ABC Wakefield
Kirkgate and Sun Lane,
Wakefield,
WF1 1JG
Kirkgate and Sun Lane,
Wakefield,
WF1 1JG
7 people
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That covenant I 1997 when it closed sounds very much like an Odeon direction as they bought the chain and closed many cinemas as they thought the land value was more lucrative..plus to prevent a Competitor operating.. mind you the competition wouldn’t invest..just put up signage and use existing equipment until the lease ran out..shame
Demolished :-(
Three images uploaded to photos section.
It looks like the time is finally up for this theatre - demolition signage has been put up and a contractor (Ron Hull Ltd) appointed with “commencing 2022” as a date. Four exterior photos taken in February here:-
CANNON WAKEFIELD - Facade
CANNON WAKEFIELD - Sun Lane shops
CANNON WAKEFIELD - rear
CANNON WAKEFIELD - side view / dressing rooms
The last name this cinema was known by was the A B C.
I used to do managerial relief stints here in the 1970’s whilst based initially at A B C Wigan and subsequently A B C Huddersfield. This was still a single auditorium then with stalls and circle and the stage still had occasional use.
A view from the rear of the circle in 2009, twelve years after closing:
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Very sad shots in spite of the flooding this place could have easily been restored.
Some more photos before closure here:–
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Be SURE to follow the blog link posted above on Dec. 20. Fabulous—and sad—shots of this place.
Thanks for adding the link Ken. I’ve done a more detailed piece with extra pictures added here
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I’d be especially keen to get some archive pictures of this place, With stories, recollections or more history for my article if anyone can help me out. I’d also like to hear from anyone what the last film was shown & why the cinema is so badly flooded.
Many thanks.
phill.d
A wonderful, but very sad set of photographs of the former ABC Regal Cinema, taken in December 2007:
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This is part of the new Marsh Way redevelopment. I did some work in the cinema building a couple of years ago and the photos are at http://regal.fotopic.net
Demolition of this former cinema has been approved and will commence in the near future. It will be replaced by a housing / retail scheme and the curved building line will be retained – but not the facade itself.