The Regal opened on 13 March 1937 and was one of six cinemas designed in 1935 by John McBride Neill. An incendiary device damaged the balcony and roof in October 1977. It must have closed some time in the 1980s as it was reopened 20 November 1992 by Nevin Busby with 4 screens.
Following the above link also tells us that it opened in 1934 with King of Kings, was built by Lesley Stewart, sold in 1950s to William Barry, and closed in 1991 with The Last Picture Show.
According to the Ryde Social Heritage Group the cinema opened 22 December 1921(what’s in a year), although it wasn’t listed in the Kine Year Books until a few years later. It was refurbished in 1966 reopening on 2 May, put back a week because of inclement weather. It eventually closed on 20 June 1973 with Elvis on Tour and The Trouble With Girls.
The State opened on 2 December 1935 with Ruggles of Red Gap. It remained closed between 1978 and 1983. There were plans to add two more screens in 1994 by acquiring Allen’s Garage but I don’t know if this was ever done.
The Midland was reported as being the first provincial cinema in Northern Ireland (i.e. outside Belfast) to have talkies in October 1929 so must have been open by this time.
The Strand opened on 17 January 1935 and was originally run by Billy James. It was designed by W.E. Taylor and had marble steps leading up to the lobby which was oak-panelled. The cafe doubled as a dancefloor.
The cinema opened on 20 October 1975 and was later reported to be the province’s first multi-screen cinema. Each screen had a different colour and the even numbers were no smoking at the time.
The Vogue opened on 19 April 1940 with Rage of Paris, the ceremony performed by the Countess of Kilmorey. It was closed for a refit during May-August 1998.
There is an image of the Astor at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AnnStreetMemories/photos/a.198441940365036.1073741875.105656169643614/125654814310416/?type=3&theater
The Castle was badly damaged by fire on 18 November 1971 and was probably demolished. One source says it belonged to a Mr Hobson and waslater run by Supreme Cinemas.
In 1940 local choirs performed the Messiah at the cinema to raise money for the British Legion and a variety concert was given in 1942 by the Lofthouse Red Cross Society.
This could very well be a tale of two or three different operations. A newspaper report says that the cinema opened in 1949 and was run by the Brown brothers, two travelling showmen, and lasted until the late 1960s. Having spoken to a local trader he seems to think the cinema was in an old barn next to the public car park behind the buildings in the main street, and it is some sort of warehouse now. Sounds like a job for Poirot!
They had a chip shop around the side, used to go there for chips as a teenager in the 70s. The cinema was closed by then.
Date of closure 22 October 1985.
Yes, it originally closed as a cinema end of August 1986 with E.T. but remained open for bingo.
The Regal opened on 13 March 1937 and was one of six cinemas designed in 1935 by John McBride Neill. An incendiary device damaged the balcony and roof in October 1977. It must have closed some time in the 1980s as it was reopened 20 November 1992 by Nevin Busby with 4 screens.
Following the above link also tells us that it opened in 1934 with King of Kings, was built by Lesley Stewart, sold in 1950s to William Barry, and closed in 1991 with The Last Picture Show.
The building is now home to a Heron Foods supermarket.
Opened in July 1924. Closed during the war but reopened apparently because the Rex had taken a hit but closed again on the Rex’s reopening in 1946.
Opening date of the cinema was 6 December 1928.
According to the Ryde Social Heritage Group the cinema opened 22 December 1921(what’s in a year), although it wasn’t listed in the Kine Year Books until a few years later. It was refurbished in 1966 reopening on 2 May, put back a week because of inclement weather. It eventually closed on 20 June 1973 with Elvis on Tour and The Trouble With Girls.
Playhouse was demolished February 2010.
The Bijou opened on 14 November 1910. The Scala opened much earlier on 22 December 1921.
According to Google street view in June 2015 it was a veterinary clinic called Pet Doctors.
The State opened on 2 December 1935 with Ruggles of Red Gap. It remained closed between 1978 and 1983. There were plans to add two more screens in 1994 by acquiring Allen’s Garage but I don’t know if this was ever done.
John McManus acquired the cinema from EMI in May 1974 and reopened it for business on 5 December 1974.
The Midland was reported as being the first provincial cinema in Northern Ireland (i.e. outside Belfast) to have talkies in October 1929 so must have been open by this time.
The Strand opened on 17 January 1935 and was originally run by Billy James. It was designed by W.E. Taylor and had marble steps leading up to the lobby which was oak-panelled. The cafe doubled as a dancefloor.
The cinema opened on 20 October 1975 and was later reported to be the province’s first multi-screen cinema. Each screen had a different colour and the even numbers were no smoking at the time.
The Vogue opened on 19 April 1940 with Rage of Paris, the ceremony performed by the Countess of Kilmorey. It was closed for a refit during May-August 1998.
The Regal opened on 22 August 1932, the rather drab-looking replacement is in business use.
The Royalty closed in August 1961, it was later a Lipton supermarket and a social club, pretty sure it has been demolished now.
I wonder if these are the original cinema toilets!
There is an image of the Astor at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AnnStreetMemories/photos/a.198441940365036.1073741875.105656169643614/125654814310416/?type=3&theater
The Castle was badly damaged by fire on 18 November 1971 and was probably demolished. One source says it belonged to a Mr Hobson and waslater run by Supreme Cinemas.
In 1940 local choirs performed the Messiah at the cinema to raise money for the British Legion and a variety concert was given in 1942 by the Lofthouse Red Cross Society.
This could very well be a tale of two or three different operations. A newspaper report says that the cinema opened in 1949 and was run by the Brown brothers, two travelling showmen, and lasted until the late 1960s. Having spoken to a local trader he seems to think the cinema was in an old barn next to the public car park behind the buildings in the main street, and it is some sort of warehouse now. Sounds like a job for Poirot!