REFURBISHMENT work has started on Weston's Plaza Cinema building.

The building, which formally operated as The Odeon, opened its doors as the Plaza in December 2023.

The works, which are expected to be completed by the end of the month, includes specialist cleaning of the cream and black tiled exterior and repairing the three former retail kiosks that sit on either side of the entrance.

A North Somerset Council spokesperson said: "Refurbishment of the Plaza Cinema Weston-super-Mare has started.

"The work, which is expected to complete by the end of the month (March 2024), includes:

"Specialist cleaning of the cream and black tiled exterior;

"Repairing the three former retail kiosks that sit either side of the entrance, and installing new glazed and timber shopfronts, and repairing some damage caused by Storm Eunice in February 2022.

"This will be the seventh project to be delivered as part of Weston-super-Mare’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Shopfront Enhancement Scheme, managed by North Somerset Council.

"This is being funded thanks to a partnership between merlin cinemas Historic England and the UK government's Levelling Up Fund.

"Weston had two Heritage Action Zones in its town centre thanks to a combined investment of £2m from Historic England.

"The Great Weston Heritage Action Zone ended in September 2022, while the High Street Heritage Action Zone will continue until the end of this month. Find out more about the Heritage Action Zone www.n-somerset.gov.uk/heritageactionzone.

"The art deco building on Walliscote Road, which opened as The Odeon in 1935, was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt. It still retains its originally installed Compton organ."

Speaking back when the cinema was opened, Councillor Mike Bell, North Somerset Council’s leader and local ward member, said: “The former ODEON building, recently bought by Merlin Cinemas and re-opened today as the Plaza, is a landmark building of national interest.

"It’s loved by so many people in the town and further afield, including those with fond memories of watching global artists perform there, including ‘The Beatles’ sixty years ago in 1963.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been be able to allocate this funding as part of our Levelling Up Fund and High Street Heritage Action Zone shopfront enhancement schemes. I very much look forward to seeing the improvements realised.”