Gunnedah Shire Council is selling off the chairs to make way for new seating as part of refurbishments in The Civic Theatre.

Councils' cultural precinct team leader Lauren Mackley said the chairs were installed in 2001 when The Civic was built.

"Going to the movies has always been a much-loved part of life," Ms Mackley said.

"These seats have given cinema-goers a front row (and a back row) seat for classic cinema moments from Shrek to The Notebook and King Kong.

"The chairs are part of Gunnedah's history, from a child's first performance to their first time seeing a movie on the big screen."

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Other improvements in the theatre are new carpet and lighting, and the installation of a more modern candy bar with a backdrop of a photo montage celebrating unique moments captured at the cultural precinct.

The cinema is scheduled to reopen in late August and a date will be announced when refurbishments are finished.

"The health and safety or staff and patrons is Gunnedah Shire Council's top priority and the reopening of the cinema will be dependent on public health orders," a council spokesperson said.

"A COVID safe plan will be in place, including strict hygiene practices, new hand hygiene stations, allocated seating for cinema-goers and capped audience numbers to ensure physical distancing is maintained."

There will be three viewing days for individuals and community groups who are interested in purchasing chairs.

Individuals and groups must pre-book a ticket for the viewing days on Seat Advisor through the 'Buy tickets' link at www.thecivic.com.au

The chairs can be viewed from 3.30pm-5.30pm on August 17-19.

The purchaser must organise their own removal and transport. A nominal fee will be charged for each seat depending on the amount of seats purchased and the chair's condition.