Thanks for the heads-up Howard - don’t know how that happened, it was working, but now seems to have defaulted to the start of my photostream (in a few days that won’t be the surfers!).
The corrected link is below, as I am unable to edit the original post.
It looks like the time is finally up for this theatre - demolition signage has been put up and a contractor (Ron Hull Ltd) appointed with “commencing 2022” as a date. Four exterior photos taken in February here:-
I think this - or at least the auditorium block - may still survive, incorporated into what became the Co-op and is now Wilco’s. In the same location (on google street view) is a pitched roof hall with the same small window high in the apex. Looking at the modern satellite view, the hall roof can be clearly seen. The facade and entrance have certainly been demolished, but I suspect the cinema walls survive.
Search on HD1 2RR in google (Maps) and place the person icon (for streetview) on the lower side of Queensgate, immediately above the County Court building.
To the right you can see the Town Hall, and to the left of that (as shown on the Aerial photo in the photo section for this cinema) is the substantial remains of the Victoria Hall.
The shop area (the major part of the auditorium) is now in a very poor condition internally, with much of the art deco plasterwork present in 2007, now stripped out. The sex screens (located in part of the balcony)have apparently reopened after the COVID lockdown. Photo September 2021:-
In early October 2021 the small Kinema 4 was added, seating just 21 - but complete with screen tabs! This, like screens 2 & 3 is additional to the footprint, not a sub-division of an existing screen.
CF100: I cannot be entirely sure, but I think moveable masking is in place, although like the Odeon Luxe LS tabs whether it is used or not is an unknown fact.
I was very generously allowed in between screenings whilst cleaning was in progress, but looking at the walls in the photos I cannot discern any lighting strips which may add a colour in screen 2 - there are blue strips in the aisles. The shape of the auditorium may be a factor - the lighting strips may be more effective in a longer, more oblong theatre?
Moviebuff82: I, too, would recommend the Bond movie. As you would expect, the cinematography is superb, right from the start as the opening credits merge into a forest. It is witty, the chases exciting, and to say much more would give away too much! Do find a big screen to see it though.
Nadeem - that is correct. The initial set of plans gave the original two screens (which opened as the Paragon, later renamed Reel) a new facade and incorporated them within a larger 6 screen complex. However, this scheme was later revised and the Savoy’s five screens were built on a separate footprint, with the original screens demolished - sadly a year before the Savoy opened, leaving the town without a cinema.
I had the chance to look at these this week, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the development. The auditoria (whilst black and plain) are comfortable and spacious with no oppressive basement feel. The entrance is dramatic and the foyer (designed with a much higher number of patrons in mind) is elegant and generous. A few photos (October 2021):-
Some photos from March 2022:-
GARDEN CINEMA - Exterior
GARDEN CINEMA - Box office
GARDEN CINEMA - Bar
GARDEN CINEMA - Gents toilet
GARDEN CINEMA - Screen 1 auditorium
GARDEN CINEMA - Screen 1 to front
Some photos taken after closure (June 2022):-
ODEON LANSDOWNE - facade
ODEON LANSDOWNE - entrance block
ODEON LANSDOWNE - auditorium east side
ODEON LANSDOWNE - auditorium west side
Thanks for the heads-up Howard - don’t know how that happened, it was working, but now seems to have defaulted to the start of my photostream (in a few days that won’t be the surfers!). The corrected link is below, as I am unable to edit the original post.
CURZON MAYFAIR - Screen 1
Photos from March 2022 here:-
CURZON MAYFAIR - Entrance
CURZON MAYFAIR - Screen 2
CURZON MAYFAIR - Screen 1
CURZON MAYFAIR - Screen 1
A 2021 photo of the surviving street facade (shops and arcade) - no trace of the auditorium survives.
PALACE THEATRE
The auditorium is almost entirely separate from the street terrace. A 2021 photo can be seen here:-
Stanley Hall
A 2021 photo (as a shop) here:-
PUBLIC HALL - exterior
A 2021 photo can be seen here (as the cycle shop):-
REGAL - exterior
Now called Cinema in the Arches, this is a very comfortable small cinema, with screen tabs!
Photos from February 2022:-
SCREEN 1 to front
SCREEN 1 to rear
CINEMA IN THE ARCHES - Exterior at night
It looks like the time is finally up for this theatre - demolition signage has been put up and a contractor (Ron Hull Ltd) appointed with “commencing 2022” as a date. Four exterior photos taken in February here:-
CANNON WAKEFIELD - Facade
CANNON WAKEFIELD - Sun Lane shops
CANNON WAKEFIELD - rear
CANNON WAKEFIELD - side view / dressing rooms
This had been demolished and replaced by a Boyes Store and a post office by 2015.
A photo of the closed Arcadia Theatre, taken in 1987 here:-
Arcadia Theatre - Exterior
Some photos taken in 1991 here:-
Exterior
Stage
Auditorium
I think this - or at least the auditorium block - may still survive, incorporated into what became the Co-op and is now Wilco’s. In the same location (on google street view) is a pitched roof hall with the same small window high in the apex. Looking at the modern satellite view, the hall roof can be clearly seen. The facade and entrance have certainly been demolished, but I suspect the cinema walls survive.
Search on HD1 2RR in google (Maps) and place the person icon (for streetview) on the lower side of Queensgate, immediately above the County Court building.
To the right you can see the Town Hall, and to the left of that (as shown on the Aerial photo in the photo section for this cinema) is the substantial remains of the Victoria Hall.
Three photos from October 2021:-
KINEMA IN THE WOODS - Exterior
KINEMA IN THE WOODS - Screen 1
KINEMA IN THE WOODS - Screen 4
The shop area (the major part of the auditorium) is now in a very poor condition internally, with much of the art deco plasterwork present in 2007, now stripped out. The sex screens (located in part of the balcony)have apparently reopened after the COVID lockdown. Photo September 2021:-
EMPIRE CINEMA
Two photos of the former Princess from September 2021 - still disused:-
PRINCESS THEATRE - Facade
PRINCESS THEATRE - Flank wall
A photo from 2021:-
GRAND CINEMA - Facade
In early October 2021 the small Kinema 4 was added, seating just 21 - but complete with screen tabs! This, like screens 2 & 3 is additional to the footprint, not a sub-division of an existing screen.
… or maybe not. There was a report of demolition, but google street view of 2016 shows both front and rear to be intact.
CF100: I cannot be entirely sure, but I think moveable masking is in place, although like the Odeon Luxe LS tabs whether it is used or not is an unknown fact.
I was very generously allowed in between screenings whilst cleaning was in progress, but looking at the walls in the photos I cannot discern any lighting strips which may add a colour in screen 2 - there are blue strips in the aisles. The shape of the auditorium may be a factor - the lighting strips may be more effective in a longer, more oblong theatre?
Moviebuff82: I, too, would recommend the Bond movie. As you would expect, the cinematography is superb, right from the start as the opening credits merge into a forest. It is witty, the chases exciting, and to say much more would give away too much! Do find a big screen to see it though.
A couple of photos from 2006 (obviously of the 1950 building):-
SPA PAVILION - Exterior
SPA PAVILION - Auditorium
Nadeem - that is correct. The initial set of plans gave the original two screens (which opened as the Paragon, later renamed Reel) a new facade and incorporated them within a larger 6 screen complex. However, this scheme was later revised and the Savoy’s five screens were built on a separate footprint, with the original screens demolished - sadly a year before the Savoy opened, leaving the town without a cinema.
I only saw the cinema, not the film on this occasion - but will be seeing it at my ‘local’ on Tuesday.
I had the chance to look at these this week, and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the development. The auditoria (whilst black and plain) are comfortable and spacious with no oppressive basement feel. The entrance is dramatic and the foyer (designed with a much higher number of patrons in mind) is elegant and generous. A few photos (October 2021):-
Odeon Luxe West End - EXTERIOR
Odeon Luxe West End - ESCALATOR TO FOYER
Odeon Luxe West End - SCREEN 1 - DOLBY THEATRE
Odeon Luxe West End - SCREEN 2