FROME’S beloved Westway Cinema is set to reopen in the new year after an ambitious renovation.
New owners, S&B Cinemas, have exciting plans for the town centre cinema with three screens and a major refit.
The company, run by Pat and Beryl Scott, already operates a highly acclaimed independent cinema, The Ritz, in Burnham on Sea, near Bridgwater and they are keen to maintain the Westway’s traditional, independent feel.
Pat told Frome Times, “We knew the previous owners of the Westway and when we heard the lease was available we had to say yes. I wouldn’t like to see such a great place close down.
“Renovations will take about 13 weeks in total and we expect to be opening soon after Christmas.”
Pat and Beryl have run The Ritz for over 11 years and the cinema shows current films as well as live screenings. Pat says the Westway will be run in a similar way, and movie tickets will cost just £4 each.
Westway Cinema closed down in March this year after the business went into liquidation. It had been run by local woman Martina O’Connor and her partner Mark Lifely for the past five years, after they took over from her parents Dennis and Dolores, who had run it for the previous 20 years.
Over 2,000 people signed a petition to try and make sure it reopened as a cinema.
The Westway will keep its name, which Pat believes is an important part of its character, and will be managed by S&B Cinemas’ Casey Ryder.
Pat continued, “The Ritz has been a success since the day we started there. I think it’s very important to look after your customers – that’s our number one selling point.
“At the Westway you’ll be able to come and buy your ticket, be shown to your seat, and we’ll bring out an ice cream tray. It’s a traditional way of doing things but people like it.
“We hope we can give a friendly service that people are happy with and that they’ll keep coming back.”
