The cinema was designed by architect Gerald Saunders who set the movie theatre back from the street in a forecourt. The cinema's porthole windows, geometric design and modern interior are typical architectural features of the art deco period of the 1920s and 1930s. The style exuded luxury, decadance and glamour and at the time would have stood out as a milestone of modernist design in the town.
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Tivoli Art Deco Cinema
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The Tivoli Cinema on Tiverton's Fore Street is a single screen, ground floor movie theatre built in the art deco style. From 1995 the cinema was run by independent operator Mike Jackson but closed in August 2007. The following year the cinema was the subject of a campaign led by Dame Helen Mirren to 'Save the Tivoli'. The cinema was purchased by Merlin Cinemas Group and re-opened on the 28th June the same year. It has since flourished and in 2011 was upgraded to digital and 3D.
The Tivoli Cinema opened on 19th December 1932 with a showing of the newly released 'Jack’s the Boy', a British comedy starring Jack Hulbert, Francis Lister, Cicely Courtneidge and Peter Gawthorne, and directed by Walter Forde. The Tivoli was originally designed with a single floor of seating but after a fire in 1951 this was replaced with the stadium seating. The seating plan was further changed in 1995 along with new projection equipment, flooring and screen.
On your visit to Tiverton please pay a visit to the Tivoli Cinema to ensure this important art deco building survives for future generations to enjoy.
Address
Tivoli Cinema, 23 Fore Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6LD
Historic Categorisations and Statutes
Statutory Heritage Listing
Grade: Unlisted. While many of Tiverton's core buildings are Grade II or higher, the Tivoli is not currently on the National Heritage List for England. However, it is recognized locally for its architectural contribution to the town's mid-20th-century character.
List Entry Number: N/A
Date First Listed: N/A
Significance: Valued as a rare surviving example of an early 1930s independent cinema. Its significance lies in its "Art Deco" heritage and its position as one of the few remaining traditional single-screen cinemas in the region that has avoided conversion or demolition.
Local Designations
Tiverton Conservation Area: The cinema is a contributing building within the Tiverton Conservation Area. Its presence preserves the 20th-century commercial evolution of Fore Street, standing in contrast to the surrounding medieval and Victorian structures.
Community Heritage Asset: Often cited by the Tiverton Civic Society and local residents as a vital "living" heritage asset, maintaining its original function for nearly a century.
Site Components & Heritage Records
The Auditoruim: A classic single-screen layout that retains much of its traditional atmosphere despite modern seating and projection upgrades.
The Facade: Features a relatively understated street presence down a side-access off the main high street, characteristic of early town-center "picture houses" built within existing urban blocks.
Historic Environment Record (HER): While not a standalone monument entry like the Castle, it is part of the broader archaeological and historic record of Tiverton’s 20th-century development.
Chronology of Historic Uses
1932: Formally opened as an independent cinema to serve the growing "talkies" market in Devon.
1930s–1980s: Operated as a primary source of entertainment for the town, surviving the decline of cinema in the 1960s that saw many neighboring theaters close.
Late 20th Century: Modernized by the Merlin Cinemas group, who specialized in saving and restoring traditional local cinemas.
Current/Recent: Continues to operate as an active cinema, one of the oldest in continuous use in the South West, showing a mix of blockbusters and National Theatre Live broadcasts.
Useful Links
Tivoli Cinema (Opens in new window) A practical tool for movie-goers to plan visits and manage bookings. It focuses on the latest film releases, special events, and local amenities. Key features and information available on the site include:
Showtimes and Online Booking
Live Schedule
Online Ticketing
Preview section with trailers and release dates
Ticket Prices and Deals The site provides a clear pricing structure based on age and membership:
Standard Prices
Movie Magic Card
Special Screenings
External Offers
Visitor Facilities and Accessibility
Cinema Specs
Accessibility
Parking & Location
Age Verification
Digital Content
Onscreen Magazine
Gift Cards
Facebook (Tivoli Cinema) (Opens in new window) Serves as a real-time community hub, providing instant updates on film schedules, "Event Cinema" broadcasts, and local live performances like cabaret or tribute acts. Visitors can engage directly with staff, browse photos of the historic auditorium, and stay informed about seasonal promotions, "Magic Monday" deals, and ticket giveaways. Unlike the main website, the page offers a social space for peer reviews and community discussion, ensuring followers never miss last-minute announcements or special cinema events.
Art Deco Tour of London (Opens in new window) If you're inspired by the vintage charm of the Tivoli Cinema, an Art Deco Tour of London with London Country Tours offers a deeper dive into the "moderne" aesthetic. This expert-led journey spans from the monumental, industrial grandeur of the newly revitalized Battersea Power Station to the opulent West End, concluding at the spectacular Eltham Palace—a rare architectural marvel where a medieval great hall meets the height of 1930s millionaire glamour. It is a must for anyone wanting to experience the sleek lines and hidden history of London’s most iconic deco treasures.
