Comments from Ian - Cinema Treasures

The venue has been threatened with closure and demolition for more than four years since Scarborough Council announced plans to sell off the theatre and surrounding site for redevelopment.

The council had said nothing in recent years in support of the long-term future of the Futurist, and was silent on a consultant’s report that backed the retention of the theatre as an option.

This led to the Evening News campaign last November to defend it, and many letters in response by readers.

Scarborough’s Renaissance team gave support to the campaign. It was also brought to the attention of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which will influence the type and scale of development on the site.

In acknowledging the strength of feeling of Scarborough people over the Futurist, and the work of Barrie Stead in operating the theatre since 2002, the report states:

“The main benefit of the refurbishment scheme is that it would respond to community wishes.

“In recent years, it has been managed successfully with a relatively small management cost to the council.”

In the new document, the council unveils its preferred options for the area â€"– and both involve keeping a theatre on Foreshore Road, either by refurbishing the existing building or by creating an entirely new one.

It has yet to be decided whether the current facade will be retained. A report which has been sent to the council’s ruling cabinet group finally rejects the idea of creating a commercial development without a theatre, or building a new theatre elsewhere.

But the report controversially says that the revamped theatre could have only between 1,000 and 1,500 seats. This would re-ignite huge protest because it has been proven that the 2,000-seat present capacity can be full, and a reduced capacity would deter big names and shows from including the Futurist on national tours.

21 July 2006
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Ian commented about Odeon Wardour Street on Jul 1, 2006 at 8:09 pm

Another couple of photos after closure here:–

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Ian commented about Lumiere Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 8:05 pm

Work is still continuing to turn the former cinema into a gym for the St Martins Hotel. Pictures from June 2006 here (external):–

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and here (foyer):–

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Ian commented about New Gallery Cinema on Jul 1, 2006 at 1:16 pm

This cinema has been all but wrecked in the conversion to retail space. Although – in theory – the new works are removable, in practice it is well nigh impossible to return a valuable retail space to arts use, and removing the extensive new build inside the auditorium – on a levelled floor – would be prohibitively expensive.

Two recent pictures here. The first shows about as much as you can see of the proscenium arch (now blocked in):–

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and the second is a view from the former balcony area:–

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Ian commented about Henry Miller's Theatre on Jun 27, 2006 at 5:49 am

I thought the intention WAS to recreate the auditorium of Henry Millers – with expanded foyers and modern facilities. The original publicity from the developers certainly stressed the re-creation of the original theatre.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 20, 2006 at 9:53 am

Found a few more details of the cinema.

From manchestercivic.org.uk:-
A less certain future faces the Empress Electric Theatre on Oldham Road, Miles Platting, which opened in 1912 in the very early days of purpose-built cinemas. Its now somewhat forlorn facade of red Accrington brick harks back to the 19th century, giving it an industrial appearance but with almost castle-like cornice adornments.
Inside the walls are adorned with luxurious French Rococo-style plaster panels. The proscenium and flanking twin organ cases are in a more serious classical vein with paired columns, niches and medallions symbolising music and the performing arts. The organ case embraces dummy organ pipes, as in a church, and vestiges of early cinema organs of this type are now extremely rare. Some years ago the Empress, too, became a bingo hall, and it is now a paint store.

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 4:17 pm

Agree in principal Woody – but Manchester and Salford are two different authorities. But Manchester undoubtedly does not care about heritage. Nor does Salford!

Ian commented about Old Empress Cinema Burns Down on Jun 19, 2006 at 1:58 pm

Photo -pre fire here:–

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and here :–

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Ian commented about Texas Theatre sold to Cinema Treasures user on Jun 5, 2006 at 4:02 pm

Congratulations – and please post pictures of the renovations!

Ian commented about Grosvenor Cinema on May 19, 2006 at 4:23 pm

Some exterior & interior pictures here – from when it was still a cinema!:–

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