The tyre fitters have been operating there from 1978… here’s what they gave to say on their website…. “ We’ve been running a garage at the site of the GEM cinema in Morriston, Swansea since 1978.
When we opened the garage it was owned by Freefit Services and continued that way until the whole business was sold in 2000. The managers at the time took the opportunity to undertake a management buyout of the Swansea depot and changed the name to the GEM Autocentre, taking the name from the original use of the building.”
There was also a news cinema incorporated into the premises, whilst still operating as a theatre. I’ve added the full page adverts plus a close up of the news theatre advert. It often went by the name of Premier News Theatre.
The bronze statue, nicknamed ‘Mr Screen’ has found a new home, at the IMC operated Savoy in Dublin. He’s in the foyer area at present. It isn’t certain, as yet, as to whether this will be his permanent placement though.
The Regal was built on the site of the Theatre Royal, which was proposed to be rebuilt as a theatre, but instead of course, the cinema was built, with stage facilities instead. The Theatre Royal has film use prior to demolition, a projection box being added in latter years.
Conversion to the church has meant that the interior has been gutted completely, so there’s nothing inside of its former Art Deco decoration now I’m afraid. What a shame.
The final sentence can be removed, as a new screen has been installed to facilitate the screening of films, or for use during conferences/training courses, as per my newly added photographs..
The current Town Hall which is used as a theatre opened in 1969. It was bombed during the troubles in 1972 though, which caused a great deal of damage. This must have been a replacement for an earlier Town Hall as mentioned in the above text.
Still derelict and gradually falling apart. The projectors, seating, and screen etc are still in situ. There’s an interesting video on YouTube that’s been posted you may be interested in watching.
The business is called Waterloo Joinery. They make bespoke pieces, such as stairs, sash windows, gates etc. 2 very talented guys from what I can see on their Facebook profile. There’s an up-to-date picture of the workshops also, inside and outside.
Theatre 2, seating 100 is used for film presentation twice a month, on every 2nd Wednesday. The original Hall is a permanent theatre, seating 500 now. A large investment over the past decade has resulted in a first class regional arts centre.
Riverbank House’s address is given as 1, Putney Bridge Approach, SW6 3JD.
Nearest postcode is OL16 1UA, and yes, it’s still a vacant plot being used as a car park.
Link no longer works.
11th January 1955 fell on a Tuesday. The cinema re-opened as The Roxy the year before, 1954, which is on the Monday as per the advertisement.
The tyre fitters have been operating there from 1978… here’s what they gave to say on their website…. “ We’ve been running a garage at the site of the GEM cinema in Morriston, Swansea since 1978.
When we opened the garage it was owned by Freefit Services and continued that way until the whole business was sold in 2000. The managers at the time took the opportunity to undertake a management buyout of the Swansea depot and changed the name to the GEM Autocentre, taking the name from the original use of the building.”
I e uploaded another picture from the same site.
There was also a news cinema incorporated into the premises, whilst still operating as a theatre. I’ve added the full page adverts plus a close up of the news theatre advert. It often went by the name of Premier News Theatre.
The bronze statue, nicknamed ‘Mr Screen’ has found a new home, at the IMC operated Savoy in Dublin. He’s in the foyer area at present. It isn’t certain, as yet, as to whether this will be his permanent placement though.
The Regal was built on the site of the Theatre Royal, which was proposed to be rebuilt as a theatre, but instead of course, the cinema was built, with stage facilities instead. The Theatre Royal has film use prior to demolition, a projection box being added in latter years.
Both the hall and snooker club are still operating out of the hall at present. I’ve uploaded an interior picture of the hall.
Conversion to the church has meant that the interior has been gutted completely, so there’s nothing inside of its former Art Deco decoration now I’m afraid. What a shame.
The Castle Cinema/Ballroom has been converted into a fire station.
The final sentence can be removed, as a new screen has been installed to facilitate the screening of films, or for use during conferences/training courses, as per my newly added photographs..
Joyces have moved the business to a new location on a retail park nearby. The former cinema is currently empty and for sale.
Now called Oisin Hall, it has been converted into flats.
Planning permission has been granted to concert this venue into a shop and off license.
I’m pleased to advise that this venue has re-opened as a cinema again!
Demolition has begun for the hotel to be built. 😩
The Auburn Hall/Cinema has been demolished, replaced with shops and flats.
It was still operating in 1996, as Spy Hard released that year is being advertised in one of the photographs that I’ve uploaded today.
This building has been demolished. Adelphi House apartments now replace the former cinema. At least the name lives on….
The road is named Wild Atlantic Way.
The current Town Hall which is used as a theatre opened in 1969. It was bombed during the troubles in 1972 though, which caused a great deal of damage. This must have been a replacement for an earlier Town Hall as mentioned in the above text.
Still derelict and gradually falling apart. The projectors, seating, and screen etc are still in situ. There’s an interesting video on YouTube that’s been posted you may be interested in watching.
The business is called Waterloo Joinery. They make bespoke pieces, such as stairs, sash windows, gates etc. 2 very talented guys from what I can see on their Facebook profile. There’s an up-to-date picture of the workshops also, inside and outside.
Theatre 2, seating 100 is used for film presentation twice a month, on every 2nd Wednesday. The original Hall is a permanent theatre, seating 500 now. A large investment over the past decade has resulted in a first class regional arts centre.