Unit Four Cinemas

Bolton Road,
Walkden, M28 5AY

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Biffaskin
Biffaskin on October 25, 2021 at 5:16 pm

Housed a bingo club at the end too, last incarnation was as Buckingham Bingo before they moved the club to a new build.

gavcrimson
gavcrimson on January 5, 2021 at 6:18 am

Thanks for that information, my parents didn’t move to Walkden till 1981 so wasn’t aware of its history as a bowling alley.

UKmender
UKmender on November 22, 2020 at 5:42 am

The building was actually constructed to be integral with the new Arndale centre. Up on stilts, with shop units on the ground floor, front, and car parking under the rear, it was a 24 lane AMF bowling alley, run by the Excel chain, during the UK’s second love affair with 10 pin bowling. It opened on October 8th 1964. In the attached photo, it is seen in decline, prior to closing in July 1969. It stood empty for three years before being stripped out and converted into the Unit Four Cinemas. The original entrance, to the bowling alley, was converted into a further shop unit and the cinemas were provided with a new entrance, annexed onto the right-hand side of the building. (See the header pic.) Some time later, to meet safety requirements, a long metal fire escape was added to the side wall, behind the entrance. In the header photo, behind the cinema, can be seen the original Scan Superstore. This was run, unsuccessfully, by Debenhams, before selling out to Tesco.

gavcrimson
gavcrimson on January 22, 2018 at 8:07 am

i remember having difficulty seeing Batman here when I was 11 (it was a 12 cert but they eventually relented and let me in) so maybe their age policy had gotten a little less relaxed by the late 1980s. didn’t the bar area have saloon style doors? have a vague memory of that.

enc
enc on January 22, 2018 at 1:27 am

I remember unit 4. Watched the great rock and roll swindle here their age policy must have been quite relaxed as I would have been under age at the time. Also remember watching Hooper here. Anyone remember the bar area ? And the crappy “local adverts” one that comes to mind was for walkden sports and sadelery a shop that was in the arcade at the time.

Walton1950
Walton1950 on February 21, 2016 at 7:04 am

Hi Unit 4 actually opened in 1972. I was the Chief Projectionist, and Keith Hampson was the manager. It opened with Escape from the Planet of the Apes and Bandelero in screen 1. Cromwell in screen 2. When 8 bells toll in screen 3. Funny Girl in screen 4 It operated on 16mm projection, changed to 35mm screen by screen in 1974

Grahamh
Grahamh on April 14, 2014 at 2:34 pm

I remember Sam. I’d done some work for him before I went to Uni in 1968, but after that was working at Bolton Odeon, so lost touch with the Palace. If anyone remembers him, Gilbert Taylor was manager during my time. Nice to find there’s still someone who remembers the place.

fthompson
fthompson on April 14, 2014 at 11:23 am

palace cinema/bingo hall was still running in 1973 and after, I was a bingo caller and midnight projectionist for 4 yrs started in 1969, midnight movies during the winter, children’s saturday morning club, bring a record and sing to it on stage before the film, then bingo in the afternoon , owner at the time was Sam Stockton unit 4 was around the corner next to the Westminster bank

Grahamh
Grahamh on April 11, 2013 at 11:00 am

I was at the Palace and I only remember the Unit4 not the criterion. Wasn’t it a bowling alley before it became Unit4? Emerys owned a cinema in Swinton, but that had closed before I was on the scene. As to the Bull’s Head, I gather that it’s now a Wetherspoons, so the berr might have improved!

bettyespana
bettyespana on April 11, 2013 at 9:13 am

Slight correction to Graham.I was one of the first receptionists at the Unit 4 when it opened.There was a cinema on the site originally named The Criterion.It was knocked down to make way for the new Arndale Centre.The owners(not the Emerys at the time)had to have some work done in the foyer whilst I was there & the old Criterion Cinema sign was found whilst they were digging.I myself was thrilled as I spent many happy hours at the “Crit) as it was affectionally known to us locals.

Grahamh
Grahamh on January 9, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Sorry to correct you, but the Palace and Unit 4 were 2 separate cinemas. The Palace is as you describe it, but was situated on the A6 next to the Bull’s Head? hotel (a Threlfalls pub with awful beer!) and was converted into a bingo hall in about 1968-9. The Unit 4 was on Bolton Rd just north of the shopping centre. My credentials for saying this are that I was the projectionist there almost up to conversion (a moonlighting job whilst I was in 6th form) It was owned by Emery’s up to conversion.

leeo
leeo on March 27, 2004 at 12:45 pm

Hi I actually came across this website by mistake (would you believe it), I was searching for Curzon Manchester Cinemas and came across this site. Low and behold a site dedicated to Cinemas and their History. I’ve allways liked Cinemas and their Buildings.
Anyway, I actually live in Worsley/Walkden not 10 mins away from Apollo Unit 4 Cinemas in Walkden. I’ve lived in Salford/Manchester all my life and seen cinema buildings come and go. I remember going to Apollo Unit 4 Cinemas quite frequently between 1985-1994 ish. It closed down I think around 94-97 time. I have tried emailing Apollo Cinemas regarding information about this cinema last year, but not reply. Anyway. My Email address is .uk

Take Care.
Lee Oatway.