 1," the source said.

"Other stories say a cinema complex will be built on another location. We don't know what is true because the stakeholders are remaining tight lipped.

"This week the most prominent rumour was that Riverdale had been sold."

Warren Ebert, founder and managing director of Sentinel Property Group, yesterday confirmed he visited Riverdale two weeks ago.

"It is a matter of public record that the Reading lease is about to expire," Mr Ebert said.

"We spoke to tenants at Riverdale but have not bought the centre.

"We are not interested at this stage but that does not mean we wouldn't buy it in the future."

Mr Ebert said his company had purchased 21 properties on the eastern seaboard in the last three years.

"We look at a lot of properties and you need to kiss a lot of frogs until you find a prince.

"At the end of the day we are investors and after income. We don't own Riverdale so we don't need to get involved in the issues. I will say that Reading Cinemas hasn't gone yet.

"A lot of talk goes around and people have nothing better to do than gossip. Until Reading closes the doors I won't believe they are going. Everyone loves to negotiate.

"Another cinema chain may come on board or the cinema site could be converted to other use. It is air conditioned retail space with a car park underneath and could be anything."

The imminent cinema closure puts 18 staff out of job and has been a bitter blow for cinema patrons.

A Facebook site asking for Readings to remain in Dubbo has attracted more than 4300 supporters.

The cinema reportedly attracts an average of 175,000 patrons annually.

"People travelled long distances for the big screen experience," a cinema source said.

"They came from as far away as Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Coonabarabran, Dunedoo, Gulgong and Mudgee."

Late last month Melbourne-based Reading Entertainment general manager Wayne Smith told the Daily Liberal the decision to cease trading had been driven by economics.

"The high property lease cost significantly impacts the cinema's viability and has done so for a long time," he said.

"Whilst we are very disappointed that our landlord did not elect to address the financial imbalance we are very grateful to the local community and our loyal staff for their terrific support over the many years that we have been part of the Dubbo community.

"Notwithstanding anything else, our lease expires in June 2014 so it's beyond our individual control as to what happens with the cinema building . . . we do not own it.

"We are seeking alternative premises although that process does take some time."

The cinema opened amid much fanfare on June 10, 1999 and attracted "good consistent business" for 15 years, a company source said.

In November last year Reading Cinemas spent half a million dollars updating projection and sound equipment at the 1100-seat Dubbo complex.