Robins Cinema
Town Square, North Gunnels,
Basildon,
SS14 1HS
Town Square, North Gunnels,
Basildon,
SS14 1HS
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Cannon Cinemas, MGM Theatres, Robins Cinemas
Previous Names: ABC, Cannon, MGM
Nearby Theaters
Basildon was a brand new town, created and built in the 1960’s, but it wasn’t until 1971 that a cinema was provided. The ABC was built for and operated by Associated British Cinemas(ABC). It opened on 5th September 1971 with "Love Story" and "On the Buses", and the twin screen cinema had seating provided for 644 and 455. On 5th July 1979 a third screen seating 91 was added to the cinema using part of the lounge area. This used video projection, which proved to be unpopular, and it soon closed.
The ABC was taken over by the Cannon Group in 1986 and was re-named Cannon. Then MGM took over. The last operators were the independent Robins Cinemas circuit who took over in December 1994. The cinema was re-furbished in 1995 and the third screen was re-instated, this time with a film projection box and seating reduced to 80 in screen 3.
The Robins Cinema closed on 2nd December 1999, unable to compete with the new UCI multiplex which had just opened in the town. The building remains empty and unused in May 2008.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
A vintage photograph of the ABC Basilidon, soon after opening in 1971:
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Viewed from a different angle in 1977:
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I worked here as a projectionist from 1980 to 1985 when it was the ABC