Scott cinema Bridgwater.
The Abandoned Scott Cinema in Bridgwater is a historic Art Deco venue that’s been closed and left largely abandoned since late 2022. Originally built in 1936 as part of the Odeon chain, it operated for 86 years before shutting its doors to make way for a modern replacement. If you’re interested in urban exploration, film history, or just curious about derelict sites, here’s a rundown of its story, status, and what you might find if you visit.
A Quick History
• Origins and Glory Days: Designed by architect Thomas Cecil Howitt (known for other Odeon theaters), it opened as the Odeon Bridgwater on Penel Orlieu in the town center. It was a classic 1930s cinema with a striking Art Deco facade—think geometric patterns, chrome accents, and a neon-lit entrance that screamed pre-war glamour. In its heyday, it seated around 1,200 people and screened everything from Hollywood blockbusters to local favorites.
• Name Changes and Adaptations: Renamed the Classic Cinema in 1967 after being sold to the Classic chain. By 1973, the stalls (lower seating area) were converted into a bingo hall (operated by Mecca Bingo until its closure in early 2022), while the balcony was split into two smaller screens, each holding about 250 seats. It briefly lay empty after the Classic chain folded in 1983 before reopening as an independent “Film Centre.” Around 2005, it joined the Scott Cinemas chain and got its final name.
• The End of an Era: The cinema screened its last film on September 29, 2022. Scott Cinemas relocated to a brand-new £16 million, 7-screen multiplex at Northgate Yard (just a short walk away), leaving the original building vacant. The bingo hall had already shut down months earlier.
Current Status: Abandoned but Not Forgotten
As of early 2025, the building remains closed and derelict, with no redevelopment plans announced. Urban explorers have documented it as a time capsule of faded cinema nostalgia:
• What’s Inside: The lobby and former bingo area (old stalls) are accessible in parts but stripped of modern fixtures—think dusty ticket counters, peeling posters, and echoes of the past. The upstairs balcony screens are more sealed off but reportedly hold intact projection booths, faded velvet curtains, and rows of worn seats. Boiler rooms and plenum chambers add to the eerie, industrial vibe. No major vandalism noted yet, but it’s gathering dust and cobwebs.
Bridgwater locals mourned its loss, calling it a “proper old school cinema” with affordable tickets and friendly staff. Reviews from its final years praise the comfort and value, but now it’s a haunting reminder of how streaming and multiplexes are reshaping entertainment.
The New Scott Cinema: A Fresh Chapter
Scott Cinemas didn’t abandon Bridgwater—they upgraded. The replacement at Northgate Yard, Mount Street, TA6 3FQ opened on October 28, 2022, as part of a leisure park with bowling, restaurants, and EV charging. It features:
• 7 screens with Dolby Atmos sound, recliner seats, and a cafe-bar.
The Abandoned Scott Cinema in Bridgwater is a historic Art Deco venue that’s been closed and left largely abandoned since late 2022. Originally built in 1936 as part of the Odeon chain, it operated for 86 years before shutting its doors to make way for a modern replacement. If you’re interested in urban exploration, film history, or just curious about derelict sites, here’s a rundown of its story, status, and what you might find if you visit.
A Quick History
• Origins and Glory Days: Designed by architect Thomas Cecil Howitt (known for other Odeon theaters), it opened as the Odeon Bridgwater on Penel Orlieu in the town center. It was a classic 1930s cinema with a striking Art Deco facade—think geometric patterns, chrome accents, and a neon-lit entrance that screamed pre-war glamour. In its heyday, it seated around 1,200 people and screened everything from Hollywood blockbusters to local favorites.
• Name Changes and Adaptations: Renamed the Classic Cinema in 1967 after being sold to the Classic chain. By 1973, the stalls (lower seating area) were converted into a bingo hall (operated by Mecca Bingo until its closure in early 2022), while the balcony was split into two smaller screens, each holding about 250 seats. It briefly lay empty after the Classic chain folded in 1983 before reopening as an independent “Film Centre.” Around 2005, it joined the Scott Cinemas chain and got its final name.
• The End of an Era: The cinema screened its last film on September 29, 2022. Scott Cinemas relocated to a brand-new £16 million, 7-screen multiplex at Northgate Yard (just a short walk away), leaving the original building vacant. The bingo hall had already shut down months earlier.
Current Status: Abandoned but Not Forgotten
As of early 2025, the building remains closed and derelict, with no redevelopment plans announced. Urban explorers have documented it as a time capsule of faded cinema nostalgia:
• What’s Inside: The lobby and former bingo area (old stalls) are accessible in parts but stripped of modern fixtures—think dusty ticket counters, peeling posters, and echoes of the past. The upstairs balcony screens are more sealed off but reportedly hold intact projection booths, faded velvet curtains, and rows of worn seats. Boiler rooms and plenum chambers add to the eerie, industrial vibe. No major vandalism noted yet, but it’s gathering dust and cobwebs.
Bridgwater locals mourned its loss, calling it a “proper old school cinema” with affordable tickets and friendly staff. Reviews from its final years praise the comfort and value, but now it’s a haunting reminder of how streaming and multiplexes are reshaping entertainment.
The New Scott Cinema: A Fresh Chapter
Scott Cinemas didn’t abandon Bridgwater—they upgraded. The replacement at Northgate Yard, Mount Street, TA6 3FQ opened on October 28, 2022, as part of a leisure park with bowling, restaurants, and EV charging. It features:
• 7 screens with Dolby Atmos sound, recliner seats, and a cafe-bar.
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