Victoria Cinema

In Crewe, Cheshire, in 1986, in response to the lack of ‘big screen’ entertainment in the town (the Odeon and Ritz Cinema had closed in 1983, while the Plaza/Gaumont was yet to re-open - see separate Cinema Treasures entries) Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council decided to install large-screen video projection equipment (costing £10,000) in their Victoria Community Centre.

The Victoria Film Studio duly opened in April 1986. Unfortunately, up to 31st August average attendances were just 25, and losses amounted to £3,460. However, a report issued in November 1986 said that, since 1st September, the average attendance had risen to 57 and the venture had made a profit of £47. Much of the credit for this was said to be due to the use of “a London booking agent to ensure a balanced programme of films”.

By early-1989, quite possibly as part of the general review of the operation, it had been renamed Victoria Cinema. (Quite possibly it was realised that the original name could be a little misleading, indicating a ‘studio’ rather than a ‘cinema’.)

Then, no doubt to the council’s immense relief, the Plaza/Gaumont re-opened, as the Apollo, in May 1990, and this heralded the end for the Victoria Cinema.

The Victoria Community Centre continues to provide its wide range of other services.

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