Orpheus Cinema, Henleaze Bristol

This cinema is part of a Waitrose development that was carried out in the late 1960s and is built on the site of the original Orpheus Cinema. This was a very pleasant, typical 1930s suburban cinema with around 1,500 seats. Pictures are on display on the main entrance stairs.

It was fitted out and operated for many years by Star Cinemas, a National company who were well known for the creation of small, multi-screen cinemas all designed in what was then the latest style, with much use of purples, illuminated stair banisters & pyschedelic screen lighting.

Ownership passed from Star to Cannon, to MGM to ABC, then to a Mr Peter Walker until he assigned the lease to Reeltime Cinemas. They continued to operate it until February 2009 when it was acquired by Scott Cinemas.

Some refurbishment was carried out in May 2009 to improve the retail and other areas but care was taken to retain its better late 60s features which some 40 years on give it a particular appeal.

A further major refurbishment has been undertaken in 2012 which has seen the introduction of digital sound and projection, air conditioning, new accoustics, decoration and soundproofing.

This is a pleasant neighborhood cinema in an affluent part of the city which has a very loyal audience and is also enthusiastically supported by the many students in the area... a highly successful cinema and a little gem that still shines!