Gaumont Chatham

67 Watling Street,
Gillingham, ME7 2YW

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Gaumont-British-Picture Corp., Ltd., Rank Organisation

Architects: Arthur W. Kenyon

Functions: Retail

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Palace Cinema

Nearby Theaters

Gaumont Chatham

Located on the corner of Watling Street and Beechwood Avenue on the Chatham-Gillingham border. The Palace Cinema was built by a subsidiary of the Gaumont British Theatres chain, and opened on 30th November 1936. It was a ‘sister’ theatre to the larger Majestic Cinema Rochester, which had opened a year earlier.

The exterior had a tall square clock tower, which was outlined in neon at night. Inside the auditorium seating was located on stalls and circle levels. Interior decorations were by noted interior designers Mollo & Egan. The proscenium was 42 feet wide and the stage was 20 feet deep. There were seven dressing rooms. The Palace Cinema was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/7Ranks organ which was opened by organist Terence Casey. There was a café/ballroom in the building, and a large car park opposite the entrance.

The Palace Cinema was re-named Gaumont from 18th December 1950, and usually play films concurrent with the Gaumont (ex-Majestic Cinema) Rochester. The Gaumont was closed by the Rank Organisation on 2nd February 1961 with John Gregson in "The Captain’s Table". It was converted into a 24-lane Top Rank Bowling Alley, which opened in December 1961. Eventually, this was the last of the Top Rank Bowls to close, closing on 31st October 1970.

The building was converted into a B&Q hardware store, and the interior has been gutted. It was later in use as a camping centre, which remains open in 2010 as Camping International. The building is now known as Clock Tower House.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on November 17, 2010 at 4:45 am

The former Gaumont Chatham, photographed in July 2007;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/briand36/2584297596/

Biffaskin
Biffaskin on April 24, 2022 at 12:29 pm

Architect? Interior by Mollo & Egan….

Biffaskin
Biffaskin on June 11, 2022 at 7:46 am

Architect was Arthur W. Kenyon

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.