The site of the current Capitol was originally an ABC Cinema. First opened in 1936 as a one screen with a 900 person seating capacity, it was then just one of many cinemas in Horsham. The original Capitol theatre (after which, the new arts centre is named) was actually situated a few minutes walk away on the site that is now Marks and Spencer. With its closure in 1983, Horsham District Council purchased the ABC on North Street and developed it into the Horsham Arts Centre. This opened to the public Christmas 1984. After nearly 20 years, Horsham Arts Centre closed its doors in January 2002 and so marked the beginning of A £6 million refurbishment which was completed September 2003. The venue houses a theatre, two cinemas, studio, gallery space, café and lounge bar.