(Plaza) Cinema Spon End Coventry

The Plaza Cinema was opened on 14th October 1929. and operated by the independent Orr and Philpot Circuit. The exterior was quite plain, with a central entrance up a flight of stairs. Seating for 1,412 was provided in stalls and circle levels, with the circle seating over 500. The interior decoration was simple, apart from the unusual shaped proscenium, which had multi-coloured backlighting. Other lighting effects enhanced the ambiance of the auditorium. The Plaza Cinema was equipped with a Conacher 4Manual/8Ranks organ, with a grand piano attached, which was opened by famed organist Reginald Dixon. A cafe was attached for the convenience it its patrons.  The cinema closed on 11th June 1960 and the building became a scenery workshop for the Coventry Theatre until 1970. In September 1971, plans were proposed to convert the building into a nightclub, but these were refused on ground of noise nuisance. The building stood empty until it was demolished in February 1973, when a filling station was built on the site.

COVENTRY - The Town Council has now passed plans for the proposed cinema at Spon End for the Philpot Brothers. The architects are Messrs Hattrell and Wortley, 105 Earlsdon Avenue. The cinema will hold 1,000. [Builder 9 August 1929 page 239]

Reference    Builder 9 August 1929 p239 - new cinemas
Reference    Builder 9 August 1929 p244 - plans passed