Plaza Cinema

Cinema (now a bingo hall). Designed in 1929 and built between 1932 and 1933 to the designs of W Thornley, LRIBA. The building is constructed of brick, with a faience façade, and significant internal steelwork. The auditorium, double-height and set behind a narrow entrance facade, is built into a cliff. The facade is symmetrical, featuring a low entrance and a tall, mostly blind elevation arranged in recessed and projecting planes. Small windows are set back in vertical bands and are now blocked, with openwork grilles on either side. A central feature includes two giant fluted pilasters supporting a more decorated parapet, featuring a dog-tooth cornice and high frieze. Double doors, with an Art Deco fountain motif, are set slightly back.

Inside, a narrow foyer with a sunburst-pattern cornice and soffited ceiling leads to a large auditorium originally intended for 1,873 patrons. Similar detailing is found on the staircase. The double-height auditorium features a gallery and a small stage. The heavily soffitted and panelled ceiling is stepped down to a broad, square proscenium arch with a moulded surround, in front of which is a shallow semi-dome. A laylight is positioned above the rear circle. The auditorium is canted to either side to incorporate a space for the Compton organ, which survives with a "jellymould" glass surround in front of the stage, and Art Deco grilles topped with anthemion mouldings. Paired columns with Corinthian capitals flank a partially-glazed recess with stepped mouldings, below which are large plaster friezes depicting dancing maidens, demonstrating the influence of the 1925 Paris Exhibition of Decorative Arts. A deep, fluted frieze and shell-pattern cornice extends above these features. The ceiling under the circle features a dome and trough lighting. Pilasters over exit doors have shell-like terminals. Three-bay arcades with square columns and decorative grillework to balustrades are situated on either side of the gallery. A fluted and curved balcony front is present, alongside surviving 1930s seats with fluted ends. A timber balustrade is located at the rear, and the area underneath the balcony, while simpler, includes pilasters with fluted capitals. A long, first-floor restaurant overlooking the town is situated above the foyer, featuring trough lighting in the ceiling on two levels. A narrow passage connects the two sides of the circle, while the stalls crush lounge below has a moulded ceiling.

The building is notable for its lavish Art Deco style, incorporating motifs directly from the 1925 Paris Exhibition. These features were enhanced by a sophisticated concealed "Holophane" lighting system, fragments of which remain. It represents an exceptionally complete example of a 1930s ‘super’ cinema, which remains largely unaltered and retains its Compton organ.