Devon Cinema Gazetteer

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AXMINSTER

Picture Palace ~ Regent

Situated in the Market Square this building was originally an open sided market building, with the roof supported on piers.   Rectangular in shape there were 6 bays on the long side and 4 on the other.  Believed to date from around 1830 the building is Grade II listed. From as early as WWI this building, by then enclosed as a market hall, was being used to show films.  Operated by C F Nurse and later by C Humphries, and at some point by Walfords the building ceased to operate around 1928 before sound was installed. Probably during the 1920s a delightful cinema frontage was added to the building which remains today, and is protected with the listing.  Once films ceased the building would have reverted to a hall, and this is when the extra word "HALL" was added to the Regents facade, or possibly replacing the word "CINEMA".

Guildhall ~ Plaza

It was a number of years before films were again shown in Axminster.  Behind the existing Guildhall in West Street a substantial extension was build creating an auditorium with both cinema and theatre facilities.  The building, including the cinema was operated by Axminster Guildhall Company Limited. The building featured a 26' stage, two dressing rooms and seating for 550.  The sound system was Edibell.  There was also a secondary hall used for dancing.  Although live shows were put on, the programme was mostly films.

After WWII the building was leased to Dorchester Cinema Company Limited who changed the buildings name to Plaza and using a recently installed British Acoustic sound system, operated the building as a cinema into the 1960's.  A CinemaScope screen was added. The council purchased the former cinema in 1964 for £18,000 and have made improvements that makes this hall one of the finest in this part of Devon.

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