DJ who helped get Plaza Cinema in Crosby back on its feet is now getting audiences on theirs

A Merseyside DJ who helped get a Crosby cinema back on its feet is now getting its audiences on theirs.

Nick Gartland got his paint brush out to join volunteers repainting The Plaza in Crosby when it reopened as a community cinema, following a short closure, in 1997.

And now he’s getting his tunes out after launching a series of ‘80s nights which are proving more popular than ever.

“We’ve done about eight of them now over two years, and six have been sold out,” says Nick. “The Plaza main screen holds around 500 people so they’ve done really well.

“It’s a way of getting people into the cinema who might not consider going there – so it’s bums on seats – and it’s just a really good night out,” he says.

As people gather for drinks at the bar, Nick performs a music set before the audience sits back to enjoy a classic ‘80s film. The Breakfast Club, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, and Rocky IV are among the movies which have already been screened.

“And it’s great,” smiles Nick. “People get up and have a sing and a dance and so they’re really upbeat when the film kicks off, and they get really involved in it.

“It takes on a whole new meaning, and there’s a great atmosphere – when Rocky beats Ivan Drago in Rocky IV people were cheering and clapping, it’s just really good.”

Nick, 48, who by day is an SQL server database administrator, has a soft spot for The Plaza.

“I moved to the Crosby and Waterloo area in 1987 and The Plaza – although it was The Cannon then and, afterwards, The Apollo – was the cinema I went to.

“I was taken on as an usher for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a young lad in about 1990 when that came out and I was kept on, doing a variety of jobs over the years, from selling tickets and serving in the kiosk to helping the projectionist out.

“I was still doing the odd shift when I was at university.

“I supported the campaign to reopen it as a community cinema, and I helped get it ready, painting walls and stuff.”

He goes on: “I have just got a love and a passion for the place, and I love the art deco vibe. There are so many memories for me, and I think amazing buildings like this need to be looked after and appreciated – and supported.”

The idea for the ‘80s nights came after a visit to FACT in Liverpool city centre, when he went to watch The Breakfast Club starring Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald.

He says: “I thought it was great, there I was, sitting having a beer and watching a film. I also booked Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Weird Science at The Plaza for a friend’s birthday and I thought what a great idea it would be to be able to have a few drinks, some music, and then a classic film.

“I do ‘80s nights as a DJ and I wanted to bring it all together. I approached The Plaza’s trustees and they said yes.”

The next Plaza Presents 80s evening is on Saturday, October 28, and it’s a Halloween Special of 1984 hit Ghostbusters, starring Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, and Harold Ramis as three eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City.

Credit: Nick Gartland / Plaza Cinema in Crosby

People are encouraged to go in fancy dress, and there’ll be a prize for the best one.

And Scrooged has been announced as Plaza Presents 80s’ Christmas night on Saturday, December 2.

“Lots of ‘80s films are feel-good films,” says Nick, who’s promoted and DJ-d for many years, leading to him doing club nights in Liverpool, ‘80s nights at The Workshop, as well as Sunset Sessions at The Lake House, both in Waterloo. “Although for the next Halloween Special I’d like to do a classic horror like Nightmare on Elm Street, many of the films so far have been 12A or less, so the whole family can come and watch together. I want to introduce them to the next generation.”

And he adds: “The Plaza 80s Presents events cost only £7 for a ticket, a DJ, and a classic film – and there’s a cheap bar! – all in this amazing place. You won’t get value and a great night like that in a multiplex.”