Plaza Cinema

Located in Wincanton, Somerset. The Plaza Cinema was opened on 22nd November 1934 with Clifford Mollison in “Meet My Sister”. It was built and operated by the Manchester based Marks Circuit Cinemas Ltd. Although small in seating capacity (only 380-seats), the cinema had a stage with a fly tower and dressing rooms. The proscenium was 24ft wide and it was equipped with a Parmeko sound system. It had closed by 1944. By 1947 it had been reopened by Marks Circuit Cinemas and the sound system was British Acoustic(BA).

It was equipped with CinemaScope in the mid-1950’s, and films continued into 1970 and it was converted into a bingo club. Films were shown occasionally on holidays and winter evenings.

In 1987, the Plaza Cinema was redecorated, and films returned, but it was a short lived venture, and bingo reigned full time again. In March 1989 films return for four nights a week with bingo on the other three nights. Business initially was good, but in May 1992, the building closed. It remained unused until a young man took it over and re-opened the Plaza Cinema with Tom Cruise in “Mission Impossible”. Only the seats in the circle were used. He was hoping to convert the stalls into a second screen, but the business failed.

In 1999, a community church took over the building, and they were still in residence in 2014. There was a plan to get the cinema listed, but it failed.

The Plaza Cinema was reopened by S&B Cinemas on 13th February 2026 as a 2-screen cinema. By May 2026 a 3rd screen was being installed, located on the former stage, with a possible September 2026 opening.

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

Biffaskin on February 13, 2026 at 2:09 pm

Good news! The Plaza has re-opened!

DavidSimpson on May 23, 2026 at 4:24 am

I was given a very warm welcome by the clearly very enthusiastic staff when I visited in May 2026 to see “The Devil Wears Prada 2”. Screen 1 (72 seats) is in the former stalls, while Screen 2 (44 seats) occupies the former circle. The decision was made in this screen to sacrifice seating to allow plenty of leg-room, making this an exceptionally comfortable auditorium.

Screen 3, situated in the former stage area, was still under construction. It is hoped this will be open by September.

In a really nice touch, after the adverts and trailers had been played an “Intermission” ident came on screen and an usherette appeared carrying a tray of ice creams. This was very worthwhile: About half of the audience - including me! - couldn’t resist one of these treats!