Club Neo, Yeovil’s last remaining nightclub, is set to close under that name, but its remarkable journey dates back nearly a century. What many don’t know is that the building was originally a grand cinema and theatre, boasting a rich cultural heritage long before the dance floors filled with party-goers.
Every weekend, hundreds gather at the Stars Lane venue to celebrate into the early hours. Although Club Neo first opened its doors in 2010, the building’s history runs much deeper.
It all began in April 1934, following the closure of the Palace Theatre at the corner of South Street and Stars Lane. The Gaumont-British Picture Corporation purchased the site and quickly demolished the old theatre to build the groundbreaking Gaumont Palace cinema.
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The project nearly stalled before it even started due to a licensing dispute over emergency exit locations, causing 66 workers to lose their jobs and casting doubt on the cinema’s completion. Ultimately, a vital compromise was reached between a Gaumont architect and the Licensing Committee, allowing construction to proceed.
By December 1934, the Gaumont Palace opened its doors to great fanfare. With a 1,400-seat auditorium, it was Yeovil’s largest cinema, showcasing the latest architectural innovations. The Western Gazette praised its modern design: multi-coloured Fareham red brickwork, Georgian-style stone dressings, neon lighting, and interior features such as a mother-of-pearl ceiling and tapestry walls in shades of blue and gold.
The cinema replaced the traditional overhanging balcony with a ‘stadium’ seating arrangement, providing clear views for all 1,400 patrons. Continuous showings ran from 2:30pm to 10:30pm daily, a departure from the old two-shows-a-night format.
Over the next two decades, the Gaumont Palace became one of Yeovil’s most stylish venues, welcoming film stars like Michael Rennie, Diana Dors, and Peggy Evans to premiere their latest movies.
In 1947, the Gaumont brand was acquired by J Arthur Rank, and the “Palace” was dropped from the cinema’s name. The venue continued film screenings until 1967 when it was sold to Classic Cinemas and renamed accordingly.
Bingo hall entertainment began to dominate, eventually replacing film showings altogether. The Classic Cinema name moved to another venue, now the Old Cinema site, while the Stars Lane building transitioned fully into bingo under different banners: Vogue, Mecca Bingo, the Welcome Bingo Hall, and later Top Ten Bingo until 2009.
Shortly after closing as a bingo hall, the venue underwent another transformation—launching as Club Neo in 2010 and marking its new era as Yeovil’s only nightclub.
Now, Club Neo has shuttered, but its story continues. The building will soon reopen as Club ZarZar, promising to be “the South West’s most stylish new destination.” The grand reopening is scheduled for Thursday, October 31, with doors opening at 11pm.
The new club aims to blend elegance with energy, featuring a state-of-the-art sound system, enhanced safety measures, exclusive VIP sections, and a smart dress code designed to elevate the nightlife experience.
As part of preparations, Club ZarZar is recruiting staff across various roles, including bar service, front of house, cloakroom attendants, glass collectors, restroom attendants, and lighting and sound technicians.
From its origins as Yeovil’s premier cinema to its current status as a vibrant nightlife hub, this iconic building continues to reinvent itself—cementing its place at the heart of the town’s social scene.