THE ODEON Cinema in Taunton is a popular destination for all ages of the community as they enjoy all the latest films.
Despite the cinema opening in the location near the motorway on August 4, 1994, the company ODEON has a longstanding cinematic history in the county town.
Locals will remember the Plaza Cinema on the junction of Staplegrove Road and Station Road in the town centre - this closed in August 1994 and was later demolished in 1998.
That cinema building originally opened in August 1913 as a cine-variety theatre, and in 1932 it was taken over by County Cinemas chain, who at the time were about to be taken over by Oscar Deutsch’s Odeon Theatres chain.
It was re-named Odeon Theatre from 1936.
In December 1967 it was sold to Classic Cinemas Ltd. and was re-named Classic Cinema.
It then went through a series of name changes, and was probably best known as the Plaza Cinema.
The new multiplex was being built by Odeon Cinemas across town and this opened on 4th August 1994.
At the official opening of the new cinema, actor Tony Robinson joined in the celebrations.
The first films shown at the cinema include Mrs Doubtfire and Cool Runnings.
Managing director of Odeon at the time, Hugh Corrance said: “I am pleased that Odeon Cinemas have succeded in returning to Taunton with a ‘state of the art’ five screen cinema.
“We know it will be very popular with the people of Taunton.”
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