The Cinematic History of the Millennium Building

The Millennium Building is one of Plymouth's most iconic sites. The 90 year old building has a rich and varied history; from starting out as The Gaumont Palace cinema in 1931, its later iterations included a roller disco and then nightclub.

Now, after being derelict and out of use for 16 years, new life is being breathed into the space after the joint acquisition by Eat Work Art and Nudge Community Builders.

The importance of keeping its rich history at the core of the Millennium story led us to interview David Simpson of the Cinematic Society to find out more about its cinematic past.

First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where did you get your knowledge of cinema and local history?

"I moved to London at 17 years old and that was where my love of films really blossomed.

My interest in cinema buildings and architecture came much later, in the 1990s, when I discovered the Cinema Theatre Association. Initially, I used CTA books and magazines to recall, through my filmgoing diaries, the many and varied cinemas I had visited over the years and, through them and personal contacts, built up my knowledge of cinemas and local history. (I am now the Assistant Archivist at the CTA.)

To date, I have seen films in 966 cinemas in England: there are currently 12 on my 'to-visit' list!"

Can you tell us a bit about the history of The Gaumont Palace?

"The Gaumont Palace opened on 16th November 1931, having been built on the site of the Andrews Picture Palace which had opened in 1910 and closed in 1930.

The Gaumont Palace had 2,252 seated capacity and was designed by architect Percy Bartlett (of W. H. Watkins). It was renamed simply "Gaumont" in 1937, then closed in1961 for sub-division into a ground floor ballroom and upstairs cinema, extending the circle forwards. The resultant cinema re-opened on 10th September 1962 as the Odeon, with 1,043 seats which then closed in April 1980.

A roller disco opened in the former ballroom in 1980, and later on the building was home to a succession of nightclubs/discos." ???????

How important do you think the Gaumont was to the community/arts at the time?

"At the time the Gaumont Palace opened, in 1931, it would have been incredibly important as an entertainment venue for the local community, probably the only place the whole family could go together. Homes were not so comfortably furnished as they are today, and a 'super cinema' (a real trade term!) like the Gaumont would take people out of their 'humdrum' existence and give them a taste of a glamorous fantasy life.

'Going to the pictures' was at that time a real social phenomenon; a full night out (the main feature, the second feature, newsreel - a 'full programme') all at very affordable prices. It was as social conditions improved and new technology, especially television, came along that cinema began to decline."

Are you excited about the future development of the Millennium Building?

"Yes, I am very excited about this development - and also the aspiration to regenerate the wider Union Street area. That is what makes this project unique: usually, former cinemas are re-developed as standalone projects (because the people behind the scheme are film buffs) but this project is particularly exciting given the wider view that is being taken.

I also think that the combination of commercial lets on the ground floor and a varied, entertainment based venue upstairs adds up to a sound business plan."

Follow The Millennium Building's progress here: