Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 76 - 100 of 711 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Regent Cinema on Feb 12, 2025 at 11:49 am

The 1944 Kine Year Book has the name still as the Electric Palace, the proprietor is Herbert Frederick Robertson, booked at Manchester and Liverpool.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Globe Palace Cinema on Feb 9, 2025 at 4:05 am

Interestingly, the photograph shows that Bingo & Roulette was played on Tuesdays and Thuesdays only, at 7.30 & 9.30pm. Was it still open as a cinema during the other days I wonder?

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Bijou Theatre/Cinema on Feb 8, 2025 at 7:16 am

Opened as the Victoria Pier & Pavilion in 1900, the pier was extended in length in 1903 to a length of 227 metres, as shown in the main picture on here, this was the second Pavilion building. The first two Pavilion buildings were destroyed by fires, this included the Bijou Theatre in the 1933 fire.

A third Pavilion was built in 1934. Changing to a nightclub and amusements arcade in the 1970’s, it became increasingly dilapidated during the 1980’s, and was sadly closed permanently in 2008 due to safety concerns. These concerns were borne out when a part of the pier collapsed onto the beach in 2017, and so, it was dismantled in 2018. Plans to realise another, shortened pier, as yet, have not materialised despite the best efforts of the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Colchester on Feb 7, 2025 at 1:04 pm

First operated as an EMI Bingo & Social Club, it then passed to Coral before becoming a Gala Club.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Corn Exchange Cinema on Feb 7, 2025 at 11:33 am

This, the first Corn Exchange building was built by David Laing in 1820, but was replaced by the newer Corn Exchange in 1845 to the designs of Raphael and Joshua, now known as the Albert Hall Building. From 1845, the old Corn Exchange housed the Essex and Suffolk Fire Office, before becoming the Corn Exchange Cinema.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Savoy Cinema on Feb 6, 2025 at 9:31 am

Architects were William Edward Riley and Ernest Budge Garfield, opening on the Saturday of 4th July, 1936. It was built for Savoy (Cobham) Ltd.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Village Hall Cinema on Feb 6, 2025 at 9:18 am

The original hall was opened in 1887, an entrance was dedicated to the fallen of WW2, the hall had been a British Restaurant during this time. The commemorative plaque was moved to the new hall and re-dedicated to the fallen.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Village Hall Cinema on Feb 6, 2025 at 9:15 am

The current village hall was built in 1987 and located on Lushington Drive. The original hall, the subject of this website was located on Anyards Road and has been demolished for flats to be built.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rex Cinema on Feb 5, 2025 at 12:23 pm

Just to add the main text implies sub-division into a twin cinema, however, this wasn’t the case here. The main auditorium remained intact, a further screen was added by building onto the former car park area.

Dunelm placed a false ceiling into the main auditorium at balcony level, sealing off the balcony. It remained intact up there, and still is… the second added screen was converted into storage by Dunelm.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palace Theatre on Feb 2, 2025 at 3:36 am

After closure as a cinema/theatre, the premises became a nightclub, last known as Porky’s. The nightclub closed in 1989 and demolition came shortly afterwards that same year.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Queen's Hall Cinema on Jan 22, 2025 at 9:37 am

By 1966 a CinemaScope screen had been installed, RCA Sound and a proscenium width of 25 feet quoted. Seating was for 995 patrons.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odeon Park Royal on Jan 22, 2025 at 9:09 am

Bingo started on 9th December 1968, operated by Classic as a Vogue Bingo Club, closing 1st July 1972.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Daffodil Cinema on Jan 12, 2025 at 11:17 pm

The Daffodil Cinema was designed by local architect Leonard William Barnard.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Essoldo King's Heath on Jan 6, 2025 at 11:42 am

Now hosting Live Events in the open air where the former auditorium once stood, the facade remains.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Kinema on Dec 21, 2024 at 1:28 pm

In 1944, the Kinema Grand was operated by Captain E.R.F. Pennell D.F.C.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gaumont Cirencester on Dec 21, 2024 at 10:07 am

Albany Ward sold his circuit to PCT in 1920, so this cinema was built by the Albany Ward-PCT circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palace Cinema on Dec 21, 2024 at 7:38 am

Albany Ward sold his circuit to PCT in 1920 but retained management responsibilities for them, and, at the same time, managed later cinemas in the Westcountry area for both PCT and later, Gaumont when PCT were taken over in 1929. His main base and residence was in Weymouth, Dorset.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Regal Cinema on Dec 21, 2024 at 5:56 am

The Regal has been demolished for some time. A supermarket now occupies the site at 4, Sandford Avenue, SY6 6DW, currently (in 2024) a Family Shopper supermarket. It also houses the Post Office.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Pavilion Cinema on Dec 20, 2024 at 12:59 pm

In 1944 the cinema was operated by Hooley’s Cinemas (Chorley) Ltd. circuit, they also operated the Theatre Royal Cinemas at this time as well. Closure for bingo was also by Hooley’s, who also attempted the re-opening as a cinema again in 1966

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Chorley Town Hall on Dec 19, 2024 at 1:55 pm

Architects were John Ladds & W.H. Powell.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about King's Cinema on Dec 19, 2024 at 12:08 pm

By 1948 the proprietors were G.E. & W.E.F. Craven, a seating capacity of 704 seats is quoted, proscenium width 36Ft., 1 dressing room and BTP sound system. By 1966 the proprietors had changed to Derwent Cinemas Ltd. circuit. Bingo was introduced alongside films in 1964, films then ceased on 28th January 1967, which lasted into the early 1980’s known as King’s Bingo Club. The last operators on bingo were the three Hearn Brothers who also operated bingo clubs, the longest running of which was the Crown Bingo Club in Tyne Dock, South Shields.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Classic Chippenham on Dec 15, 2024 at 12:43 pm

Architects were W. E. Trent & Sydney Trent; part of Gaumont’s ‘Division 8’, this was the Albany Ward/PCT operated cinemas within the company. Proscenium width of 30ft, it also had four dressing rooms, a British Acoustics sound system had been installed, together with the ‘Ardente’ system for the hard of hearing.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Market Day with Queens clearly visible in the background on Dec 14, 2024 at 12:26 pm

And the Queen’s looked huuuuuge!!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Hippodrome Cinema on Dec 9, 2024 at 9:31 am

Following closure as a cinema, bingo operated here as Surewin Bingo, a part of Hutchinson Leisure. The art deco facade was removed due to a structural problem, it was basically gradually peeling away and about to topple, hence the rather plain facade seen today.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Central Cinema on Dec 9, 2024 at 9:25 am

Glynn Hill & Co also traded under the Glynn Animated Pictures Co. title. They also operated Glynn Cinemas in Chester and Wrexham.