The Picture Palace is still listed in the 1966 KYB as being operated by Star Cinemas of Leeds, seating 649 with a Western Electric sound system. I suspect that the 1964 bingo advertising was Cine-Bingo, where both cinema and bingo operated in the same premises on a shared basis. Star often did this to test the waters before committing to bingo full-time.
Still listed in the 1966 KYB fitted for CinemaScope, still operated by the Bassett Cinemas circuit, booked at the Savoy, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Western Electric sound, 305 seats, and three changes weekly.
Closed a little later, as there is a programme from April 1959 in the local history collection. The projection room was housed on the upper floor of a brick structure, thought to have been the coaching house for the Bell Inn, whilst below at ground level was the bicycle store.
The cinema was a ‘temporary’ structure from after the war had come to an end that was attached to the permanent structure. There were 15 rows of 10 seats, so 150 seats in total all on one level. The Mason Family operated this cinema as well as the cinemas in Berkeley and Drybrook.
All that I can add information wise to David’s information above is that the 1944 KYB has the proprietors as the Egremont Cinema Ltd. 750 seats were declared and a BTH sound system. Pictures and Variety also gets a mention with the stage depth of 16ft. deep, the proscenium width is declared at 30ft. There was also the Empire Dance Hall attached to the premises.
By 1966, the KYB lists the same proprietors, seating had been reduced to 681 seats. Now fitted for CinemaScope, the screen was 26ft wide within the same 30ft proscenium. A Western Electric sound system was now fitted, with four changes of programme each week. The Empire Dance Hall no longer gets any mention.
The name was changed to ‘The Palace’ in its final years, as can be seen in the photo that I’ve uploaded, hence the ‘New’ Palace being built next door later on. The plot of land remained in the ownership of Fred Marchant until he sold the New Palace to Southan Morris, who in turned sold it to Union Cinemas. This then, gave Union the building plot for the Union to be built.
Hmmm, the 1944 KYB has both the Free Trade Hall listed with 550 seats, Western Electric sound system and Proprietor as Alfred Wright AND the
Lyric Cinema, Western Electric sound, 450 seats and the same Alfred Wright as proprietor
Re-opened in 1961 as the short-lived Roberta Bingo & Social Club, this closed barely six months later, then being converted into the nightclub, also called Roberta, rather than Roberto.
Unfortunately, the Conservative Club closed down several years ago, and is in a derelict state with vandals having gained access. There were plans submitted in February 2025 for conversion into retail and a library. I have added a picture of the now disused Victoria Hall.
In 1944, the KYB lists this cinema as being operated by Bickler Cinemas Ltd., 211A, Harrogate Road, Leeds. Occasional Variety is also listed, so this venue had a stage, but no dressing rooms listed!
Good news! The cinema has re-opened! Called Strand Cinemas, operated by Merlin Cinemas. I’ve uploaded a few pictures. Sadly, the auditorium ones that I took came out too dark to use.
The new bingo club opened in 1971 as Buckingham Bingo. It was the first in the small chain by founder Panico Panayi which eventually grew to nine locations before being sold to Alchemy in 2006. Alchemy later sold these bingo clubs split between Club 3000 and Castle Leisure in 2011.
Cine-Bingo was introduced by Star Group who had leased the building from ABC/EMI in the late 1970’s. This ceased when ABC/EMI took back the property in October 1975.
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.
The Picture Palace is still listed in the 1966 KYB as being operated by Star Cinemas of Leeds, seating 649 with a Western Electric sound system. I suspect that the 1964 bingo advertising was Cine-Bingo, where both cinema and bingo operated in the same premises on a shared basis. Star often did this to test the waters before committing to bingo full-time.
More recently (July 2025), the building has been smartened up nicely and is home to Porcelain Twenty Two, wall and floor tile importers.
Last used as a garage workshop for truck repairs. The auditorium had been gutted at ground level, but the ceiling from cinema days was still intact.
Still listed in the 1966 KYB fitted for CinemaScope, still operated by the Bassett Cinemas circuit, booked at the Savoy, Shaftesbury, Dorset. Western Electric sound, 305 seats, and three changes weekly.
Closed a little later, as there is a programme from April 1959 in the local history collection. The projection room was housed on the upper floor of a brick structure, thought to have been the coaching house for the Bell Inn, whilst below at ground level was the bicycle store. The cinema was a ‘temporary’ structure from after the war had come to an end that was attached to the permanent structure. There were 15 rows of 10 seats, so 150 seats in total all on one level. The Mason Family operated this cinema as well as the cinemas in Berkeley and Drybrook.
All that I can add information wise to David’s information above is that the 1944 KYB has the proprietors as the Egremont Cinema Ltd. 750 seats were declared and a BTH sound system. Pictures and Variety also gets a mention with the stage depth of 16ft. deep, the proscenium width is declared at 30ft. There was also the Empire Dance Hall attached to the premises. By 1966, the KYB lists the same proprietors, seating had been reduced to 681 seats. Now fitted for CinemaScope, the screen was 26ft wide within the same 30ft proscenium. A Western Electric sound system was now fitted, with four changes of programme each week. The Empire Dance Hall no longer gets any mention.
The name was changed to ‘The Palace’ in its final years, as can be seen in the photo that I’ve uploaded, hence the ‘New’ Palace being built next door later on. The plot of land remained in the ownership of Fred Marchant until he sold the New Palace to Southan Morris, who in turned sold it to Union Cinemas. This then, gave Union the building plot for the Union to be built.
Prior to CMA’s ownership, the 1944 KYB has the proprietors as being P. & Q. Traders Ltd., with the films booked in Manchester.
Hmmm, the 1944 KYB has both the Free Trade Hall listed with 550 seats, Western Electric sound system and Proprietor as Alfred Wright AND the Lyric Cinema, Western Electric sound, 450 seats and the same Alfred Wright as proprietor
Re-opened in 1961 as the short-lived Roberta Bingo & Social Club, this closed barely six months later, then being converted into the nightclub, also called Roberta, rather than Roberto.
Unfortunately, the Conservative Club closed down several years ago, and is in a derelict state with vandals having gained access. There were plans submitted in February 2025 for conversion into retail and a library. I have added a picture of the now disused Victoria Hall.
In 1944, the KYB lists this cinema as being operated by Bickler Cinemas Ltd., 211A, Harrogate Road, Leeds. Occasional Variety is also listed, so this venue had a stage, but no dressing rooms listed!
Refurbished again in 2021, the building is Grade II Listed.
Architects were EWA Architects of Warrington.
Good news! The cinema has re-opened! Called Strand Cinemas, operated by Merlin Cinemas. I’ve uploaded a few pictures. Sadly, the auditorium ones that I took came out too dark to use.
The new bingo club opened in 1971 as Buckingham Bingo. It was the first in the small chain by founder Panico Panayi which eventually grew to nine locations before being sold to Alchemy in 2006. Alchemy later sold these bingo clubs split between Club 3000 and Castle Leisure in 2011.
Cine-Bingo was introduced by Star Group who had leased the building from ABC/EMI in the late 1970’s. This ceased when ABC/EMI took back the property in October 1975.
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.