Carfax Theatre

In the centre of Horsham, West Sussex, the Horsham Electric Theatre was originally entered through an alley at the side of the Stout House public house, with only a small sign suspended over the pavement.

The precise opening date is not known, but an advertisement exists dated 26th-28th October 1911.

Between 1914 and 1921 alterations increased the seating capacity to 400.

In 1917 the owners, brothers Philip Charles Bingham and Harry F. Bingham, acquired Walter Oldershaw’s outfitter’s shop at 28 Carfax, next to the pub and directly in front of the auditorium, and converted it into an entrance to the cinema. Other improvements were made, and the name was changed to Carfax Theatre.

In 1929 the Carfax Theatre closed for a week before re-opening as a live theatre, presenting a season of plays by Frank Buckley’s Repertory Company. However, this lasted less than a year and, in March 1930, the Carfax Theatre was equipped for the talkies.

On 14th October 1935, the Carfax Theatre was acquired by Union Cinemas. In common with their Central Hall/Winter Garden (see separate Cinema Treasures entry) licensing difficulties arose and, once again, instead of taking remedial action, Union Cinemas closed the Carfax Theatre on 22nd January 1937.

The cinema was subsequently demolished. The Stout House pub, renamed Ye Olde Stout House, still survives, but new shops stand on the other side of the alley.

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