Client Spotlight – S&B Cinemas

In 2022, Pat and Beryl Scott, the Directors of S&B Cinemas, added a third venue to their repertoire with the official opening of the Avenue Cinema in Minehead. Having dreamt of owning a cinema since he was a child, Pat was able to realise his dream for the third time, also owning the Ritz Cinema in Burnham-on-Sea and the Westway Cinema in Frome.

Pat’s love for cinema began early in life and saw him working and learning how to become a Projectionist in his local theatre. It was always his dream to own his own cinema and emulate the magic of a trip to the cinema from when he was younger.

The couple set up S&B, named after the Scott’s first initial and Beryl’s first husband who passed from cancer. His surname was Blight, and it is their way of memorialising him in their venture. They opened their first cinema, the Ritz, in 2004 after extensive refurbishment. From there, they opened Westway and set their sights on the Avenue Cinema in 2019. Each venue has been lovingly restored and fitted with three modern screens featuring the latest in digital projection and sound technology.

Pat and Beryl bought the site for the new Avenue cinema just before the pandemic hit but that didn’t hold them back. It meant they had to juggle an extensive rebuild and the initial closure of their two other venues during the first lockdown period. Their Minehead cinema was previously in use as a second-hand clothing shop so repairs were needed to replace a leaking roof, remove asbestos, and build three new auditoriums.

The Directors turned to Heather Davis, Partner at Westcotts’ Weston-Super-Mare office for expert financial advice and support. During the Coronavirus pandemic, Westcotts supported Pat and Beryl with applying for furlough grants, such as the Culture Recovery Fund which offered funding to over 40 South West cinemas. They also supported them with a grant from the British Film Industry, where 202 cinemas received £30 million on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.

Heather said, “I saw photos of the Avenue Cinema when it was just the roof, and they were having work carried out for the asbestos. Coming and seeing it as an open cinema, it has just changed massively over the course of the 18 months that it took to renovate it.”

As well as support through the pandemic the Westcotts team helped with ensuring Pat and Beryl were able to claim the maximum capital allowances they could with the renovation and build of the cinema. Heather also offered more general services for S&B Cinemas encompassing day-to-day compliance work such as bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, and end-of-year accounts.

Heather said, “Westcotts have become an integral part of helping Pat and Beryl deal with different parts of the business, the financial aspects, and also support.”

Pat feels comfortable and confident going to Heather with his financial questions who he says is very understanding. Beryl added, “Westcotts are always there for useful hints and tips.”

Today, all cinemas are open to the public to enjoy the latest film showings. Heather said, “I’d absolutely recommend the cinema here in Minehead, the one in Frome and the one in Burnham as well. I know our teams in Weston, Burnham and Bridgwater do go to the cinema in Burnham because it’s just a fantastic cinema.”