Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 101 - 125 of 599 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about British Workmen's Hall Cinema on Oct 6, 2023 at 3:33 am

Known as Craig Hall by both the Scouts and Girl Guides, the building is still boarded up and unused in 2023.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about MGM Oxford Street on Oct 3, 2023 at 10:17 am

Lionel: The Land Registry in the UK will hold a plan of the property boundaries, the local authority for the area it is in MAY have plans (in this case the City of Westminster, London), or you can try the Borough’s Library Service and ask them.

Unfortunately, UK planning doesn’t require consent for internal alterations to a building, that is usually only required for external alterations, extensions and the like where the building is being enlarged, requires consent as part of a conservation area, or is a Listed Building.

That said, UK cinema licensing does require plans to be submitted I think, and they too would be lodged with the local council as well.

I hope trat this helps!

Darron

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Astoria Cinema on Oct 3, 2023 at 10:09 am

Opening advertisement added, including the original interior and the list of opening films.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Omniplex High Wycombe on Sep 29, 2023 at 1:41 am

Architect of the Wycombe Six was Jim Unick, first manager was one Geoff Greaves who now operates the Merlin Cinemas circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about City Varieties Music Hall on Sep 17, 2023 at 4:57 am

Has this venerable old lady not been Listed yet?

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Ufa Gloria-Palast on Sep 16, 2023 at 12:54 pm

Address should be at 10, not 12-13, that is the new cinemas address, since changed to retail of course.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about New Palace Cinema on Sep 14, 2023 at 3:49 pm

Did County Cinemas acquire the closed cinema, or acquire it open before closing it for the Regal to be built? The text is unclear.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Star Cinema on Sep 14, 2023 at 10:22 am

St. George’s Hall was initially opened as a drill hall, this use continued for several decades after the cinema closed. Star Snooker Club was a more recent incarnation for this venue prior to closure, most likely from the 1970’s when many local drill halls were closed by the Ministry of Defence and sold off.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odeon Luxe London West End on Sep 9, 2023 at 11:16 am

Architects for this cinema was Ellis Williams Architects, they also oversaw the Luxe treatment being applied to the Odeon Leicester Square.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odeon Luxe London Leicester Square on Sep 9, 2023 at 11:13 am

The latest ‘upgrade’ to an Odeon Luxe was designed by Ellis Williams Architects.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Reel Cinema on Sep 9, 2023 at 10:54 am

Architects for this venue were Ellis Williams Architects.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Light Bradford on Sep 9, 2023 at 6:47 am

Architectural firm was Burrows Little, lead architects were Ian Little and Kasia Mogilnicka.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Light Bradford on Sep 9, 2023 at 6:24 am

Although operated by Light Cinemas (UK), the site should be referred to as ‘The Light - Bradford’ its actual name.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Star Cinema on Sep 9, 2023 at 4:14 am

Now called ‘Lydian House’, it has indeed, been converted into apartments.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about New Tatler Picture House on Sep 9, 2023 at 2:05 am

Name shortened to just Tatler Picture House by KYB 1944, address given as 4, Thornton Road, operated by Regal Cinemas (Warrington) Ltd., Gaiety Theatre, Manchester, with 710 seats and Western Electric sound installation.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Plaza Cinema on Sep 8, 2023 at 8:17 am

Now in use, as of 2023, as a charity shop/volunteer centre called ‘My Impact Centre’.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Oxford Cinema on Sep 8, 2023 at 7:41 am

StreetView in 2023 confirms that the rest of the building has been cleared following the arson attack. It is currently a vacant plot of land.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Elysian Picture House on Sep 7, 2023 at 5:39 am

Seating capacity reduced further to 380 seats according to the 1944 KYB, lessee given as C.M. Preedy.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about St. George's Hall on Sep 7, 2023 at 5:09 am

The location map for this venue seems way out on the larger area map!

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Belle Vue Cinema on Sep 5, 2023 at 4:10 am

The former cinema is the more ornate building on the right, operating then as Kapoor Enterprises. After being a cinema, the area was converted into a restaurant.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Rex Cinema on Sep 2, 2023 at 3:42 am

1943 seems to be the year that the cinema’s name changed to the Palace, as the 1944 KYB has two cinemas listed, both with the same phone number of 109… Borough Green Electric Theatre, Symox sound equipment, 300 seats, pictures and variety. The second entry gives Palace, proprietor H.H. Sawdy, Morrison sound equipment, once nightly shows, no seating capacity given unfortunately though.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Strand Cinema on Sep 2, 2023 at 2:59 am

Firemen tackle the blaze. From the Liverpool Echo archives with permission.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Metropole Theatre on Sep 2, 2023 at 2:36 am

The Metropole Theatre is listed as still being open in the 1944 KYB with 1500 seats, operated by the Leslie Greene circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Majestic Cinema on Sep 1, 2023 at 1:08 am

The Majestic was located opposite Prescott Street, demolished now I’m afraid, though the business Majestic Self Drive gives reference to the former cinema. Address was 167, St. Helens Road, BL3 3PA.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gem Cinema on Sep 1, 2023 at 1:01 am

The cinema was located at what is now a Girlguiding HQ at 100, Shepherd Cross Street, BL1 3BS.