 An exterior view of the closed Plaza Theatre, during conversion into a Tesco supermarket and 5 mini-cinemas in Summer 2004. Photo courtesy of Ian Grundy
It lasted without alteration until 1967 when the lovely auditorium was gutted to form two cinemas, designed by Verity & Beverly. The Wurlitzer organ was removed and the 820-seat upper cinema was used as an extended balcony and the original projection box. The stalls, which extended into the stage area, became the 972-seat Paramount with the upper cinema still called the Plaza.
The Paramount used a new projection box constructed in the former Royal Circle area. The Plaza was renamed Universal in 1972, but old names linger and in 1975 they were both renamed Plaza 1 & 2.
Two years later, Plaza 1 (the old stalls) closed and was triplexed. The upstairs cinema now became Plaza 1 whilst the front stalls became Plaza 2 (378 seats), and the rear Plaza 3 & 4 (163 & 181 seats). All original decoration was lost.
Late in 2001, the complex closed and was gutted (yet again!). It reopened in September 2004 with retail space (Tesco supermarket) on the ground floor and five new cinemas located in the basement. The screens seat: (1)88, (2)59, (3)40, (4)168 and (5)126 Total seating in the five screens is for 481 plus 8 wheelchair spaces (2 in screens 1,2,4,5, none in screen 3). The upper floors of the building have been rebuilt internally for office space.
The exterior of the building is Listed Grade II as part of the Regent Street conservation area.
Contributed by Ian Grundy
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