Roxy Cinema

Wharf Street,
Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2AE

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Gaumont-British-Picture Corp., Ltd., Star Cinemas

Functions: Bar, Nightclub

Previous Names: Electric Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Roxy Cinema

Literally rising up from the canalside, the Electric Theatre opened on 25th November 1915. Seating 812 in stalls and balcony levels, the proscenium is 23 feet wide. This small town cinema was never very grand but lasted through on film fare, under ownership of Gaumont British Theatres from March 1928 until 11th March 1951. It was then taken over by an independent operator, then by the Star Cinemas circuit from May 1952. It was re-named Roxy Cinema and was closed in February 1963.

It lay unused for nine years and was converted into a bingo club in 1972. Bingo operated in the former circle area, with a cafe formed in the former main foyer and rear stalls area. In 2010 it was in use as a nightclub and bar.

Contributed by Ian Grundy

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

JimRankin
JimRankin on May 27, 2004 at 5:22 am

It is amazing how many theatres are named ROXY in imitation of the once famous name of the New York City panjandrum of the movie palace: Samual Lionel Rothapfel = “Roxy”. His namesake was the famous ROXY THEATRE in NYC, which outlasted him by only 25 years when it was demolished in 1960. The whole story is in that landmark book “The Best Remaining Seats: The Story of the Golden Age of the Movie Palace” by the late Ben M. Hall in 1961. Various editions of it are sometimes available from www.Amazon.com, but only the first edition contains the color plates.

Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas on July 3, 2008 at 12:06 pm

It’s my dream to reopen this as a cinema in the place where i live.. I meet here on a sunday for football so know the building well and have already planned out where everything would go..That’s if someone doesn’t try to turn it into apartments 1st !!!

Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas on December 19, 2010 at 5:19 am

This place is now a bar/nightclub, Operating under the name of “Roxy Venue”

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