Essoldo Blyth
Beaconsfield Street,
Blyth,
NE24 2DP
Beaconsfield Street,
Blyth,
NE24 2DP
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FOH image added.
Blyth library have an 1938 opening programme on file.
That last name should read John Alexander, he was responsible for a lot of cinema interiors, especially around the north east of england.
I managed to look around the Essoldo just before it’s demolition. I spent a very enjoyable Saturday afternoon exploring the building. I managed to get a few photo’s but I unfortunately they weren’t that good as I was learning photography at the time. Amazing magical building with fantastic art deco design. The architect was Edwin Lawson who designed the Black’s Regal / Odeon cinemas in Sunderland, Byker, Gateshead and South Shields.I would love to see some interior photos. I have a few exterior photos of the building both open and closed and an artists impression of the interior by John Alwxander who designed the interior scheme.
The ‘Wallaw’ Cinema was never renamed ‘Classic’ as when, in 1955, the original owner/operator, Walter Lawson, sold the building to ABC, he had a clause inserted in the sale contract stating that the name ‘Wallaw’ was to be retained. ABC did have their triangular Company Logo on the front of house to indicate clearly that whilst the cinema’s name was ‘Wallaw’ it was indeed part of the Associated British Cinemas Circuit.
When ABC leased the building to Arnold Scheckman in 1970 the same conditions applied and when, in turn, he leased it to Classic Cinemas early in 1972 (together with the Apollo Newcastle and the Princes North Shields)they continued to operate it as the ‘Wallaw’. This, by the way, was a few months before the takeover of the Essoldo circuit by Classic Cinemas.
So, ironically, for a brief period in the early 1970’s Classic had two large cinemas in Blyth – but neither were ever to be given the Company Name.