Central Cinema

Central Cinema (also listed as New Central Cinema) is a cinema and former theatre located in Torquay, England. It is one of the venues operated by Merlin Cinemas, a regional independent cinema circuit with screens across Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Somerset, Scotland and Wales. The Merlin Cinemas website lists the Torquay site as 'New Central Cinema, Torquay' among its Devon venues, alongside the Embassy Cinema in Ilfracombe, Kings Cinema in Kingsbridge, New Carlton Cinema in Okehampton and Tivoli Cinema in Tiverton. The circuit's programming includes mainstream film releases, event cinema, live stage broadcasts and community-oriented services such as autism-friendly screenings, children's parties and private hire. Central Cinema therefore functions as a local entertainment venue within a wider group of historic and purpose-adapted cinemas, many of which retain traditional names such as Regal, Savoy, Ritz and Plaza. The building's dual identity as a cinema and former theatre reflects the common British pattern of early twentieth-century theatres being converted for film exhibition. As part of Merlin Cinemas, Central Cinema benefits from centralized booking, a Movie Magic discount card, gift cards and a shared food and drink offer. The venue is based in Torquay, a seaside town in Devon, and serves the surrounding English Riviera area.

Central Cinema is a cinema and former theatre in Torquay, England. Its history is tied to the wider tradition of British seaside entertainment venues, where theatres built for live performance were later adapted for motion pictures. The venue now operates under the Merlin Cinemas brand, a regional independent circuit that brings together a large number of historic and local cinemas across the United Kingdom. On the Merlin Cinemas website, the Torquay site appears as 'New Central Cinema, Torquay' in the Devon section of the venue list, alongside the Embassy Cinema in Ilfracombe, Kings Cinema in Kingsbridge, New Carlton Cinema in Okehampton and Tivoli Cinema in Tiverton. The circuit also operates venues in Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Somerset, Scotland and Wales, including the Capitol Cinema in Bodmin, Flora Cinema in Helston, Phoenix Cinema in Falmouth, Regal Cinema & Theatre in Redruth, Royal Cinema in St Ives, Savoy Cinema in Penzance, The Ritz in Penzance, Studio Cinema in Coleford, Regal Movieplex in Cromer, The Regent in Redcar, Plaza Cinema in Weston-super-Mare, Wellesley Cinema in Wellington, Astoria Cinema in Ayr, Merlin Cinema in Thurso, Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels, Scala Cinema in Prestatyn and Strand Cinema in Rhyl. Within this group, Central Cinema serves the Torquay audience with a programme that includes mainstream releases, event cinema, live stage broadcasts and community services. The Merlin Cinemas site also promotes a Movie Magic discount card, gift cards, flexible booking, autism-friendly screenings, children's parties and private hire, all of which are available across the circuit. The exact opening date of Central Cinema and the date of its conversion from theatre to cinema are not established by the available evidence, and no founder or ownership history prior to its inclusion in Merlin Cinemas is documented here.

• Central Cinema is listed as 'New Central Cinema, Torquay' among Merlin Cinemas venues in Devon.

Local community cinema within the Merlin Cinemas independent circuit, offering mainstream film, event cinema and live broadcasts in Torquay.

• Cinema tickets

• Event cinema screenings

• Live on stage broadcasts

• Food and drink

• Gift cards

• Movie Magic discount card

1. 1Merlin Cinemas - Homepagemerlincinemas.co.uk
2. 2Merlin Cinemas - Your Local Theatremerlincinemas.co.uk
3. 3Central Cinema - Wikidatawikidata.org