The Gaumont Cinema/Plymouth Warehouse

*Please note all words/images are © of ww.wtobieloatesphotography.co.uk apart from the first 2 pics.

Following years of closure, the iconic former Gaumont Palace Cinema/Plymouth Warehouse on Union Street reopened in April 2023 for 'The Awakening' events, hosted by 'Nudge' community builders.

Originally opened in 1931 by Mayor Alderman George Dymond and Lady Nancy Astor, the venue boasted a capacity of 2,300 and served as a major entertainment hub in the South West for decades. Following a remodelling in the early 1960s in partnership with Odeon, the site evolved to feature both a cinema and a discotheque, adding a roller arena in 1980. However, it truly became a landmark destination in the late 1980s, when the rise of rave culture drew thousands of visitors to Plymouth each weekend to experience the country’s top DJs.

In 1992, the beloved Plymouth club night 'Cultural Vibes' relocated from the Barbican to the Warehouse building. For the next two years, the venue drew 2,000 clubbers every Saturday, gaining recognition as a top ten dance music destination in the UK. However, a dark turn occurred in 1995 when 'Cultural Vibes' was replaced by a more commercial promoter, 'Scream,' signaling to many the end of a 'Golden Era' for alternative club culture.

While the building continued to operate as various nightclubs, it was purchased in the early 2000s by 'God TV.' Intended as a broadcast headquarters, the site fell into disrepair and remained closed to the public until 2018, when it briefly hosted 'The Atlantic Project' art exhibition. This event reignited public interest, leading 'Nudge' to acquire the site in 2020. Their goal is to revitalize this cherished venue, explore the demand for a medium-sized club in the city, and secure a sustainable future for the building.

During 'The Atlantic Project,' I was fortunate enough to visit the exhibition multiple times with my camera. Like many others, it was my first time stepping inside the building in roughly 20 years. One particular moment stands out: I found myself completely alone in the main room, with only a couple of stewards downstairs. It was an incredible, surreal experience that allowed me to capture numerous photos. After posting them online, I was contacted by Dave Green—DJ Verdi, the founder of 'Cultural Vibes'—who asked for a photoshoot in the venue. Having recently returned from New Zealand, Dave was organizing nights elsewhere in the city, but we spent time shooting some great images and reminiscing about the 90s, wondering what the future held for the building.

With 'Nudge' announcing a series of events in April 2023, including a one-off 'Cultural Vibes' night, the original 90s crowd eagerly anticipated reliving those memories. The photos taken on April 29th, 2023, capture more than 650 middle-aged ravers reliving their youth. They stand as a testament to the magic created when an iconic space is filled with the right energy and people, underscoring the importance of preserving such venues for the future.

2024: The building continues to be used sporadically for the private hire of small scale filming, music rehearsal and educational projects. Work has started on the ground floor to convert into 14 office/workshop units. No large scale events can currently be held in the upstairs main arena until the ground floor works are complete. Watch this space................

2025: The Building is set for a new lease of life after a £600,000 investment from Resonance and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a £250,000 grant from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Fund and a £480,000 grant from the Government’s Youth Investment scheme. Major works have started on the ground floor to create community spaces for young people and the wider community, workshops and a café bar.