The first cinema to open at the then RAF Alconbury was the Astra Cinema, this closed, along with most of the base after WW2. In readiness for a new role, the airbase was significantly rebuilt, including a later Alconbury Theatre as it was last called. This was operated by the US Air Force for their own personnel and families on the base.
In line with the gradual thinning down of personnel stationed overseas, RAF Alconbury has been largely sold off and the land built on with modern day shops and housing. The cinema has also been closed for a long time, and may well be demolished by now. It is noted on the USAF website as closed.
A tragic accident happened in the derelict building in the early 1960’s (1962 or 1963 I think), where a lad fell through the roof of the building and was badly injured.
Star moved the Empire - Star Bingo & Social Club to a former Co-Operative Hall, known as Oakfield House, opening there as the New Empire - Star Bingo & Social Club.
The Pavilion was only separated from the Empress on the same road by the row of cottages fronting Carlyle Street, as can be seen in this photograph. The Pavilion had a modernisation carried out on the façade at some point as well.
Operated by Arthur Tillney, who also had the Empress built (as a roller rink, and then converted it to a cinema when that craze faded away), it’s likely that Arthur had this cinema built.
The only cinema that I could locate in Abercwmboi was the Workmen’s Hall & Institute, which was equipped to show films. Was this the same venue re-named in 1953 perhaps?
Address was 1, Water Street, LL54 6LY. After demolition, the site became a garage and workshops. These have also since been demolished, and the site is currently vacant.
Please note that Penygroes (this location) differs to that of the village of Pen-Y-Groes nearby.
Brian Bull first registered Circle Cinemas as a trading name in 1976. At that time, he was negotiating with Rank for the purchase of leases on both the Monico and the Cameo Cinema in Bargoed.
Ten year leases were acquired for both starting 11th June, 1977. The Monico was twinned by Circle Cinemas between November 1979 and January 1980, the Freeholds being acquired for both sites during this time.
Circle Cinemas was incorporated as a limited company in November 1982. The last cinema operated by the company was the Studio Cinema, Coleford, Gloucestershire which was sold by Circle in 2011.
Circle Cinemas Ltd no longer trades. At it’s height the company operated 9 screens over 6 sites.
The first film was as per the text a navy recruitment film, it’s title was ‘The Royal Navy Division at Work and Play’. The first Market House was built in 1574. A replacement was built on the same sight at a cost of £800 in 1821/22 designed by John Foulston, his fee was 15 guineas.
Mr Pickle’s purchased an organ from a chapel that was in nearby Pensilva village for 30 shillings to accompany the silent films.
My thanks to the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society (and my mum!) for obtaining this extra detail/information for me to add to here.
The first cinema to open at the then RAF Alconbury was the Astra Cinema, this closed, along with most of the base after WW2. In readiness for a new role, the airbase was significantly rebuilt, including a later Alconbury Theatre as it was last called. This was operated by the US Air Force for their own personnel and families on the base. In line with the gradual thinning down of personnel stationed overseas, RAF Alconbury has been largely sold off and the land built on with modern day shops and housing. The cinema has also been closed for a long time, and may well be demolished by now. It is noted on the USAF website as closed.
A tragic accident happened in the derelict building in the early 1960’s (1962 or 1963 I think), where a lad fell through the roof of the building and was badly injured.
Streetview in 2023 still shows the forlorn former Ritz shuttered and deteriorating.
Star moved the Empire - Star Bingo & Social Club to a former Co-Operative Hall, known as Oakfield House, opening there as the New Empire - Star Bingo & Social Club.
The Pavilion was only separated from the Empress on the same road by the row of cottages fronting Carlyle Street, as can be seen in this photograph. The Pavilion had a modernisation carried out on the façade at some point as well.
Operated by Arthur Tillney, who also had the Empress built (as a roller rink, and then converted it to a cinema when that craze faded away), it’s likely that Arthur had this cinema built.
When known as the Empire Pictorium, this venue was being operated by Mr V.W. Rowe, who also operated the Electric Theatre at that time.
The only cinema that I could locate in Abercwmboi was the Workmen’s Hall & Institute, which was equipped to show films. Was this the same venue re-named in 1953 perhaps?
Architect of this theatre was William Hope, it is the only survivor of his work.
Last use as a bingo club was under Hutchinson’s Surewin until closure.
Address is Gwern Avenue, CF83 4HA.
Address was 1, Water Street, LL54 6LY. After demolition, the site became a garage and workshops. These have also since been demolished, and the site is currently vacant.
Please note that Penygroes (this location) differs to that of the village of Pen-Y-Groes nearby.
Actual name was Sex-Kino 2000. Closed 24/06/2003.
Brian Bull first registered Circle Cinemas as a trading name in 1976. At that time, he was negotiating with Rank for the purchase of leases on both the Monico and the Cameo Cinema in Bargoed. Ten year leases were acquired for both starting 11th June, 1977. The Monico was twinned by Circle Cinemas between November 1979 and January 1980, the Freeholds being acquired for both sites during this time. Circle Cinemas was incorporated as a limited company in November 1982. The last cinema operated by the company was the Studio Cinema, Coleford, Gloucestershire which was sold by Circle in 2011.
Circle Cinemas Ltd no longer trades. At it’s height the company operated 9 screens over 6 sites.
At one time known as the Beba-Palast, it was destroyed by Allied bombs around 1943.
Opening year given as 1906, closure year as 1997 according to the Berlin Cinemas database online.
I wonder if the original Alhambra neon signage has been re-used on the replacement building? They look very similar to me!!
Opened as the Union in 1918 with 600 seats, it was renamed Capitol before closure in 1960.
7 screens with 1223 seats now.
The 162 seat cinema opened in 1991, but sadly closed in 1999, the owners concentrating on the successful operation of the larger planetarium.
Opened in 2000, recently expanded to 8 screens and 1545 seats.
Alternative street location is given as Rollbergstrasse 70.
The Stattkino was located at the same address from 1994 to c1996, but I have no further details as yet for this short-lived cinema.
The Palace Theatre was demolished in 1962 following a fire in the closed up building that same year.
The first film was as per the text a navy recruitment film, it’s title was ‘The Royal Navy Division at Work and Play’. The first Market House was built in 1574. A replacement was built on the same sight at a cost of £800 in 1821/22 designed by John Foulston, his fee was 15 guineas.
Mr Pickle’s purchased an organ from a chapel that was in nearby Pensilva village for 30 shillings to accompany the silent films.
My thanks to the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society (and my mum!) for obtaining this extra detail/information for me to add to here.