Contrary to the above information the cinema is surprisingly intact inside. The stalls floor has been levelled but the Edwardian plasterwork is in good contion, I think the original square proscenium arch survives, as does the small balcony.
Photos from August 2015 (with thanks to Flashing Services Ltd for access)
More details from a newspaper article:– It was designed by Messrs Howarth & Howarth of Cleckheaton and was opened on 25th November 1911. In March 1913 a fire destroyed the stage which was rebuilt and the New Pavilion reopened on 16th June 1913. From 1929-31 it reverted to being a live theatre having been primarily a cinema since 1916. Films returned 1931 with the installation of sound, but the stage was still used on a regular basis up until closure on 27th July 1968. It reopened the same year as a bingo hall which lasted 20 years. It has now been derelict for a decade and is clearly in a deteriorating state as the following pictures (July 2015) show:–
Ian
commented about
Reel Cinemaon
Jul 14, 2015 at 4:38 am
In 2015 it was announced that the Reel Cinema is to be expanded by the addition of 4 screens (to the west of the existing two cinemas), 3 restaurants and some office space. The new screens will accommodate 154, 217, 162 & 173 whilst the two existing screens will be comprehensively refurbished and reduced to 217 and 100 seats within the current spaces. The whole block will be given a unified new facade. A start on the project has been delayed but is currently scheduled to begin later this year.
Photos from July 2015:–
Apparently constructed on the stadium principle with a steeply raked rear section utilising the hillside on which it is built. It is located in a residential area on the outskirts of town. The stage does not have a fly tower.
Another view from 1977 here:–
ASTOR
Photos from 2015 here:–
CENTRAL CINEMA
CENTRAL CINEMA – FORMER STAGE
Photo from 2015 here:–
FORMER KINGS PICTURE HALL
Photos from 2015 here:–
CURRENT FACADE WITH ORIGINAL INSET
STAGE WALL
Contrary to the above information the cinema is surprisingly intact inside. The stalls floor has been levelled but the Edwardian plasterwork is in good contion, I think the original square proscenium arch survives, as does the small balcony.
Photos from August 2015 (with thanks to Flashing Services Ltd for access)
SIDE EXTERIOR
AUDITORIUM FROM REAR
PLASTERWORK
BALCONY FRONT
BALCONY VIEW
Photos taken in August 2015, as the cinema is made ready for reopening, can be viewed here:–
EXTERIOR
ART DECO WINDOW
STAIRS TO BALCONY
AUDITORIUM TO FRONT
AUDITORIUM TO REAR
Thanks to Ria for access.
Some photos taken in November 2007, shortly before the New Empire Theatre was closed – sadly I did not get upstairs to the former balcony.
FACADE
FOYER
AUDITORIUM
STAGE WALL
More details from a newspaper article:– It was designed by Messrs Howarth & Howarth of Cleckheaton and was opened on 25th November 1911. In March 1913 a fire destroyed the stage which was rebuilt and the New Pavilion reopened on 16th June 1913. From 1929-31 it reverted to being a live theatre having been primarily a cinema since 1916. Films returned 1931 with the installation of sound, but the stage was still used on a regular basis up until closure on 27th July 1968. It reopened the same year as a bingo hall which lasted 20 years. It has now been derelict for a decade and is clearly in a deteriorating state as the following pictures (July 2015) show:–
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
In 2015 it was announced that the Reel Cinema is to be expanded by the addition of 4 screens (to the west of the existing two cinemas), 3 restaurants and some office space. The new screens will accommodate 154, 217, 162 & 173 whilst the two existing screens will be comprehensively refurbished and reduced to 217 and 100 seats within the current spaces. The whole block will be given a unified new facade. A start on the project has been delayed but is currently scheduled to begin later this year. Photos from July 2015:–
REEL EXTERIOR SCREEN 2
REEL SCREEN 1 TO FRONT
REEL SCREEN 1 TO REAR
REEL SCREEN 2 TO FRONT
A photo of the derelict Regal here:–
REGAL
A photo of the derelict building here, dating from circa 1975.
TOWCESTER CINEMA
Major fire 14 March 2015:–
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-31886312
A photo of the Kings operating as a bingo hall here:–
KINGS CINEMA
A photo of the Palace can be found here:–
PALACE THEATRE
Some 2015 shots:–
FACADE
STAGE
AUDITORIUM
A 2015 shot as the Vue:–
VUE CINEMA
The former front stalls area of the cinema in 2008
ARTS CENTRE
and the current auditorium in what appears to be an extension to the balcony
ARTS CENTRE
Two interior shots from 2007
CEILING
PROSCENIUM
Post fire shot of the Theatre Royal here:–
THEATRE ROYAL
Interior shots of the Regal in 2011 here:–
PROSCENIUM
BALCONY CINEMA
Another picture of the Palace in 2007 here:–
PALACE CINEMA
Another (festive!) photo of the Picture House:–
PICTURE HOUSE
Interior photos of the Grand Theatre here:–
LEEDS GRAND STAGE
LEEDS GRAND AUDITORIUM
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
A photo of the derelict foyer block here:–
REGAL CINEMA
Apparently constructed on the stadium principle with a steeply raked rear section utilising the hillside on which it is built. It is located in a residential area on the outskirts of town. The stage does not have a fly tower.
Another photo from the other side here:–
EMPIRE THEATRE