Star went over to bingo, called Ritz bingo. This was the building’s last use before closure and demolition. I’m trying to find out if the reduction in seating was as a result of being split, with the former balcony retained as a cinema, and the stalls going over to bingo.
Between c1940-1945 used as an Army Kinema Corps cinema for troops in the nearby Preston Barracks. The cinema was owned by Gaiety (Brighton) Ltd., but operated by Randolph E. Richards' Picturedrome Cinemas based in Eastbourne.
Closed for bingo, this lasted from January 1968 to December 1969 when the Ace re-opened as a cinema once more.
Bingo sessions returned under the Vogue Bingo name under Classic before ceasing once more when the cinema was re-named Classic in anticipation of the former Curzon, then named Classic as well, closing.
The Classic, former Gaiety, closed for good 31/10/1980. The junction created when a supermarket was built was named after the cinema, but they chose Vogue from when it was a sex cinema!
The architect was J.H. Freer who was a partner in G.H. Haigh Co. Ltd. of Huddersfield. The cinema was built on the site of ‘Brooklands’, the home of Dr. William Skeels and his wife Ethel.
Interior decoration was by Mollo & Egan. The name, architect and interior designer’s were all favourites of the Shipman & King circuit, so this non-S&K venue is quite a surprise, I wonder as to whether it was planned for/by S&K?
This photo helps to understand the Cannon logo I feel, as you can see, the logo was, for a time, used by both Cannon & Classic, the logo representing ‘Cannon-Classic Cinemas’ (the three C’s), followed by an arrow to represent the forwards progression of the company… who knew that in years to come that the company would collapse spectacularly, having sold off a large portion of the ABC’s former circuit houses to be demolished during the 1980’s building boom… no doubt this action propped up Cannon for a while, but it couldn’t, and didn’t, last forever….
At the time of the fire in 2015, the majority of the organ was away for restoration/repairs so was saved from the ravages of the fire. Sadly, the console wasn’t so lucky and has had to be built again from photographs.
Lionel: The Land Registry in the UK will hold a plan of the property boundaries, the local authority for the area it is in MAY have plans (in this case the City of Westminster, London), or you can try the Borough’s Library Service and ask them.
Unfortunately, UK planning doesn’t require consent for internal alterations to a building, that is usually only required for external alterations, extensions and the like where the building is being enlarged, requires consent as part of a conservation area, or is a Listed Building.
That said, UK cinema licensing does require plans to be submitted I think, and they too would be lodged with the local council as well.
St. George’s Hall was initially opened as a drill hall, this use continued for several decades after the cinema closed. Star Snooker Club was a more recent incarnation for this venue prior to closure, most likely from the 1970’s when many local drill halls were closed by the Ministry of Defence and sold off.
Star went over to bingo, called Ritz bingo. This was the building’s last use before closure and demolition. I’m trying to find out if the reduction in seating was as a result of being split, with the former balcony retained as a cinema, and the stalls going over to bingo.
Streetview confirms that it has now been demolished.
Between c1940-1945 used as an Army Kinema Corps cinema for troops in the nearby Preston Barracks. The cinema was owned by Gaiety (Brighton) Ltd., but operated by Randolph E. Richards' Picturedrome Cinemas based in Eastbourne. Closed for bingo, this lasted from January 1968 to December 1969 when the Ace re-opened as a cinema once more. Bingo sessions returned under the Vogue Bingo name under Classic before ceasing once more when the cinema was re-named Classic in anticipation of the former Curzon, then named Classic as well, closing. The Classic, former Gaiety, closed for good 31/10/1980. The junction created when a supermarket was built was named after the cinema, but they chose Vogue from when it was a sex cinema!
The Oxford Music Hall was gutted by fire in 1892, the theatre was reconstructed, the architect was Charles E. Clayton of the firm Clayton & Black.
The architect was J.H. Freer who was a partner in G.H. Haigh Co. Ltd. of Huddersfield. The cinema was built on the site of ‘Brooklands’, the home of Dr. William Skeels and his wife Ethel.
It is currently being used as a Live music venue I believe, still using the Lyric name.
For a good few years the Lyric was the venue of a puppet theatre for children, as well as being used as rehearsal space by the local AmDram Society.
Still intact and in use again! The auditorium has been incorporated into the Forum complex.
Photo taken c1955.
Did this really open as the Mayfair? Is this an error?
Interior decoration was by Mollo & Egan. The name, architect and interior designer’s were all favourites of the Shipman & King circuit, so this non-S&K venue is quite a surprise, I wonder as to whether it was planned for/by S&K?
After closure as a cinema, the building’s last use was as a factory/storage facility, this lasted until at least the early 1970’s.
Poor quality, sorry, but this is the new façade of the Palace Cinema.
The converted shop.
This photo helps to understand the Cannon logo I feel, as you can see, the logo was, for a time, used by both Cannon & Classic, the logo representing ‘Cannon-Classic Cinemas’ (the three C’s), followed by an arrow to represent the forwards progression of the company… who knew that in years to come that the company would collapse spectacularly, having sold off a large portion of the ABC’s former circuit houses to be demolished during the 1980’s building boom… no doubt this action propped up Cannon for a while, but it couldn’t, and didn’t, last forever….
At the time of the fire in 2015, the majority of the organ was away for restoration/repairs so was saved from the ravages of the fire. Sadly, the console wasn’t so lucky and has had to be built again from photographs.
Known as Craig Hall by both the Scouts and Girl Guides, the building is still boarded up and unused in 2023.
Lionel: The Land Registry in the UK will hold a plan of the property boundaries, the local authority for the area it is in MAY have plans (in this case the City of Westminster, London), or you can try the Borough’s Library Service and ask them.
Unfortunately, UK planning doesn’t require consent for internal alterations to a building, that is usually only required for external alterations, extensions and the like where the building is being enlarged, requires consent as part of a conservation area, or is a Listed Building.
That said, UK cinema licensing does require plans to be submitted I think, and they too would be lodged with the local council as well.
I hope trat this helps!
Darron
Opening advertisement added, including the original interior and the list of opening films.
Architect of the Wycombe Six was Jim Unick, first manager was one Geoff Greaves who now operates the Merlin Cinemas circuit.
Has this venerable old lady not been Listed yet?
Address should be at 10, not 12-13, that is the new cinemas address, since changed to retail of course.
Did County Cinemas acquire the closed cinema, or acquire it open before closing it for the Regal to be built? The text is unclear.
St. George’s Hall was initially opened as a drill hall, this use continued for several decades after the cinema closed. Star Snooker Club was a more recent incarnation for this venue prior to closure, most likely from the 1970’s when many local drill halls were closed by the Ministry of Defence and sold off.
Architects for this cinema was Ellis Williams Architects, they also oversaw the Luxe treatment being applied to the Odeon Leicester Square.