Kingsway Cinema Hadleigh

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Taken on: August 6, 2020

Uploaded on: March 11, 2024

Software: Windows Photo Editor 10.0.10011.16384

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The Kingsway opened on Monday April 27th 1936 being the first built of a newly-formed circuit by the owner Mrs M.E. Rolls. Designed by Leslie Norton to accommodate 1500 seats, planned on the stadium principal, with the rear circle section raised 7ft above the front stalls area. Problems arose during construction, of underground springs appearing when forming the basement beneath the stage and a substructure had to be built by British Reinforced Concrete Ltd., to address this. The foyer photograph above shows ceiling enhanced with concealed lighting troughs, the pay box being situated on one side of the central circle staircase and balanced on the other by a confectionery sales kiosk with two outer entrances leading to the stalls. All three entrances to the auditorium are raised in a dais appearance. A large cafe seating 150 on the first floor also had its own entrance, being to the left leading up to the floor above the foyer, a decorative floor area finished in mosaic terrazzo was carried out by Thomas Cook Ltd., including the highly coloured Aztec design directly connecting with an Art Deco carpeted circle staircase entry. Ron Knee