The Cosy Cinema started life as the Picture Palace on Prees Heath Camp, which was near Whitchurch, Shropshire. The camp opened in 1915, and the cinema, along with other leisure buildings were established by 1916.
Built as a temporary structure, wooden framed with a corrugated iron roof and sides, the mock Tudor facade was purely a theatrical frontage.
It was this building that was dismantled and moved to become the Cosy Cinema in Dawley.
The same people operated the Silver Screen Cinema in Folkestone, Kent. After closure, the cinema space has been used as a community space, including private cinema hire. A shared exit with the museum meant that it was difficult to operate, as the museum had to remain open late, or the community space had to close early… councillors approved plans for a new, seperate, fire exit to be provided, along with roof repairs to the building in September 2024. In addition, a new ceiling mounted projection system and new speakers will be installed. Now considered a community space rather than a commercial cinema, the changes have proved popular with the local community.
The address should read Gaol Lane, with the post code being CT16 1PH.
The architect for the building was Percy W. Meredith. Built for the Leith Hill Music Festival, it remained in their custody until WW2, when the building was acquisitioned by the Armed Forces and the Meat Marketing Board. A major sponsor of the building was composer Ralph Vaughan Williams who’s statue can be seen outside of the Dorking Halls today.
There are three halls within the complex: the Grand Hall can seat 900, the stage was large enough to have 300 singers and a full orchestra. The main floor is also a fully sprung dance floor.
The Martineau Hall still remains, as does the Masonic Hall, which is the full-time cinema today.
After WW2 came to an end, the complex was left in very poor condition, so the Leith Hill Musical Festival sold the building to the local council for £15,000, who brought the building back into use from 1946.
Always intended as a multi-use community venue, the Dorking Halls still fulfills that criteria today. The Halls underwent a major refurbishment between 1994 and 1997 to make it the modern, fully-equipped theatre, cinema and conference centre that it is now. Further improvements to the bar and foyer areas to reflect the buildings Art Deco heritage were undertaken in 2017.
Despite concerns over costs in the past to the council, the complex is thriving, popular, and, importantly, profitable.
First known as Allington Hall, the name was changed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, becoming the Victoria Hall in her honor. It is possible that the hall was used as a theatre from time to time and was where the earliest film shows took place as well.
Initially an Essoldo bingo club, the venue was purchased by Ladbrokes in 1973 who re-branded the venue as a Lucky 7 bingo club. Top Rank took over upon the purchase of Ladbrokes bingo operations in 1986.
Operated by Vale prior to 1945 as they are listed as proprietors in the 1944 KYB as well. As this publication was prepared in advance of production, Vale must have been owners in 1943 as a bare minimum.
Operated by Vale prior to 1945 as they are listed as proprietors in the 1944 KYB as well. s this publication was prepared in advance of production, Vale must have been owners in 1943 as a bare minimum.
In the 1944 KYB, proprietors are given as Mayfair Circuit (Control) Ltd., with A. Cohen booking the films. Mayfair was an Associated British Cinemas subsidiary company.
Architect for the building was Feildon Clegg Bradley of Bath. The QUAD & Cinema was amongst the first building constructions undertaken under Derby Cityscape, the urban regeneration scheme company that guides the rejuvenation of the city centre.
Plans were submitted in 1921 by architect L.H. Maxwell who was based in Blackburn, Lancashire for Harry Yorke Esq. The plans are held at the Lancashire Archives and would need to be viewed in person to asses the scope of works that these plans encompassed.
Opened for the Clifford Ogle (Warrington) Ltd. circuit which was based in Offerton, Stocport, this was the third Marcliff Cinema to be opened, the other two were in Hazel Grove (opened 1934) and at Knutsford (opened c1935). The architect for this cinema was Andrew Mather, hence the resemblance to an Odeon. Opened for bingo as the Marcliff Bingo & Social Club, it operated within the Wild Bingo Group until closure came in 1996.
Listed in the 1966 KYB, owners are noted as being the Commercial Cinematograph Co. Ltd. who also owned the previous? cinema listed in the 1944 KYB known as the Picture House. Closed in 1971, Top Flight Bingo took over, later becoming operated by Beach Bingo. Sadly, a fire put an end to this building, and the site has been cleared.
Built in an Italianate style, the Theatre Royal was opened on 12th March 1877 at a cost of £10,000. The architect was Edward Potts. Initially there were also four shops within the property, but these were all later taken over and became a Post Office from 1890.
Sadly, the fire was such that the building was fully demolished shortly afterwards. As of 2022, there is a vacant plot of land where the cinema once stood.
The Cosy Cinema started life as the Picture Palace on Prees Heath Camp, which was near Whitchurch, Shropshire. The camp opened in 1915, and the cinema, along with other leisure buildings were established by 1916. Built as a temporary structure, wooden framed with a corrugated iron roof and sides, the mock Tudor facade was purely a theatrical frontage.
It was this building that was dismantled and moved to become the Cosy Cinema in Dawley.
Operated as a cinema prior to the 1970’s as the 1944 KYB has the Winter Gardens listed with 350 seats and RCA sound equipment.
Architects for this building was Semple McKillop, with the Main Contractor being Geda Construction.
The same people operated the Silver Screen Cinema in Folkestone, Kent. After closure, the cinema space has been used as a community space, including private cinema hire. A shared exit with the museum meant that it was difficult to operate, as the museum had to remain open late, or the community space had to close early… councillors approved plans for a new, seperate, fire exit to be provided, along with roof repairs to the building in September 2024. In addition, a new ceiling mounted projection system and new speakers will be installed. Now considered a community space rather than a commercial cinema, the changes have proved popular with the local community.
The address should read Gaol Lane, with the post code being CT16 1PH.
The architect for the building was Percy W. Meredith. Built for the Leith Hill Music Festival, it remained in their custody until WW2, when the building was acquisitioned by the Armed Forces and the Meat Marketing Board. A major sponsor of the building was composer Ralph Vaughan Williams who’s statue can be seen outside of the Dorking Halls today.
There are three halls within the complex: the Grand Hall can seat 900, the stage was large enough to have 300 singers and a full orchestra. The main floor is also a fully sprung dance floor. The Martineau Hall still remains, as does the Masonic Hall, which is the full-time cinema today.
After WW2 came to an end, the complex was left in very poor condition, so the Leith Hill Musical Festival sold the building to the local council for £15,000, who brought the building back into use from 1946.
Always intended as a multi-use community venue, the Dorking Halls still fulfills that criteria today. The Halls underwent a major refurbishment between 1994 and 1997 to make it the modern, fully-equipped theatre, cinema and conference centre that it is now. Further improvements to the bar and foyer areas to reflect the buildings Art Deco heritage were undertaken in 2017.
Despite concerns over costs in the past to the council, the complex is thriving, popular, and, importantly, profitable.
First known as Allington Hall, the name was changed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, becoming the Victoria Hall in her honor. It is possible that the hall was used as a theatre from time to time and was where the earliest film shows took place as well.
The architects for this project were Harris Partnership.
Sold to Mecca Leisure in 1967, it opened as a Mecca Bingo & Social Club on the 12th December, 1967.
Initially an Essoldo bingo club, the venue was purchased by Ladbrokes in 1973 who re-branded the venue as a Lucky 7 bingo club. Top Rank took over upon the purchase of Ladbrokes bingo operations in 1986.
Operated as the Vale Bingo & Social Club by Vale Enterprises (Mirfield) Ltd., bingo ceased in 1990.
Operated by Vale prior to 1945 as they are listed as proprietors in the 1944 KYB as well. As this publication was prepared in advance of production, Vale must have been owners in 1943 as a bare minimum.
Operated by Vale prior to 1945 as they are listed as proprietors in the 1944 KYB as well. s this publication was prepared in advance of production, Vale must have been owners in 1943 as a bare minimum.
In the 1944 KYB, proprietors are given as Mayfair Circuit (Control) Ltd., with A. Cohen booking the films. Mayfair was an Associated British Cinemas subsidiary company.
Architect for the building was Feildon Clegg Bradley of Bath. The QUAD & Cinema was amongst the first building constructions undertaken under Derby Cityscape, the urban regeneration scheme company that guides the rejuvenation of the city centre.
Plans were submitted in 1921 by architect L.H. Maxwell who was based in Blackburn, Lancashire for Harry Yorke Esq. The plans are held at the Lancashire Archives and would need to be viewed in person to asses the scope of works that these plans encompassed.
Operators were Midland Electric Theatres (1911) Ltd. from opening.
Opened for the Clifford Ogle (Warrington) Ltd. circuit which was based in Offerton, Stocport, this was the third Marcliff Cinema to be opened, the other two were in Hazel Grove (opened 1934) and at Knutsford (opened c1935). The architect for this cinema was Andrew Mather, hence the resemblance to an Odeon. Opened for bingo as the Marcliff Bingo & Social Club, it operated within the Wild Bingo Group until closure came in 1996.
Listed in the 1966 KYB, owners are noted as being the Commercial Cinematograph Co. Ltd. who also owned the previous? cinema listed in the 1944 KYB known as the Picture House. Closed in 1971, Top Flight Bingo took over, later becoming operated by Beach Bingo. Sadly, a fire put an end to this building, and the site has been cleared.
The building continues in use serving the local area and is now known as the Denholme Community Centre.
The 1944 KYB has the owners as Cornwall Cinemas (Newquay) Ltd., with seating for 250.
Middle section with the white canopy edge was the entrance to the cinema, later a bingo club. Now unused.
Built in an Italianate style, the Theatre Royal was opened on 12th March 1877 at a cost of £10,000. The architect was Edward Potts. Initially there were also four shops within the property, but these were all later taken over and became a Post Office from 1890.
Sadly, the fire was such that the building was fully demolished shortly afterwards. As of 2022, there is a vacant plot of land where the cinema once stood.
The architects of the Flavel Centre were LSI Architects, it was completed in 2003. The location is also known as The Flavel Arts Centre.
The ceiling was a glass bottomed pond with real fish in, rather than a painting. This area was disused when I worked there.