Pavilion Cinema

West’s Pavilion Cinema was opened on 27th April 1914 just before the outbreak of World War I. It featured musical comedies, dramas and pantomimes. During the 1920s when silent movies were introduced, an organ was housed on the left hand side of the circle for musical accompaniment.

In its heyday, the Pavilion played host to more than just movies, it was also a well equipped and impressive theatre, witnessing a series of high class concerts, especially during World War II.

The Pavilion continued to thrive after the war, and later formed part of the Pontypool Cinemas Ltd. chain. The Pavilion ran its last film in 1968 when it showed Richard Harris in “Camelot”.

Within a month of closure as a cinema on the 10th October 1968, the Pavilion was reopened as a bingo hall under the operation of Top Rank Bingo. The circle area however retaining all its original cinema seating.

Bingo finally ceased in 1989 when Top Rank moved out, leaving the building closed but intact with seating, bingo tables, carpets and drapes all inside.

An attempt was made to reopen the cinema by a local cinema operator in the early 90s, but the necessary funding for such a large undertaking did not become available, and the building sadly become neglected and was finally demolished and the site redevolped.

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