Everyman Gerrards Cross
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA historic boutique cinema in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, operating under the Everyman Cinemas brand since 2015.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Everyman Gerrards Cross is a cinema venue in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, England. The building first opened on 12 October 1925 as The Playhouse and has continuously served the local community as a cinema for roughly a century. It is described as the oldest cinema in Buckinghamshire. The venue was designed by J. Stanley Beard, a cinema architect who lived in Gerrards Cross, and was originally developed as a substantial picture palace with a 452-seat auditorium, rear boxes, an orchestra pit, a stage, dressing rooms, a standing waiting lounge and a small octagonal entrance foyer. Its design incorporated classical details, including Doric columns and a tower with Georgian-style doors and neon signage. The original Playhouse opened during the transition from silent cinema to talking pictures. Its first programme featured the silent film I'll Show You the Town, accompanied by live music and introduced by a performance of the national anthem. The venue also presented newsreels, children's events and occasional live performances, including appearances by the Gerrards Cross Operatic Society. Charles F. Cheshir was the original proprietor, while his son Charles Eric Cheshir served as general manager. During the early years, films were changed several times a week and the cinema operated a regular Saturday-morning children's club. Ownership and branding changed repeatedly during the second half of the twentieth century. Southan Morris's S.M. Super Cinemas acquired the Playhouse in 1947 and carried out alterations in 1950, including the removal of the boxes, changes to the rake of the stalls and the installation of new seating. Essoldo Cinemas acquired the chain in 1954, although the building retained the Essoldo Playhouse identity until 1969. A major refurbishment that year modernised the façade, removed the original proscenium and orchestra pit, installed new heating and seating, and converted the venue into the Essoldo Gerrards Cross. The cinema became part of Classic Cinemas in 1972 and was subsequently operated by Cannon after Classic was sold in 1985. A second auditorium was added in 1979 after earlier expansion proposals had been rejected. This conversion placed the new auditorium above the rear of the original building and created an unusual central projection arrangement. The cinema later passed through MGM and ABC ownership before becoming an ODEON venue following the 2000 merger of ABC and ODEON under Cinven. ODEON undertook a refurbishment valued at £250,000, adding disabled access to the first screen, enlarging the concessions area and updating the exterior. Digital projection was introduced in 2009, including 3D capability, and the venue became fully digital in 2011, enabling broadcasts of live cultural events such as performances from the Royal Opera House, National Theatre and Metropolitan Opera. Everyman Cinemas announced negotiations to acquire the ODEON venue in 2015. The ODEON closed on 6 August 2015, and after eleven weeks of extensive refurbishment the venue reopened as Everyman Gerrards Cross on 23 October 2015. The transformation replaced conventional cinema seating with sofas and armchairs, enlarged and redesigned the foyer, and introduced the relaxed bar-and-lounge atmosphere associated with Everyman's boutique positioning. Screen capacities were reduced substantially to create a more intimate experience. A third screen was approved in January 2019 and opened in June of that year following construction and a short closure. The 43-seat auditorium was built in an extension beside the existing building and included a Sony 4K projector. The project also required changes to the bar, the creation of a larger kitchen and the relocation of the entrance to the new screen. The venue's long history and distinctive appearance have also made it useful as a filming location, including appearances in Carry On Camping, Prudence and the Pill and the second season of Heartstopper.
History
Everyman Gerrards Cross began life as The Playhouse on 12 October 1925. Designed by J. Stanley Beard, the original cinema was a relatively elaborate local picture palace with 452 stalls seats, four rear boxes, an orchestra pit, a stage, dressing rooms and a standing lounge capable of accommodating as many as 150 customers waiting for admission. The building stood back from what is now Ethorpe Crescent, formerly Berwick Road, and included an octagonal entrance tower, neon signage, a small foyer and an adjoining café and dance hall. Its architecture drew on classical and Georgian references, with prominent Doric columns and a façade intended to give the building a distinctive presence on the local high street. The cinema opened while silent films were still common. Its first screening was I'll Show You the Town, accompanied by musicians in the orchestra pit. Early programming combined feature films with Pathé newsreels, pictorials, children's clubs and occasional live events. The Gerrards Cross Operatic Society used the stage before the Second World War. Charles F. Cheshir, who had operated cinemas elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, was the first owner, and his son Charles Eric Cheshir managed the venue. In 1947 the Playhouse was sold to S.M. Super Cinemas, associated with Southan Morris. Interior work in 1950 removed the boxes, altered the stalls floor and introduced new seats. When Essoldo Cinemas acquired S.M. Super Cinemas in 1954, the venue became part of the Essoldo estate but continued using the Playhouse name for several years. The neighbouring café and dance hall were later sold separately and eventually became other commercial and residential premises. The most radical early modernisation took place in 1969. The cinema closed for a major refurbishment that removed much of its original character, including the proscenium and orchestra pit. The façade was tiled and fitted with modern glass doors, a large window, a readograph and Essoldo light boxes. Inside, the auditorium was painted black, the former standing lounge became storage space, the kiosk was moved and central heating was installed. The renovated building reopened on 29 November 1969 as Essoldo Gerrards Cross with a charity presentation of Battle of Britain. Classic Cinemas acquired the Essoldo chain in 1972, and the venue reopened as the Classic with Paint Your Wagon. In response to the competitive pressure created by multiplex cinemas, operators pursued expansion. Proposals for a large auditorium in the car park in 1973 and a smaller mini-auditorium in 1978 were rejected, but permission was granted in 1979 for a second screen above the rear of the original auditorium. The addition created two auditoria with capacities of approximately 386 and 213 seats and required major internal reconfiguration, including relocation of the projection equipment. Classic Cinemas was sold to Cannon in the mid-1980s. The venue subsequently passed to MGM in 1992 and ABC Cinemas in 1995. When ABC was merged with ODEON in 2000, the cinema became an ODEON location. A further refurbishment, reported at £250,000, added disabled access to screen 1, enlarged the concessions area and updated the exterior. Digital projection arrived in 2009, with 3D capability, and the cinema became fully digital in 2011. It could then show live broadcasts from cultural institutions including the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera. In 2015 Everyman Cinemas negotiated to acquire the venue and closed it on 6 August. The building reopened on 23 October after eleven weeks of work. The Everyman redesign deliberately shifted the venue from conventional multiplex operation toward a premium, intimate hospitality model. Theatre seats were replaced by sofas and armchairs, the foyer was enlarged and furnished with additional seating, and the bar-style interior became a central part of the customer experience. Moving the rear wall of screen 1 into the auditorium reduced seating capacity but provided a larger foyer. The resulting capacities were approximately 115 seats in screen 1 and 87 in screen 2. Planning approval for a third screen was granted in January 2019. The new 43-seat auditorium was constructed in an extension beside the cinema and opened in June after a short closure. It uses a Sony 4K projector, while the older screens use 2K NEC projection equipment. The works also changed the bar layout and added a larger kitchen. The venue remains an active Everyman cinema and is notable both for its continuous local cinema use and for its appearances in film and television, including Carry On Camping, Prudence and the Pill and Heartstopper.
- 2019
Third screen opens
[1]A 43-seat auditorium opened in June with Sony 4K projection and a reconfigured bar and kitchen.
- 2015
Reopening under Everyman
[1]After eleven weeks of refurbishment, the former ODEON reopened on 23 October as Everyman Gerrards Cross.
- 2011
Full digital conversion
[1]All screens became digital and the cinema gained the ability to show selected live cultural broadcasts.
- 2009
Digital and 3D projection introduced
[1]The venue installed its first digital projector, with 3D capability.
- 2000
Transition into the ODEON estate
[1]ABC Cinemas was merged with ODEON after its ownership by Cinven, and the venue subsequently operated as ODEON Gerrards Cross.
- 1992
MGM operation begins
[1]Cannon was acquired by MGM, resulting in another change of cinema branding.
- 1985
Cannon operation begins
[1]Classic Cinemas was sold to Cannon and the cinema adopted the Cannon identity.
- 1979
Second screen added
[1]A second auditorium was constructed above the rear of the original cinema after earlier expansion plans had been refused.
- 1972
Classic Cinemas takeover
[1]Classic Cinemas acquired the Essoldo chain and renamed the venue Classic Gerrards Cross.
- 1969
Modernisation as Essoldo Gerrards Cross
[1]A major refurbishment removed the original stage and orchestra pit, modernised the façade and installed 392 seats.
Products and positioning
Premium boutique cinema combining mainstream and specialist film screenings with lounge-style seating, food and drink, and a hospitality-led customer experience.
Cinema exhibition · 1925
Mainstream and specialist film screenings
The venue's core offering is scheduled cinema exhibition across three auditoria. Its programming is associated with the Everyman boutique model, combining current commercial releases with selected specialist, independent or event-oriented screenings where available. The cinema uses digital projection and provides a smaller-scale alternative to standard multiplex seating.
Event cinema · 2011
Live cultural cinema
Following its full digital conversion in 2011, the venue could present live or recorded cultural programming from institutions such as the Royal Opera House, National Theatre and Metropolitan Opera. These events extend the venue's role beyond conventional film screenings.
Cinema hospitality · 2015
Food, beverage and lounge service
The Everyman refurbishment created a larger foyer with lounge seating and a bar-oriented environment. Food and drink service forms part of the premium cinema proposition and is designed to integrate hospitality with the screening visit.
Brand decisions
2019
Launch of the third screenProduct launchBackground
Everyman sought to add capacity while retaining the venue's intimate operating model.
Action taken
A 43-seat auditorium was constructed in an extension beside the cinema, with a Sony 4K projector and associated changes to the bar and kitchen.
Aftermath
The venue reopened in June as a three-screen cinema.
2015
Acquisition and conversion to EverymanM&ABackground
Everyman Cinemas sought to expand its boutique cinema estate through the acquisition of selected ODEON venues.
Action taken
The ODEON closed in August, was acquired or transferred into Everyman's operating portfolio, and underwent an eleven-week redesign.
Aftermath
The venue reopened with intimate auditoria, sofas and armchairs, a larger foyer and a hospitality-led boutique proposition.
2001
ODEON refurbishmentStrategyBackground
Following the venue's transition from ABC to ODEON, the operator undertook a major upgrade.
Action taken
The project added disabled access to screen 1, enlarged the concessions area and refreshed the building's exterior.
Aftermath
The venue continued operating as a modernised ODEON cinema.
Refurbishment cost. £250,000 (Reported for the ODEON refurbishment completed after the 2000 ABC-ODEON transition)
1979
Addition of a second auditoriumGeneration changeBackground
The cinema faced competition from the growing popularity of multiplexes, while earlier expansion proposals had been rejected.
Action taken
A second theatre was built above the rear of the original auditorium, requiring extensive internal changes and relocation of the projection equipment.
Aftermath
The cinema became a two-screen venue with capacities of approximately 386 and 213 seats.
1969
Conversion from Playhouse to modern Essoldo formatStrategyBackground
The historic building required modernisation as cinema operations and audience expectations changed.
Action taken
The operator altered the façade, removed the proscenium and orchestra pit, installed new seating and heating, and renamed the venue Essoldo Gerrards Cross.
Aftermath
The venue reopened on 29 November 1969 with a substantially modernised appearance and layout.
Sources2 sources
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