The building was opened in 1912 as the New Electric Cinema, designed by local architexts Cook & Edwards with plasterwork by DeJong & Co, London. According to 'Entertaining South Wales', 'seating was provided in stalls, dress circle and gallery levels. There was a 25 fet wde proscenium and a stage 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

By 1922 it had been re-named Cinema. In 1933, the facade was modernised and the interior re-furbished. For a few years after the War the Cinema was frequently used for live shows: in 1948 it ran a repertory season with the Phillip Barret Repertory Company, and staged speciality acts like Eva May Wong and the Lucerne Skaters. However, by the mid 1950s it reverted to cinema only use when Cinemascope was introduced and the proscenium re-constructed to contain a new 32 feet wide screen. The Cinema was remodelled again, both externally and internally in 1965 and was re-named County Cinema. The seating capacity had been reduced to 582. The County Cinema was closed by Bridgend Cinemas Ltd. on 6th September 1980 with "Can't Stop the Music" starring Village People. It was later demolished.'

Meilyr Powel, RCAHMW, November 2020

Sources:

'Entertaining South Wales - A-B', overthefootlights.co.uk, p.58