Scott Cinema

Penel Orlieu and Mount Street,
Bridgwater, TA6 3PH

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Classic Cinemas (UK), Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation, Scott Cinemas

Architects: Thomas Cecil Howitt

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Odeon Theatre, Classic Cinema, Film Centre

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News About This Theater

Scott Cinema

Opened as the Odeon, one of the original Oscar Deutsch Odeon Theatres Ltd. chain. The opening date was 13th July 1936 with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in “The Amateur Gentleman”.

Architect T. Cecil Howitt again designed another striking Art Deco style cinema for the circuit. The corner entrance was dominated by a flat-topped tower, which had a ‘roof’ supported by four short pillars on each side. There was a row of shops with flats above to the left of the entrance and these, together with the entrance tower were faced in cream faïence tiles.

Inside the auditorium the seating capacity of 1,525 was on a stadium plan with a raised area at the rear (the balcony didn’t overhang the stalls) and seating was provided for 931 in the front stalls and 594 in the raised balcony. The proscenium arch was wide and rectangular and had three coves surrounding it, which contained concealed lighting. There was also a shallow octagonal dome in the centre of the ceiling which had concealed lighting. There were stage facilities which were put to use on occasions by local dramatic companies. In the foyer was an attractive Art Deco stained glass window. The Odeon had an additional facility of a large car park for patrons.

The Odeon was sold off to the Classic Cinemas chain and was re-named Classic from 10th December 1967. It was around this time that the ‘roof’ was removed on the flat-top tower, leaving just the supporting pillar stumps in place! Classic sub-divided the building on 22nd January 1973 and the front stalls became a bingo club, with the raised balcony area being walled off and divided into two 250 seat cinemas.

The Classic Cinemas were closed in March 1983 and lay empty for a while, until they were re-opened by an independent operator. The cinemas were re-named Film Centre, operated by Scott Cinemas and in around 2006 were re-named Scott Cinema. Mecca Bingo still operated in the former front stalls area. The Scott Cinemas closed on 29th September 2022 due to a new nearby 7-screen multiplex which opened by Scott Cinemas in nearby Northgate on 28th October 2022 (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures). The Mecca Bingo Club in the former front stalls has already closed.

Contributed by KenRoe

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on May 18, 2006 at 11:51 pm

A 1970’s exterior photograph of the Classic Cinema/Mecca Bingo from Richard Shaw:
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zac123999
zac123999 on July 20, 2008 at 4:03 pm

Bridgwater Cinema entrance foyer in its former glory

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CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 31, 2012 at 1:02 am

An exterior picture of the theatre as the Odeon can be seen here and one of the original auditorium can be seen here.

MONS
MONS on August 8, 2014 at 8:25 am

Does any one know why the slate roof was removed

SethLewis
SethLewis on May 2, 2016 at 5:51 am

A great experience here last night seeing Eye in the Sky Great welcome delicious ice cream quality digital projection and sound

My first time here in a few years – Mission Impossible 4 before that Tron and Avatar and Erin Brockovich

We need to keep this one alive!

SethLewis
SethLewis on December 30, 2016 at 5:59 am

Another great trip to the movies at Scott Bridgwater last night for Rogue One…Cordial welcome proper ushering…the curtain closes after trailers and reopens for the feature…great locally sourced ice cream And a 1/3 London prices My only complaint is that with only 2 screens sometimes need to travel to Taunton to catch pictures in first week But long live Scott’s Bridgwater

richardhodgson
richardhodgson on September 17, 2022 at 6:25 am

It has been announced that this cinema will close on 29th September 2022, the bingo operation in the old stalls having already closed. A new cinema is to be opened nearby.

mikero
mikero on October 2, 2022 at 11:10 am

Sad news, another classic ODEON, lost. https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2022-10-01/end-of-an-era-for-86-year-old-cinema-closing-its-doors-for-final-time

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