ABC Birkenhead
51-53 Argyle Street,
Birkenhead,
CH41 6AB
51-53 Argyle Street,
Birkenhead,
CH41 6AB
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Architects: William Riddell Glen
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Savoy Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The Savoy Cinema, designed by architect W. R. Glen for Associated British Cinemas(ABC) stood on the site of the Theatre Royal (1864 to 1921) which was adapted into the Scala Cinema (1921 to 1937).
The new cinema was far larger than its predecessor but retained a stage, which in the event was hardly ever used. It opened 10th October 1938 with “Bluebeards Eighth Wife”. It was not supplied with an organ.
Re-named ABC in the early-1960’s, closure came in March 1982, the circle having been closed for many years before that. It was transformed into a snooker hall, later the balcony was sub-divided and operated as Rocky’s Gym. In 2016 Riley’s Snooker Hall and Rocky’s Gym had closed and the building was offered ‘For Sale’. By 2020 it had been demolished and the site used as a car park.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
May 2010 photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4597488491/
As revealed by our friends on the architectural website SkyscraperCity, the North-West heritage website “20thCenturyImages” has a glorious array of the post-war life and times photographs of primarily the Liverpool and Merseyside area.
Included in the Birkenhead section are a selection of cinemas in the Wirral area, and here is the ABC Birkenhead in the early 1960s with its ‘Billy Liar’ presentation:
www.20thcenturyimages.co.uk/trolleyed/4/22/308/index.htm
Does anyone know if the band Marmalade played a gig at the Plaza Theatre cinema which used to be on Borough Road Birkenhead, in the 1960s and does anyone know if the Hollies played a gig there round that time. Any info appreciated. Times and dates if possible.
According to Google street view, the cinema has now been demolished and turned into a car park.