The Plaza Cinema (The Century Cinema)

Information from Hilary McDonald 2013, as part of Bedford Central Library 'Times Past Bedford Cinema's Project'

The site on the Embankment, purchased by the boat building Chetham family, had been through several reincarnations before it became a cinema. Originally it opened in 1909  as an indoor roller skating rink for 3000, designed by local architect E.H.C Inskip. 1. However, the popularity of roller skating waned and towards the end of 1919 the building was divided in half to become Murkett’s Garage and a café dansant. An advertisement in the Bedfordshire Times 2nd January 1920, announced the opening of a Café Dansant at the Castle Rink on the Embankment (sole proprietors W.H. and R. Chetham). Other entertainments including boxing bouts and films were screened in the Western end before it was rebuilt as a classically fronted cinema, The Plaza, by another local architect Ivan Daughtry.

The opening night, Monday 4th March 1929, was reported in great detail in the Bedfordshire Times and Independent. A week before, the paper had noted that ‘the building appeared to be a long way from completion’. However that evening, although some parts of the cinema were still to be finished, the impression was of modernity and comfort: a heightened roof, blue and old gold décor with oak panelling and gilded roof gratings in a heated auditorium. There were comfortable tip-up seats on a raked floor, and an oak screen in front of the orchestra pit. The cinema was built for 1100 people with 3 seating sections. Behind the scenes there were ample dressing rooms as this new venue was designed for variety shows as well as films. That night, at the opening ceremony, manager Mr E. S. Clive stood in for owner Robert Chetham who was suffering from laryngitis. Film Producer Herbert Wilcox gave a short speech before the evening programme of films including the main attraction a Harold Lloyd comedy Speedy, a variety show and orchestral accompaniment.

The aim was for the Plaza to be an entertainment venue as well as a screen but by the mid 1930s, films dominated and variety acts were no longer advertised at the Plaza.  Following the success of its sister cinema the Picturedrome, also owned by the Chethams, talkies were shown from April 1930 using the Western Electric Sound System.

The Chetham family ran the cinema until the Plaza was sold in Spring 1969 to the Granada group. Ron Blake, grandson of Bedford’s pioneer cinema owner, Ernie Blake managed the venue. Later that year in September, the cinema was re-launched as the Century cinema. The Granada’s general manager, Don Tyler indicated that some work had been required to bring the venue up to the standard of a Granada venue.

The Century did not last long under its new owners: despite publicity stunts and innovations such as Junior Cinema on Saturday mornings and Saturday late shows, audience figures were disappointing. Attempts to change the Century into a bingo hall in 1973 failed when an application to the council was turned down. It was closed quite suddenly towards the end of June 1974. Sold to the local council, there were reports that the cinema was to be demolished. A vigorous campaign to save the building had some success and in 1975 the Nite Spot, a cabaret and disco club owned by Jack Rosen and leased from North Bedfordshire Borough Council, opened. This closed a few years later on 28th April 1980 and the building was later demolished.

Sources: 

1. The 1910 edition of the Bedford Directory (revised to November 30th 1909) refers to the Castle Close Rink at 1, The Embankment, Bedford.

List of sources at Bedfordshire Archives: 

• CRT130BED/172: Photocopy of Souvenir Programme of the opening of the Plaza Cinema , 1929
• CA16/5: Bedford Plaza Cinema (SP/B/2), 1944-1971
• FAC151: Bundle of photocopied newspaper and magazine articles relating to Bedford's cinemas, 1948-1995
• Z620/1: View across the Ouse, Bedford, towards the Town and Country Club and the Plaza cinema, 1958
• BP65/39/1-2: View of The Plaza cinema and Bedford Museum from the south side of the River Ouse, 1960s
• BTNegG357/19-20: Old Time music hall at the Plaza, 1965
• BorBTP/67/231: The Embankment:  Plaza Cinema site redevelopment., 1967