Reimagining and redeveloping one of Europe’s earliest surviving purpose-built cinemas to create a home for film with new cultural, creative and community uses.

The Paignton Picture House opened to the public on 16 March 1914 and continued in use as a cinema until the last viewing on 26th September 1999, following the opening of a nearby multiplex cinema.

Patrons included Agatha Christie, who would often visit, sitting in the Circle's row two, seat two. In many of her books, the 'Gaiety Cinema' is a reference to the Paignton Picture House. The building has been used as location for a number of films, including Agatha Christie's 'Ordeal of Innocence' (1984).

In 2013 a group of dedicated local people with a passion for historic buildings and the power of these assets to deliver regeneration came together to set up a Buildings Preservation Trust. The Trust’s vision is to create a community and cultural hub for Torbay, a place for entertainment, enjoyment and learning.

The Picture House sits adjacent to Paignton railway station, providing a backdrop to public life in the centre of town. New bath stone stairs and ramps with brass handrails create an accessible entrance and enhance. The existing foyer building has been stripped back and repaired to enhance the bath stone and brick facades. A new extension provides public access to stalls, balcony and a new second floor studio. Bath stone and red sandstone match the existing materials and create a contemporary patterned facade that complements the historic. South facing windows frame new views over the neighbouring Dartmouth Steam Railway.

The redeveloped Paignton Picture House will actively enhance front of house commercial activity and minimise operational costs to support a viable building for long term public use. The radical retrofit:

• reduces energy demand by wrapping the auditorium in low carbon, breathable insulation
• reduces operational energy use and carbon emissions with air source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
• generate zero carbon electricity on site with rooftop photovoltaic panels.

The foyers are stripped back to reveal an intricate mosaic floor and celebrate found materials. New openings create interconnected rooms for meeting and refreshment, supporting a socially and economically viable venue on the high street.

Original windows are reinstated in the auditorium to create both a blackbox venue and a naturally lit hall - a cinema, esports venue, performance space and lecture hall rolled into one. A new floor with an accessible slope allows all visitors to enjoy the stalls with improved sightlines. The balcony provides more generous seating and the historically rare private boxes are retained and refined, providing a diverse range of audience experiences.

The former projection room and offices on the second floor are made accessible with a new stair and lift, providing a new studio for learning and community uses, as well as meeting rooms and supporting facilities.

The project has secured over £4m funding, including £2.95m Cultural Development Fund, £1.25m Future High Streets Fund and early phase conservation works supported by Historic England and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Competitive tender. First Prize. Opens 2026.