Tenants of a closed cinema complex in Wellington are trying to remain positive but are starting to look to plan B.

The Reading's Courtenay Central site has been shut for more than a week due to a potential earthquake risk.

The building houses a movie complex, food court, a bank, and retail stores.

Richard Hoffman owns three businesses inside it including the Scruffy Bunny Theatre.

He told Tim Dower it's totally understandable Reading is being extra cautious because they don't want people to get hurt.

"The situation is a financial blow and I can't wait around forever. I will probably start looking for new spots for the theatre to hold me over until I find out more about the future of the cinema complex."

He says the whole situation is starting to have an impact on both his staff and his family.

"All of the businesses which I own are in the cinema complex and they are the main source of income for myself and my family. I don't know if I should start looking for another job or not."

The majority of the issue is the cinema upstairs on the third level, which directly impacts his businesses.

"Its not necessarily earthquake damage, it may be to do with the construction which is not up to safety records. There is a lot of uncertainty."

LISTEN ABOVE AS RICHARD HOFFMAN SPEAKS TO TIM DOWER