Pavilion Cinema

294 High Street,
Aldershot, GU11

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: County Cinemas Ltd., Odeon Theatres Ltd.

Architects: Henry G. Baker

Styles: Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Manor Park Pavilion

Nearby Theaters

Gala re-opening 1930

This cinema was built about 1924 or 1925 as a single auditorium and single screen. It was taken over by County Cinemas in January 1928. Once described as ‘being replete with every modern comfort’, it originally screened silent films but was updated and refurbished in the early-1930’s being the first cinema in Aldershot to show ‘talkies’.

The interior was fairly plain but had a barrel vaulted ceiling with ornate ventilation panels with its projection room built outside and above the circle foyer roof. County Cinemas were taken over by the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. in September 1939.

The cinema was closed on 29th September 1956. Once it closed, it became a fruit and veg wholesalers depot.

The Star Cinemas Group wanted to reopen it as a bingo hall in the early-1970’s but this never happened and failure of this plan lead to demolition. An office block named Campbell House now stands on the site.

The Pavilion Cinema generally did second-run screenings or transfered runs of films shown at the ABC/Ritz or Empire/Odeon.

Contributed by Mike Luck

Recent comments (view all 15 comments)

ritzman
ritzman on November 1, 2014 at 9:06 am

Rare photo added of gala re-opening after the installation of sound 23/06/1930

ritzman
ritzman on November 5, 2014 at 2:03 pm

New photo added of cicinemtaken soon after opening 1924

ritzman
ritzman on January 12, 2015 at 7:59 am

2 New photos uploaded – auditorium shots

ritzman
ritzman on August 24, 2015 at 1:57 pm

New photo added

ritzman
ritzman on July 19, 2016 at 1:44 pm

Architect attributed to be Henry G Baker who also was the architect of the Alexandra Cinema in Aldershot

ritzman
ritzman on January 16, 2017 at 4:09 pm

3 more photos added. 1 x clear shot of the auditorium 1 x clear shot of the front 1 x clear shot of the circle lounge with the original geometrical star patterned terrazzo floor

ritzman
ritzman on April 12, 2017 at 1:56 am

New photo added.

ritzman
ritzman on September 21, 2019 at 10:01 am

New photo added showing the start of the end for what was once a quite luxurious neighbourhood cinema. Photo shows the roof stripped off and the exposed steel roof trusses.

ritzman
ritzman on February 6, 2020 at 1:59 am

3 new photos added from 1936- Mickey Mouse Club membership card from 1936. The Mickey Mouse Club was County Cinemas children’s Saturday morning cinema club. Aldershot boasted 3 County Cinemas owned houses – Pavilion, Alexandra and Empire cinemas. The Empire was the grandest of the 3 and probably ran its own club.

ritzman
ritzman on December 12, 2023 at 12:45 pm

New photo added. The Manor Park Pavilion girl’s choir who went on to win the National final of the 1952 Christmas carol singing contest.

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