Rex Cinema

In Adlington, a small town three miles south of Chorley, Lancashire, it is not known when the Cinema opened. It was listed in the 1914 Kinematograph Year Book, with a note that it was, at that time, owned by Adlington Cinema Company. By 1923 it was being operated by Adlington Cinematograph and Trading Company Ltd., and the manager was A. E. Newton. There was one show nightly, with two changes of programme each week.

Presumably live entertainment was presented for a while, as, by 1928, the Cinema had been renamed the Theatre, and was being operated by Adlington Theatre Ltd.. However, by 1932, still operated by that company, it had reverted to the Cinema. An Electrocord sound system had been installed. There was one show nightly, with two shows on Saturday.

By 1935 W. Hartley had taken over the Cinema. The seating capacity was 500, but soon reduced to 425.

By 1945 it was being operated by The Cinema (Adlington) Ltd. and the seating capacity had reduced further, to 395.

By 1948 the Cinema had been acquired by Rex Theatres (Bolton) and, appropriately, was renamed the Rex Cinema. A Western Electric(WE) sound system replaced the Electrocord system.

By 1953, with seating reduced further, to 320, the listing in the Kinematograph Year Book also recorded a proscenium width of 29ft, a stage that was 14ft deep and one dressing room. There were evening shows Monday to Friday, two shows on Saturday and three changes of programme each week.

The final entry in the Kinematograph Year Books was in 1957. So presumably the Rex Cinema closed around that time.

It is not known what use the building was put to, but it was still standing, albeit derelict, as recently as 2001.

Since then it has been demolished. Housing has been built on the site, which faces Lancaster Close.

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