MERLIN Cinemas has announced that they have purchased Weston's former ODEON.

The ODEON closed its doors in June, having been a staple of the town since 1935.

In an email written to members, a spokesperson from the ODEON announced the closure: "We are sorry to announce that, following a thorough assessment of all available options, we have made the very difficult decision to close ODEON Weston-super-Mare on June 5, as it is no longer viable to operate the cinema."

The Grade-II listed building has one of the last working Compton organs. It is hoped that the organ will be heard again on special occasions.

In the future, the cinema will be known as the PLAZA Weston-super-Mare.

Having started in 1990, Merlin Cinemas operate in mainly coastal and rural locations. The company aims to repurpose heritage buildings that have been part of the lives of local people for generations.

After a refresh and rebrand, the company hope to open the four-screen cinema as soon as possible.

In the future, improvements will be made to the building itself.

Local people can expect to see everything from mainstream film releases, opera, ballet, and concerts.

Merlin’s Movie Magic Card, available at all the company cinemas, makes regular cinema going especially affordable for local people, with substantial discounts on tickets every day all year round.

Cinema going for card holders can cost as little as £4.50 for adults and children.

Geoff Greaves, director of Merlin Cinemas, said: “Seeing a film at the cinema with family or friends is a very different experience to watching the film at home.

"With modern digital projection and sound, it is more memorable, and offers a sense of occasion.

"With the additional availability of private hires and school screenings, reopening these cinemas will bring back a valuable social amenity and help to invigorate the town centre as well as providing local employment.

"The popularity of cinema-going is returning after the damage done to the leisure industry by the close down during the Covid period. 

"We look forward to bringing this cinema back to life and welcoming customers old and new in the very near future.”

For more information about what's on offer, please visit the Merlin Cinemas' website.