Back to index of Nerve 24 - Summer 2014

Plaza Cinema - 75 Years Serving The Community

By Joe Coventry
Photographs by Christine Physick

Have you ever noticed an Art Deco building on the left as you travel towards Crosby? The sign that adorns it proudly says PLAZA and it represents one of the last great independent cinemas in the city. It might not have been there at all. It opened for one day on 2nd September 1939 and closed straight away due to the outbreak of World War Two, but thankfully it survived the bombing. Its chequered history has seen it become an Odeon, Classic, Cannon, and Apollo before closing its doors in 1996.

TAMG - creating a soundtrack

Step in Chair of Trustees, Jan Dunn whose 10,000 signature petition was instrumental in the Plaza being reborn in 1997. Since then it has been a roller-coaster ride to reach the comparative stability this inclusive community venue enjoys today. Run entirely by local volunteers as a non-profit-making Charity it provides a cultural oasis for the people of Waterloo and its environs.

From a standing start everyone had to hit the floor running as the volunteers learnt their trade from scratch. Knowledge of how the industry worked and how to reach the right people was a steep learning curve and luck has also played its part. Obtaining Titanic at reasonable buy-in cost in 1998 resulted in 27,000 ticket sales, saving the day. Entry prices have always been kept competitive and refreshments are sold at cost price, good news in this cash-strapped economy.

Many of the volunteers have benefited from picking up skills helpful to future employment prospects. As willing projectionists rolled the films, the front of house staff have learnt customer-facing and money handling skills, while tallying ticket sales and balancing the books have been learnt alongside nuts and bolts facilities upkeep and accommodation management, at present under the watch of Martin Fol.

Since 2004 the arrival of Christine Physick has added a new dimension to what this arts hub can offer the wider community. Responsible for Arts and Education projects she has introduced nostalgia and fund raising events, co-ordinating nights like the one on 6th March to showcase International Women's Day, by liaising with Unison to show Made in Dagenham.

There are also Community film nights which have included Bootle residents, aged 55 to 96, reflecting on the heyday of cinema-going, collaborations between young and old on subjects like My Generation with Q&A after the film, Autism friendly screenings, and special summer holiday projects under the banner of Plaza Arts: The Creeps is coming soon.

The Possessor group shot

Then there is the building itself. First things first, money raised for metal shutters to protect the frontage and securing the roof. Inside, new seats downstairs, a new screen, the transition from 35mm to digital projectors, £160,000 worth of improvements achieved through fund-raising and loans. Future projects include giving the front canopy LED signage, refurbishing the original upstairs butterfly seats, new swish curtains and upgrading the toilets. As in the past, local banks and businesses have contributed to the ongoing renaissance.

This is a real and thriving interactive space well frequented by a broad swathe of the local community. This September will see a 75th anniversary that deserves to be celebrated in some style. Thanks to the drive and passion of all who have and continue to make it happen, it promises to be an occasion to remember.

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