Underneath the balcony at the back was a staff room-cum-kitchen. The balcony itself was largely occupied by the projection box. The main hall was lit by two large gas lamps which were turned off by an attendant with a long pole when the show was about to begin. The projector was powered by a generator outside the back of the building. There was only one projector so there was an interval every time the film reel had to be changed. The hall was still in use when the first "talkie" - "Rookery Nook" with Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls - came to Thrapston in 1931.

Alterations were made to the hall after new laws concerning safety in cinemas were passed following a serious fire in a Glasgow cinema. Doors were fitted with crash bars and made to open outwards. A set of double doors were fitted to the hall on the corner nearest the Three Arches Bridge. The original "church" window at the end of the hall was covered inside by the cinema screen which hung over the top of the stage. On the stage there was a piano which played in the days of the silent film. The music was appropriate to the theme of the film. The stage and screen could be removed when the hall was used for social occasions such as teas or amateur dramatics.

Mr Williams eventually moved from the Temperance Hall to the Plaza, a purpose-built cinema with a frontage on to Cosy Nook. At the entrance, a flight of steps led to glazed double doors. There was a small foyer with a centrally placed box office and stairs up to the projector room and a few balcony seats.

Again there was seating for about 400 but with modern tip-up seats. The auditorium had a gently raked floor except at the front where seats were on the level. These could be removed and the floor used for dancing when musical events were held. There was a very narrow stage in front of the screen and members of the band had to sit in a single line. The same Rushton Hornsby engine supplied power during all the time the Plaza was a cinema.

In 1943 Mr Williams sold out to Risborough Cinemas of Fleet, Hampshire who installed cinemascope and two Kalee projectors. Cinema audiences everywhere dwindled and the Plaza closed in November 1964. It was bought by Mr George Browne in the next year and he held cinema shows four times a week alternating with Bingo sessions. Later it became a store room for reproduction furniture from the Oundle Galleries.

Following a fire in March 1985, the Baptist Church purchased and restored the building. It was then owned by East Northamptonshire Council until earlier this year when it was purchased by Thrapston Town Council. The Town Council is developing its use as a community centre and there are plans for a full refurbishment.