There are plans to “restore” the building as a mix of residential and cinema use.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14664875.Plans_to_revive_cinema_which_closed_more_than_50_years_ago_set_to_get_go_ahead/
TVS acquired the former Plaza Cinema in Gillingham, Kent as a stop gap measure between the commencement of broadcasting and the completion of Vinters Park (Maidstone Studios). The theatre was quickly converted for television use ready for the start of broadcasting. The decision to operate a television theatre was against the trend in television at that time as both the BBC and Thames Television were to dispose of similar facilities in the next two years.
Production at Gillingham was limited. It was used for several quiz shows and it was the base of the regional afternoon magazine show Not for Women Only and TVS filmed the UK inserts for Fraggle Rock there. TVS sold the theatre in 1988 to an independent production company. For a period afterwards the site was used for other activities before being demolished to make way for redevelopment. A campaign to have it listed failed as the large-scale conversion for television production had made it unsuitable for listing.
Since being a Bingo Hall this has been a Rileys Snooker Hall but has been empty since Rileys chain went bust.
Planning permission has now been granted to build “a mixed development of shops, flats and some leisure facilities” (that may be a gym, cinema or dance studio).
This was also used as a live music venue. I saw The Stranglers here.
Queen also played here, I think in 1975.
Amongst the films I saw here was “Close Encounters of The Third Kind”
The only time I went to this cinema was to see The Empire Strikes Back. This cannot have been long before final closure.
The auditorium was rather odd in that it seemed much wider than it was deep, although the screen was quite small in relation to the wall it was in.
The projection was so dim that it was difficult to see!
I used to see cartoon shorts as a child here while waiting for trains home. At that time there was an entrance from the station booking hall.
Later, after the space had been split, in the early 80s I saw “Les Vacances de M. Hulot”
I saw a film here (Spy Kids[2001]?) some years ago. For some reason the staff were all dressed as cowboys. I cannot remember which screen we were in, the walls were a rather bright pinky red and the projector could be heard even during the not so quiet parts of the film.
I saw a film here in the early 70s (cannot remember what) and was surprised both by the auditorium gas lights and the oversize seats at the end of rows (known as courting seats?) or am I thinking of somewhere else?
There are plans to “restore” the building as a mix of residential and cinema use. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14664875.Plans_to_revive_cinema_which_closed_more_than_50_years_ago_set_to_get_go_ahead/
“A £500,000 revamp of an art deco-style independent cinema in Dorset has been completed.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-34834725
It was Southern Television’s successor TVS that converted the building.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgm1hoSoAco&list=UUY1qoXjT6EcvsXh8TfOzqkw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_South#TVS_Television_Theatre
TVS acquired the former Plaza Cinema in Gillingham, Kent as a stop gap measure between the commencement of broadcasting and the completion of Vinters Park (Maidstone Studios). The theatre was quickly converted for television use ready for the start of broadcasting. The decision to operate a television theatre was against the trend in television at that time as both the BBC and Thames Television were to dispose of similar facilities in the next two years.
Production at Gillingham was limited. It was used for several quiz shows and it was the base of the regional afternoon magazine show Not for Women Only and TVS filmed the UK inserts for Fraggle Rock there. TVS sold the theatre in 1988 to an independent production company. For a period afterwards the site was used for other activities before being demolished to make way for redevelopment. A campaign to have it listed failed as the large-scale conversion for television production had made it unsuitable for listing.
Restoration plans and a history of The Ritz http://www.nuneatonhistory.com/uploads/1/8/6/8/18680466/the_ritz–the_future.pdf
Ken Loach backs Nuneaton Ritz cinema restoration plan. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-24929432
Steel House has now been heavily rebuilt as a Travelodge hotel.
The Broadway became home to the Victory Gospel Church, branded as “The Victory Centre”, about three years ago.
Since being a Bingo Hall this has been a Rileys Snooker Hall but has been empty since Rileys chain went bust.
Planning permission has now been granted to build “a mixed development of shops, flats and some leisure facilities” (that may be a gym, cinema or dance studio).
Demolition is expected soon.
Restoration and re-opening confirmed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19947119
The entrance area is now used as a Tesco Express supermarket.
I saw an orchestral concert here in the mid 1960s. A school outing. Did not see any films here
I saw “Ghandi” here.
The best projection I have ever seen.
A pity it is now a multiscreen.
This was also used as a live music venue. I saw The Stranglers here. Queen also played here, I think in 1975. Amongst the films I saw here was “Close Encounters of The Third Kind”
I saw Song Of Norway (70 mm Super-Cinerama)here in 1970. A very odd experience.
The only time I went to this cinema was to see The Empire Strikes Back. This cannot have been long before final closure. The auditorium was rather odd in that it seemed much wider than it was deep, although the screen was quite small in relation to the wall it was in. The projection was so dim that it was difficult to see!
This is where I saw “Day of The Jackal”. The auditorium was very shabby and run down at the time.
I used to see cartoon shorts as a child here while waiting for trains home. At that time there was an entrance from the station booking hall. Later, after the space had been split, in the early 80s I saw “Les Vacances de M. Hulot”
I saw a film here (Spy Kids[2001]?) some years ago. For some reason the staff were all dressed as cowboys. I cannot remember which screen we were in, the walls were a rather bright pinky red and the projector could be heard even during the not so quiet parts of the film.
It was good to be in an almost proper cinema!
My first cinema visit was here. Disney’s Sword in The Stone, when first released.
I saw a film here in the early 70s (cannot remember what) and was surprised both by the auditorium gas lights and the oversize seats at the end of rows (known as courting seats?) or am I thinking of somewhere else?
The location shown is incorrect. The cinema was at the junction of Staplegrove Road and Station Road, straight ahead of you coming up Bridge Street.