Historic Abergavenny cinema now listed for £450,000

The independent cinema, which has been operating as a "successful lifestyle business" since its creation by the current owners in 2010, has been put up for sale for the first time.

The decision to sell comes as the owners wish to retire.

The cinema is housed in a significant 1896 building that was originally a Drill Hall. (Image: Christie & Co via Rightmove)

The cinema is housed in a significant 1896 building that was originally a Drill Hall.

The structure has served multiple purposes over the years, including a dance hall, DIY shop, carpet retailer, and a bed showroom, before transforming into the cinema it is today.

The building is not listed.

The cinema comprises two screens with a total seating capacity of 280.

It also houses a foyer with a box office and kiosk, a single projection room, a manager's office, a staff room, a stockroom, and a cleaner's store.

All fixtures and fittings, including the Sony Digital Cinema 4K projectors, screens, sound systems, and seating, are included in the sale.

The cinema is currently open six days a week, with one performance nightly and two performances on weekends during term time.

In school holidays, two performances are screened daily.

It also houses a foyer with a box office and kiosk, a single projection room, a manager's office, a staff room, a stockroom, and a cleaner's store. (Image: Christie & Co via Rightmove)

The cinema is known for showing mostly mainstream films, with some select high-brow movies aimed at a more mature audience.

The building's central location in Abergavenny, a town known as the "Gateway to Wales" and a popular destination for tourists, adds to its appeal.

Surrounded by a variety of restaurants, shops, and hotels, the cinema is easily accessible by car, with a public car park just 250 metres away and disabled parking adjacent to the cinema.

The nearest train station is Abergavenny, located 0.8 miles southeast of the cinema, while the bus station is just 0.4 miles away.

The cinema is a "neatly streamlined operation" that can be managed with minimal staff, according to the estate agent.

It is licensed to open seven days a week, providing the new owners the opportunity to increase trading hours if they wish.

The new owners also have the option of continuing to operate the cinema themselves or hiring a manager to run the business on their behalf.

Alternatively, the building offers potential for alternative uses, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permissions.

The property is freehold and has an energy performance certificate rating of D.

The estate agent handling the sale, Christie & Co, said: "The Cinema was created by the current owners in 2010 and has been run as a successful lifestyle business.

"It is now offered for sale for the first time since its creation, due to the owners’ wish to retire.

"A new owner may choose to either operate the business themselves or employ a manager to run the business for them.

"Alternatively there is also scope for the building to be modified for other uses, subject to obtaining the relevant planning permissions (STPP)."

The cinema is currently open six days a week, with one performance each night and two performances on Saturday and Sunday nights during term time.