SCOTT Cinemas has announced that its Penel Orlieu venue in Bridgwater will close this month to make way for its new Northgate Yard multiplex.
The existing cinema will close its doors for the last time on Thursday, September 29.
The Northgate Yard project in Bridgwater town centre is due to be completed in October and feature a new cinema operated by Scott Cinemas.
The Penel Orlieu cinema first opened as The Odeon on July 13, 1936. It had over 1,500 seats and was designed by a renowned architect, T. Cecil Howitt.
The cinema was purchased by Classic Cinemas in the late 1960s.
Classic Cinemas seperated the building into a stalls area for bingo and the circle for two screens, which remain in place.
Scott Cinemas acquired the cinema element in 1983 with Mecca operating the bingo, which recently closed permanantly after 48 years.
Cinema manager Zac Tucker, who will be on duty for the final night of the existing cinema and opening night at Northgate Yard, said: “I started work in the current cinema 19 years ago, starting as an usher and working my way up the ladder.
“The next few weeks will hold a mix of emotions for myself, as I'm sure it will for many people in the town.
“Although it will be a sad occasion to leave our current premises given its long history, it’s very exciting to be a part of the next stage of the town’s cinematic history.
“This is a great opportunity to bring the people of Bridgwater a fully accessible and state-of-the-art building with a great choice of film and live-streamed events.
“I cannot wait to see all our customers faces over at Northgate Yard, old and new.”
The new cinema has been built in partnership with Sedgemoor District Council and will be the first element of Northgate Yard to open.
A bowling alley and dining hub will open in the following months.
The new seven-screen cinema has two ‘lux’ screens with reclining seats and features the latest in cinema technology, including two screens with Dolby Atmos.
The finishing touches on the cinema are set to be made over the coming weeks, with seats set to arrive for installation soon. An opening date is expected shortly.
Scott Cinemas will mark the final week at its current site by reducing tickets for all films to £4.50 each.
It will also bring back some of 2022's biggest blockbusters, including Top Gun Maverick, Elvis, Minions: The Rise Of Gru and DC League Of Super Pets.
Tickets are now available at www.scottcinemas.co.uk.
Read more: Northgate Yard scheme in Bridgwater to be completed by October
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