Scott Cinemas

HISTORY This cinema was built on the site of the former Theatre Royal by a subsidiary company (Albany- Ward) of the Gaumont British Corporation, at that time the largest cinema operator in the country. Gaumont itself had Parisian origins but the British and French divisions split as a result of first world war difficulties. Gaumont France still exists. It opened on 3rd August 1931, as The Gaumont Palace, and was designed by the Bristol based architectural practice of W.H.Watkins who designed a number of significant cinemas for Gaumont in Coventry, Plymouth , Bristol and Exeter as well as many others in the Bristol and South Western area. As a single screen cinema it had 1124 seats with an elaborate 3 cove illuminated proscenium surround and cove in the ceiling. With sunburst effects over the doorways, silk panelling on the side walls and its' green cloister-tiled front elevation it had a somewhat Oriental-Art-Deco appearance. The main staircase and upper foyer/bar area retain many original, restored features and screen one particularly still impresses by its size and scale.By 1942 Gaumont and Odeon Cinemas were controlled by J.Arthur Rank and in the 60's it was decided to replace the "Gaumont" name with "Odeon" in places where they did not operate two or more cinemas. By the end of that decade ownership had passed to The Classic Cinemas ( which ultimately were acquired by Cannon Cinemas ) and thence to an independent operator based in Surrey. By this time the auditorium had been laterally split to form a Bingo club in the former stalls and a 435 seat cinema in the balcony area. For further information see "Gaumont British Cinemas" by Allen Eyles, BFI Publishing. CURRENT Scott Cinemas bought the building in late 1999, and embarked on an extensive programme of work to convert the ground floor into 3 auditoria. Two cinemas were constructed under the rear balcony, with a fourth cinema added in the former front stalls, with seating in a stadium configuration. Unlike most conversions of older buildings, care was taken to ensure complete symmetry in the design ensuring perfect sightlines. In 2008, the cinema was named RAAM "Independent Cinema of the Year." A further complete refurbishment took place during 2010-11 which included the complete redecoration of all front of house areas, installation of Digital 3D in Screen 1, revised decoration and lighting in all screens, and Digital sound in Screen 4. A Cafe Bar was provided in the upper foyer and all screens are licensed. At the end of 2011, all screens were converted to Digital Projection with 6-channel Digital sound. The construction additional screens on adjacent land is still a desirable project.