Hello Rachey, I’ll get on to it today. Excellent!! Can’t believe you’ve had the chance to look inside! I spoke to the owner, (Gary?) some time back but didn’t think to ask if I could have a look!! The person I’m thinking of is a long standing friend of my parents and I think he’s retired now! Whatever I find out I’ll let you know as soon as! I’ve also emailed you on your society contact email address. May I just add at this point, it’s been a long standing wish of mine since the cinema closed in 83 that something should be done? I have made some tentative enquiries and as far as I can tell, the building has a covenant on it restricting it’s use for entertainment only! I spotted the new sign above the cinema entrance regarding the dance school so that’s great that at least some of the building will be used again. Hope this is ok as I’ll send another email to your society page with my contact details….
Hello Rachey, when you say you and your partner recently had a look around the cinema, do you mean inside? I can certainly ask round to see if anyone knows of an architect who’d be willing to have a look and give advice?
Well said John, I was thinking along the same lines especially now that there is so much parking available towards the back of the cinema. Surely a one screen venue showing older films rather than trying to compete with the multiplexes could be workable. There are some venues like this but none too near to Pontefract that it couldn’t be made viable. Just wish I had the knowledge to know how to get the ball rolling!
Oh also! I noticed today that there’s a council notice on the side door which lead to the dance hall above. It’s a request for an alcohol licence. I hope this is only for the rooms above! it’s a recent application so i suppose it’ll be a wait and see job!
Regarding the comments made by ‘Rachey?’ I for one would certainly be interested in being involved in an amateur theatre group. I’ve been involved with numerous societies in the local area for a long time now. Certainly given other comments its sounds very much like using Pontefract cinema as a theatre venue would be difficult due to the alterations made over the years which really is a shame. Some months back I spoke to the owner of the building ringing him on the number listed on the rent advert to the exterior of the cinema. I didn’t get a great deal of info but he sounds like a local property developer. He did tell me that the interior is basically as it was when it closed in 1993 even down to the projector! I have many fond memories of the Crescent Cinema and always found it tardis like in the main screen area considering what area the building covers outside! It’s a shame about the stage being removed but it would be interesting to know what’s behind the screen! Wouldn’t it be great to get a consortium together and see if it’s possible to use this building again and certainly by the comments on this page I get the impression there would be enough interest in such a project! I’d value any comments and thoughts people have.
Not as yet John. Can only assume it’s come to stand still!
Hello Rachey, I’ll get on to it today. Excellent!! Can’t believe you’ve had the chance to look inside! I spoke to the owner, (Gary?) some time back but didn’t think to ask if I could have a look!! The person I’m thinking of is a long standing friend of my parents and I think he’s retired now! Whatever I find out I’ll let you know as soon as! I’ve also emailed you on your society contact email address. May I just add at this point, it’s been a long standing wish of mine since the cinema closed in 83 that something should be done? I have made some tentative enquiries and as far as I can tell, the building has a covenant on it restricting it’s use for entertainment only! I spotted the new sign above the cinema entrance regarding the dance school so that’s great that at least some of the building will be used again. Hope this is ok as I’ll send another email to your society page with my contact details….
Hello Rachey, when you say you and your partner recently had a look around the cinema, do you mean inside? I can certainly ask round to see if anyone knows of an architect who’d be willing to have a look and give advice?
Just a thought, does anyone have any interior photos of the Crescent Cinema?
Well said John, I was thinking along the same lines especially now that there is so much parking available towards the back of the cinema. Surely a one screen venue showing older films rather than trying to compete with the multiplexes could be workable. There are some venues like this but none too near to Pontefract that it couldn’t be made viable. Just wish I had the knowledge to know how to get the ball rolling!
Oh also! I noticed today that there’s a council notice on the side door which lead to the dance hall above. It’s a request for an alcohol licence. I hope this is only for the rooms above! it’s a recent application so i suppose it’ll be a wait and see job!
Regarding the comments made by ‘Rachey?’ I for one would certainly be interested in being involved in an amateur theatre group. I’ve been involved with numerous societies in the local area for a long time now. Certainly given other comments its sounds very much like using Pontefract cinema as a theatre venue would be difficult due to the alterations made over the years which really is a shame. Some months back I spoke to the owner of the building ringing him on the number listed on the rent advert to the exterior of the cinema. I didn’t get a great deal of info but he sounds like a local property developer. He did tell me that the interior is basically as it was when it closed in 1993 even down to the projector! I have many fond memories of the Crescent Cinema and always found it tardis like in the main screen area considering what area the building covers outside! It’s a shame about the stage being removed but it would be interesting to know what’s behind the screen! Wouldn’t it be great to get a consortium together and see if it’s possible to use this building again and certainly by the comments on this page I get the impression there would be enough interest in such a project! I’d value any comments and thoughts people have.