The Broadway Cinema, Prestwick
A 1930s cinema reimagined for film, culture, community and connection
Client: Friends of the Broadway Prestwick
Listed Grade C
Status: Ongoing
Location: South Ayrshire, Scotland
BFF is currently working on plans to refurbish the existing Grade ‘C’ Listed Broadway Cinema in Prestwick to create a multifunctional hub for events, pop-up films, and community gatherings while maintaining the venue’s unique heritage. The building is currently on the ‘at risk’ register, requiring urgent attention.
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Originally opened to the public on April 29, 1935, with a capacity of 1,060, the cinema was an instant success. Later it witnessed a decline in attendance during the 1960s. Its final screening took place in 1976, after which the building underwent a transformation, reopening as ‘The Broadway Leisure Centre.’
The facade was altered with a concrete render over the original brickwork and ground floor was significantly altered to accommodate squash courts and amusement arcades. The Broadway acquired new owners in 2003 and has remained vacant and derelict ever since. In 2024, The Friends of the Broadway Prestwick purchased the building after receiving funding from the Scottish Land Fund.
Burrell Foley Fischer LLP were subsequently commissioned to put together proposals for the restoration of the building with the aim of bringing the building back to the community.
The initial phase will focus on creating a smaller community event space, serving as a stepping stone towards the comprehensive restoration of the entire structure.
Project Team
Architect: BFF Architects
Photographs: Esther Morgan Photography