Comments from Biffaskin

Showing 1 - 25 of 778 comments

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Naval Cinema on Oct 25, 2026 at 1:53 pm

I have uploaded an extract from the 1932 OS Map of Immingham. The cinema is marked as a ‘hall’ rather than as a picture theatre. It was located on the corner of Pelham Road and Ings Road, which has been renamed to Worsley Road now. The Roxton Practice now stands on the site of the former cinema. Humberville Street ran alongside of the hall, with Battery Street being the next road along.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Vue Salford on Oct 18, 2026 at 6:50 am

Now rebranded as a VUE cinema, it now boasts the ‘biggest screen yet’ with an Epic sized screen.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gaumont Glasgow on Oct 7, 2026 at 1:13 pm

The theatre organ was removed and broken up in 1957, prior to being modernised.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Granada North Cheam on Oct 7, 2026 at 12:51 pm

Organ removed October 1969 and sold, installed into a railway goods shed in Burnham Market, it is currently in a private location in Lymm, Cheshire.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Gaumont Bromley on Oct 7, 2026 at 12:33 pm

The theatre organ remained in the Gaumont right up to closure as a cinema. It was removed in March 1961 prior to the internal changes for retail.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Funny Girls on Oct 7, 2026 at 12:17 pm

The Conacher theatre organ was removed in 1969.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ABC Aldershot on Oct 7, 2026 at 12:06 pm

The theatre organ (a 3-manual, 7-rank Wurlitzer) from the Ritz Cinema in Aldershot was purchased and removed in 1971 by organ builder David Pawlyn, who placed it into storage in his workshops in Aylesbury.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Capitol Cinema on Oct 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm

The Compton was removed during September/October 2013, prior to the auditorium section being demolished. Gifted to the Aberdeen Theatre Organ Trust by the developers Knight Property Group.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palace Cinema on Oct 6, 2026 at 11:40 am

Used as a market hall and a betting shop (Tote as it was called back then), the former cinema then became the Jigsaw Nitespot, an Irish Club for dancing, music and, apparently, a darned good steak! Conversion to a workshop and retail came later in the 1970’s.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Astoria Cinema on Oct 4, 2026 at 1:57 pm

The Astoria had a total of 1369 seats, 946 in the stalls, and 423 in the balcony. Originally planned for 2050 (1350 stalls, 700 balcony), these numbers were reduced due to a mixture of licensing conditions, together with adjustments to allow for the best sight lines to the screen.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Regal Cinema on Oct 1, 2026 at 9:10 am

Two houses were demolished to have the cinema built. These has been acquired by Burlington Picture House Company Limited to build a cinema in March 1928. This company was unable to raise enough capital to proceed, and, coupled with delays to the planning and persistence locally to oppose building a cinema at Castle Circus, was eventually bought out by Associated British Cinemas who proceeded immediately to demolish the houses in 1931.

A problematic building site meant that the Regal Cinema wouldn’t open until the 31st July, 1933.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Palace Cinema on Oct 1, 2026 at 8:57 am

R.C. Hill operated the Cameo as Duchy Cinemas Ltd.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Corn Exchange Theatre and Cinema on Sep 22, 2026 at 5:21 am

The changes to the rear of the building were by Levitt Bernstein Associates Ltd. as architects.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Pontio Arts & Innovation Centre on Sep 20, 2026 at 3:26 am

The Pontio (as it is known locally) closed for two weeks from the 4th to the 18th September, 2026. This was to install a new floor and to refurbish the seating.

A very popular venue with a packed programme of films to enjoy across a wide spectrum of genres. As you would expect, this includes films made in the Welsh language along with Independent films, classics, and current films.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Embassy Cinema on Sep 19, 2026 at 10:42 am

Closed as a cinema Saturday, 29th November, 1969 with the popular British film ‘The Virgin Soldiers’.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Ritz Cinema on Sep 18, 2026 at 11:27 am

The Ritz Cinema reopened as the Ritz Bingo & Social Club the same year as closing as a cinema. This lasted until around 1975. The cinema/bingo club, along with the Farmers Arms pub were demolished for houses.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Criterion Cinema on Sep 11, 2026 at 1:40 pm

Joseph Lawden and Howard Cetti are given as joint architects according to the plans submitted and approved by the council.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Woolton Picture House on Aug 23, 2026 at 4:14 am

Unfortunately, this date of opening on the Cinema 100 plaque has been proven to be incorrect.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Odeon Blackpool on Aug 14, 2026 at 10:14 am

Two sets of plans have been submitted to the Borough Council today (14th August, 2026) by Austringer Capital. A 24 lane bowling alley opened in the complex in June 2026. It is now to be decided about the remaining space: either a storage facility or a nine screen cinema complex. No potential cinema operator has been announced along with the planning application.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about ARC Cinemas - Blackpool on Aug 14, 2026 at 9:54 am

Now operated by, and renamed, ARC cinemas.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Vue Cardiff on Jun 28, 2026 at 3:22 am

Closed on the 25th June, 2026.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Scala Cinema on May 12, 2026 at 1:11 am

Initially after closure, the former cinema was turned into the Scala Bingo Club by Cornwall Cinema Bingo Clubs. It closed in 1973 when the former King’s Cinema closed as a cinema and was re-opened as a bingo club by the same company. The bingo clubs traded as a part of the Cornwall Cinemas circuit.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Finchley Rink Cinema on May 3, 2026 at 10:22 pm

Photograph now added whilst Carrimore’s taken in the 1960’s.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Windmill Cinema on May 1, 2026 at 1:26 pm

Originally on Pier Road, the venue was known as The Kursaal. A windmill stood next to the building, which was later demolished. Originally the Kursaal had a tin sheet roof, with a lower pitch to it.

Later called The Casino, it’s possible that it was used as a bingo hall. The facade was replaced, along with the pitch of the auditorium. I have uploaded pictures of the original building as built, and the later use as a ‘casino’ as it was called, both with the windmill in the background.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin commented about Scala Cinema on Apr 28, 2026 at 9:08 am

An advertisement in a booklet promoting the area by the Prestatyn Urban District Council for 1934-35 has the cinema called Scala Super Cinema, operated by Saronie’s Enterprises. Seat prices shown are: Circle 1/6, booked 1/10, Stalls 1/- and Front Stalls 7d. Matinees on all wet days during July and August. I have uploaded a picture of this advertisement.