Historic Haverfordwest cinema to get new lease of life

Independent cinema operator Sinema Palace Ltd has signed a lease with Pembrokeshire County Council to run the venue and aims to be open before the end of the Easter holidays.

Sinema Palace Ltd owner Alejandro Whyatt, based in Essex, is working with his father Ashley and their team, to improve the sound and picture quality at the cinema ready to screen the new Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Further work to refurbish and improve the Grade II listed building, that opened in 1913, originally the Corn Exchange, will be carried out in stages over the coming months.

Mr Whyatt operates other independent cinemas in similar old and traditional buildings in north Wales, Essex and Norfolk.

He is the third generation of the family in the industry, following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather.  

“Pembrokeshire County Council is delighted that a new lease has been signed for the running of the Palace Cinema in Haverfordwest, bringing the venue back to life and ensuring investment in this historic building,” said Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change Cllr Paul Miller.

Local Member Cllr Tom Tudor said: “As the County Councillor for the Castle Ward, I am very pleased that the Palace Cinema is reopening as a cinema venue. I hope to see it once again breathe life into the upper part of Haverfordwest, and bring people back into the town. I look forward to see it have a positive impact on the surrounding economy.”

Alejandro Whyatt said: “We want to retain as many of the original architectural features as possible and we welcome the engagement of the locals to make this a success.” 

(Lead image: Pembrokeshire Council)