there was no electricity in the derelict and partially stripped out building so the quality is not great – but the unique balcony, the screen frame and some idea of the decor can be gained.
Following 111 objections the planning application to turn the Picture Playhouse into retail use was refused. The owner is to appeal against the decision.
As I am not sure how long the Lounge website will remain, I have copied the closing statement :–
The Lounge cinema, one of the best known leisure institutions in Headingley, has been closed down by it’s owners, Associated Tower Cinemas (ATC), following declining attendances and mounting losses after a tough five years. The closure has resulted in the redundancy of three full time employees, and some part time employees. In a statement issued today (10 January) ATC said that the closure was a sad blow for the company and its employees involved. The Lounge has been losing money for over five years. We simply cannot compete against the newer Multiplex cinemas and what they have to offer. At this stage ATC has no alternative plans for the Lounge site and they are seeking an urgent meeting with planners and local councilors to discuss how it can be redeveloped. ATC’s other smaller Cottage Road cinema in Headingley is not currently affected by this decision but its future is being reviewed as to its long term viability. For further information please contact: Malcolm Cowing at Brahm Public Relations on 0113 230 4000 or 07770 512266
Sadly the Lounge closed suddenly in January 2005.Competition from 3 multiplex cinemas in the vicinity finally forced the single screen Lounge out of business. Tragic!
The theatre has recently undergone further upgrading prior to the opening of “Mary Poppins”. Additional toilets, enlarged bars and a unique outdoor extension to the Dress Circle bar over the theatre canopy overlooking Compton Street will be a boon in the Summer.
The building, so long unsuccessful, is now (arguably) Londons pre-eminent house for large scale musicals.
I think you may be confusing the Curzon / Classic with the Embassy further up the Western Road but across the border into Hove. The Curzon was totally demolished around 1979 and has been replaced by the Waitrose supermarket. The Embassy, part of the Miles Byrne circuit of cinema closed as a cinema in the early 1980’s, became the Black Cat bingo hall, then a pine furniture shop and has more recently become an amusement arcade.
Hilarie – Sorry only just seen your comment. Have no other pics (but like Joel I could take some for you). The one above is slightly cut-down in size. Send your e-mail address to if you would like a copy of the original. Is this a project covering specific types / areas? I have loads of other cinema pics …..
As predicted – when I drove past yesterday the demolition crew had been and gone, along with this once fine cinema. I do not know if any of the surviving features were salvaged before the bulldozers moved in. A small housing estate is in the course of erection.
Following a tour of this building yesterday, it appears to be even more interesting than previously thought. It was built for the church as a way of raising money (the nearby St Peters had a similar scheme with the Tivoli). The stalls floor has been levelled and a false ceiling put in at balcony level. This part of the building is now a plain meeting room. However above this everything is intact, from the plasterwork on the walls to the projection room (empty) and a delightful single box at the rear of the balcony. Narrow corridors, tiny little payboxes positioned in the centre of a door and an open trussed ceiling all remain – largely unseen for decades.
After the partial collapse of the ceiling in 2003 (the 150th anniversay of the hall), the auditorium has now been restored and is in splendid shape. The Hall is well used for concerts, comedy and even opera and is destined to be a part of the cultural life of Bradford for years to come.
Following the news that the Odeon auditorium was not a viable proposition to restore, but the facade and two towers would be incorporated into a new building, comes the sad news that the steelwork is a) in a poor condition and b) intricately linked to the steel frame of the rest of the building. It therefore seems likely that the entire building will now be demolished. (November 2004)
The Picture Playhouse closed in 2003 and is very likely to be stripped out and converted into retail space. At present (October 2004) the stage, screen and front stalls seats have been removed, and a planning application is almost certain to approve the removal of the balcony and change of use to retail.
Sadly there are too many occasions of a developer either appealling against the original listing and getting a building de-listed (Odeon Newcastle Upon Tyne) or allowing (assisting) a building to deteriorate to the point where demolition is the only viable option.
Ian
commented about
Cannon Hullon
Jun 8, 2004 at 7:08 am
For rav :–
Sorry – did not see your comment until now – is it too late? Contact me on if you are still interested. Not that I have a great deal from this building :–(
Ian
commented about
Cannon Hullon
Jun 8, 2004 at 7:05 am
Visiting Hull on 7th June 2004 I was surprised to see the Cannon is still standing – the demolition crew are working but little progress seems to have been made on the cinema. – the adjoining shops however have gone giving a side view of the cinema never before seen.
Thanks for taking and posting the sad images Andy – this was certainly one which should not have fallen, one of the very few distinguished buildings left in Salford.
Demolition of this former cinema has been approved and will commence in the near future. It will be replaced by a housing / retail scheme and the curved building line will be retained – but not the facade itself.
At the Council meeting on Wednesday (3rd March 2004) a decision on the restoration was deferred pending further studies to see if a partial restoration could save money. This possibly cheaper option however, could result in the Heritage Lottery fund withdrawing or reducing their offer of £6million towards the cost.
In the meantime this beautiful hall remains closed to the public.
After a £100,000 refurbishment the Crescent cinema (in the circle area of the former two tier cinema) is due to reopen as a single screen in the very near future. It will have 300 seats and will be operated by Asif Sahil.
The Futurist has had a short stay of execution with a new operator, Barrie Stead (taking over on a short lease – currently running only to the latter part of 2004).
A new screen, projectors and sound system has been installed (“Lord of the Rings” was awesome on the huge new screen and drew good sized crowds into the cinema for a four or five week season!)
However the local Council are adamant that it has to go – and soon!
Ian
commented about
Odeon Leedson
Feb 26, 2004 at 3:25 pm
The interior demolition was completed in January 2004 – nothing now remains, other that the side offices and bare four walls of this once grand cine-theatre.
A developer / tenent is still being sought for the space.
Sadly this fine cinema (a single screen) closed in 2003 due to competition from a small multiplex. The bingo operation continues in the stalls area so in the short term the cinema will be structurally maintained but the long term is now far less secure for this small town gem.
Recent pictures of the interior can be viewed at
http://www.byphotos.com/album/1346990
there was no electricity in the derelict and partially stripped out building so the quality is not great – but the unique balcony, the screen frame and some idea of the decor can be gained.
Following 111 objections the planning application to turn the Picture Playhouse into retail use was refused. The owner is to appeal against the decision.
As I am not sure how long the Lounge website will remain, I have copied the closing statement :–
The Lounge cinema, one of the best known leisure institutions in Headingley, has been closed down by it’s owners, Associated Tower Cinemas (ATC), following declining attendances and mounting losses after a tough five years. The closure has resulted in the redundancy of three full time employees, and some part time employees. In a statement issued today (10 January) ATC said that the closure was a sad blow for the company and its employees involved. The Lounge has been losing money for over five years. We simply cannot compete against the newer Multiplex cinemas and what they have to offer. At this stage ATC has no alternative plans for the Lounge site and they are seeking an urgent meeting with planners and local councilors to discuss how it can be redeveloped. ATC’s other smaller Cottage Road cinema in Headingley is not currently affected by this decision but its future is being reviewed as to its long term viability. For further information please contact: Malcolm Cowing at Brahm Public Relations on 0113 230 4000 or 07770 512266
Sadly the Lounge closed suddenly in January 2005.Competition from 3 multiplex cinemas in the vicinity finally forced the single screen Lounge out of business. Tragic!
The theatre has recently undergone further upgrading prior to the opening of “Mary Poppins”. Additional toilets, enlarged bars and a unique outdoor extension to the Dress Circle bar over the theatre canopy overlooking Compton Street will be a boon in the Summer.
The building, so long unsuccessful, is now (arguably) Londons pre-eminent house for large scale musicals.
I think you may be confusing the Curzon / Classic with the Embassy further up the Western Road but across the border into Hove. The Curzon was totally demolished around 1979 and has been replaced by the Waitrose supermarket. The Embassy, part of the Miles Byrne circuit of cinema closed as a cinema in the early 1980’s, became the Black Cat bingo hall, then a pine furniture shop and has more recently become an amusement arcade.
Hilarie – Sorry only just seen your comment. Have no other pics (but like Joel I could take some for you). The one above is slightly cut-down in size. Send your e-mail address to if you would like a copy of the original. Is this a project covering specific types / areas? I have loads of other cinema pics …..
As predicted – when I drove past yesterday the demolition crew had been and gone, along with this once fine cinema. I do not know if any of the surviving features were salvaged before the bulldozers moved in. A small housing estate is in the course of erection.
Following a tour of this building yesterday, it appears to be even more interesting than previously thought. It was built for the church as a way of raising money (the nearby St Peters had a similar scheme with the Tivoli). The stalls floor has been levelled and a false ceiling put in at balcony level. This part of the building is now a plain meeting room. However above this everything is intact, from the plasterwork on the walls to the projection room (empty) and a delightful single box at the rear of the balcony. Narrow corridors, tiny little payboxes positioned in the centre of a door and an open trussed ceiling all remain – largely unseen for decades.
After the partial collapse of the ceiling in 2003 (the 150th anniversay of the hall), the auditorium has now been restored and is in splendid shape. The Hall is well used for concerts, comedy and even opera and is destined to be a part of the cultural life of Bradford for years to come.
Following the news that the Odeon auditorium was not a viable proposition to restore, but the facade and two towers would be incorporated into a new building, comes the sad news that the steelwork is a) in a poor condition and b) intricately linked to the steel frame of the rest of the building. It therefore seems likely that the entire building will now be demolished. (November 2004)
The Picture Playhouse closed in 2003 and is very likely to be stripped out and converted into retail space. At present (October 2004) the stage, screen and front stalls seats have been removed, and a planning application is almost certain to approve the removal of the balcony and change of use to retail.
Call the box office on 00 44 1423 502116 from outside the UK or 01423 502116 from in the UK
It is a complex and cumbersome mechanism which provides only limited protection. A fair description of the listing process can be found at
View link
Sadly there are too many occasions of a developer either appealling against the original listing and getting a building de-listed (Odeon Newcastle Upon Tyne) or allowing (assisting) a building to deteriorate to the point where demolition is the only viable option.
For rav :–
Sorry – did not see your comment until now – is it too late? Contact me on if you are still interested. Not that I have a great deal from this building :–(
Visiting Hull on 7th June 2004 I was surprised to see the Cannon is still standing – the demolition crew are working but little progress seems to have been made on the cinema. – the adjoining shops however have gone giving a side view of the cinema never before seen.
Thanks for taking and posting the sad images Andy – this was certainly one which should not have fallen, one of the very few distinguished buildings left in Salford.
The former Majestic / Gaumont / Holderness Hall has been demolished in the early part of 2004.
Demolition of this former cinema has been approved and will commence in the near future. It will be replaced by a housing / retail scheme and the curved building line will be retained – but not the facade itself.
In March 2004 the Ryedale part was dropped from the name and the cinema is now known as the ‘Palace Cinema – Malton’
At the Council meeting on Wednesday (3rd March 2004) a decision on the restoration was deferred pending further studies to see if a partial restoration could save money. This possibly cheaper option however, could result in the Heritage Lottery fund withdrawing or reducing their offer of £6million towards the cost.
In the meantime this beautiful hall remains closed to the public.
After a £100,000 refurbishment the Crescent cinema (in the circle area of the former two tier cinema) is due to reopen as a single screen in the very near future. It will have 300 seats and will be operated by Asif Sahil.
The Futurist has had a short stay of execution with a new operator, Barrie Stead (taking over on a short lease – currently running only to the latter part of 2004).
A new screen, projectors and sound system has been installed (“Lord of the Rings” was awesome on the huge new screen and drew good sized crowds into the cinema for a four or five week season!)
However the local Council are adamant that it has to go – and soon!
The interior demolition was completed in January 2004 – nothing now remains, other that the side offices and bare four walls of this once grand cine-theatre.
A developer / tenent is still being sought for the space.
Sadly this fine cinema (a single screen) closed in 2003 due to competition from a small multiplex. The bingo operation continues in the stalls area so in the short term the cinema will be structurally maintained but the long term is now far less secure for this small town gem.