Used as a market hall and a betting shop (Tote as it was called back then), the former cinema then became the Jigsaw Nitespot, an Irish Club for dancing, music and, apparently, a darned good steak!
Conversion to a workshop and retail came later in the 1970’s.
The Astoria had a total of 1369 seats, 946 in the stalls, and 423 in the balcony. Originally planned for 2050 (1350 stalls, 700 balcony), these numbers were reduced due to a mixture of licensing conditions, together with adjustments to allow for the best sight lines to the screen.
Two houses were demolished to have the cinema built. These has been acquired by Burlington Picture House Company Limited to build a cinema in March 1928. This company was unable to raise enough capital to proceed, and, coupled with delays to the planning and persistence locally to oppose building a cinema at Castle Circus, was eventually bought out by Associated British Cinemas who proceeded immediately to demolish the houses in 1931.
A problematic building site meant that the Regal Cinema wouldn’t open until the 31st July, 1933.
The Pontio (as it is known locally) closed for two weeks from the 4th to the 18th September, 2026. This was to install a new floor and to refurbish the seating.
A very popular venue with a packed programme of films to enjoy across a wide spectrum of genres. As you would expect, this includes films made in the Welsh language along with Independent films, classics, and current films.
The Ritz Cinema reopened as the Ritz Bingo & Social Club the same year as closing as a cinema. This lasted until around 1975. The cinema/bingo club, along with the Farmers Arms pub were demolished for houses.
Two sets of plans have been submitted to the Borough Council today (14th August, 2026) by Austringer Capital. A 24 lane bowling alley opened in the complex in June 2026. It is now to be decided about the remaining space: either a storage facility or a nine screen cinema complex. No potential cinema operator has been announced along with the planning application.
Initially after closure, the former cinema was turned into the Scala Bingo Club by Cornwall Cinema Bingo Clubs. It closed in 1973 when the former King’s Cinema closed as a cinema and was re-opened as a bingo club by the same company. The bingo clubs traded as a part of the Cornwall Cinemas circuit.
Originally on Pier Road, the venue was known as The Kursaal. A windmill stood next to the building, which was later demolished. Originally the Kursaal had a tin sheet roof, with a lower pitch to it.
Later called The Casino, it’s possible that it was used as a bingo hall. The facade was replaced, along with the pitch of the auditorium. I have uploaded pictures of the original building as built, and the later use as a ‘casino’ as it was called, both with the windmill in the background.
An advertisement in a booklet promoting the area by the Prestatyn Urban District Council for 1934-35 has the cinema called Scala Super Cinema, operated by Saronie’s Enterprises. Seat prices shown are: Circle 1/6, booked 1/10, Stalls 1/- and Front Stalls 7d. Matinees on all wet days during July and August. I have uploaded a picture of this advertisement.
Having been closed and boarded up since 2013, activity has been seen at this former cinema more recently. The cinema is being gutted out completely to create a trampolining centre.
In 1921, the cinema is listed in a street directory as being Poole’s Picture Palace located between Bass & Co. at 113A and the Blue Taxi-Cabs Office, Lamb Hotel at 116 Upper High Street.
The projection room of the New Cinema makes an appearance in Ideal Kinema magazine dated 2nd August, 1934, so the cinema must have opened near to that date. It may well get a mention in an issue or two prior or after this issue date.
Sadly, the Queen’s Hotel and the former cinema area, last used as a market hall, were demolished and a new Queen’s Market has been built on the site. Plans were first presented in 2018 by the Council, the building fronting the promenade (by then the Savoy Hotel & Fusion Nightclub) being described as ‘dilapidated with no active uses on upper floors and significant void levels on the ground floor’. The seperate Queen’s Market was still in use as such. The overall cost of replacement was £14.5m for a glass and metal structure.
Along with the market, the space also contains a food hall, leisure facilities and a multi-use hall area.
An altogether very welcome conclusion for this site. Facade retained and restored, a lovely cinema returned to the site with all the modern bells and whistles, plus the all to common flats built as well.
A true model of what can be done given the will.
Used as a market hall and a betting shop (Tote as it was called back then), the former cinema then became the Jigsaw Nitespot, an Irish Club for dancing, music and, apparently, a darned good steak! Conversion to a workshop and retail came later in the 1970’s.
The Astoria had a total of 1369 seats, 946 in the stalls, and 423 in the balcony. Originally planned for 2050 (1350 stalls, 700 balcony), these numbers were reduced due to a mixture of licensing conditions, together with adjustments to allow for the best sight lines to the screen.
Two houses were demolished to have the cinema built. These has been acquired by Burlington Picture House Company Limited to build a cinema in March 1928. This company was unable to raise enough capital to proceed, and, coupled with delays to the planning and persistence locally to oppose building a cinema at Castle Circus, was eventually bought out by Associated British Cinemas who proceeded immediately to demolish the houses in 1931.
A problematic building site meant that the Regal Cinema wouldn’t open until the 31st July, 1933.
R.C. Hill operated the Cameo as Duchy Cinemas Ltd.
The changes to the rear of the building were by Levitt Bernstein Associates Ltd. as architects.
The Pontio (as it is known locally) closed for two weeks from the 4th to the 18th September, 2026. This was to install a new floor and to refurbish the seating.
A very popular venue with a packed programme of films to enjoy across a wide spectrum of genres. As you would expect, this includes films made in the Welsh language along with Independent films, classics, and current films.
Closed as a cinema Saturday, 29th November, 1969 with the popular British film ‘The Virgin Soldiers’.
The Ritz Cinema reopened as the Ritz Bingo & Social Club the same year as closing as a cinema. This lasted until around 1975. The cinema/bingo club, along with the Farmers Arms pub were demolished for houses.
Joseph Lawden and Howard Cetti are given as joint architects according to the plans submitted and approved by the council.
Unfortunately, this date of opening on the Cinema 100 plaque has been proven to be incorrect.
Two sets of plans have been submitted to the Borough Council today (14th August, 2026) by Austringer Capital. A 24 lane bowling alley opened in the complex in June 2026. It is now to be decided about the remaining space: either a storage facility or a nine screen cinema complex. No potential cinema operator has been announced along with the planning application.
Now operated by, and renamed, ARC cinemas.
Closed on the 25th June, 2026.
Initially after closure, the former cinema was turned into the Scala Bingo Club by Cornwall Cinema Bingo Clubs. It closed in 1973 when the former King’s Cinema closed as a cinema and was re-opened as a bingo club by the same company. The bingo clubs traded as a part of the Cornwall Cinemas circuit.
Photograph now added whilst Carrimore’s taken in the 1960’s.
Originally on Pier Road, the venue was known as The Kursaal. A windmill stood next to the building, which was later demolished. Originally the Kursaal had a tin sheet roof, with a lower pitch to it.
Later called The Casino, it’s possible that it was used as a bingo hall. The facade was replaced, along with the pitch of the auditorium. I have uploaded pictures of the original building as built, and the later use as a ‘casino’ as it was called, both with the windmill in the background.
An advertisement in a booklet promoting the area by the Prestatyn Urban District Council for 1934-35 has the cinema called Scala Super Cinema, operated by Saronie’s Enterprises. Seat prices shown are: Circle 1/6, booked 1/10, Stalls 1/- and Front Stalls 7d. Matinees on all wet days during July and August. I have uploaded a picture of this advertisement.
Having been closed and boarded up since 2013, activity has been seen at this former cinema more recently. The cinema is being gutted out completely to create a trampolining centre.
Star also operated a bingo club within the building, presumably in the former circle area?
In 1921, the cinema is listed in a street directory as being Poole’s Picture Palace located between Bass & Co. at 113A and the Blue Taxi-Cabs Office, Lamb Hotel at 116 Upper High Street.
Good news! The Plaza has re-opened!
The projection room of the New Cinema makes an appearance in Ideal Kinema magazine dated 2nd August, 1934, so the cinema must have opened near to that date. It may well get a mention in an issue or two prior or after this issue date.
Sadly, the Queen’s Hotel and the former cinema area, last used as a market hall, were demolished and a new Queen’s Market has been built on the site. Plans were first presented in 2018 by the Council, the building fronting the promenade (by then the Savoy Hotel & Fusion Nightclub) being described as ‘dilapidated with no active uses on upper floors and significant void levels on the ground floor’. The seperate Queen’s Market was still in use as such. The overall cost of replacement was £14.5m for a glass and metal structure.
Along with the market, the space also contains a food hall, leisure facilities and a multi-use hall area.
This was built where the boiler house/chimney stack and coal bunker was located previously.
An altogether very welcome conclusion for this site. Facade retained and restored, a lovely cinema returned to the site with all the modern bells and whistles, plus the all to common flats built as well. A true model of what can be done given the will.