The closed down Plymouth Art Deco cinema where the Beatles famously played is to reopen as an entertainment and 1,000 capacity live music venue.
The former Reel Cinema and Gala Bingo building at Derry’s Cross has been the subject of negotiations between Plymouth City Council, its current leaseholders and a third party operator.
The council, as freeholder, has signed a conditional agreement with the long leaseholder to rejuvenate the site. Full details are still to be unveiled but the project is expected to see an “extensive refurbishment” that will see the main auditorium reopened. This is likely to include removing an existing wall enabling the auditorium to hold 1,000 people for live entertainment.
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Under the plans the Art Deco front of the building would be preserved and, where possible, remodelling will aim to respect its architectural heritage and its importance as a community asset.
Nick Kelly, leader of Plymouth City Council, visited the site with Chris Morgan-Giles, property director of Reel Cinemas, and Will Furze, who is a co-director, along with Mr Morgan Giles, in a “performing arts” company called 1938 Ltd, which was incorporated in 2020.
Cllr Kelly said: “We committed to working with partners to develop and deliver additional venues across Plymouth for music and entertainment and while this is in the early stages, it’s incredibly exciting.
“Plymouth has a number of smaller venues and a large venue, the Pavilions, but has not had a venue that can accommodate 1,000 people – that crucial medium-sized venue that is a missing link in Plymouth’s entertainment scene.
“We want Plymouth to be a great place to live and that includes enjoying a great night – particularly in the city centre. We are not yet in a position to give more detail, but I promise you, people will not be disappointed.”
Built on the site of the old Theatre Royal, the cinema was opened in July 1938, with Katherine Hepburn in Stage Door, and Cesar Romero starring in Dangerously Yours. Faced in white Portland stone, in an Art Deco style, it was designed by in-house architect WR Glen for the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) and housed 2,024 seats. The building suffered bomb damage in 1941, but fortunately remained largely intact. The ABC was turned into a triple-screen cinema and bingo club in 1977. It was later owned by Cannon Group and MGM until a management buy-out brought the name ABC back in the mid-1990s. In 2006 it was acquired by the Reel Cinemas chain.
The building closed as a cinema in February 2019, having last been used by the Reel Cinemas Ltd group. It marked the end of 81 years of entertainment at the venue, which also saw top musical acts including The Beatles, Tom Jones, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Sacha Distel, trod the boards. Reel Cinema bosses said the moviedrome would no longer be a viable option once Cineworld opened its 12-screen multiplex at nearby Bretonside in late 2019.
