Gaumont Chester

Grand opening ad posted.

The former cinema is more to the south than on this map, on Brookdale Place, next to the canal.

The first Sunday show at the Gaumont was ‘These Glamour Girls’ and ‘Within The Law’ screened on 3rd November 1940.

Glady’s Coventry, who became Glady’s Barnes started work at the Gaumont restaurant in 1941 aged seventeen. Her weekly wage was seventeen shillings and sixpence, eighty seven and a half pence. The restaurant was open from 10am – 9pm, later closing at 8pm. A three couse meal could be had for one shilling and sixpence (seven and a half pence). When the price was put up to two shillings people complained, so a small coffee was added. Glady’s was in the restaurant cash desk for thirteen years and eventually became assistant manageress. A Mrs Sumpter and a Mrs Pincher’s carried out the cooking. Unlike today, tea, which was silver service, would be served to the cinema patrons. “Sugar was in cubes, not the packet type you get today.” said Glady’s. As for the food. Glady’s recalls the delicious cream cakes that were on offer. Glady’s served tea to several stars that performed at the theatre, including Adam Faith, Billy Fury and Cliff Richard, who sang to her. A Mr Bill Clarke was the last chef