President Cinema

To the south-east of Epsom, Surrey, in the area near Epsom Downs called Drift Bridge, at the junction of Reigate Road and Fir Tree Road, stood the Drift Bridge Hotel.

On 13th June 1978 the President Cinema opened in the hotel’s ballroom, which had been converted at a cost of £30,000, including the installation of a 30ft screen.

The opening film was “The Goodbye Girl”, starring Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss, which was screened at 5.45pm and 8.10pm.

Performances thereafter were from 4pm daily, with admission costing £1.50. During the day the auditorium was available for hire as a conference centre. The cinema was operated by Zetters, a chain with many bingo clubs.

A Saturday morning club was set up for children but, regrettably, losses mounted and, in June 1981, Zetters decided not to renew the lease.

Paul Turner, the cinema’s manager, considered taking over the lease, but it is not known whether he did so.

The hotel itself closed down some time later, and was converted into a Toby Inn.

In turn that closed and, in 2007, the building was converted into apartments.

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