Pub operator, JD Wetherspoon, is to open its new pub in Midsomer Norton on the old Palladium site, on Tuesday, September 18th, with the creation of seventy new jobs.

The pub will be officially opened by the Mayor of Midsomer Norton, Paul Myers, along with Dr Ashley Steel, whose parents owned and ran the former cinema for more than fifty years.

The company has spent £2.8 million developing the outlet, on the site of the former cinema, in the High Street. The Wetherspoon pub, which will be called ‘The Palladium Electric’, will be managed by Rhi Buttery.

Set back slightly from High Street, this landmark building first opened its doors, in 1913, as the Empire cinema and theatre. The Empire had been converted from the part of the Welton Old Brewery, known as the Vat House. As its name suggests, it was used to store the brewery’s vats.

In 1915, the Empire’s new owner changed the name to the Palladium Electric. In 1934, the building was enlarged and much improved with ‘moderne’ decoration throughout. It re-opened as the Palladium cinema and continued to entertain Midsomer Norton for nearly sixty years.

The new pub will be open from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. until 12.30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. It will be wheelchair accessible throughout, including to the first floor mezzanine and first floor beer garden, with customer lift access to the first floor. There is a specially-adapted toilet for people with disabilities on the ground floor.

Original art-deco wall mouldings and feature timber trusses have been retained and restored, and there is a double height space with feature staircase and chandeliers.

A newly constructed mezzanine floor has been installed, as well as a newly built single level extension to the front of the building.

Historical photos and details of local history, as well as artwork and images of local scenes and characters of the area, are displayed in the pub, together with information boards relating to events. These include old photographs of the former cinema constructed in 1940.

Manager, Rhi Buttery, said: “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub, and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Midsomer Norton community.”