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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Opened by the Glynn Animated Picture Co, they also operated Glynn Cinemas in Chester and Shrewsbury. This small early circuit wa ms taken over by the General Theatre Corporation in March 1928. In turn, GTC became a part of the Gaumont British circuit. This particular site was quickly sold off to an Independent, as detailed in the main text.
The original name of the venue was the Villa Marina Kursaal. In part this was seen as an attempt by the Corporation to address the town’s perceived lack of sophistication and to raise the town’s profile to visitors. The Germanic term for the venue was dropped at the outbreak of World War I and the venue was renamed the Royal Hall.
The architect was Alban Jones, whose design was chosen in an open competition judged by Professor Stanley Adshead of Liverpool University.
The front/foyer areas were used as retail premises for many years, a Helping Hand charity shop, an arts and crafts shop and a hairdressers called the Empire Salon.
First operated as an EMI Bingo & Social Club, it then passed to Coral before becoming a Gala Club.
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.
Architects were William Edward Riley and Ernest Budge Garfield, opening on the Saturday of 4th July, 1936. It was built for Savoy (Cobham) Ltd.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By 1966 a CinemaScope screen had been installed, RCA Sound and a proscenium width of 25 feet quoted. Seating was for 995 patrons.
Bingo started on 9th December 1968, operated by Classic as a Vogue Bingo Club, closing 1st July 1972.
The Daffodil Cinema was designed by local architect Leonard William Barnard.
Now hosting Live Events in the open air where the former auditorium once stood, the facade remains.
In 1944, the Kinema Grand was operated by Captain E.R.F. Pennell D.F.C.
Albany Ward sold his circuit to PCT in 1920, so this cinema was built by the Albany Ward-PCT circuit.
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.
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.
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
Architects were John Ladds & W.H. Powell.
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.
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.
And the Queen’s looked huuuuuge!!
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.
Glynn Hill & Co also traded under the Glynn Animated Pictures Co. title. They also operated Glynn Cinemas in Chester and Wrexham.
Opened by the Glynn Animated Picture Co, they also operated Glynn Cinemas in Chester and Shrewsbury. This small early circuit wa ms taken over by the General Theatre Corporation in March 1928. In turn, GTC became a part of the Gaumont British circuit. This particular site was quickly sold off to an Independent, as detailed in the main text.
The original name of the venue was the Villa Marina Kursaal. In part this was seen as an attempt by the Corporation to address the town’s perceived lack of sophistication and to raise the town’s profile to visitors. The Germanic term for the venue was dropped at the outbreak of World War I and the venue was renamed the Royal Hall. The architect was Alban Jones, whose design was chosen in an open competition judged by Professor Stanley Adshead of Liverpool University.
The front/foyer areas were used as retail premises for many years, a Helping Hand charity shop, an arts and crafts shop and a hairdressers called the Empire Salon.