The far side of the building shown above closely resembles the Windsor Kinema as built in 1914, on the site of a hall which was operated for a short time as a cinema by the Willmore Brothers. The old hall’s several previous uses are described in one of the “Penarth Walks” leaflets published locally some years ago, which also mentions the other garage nearer to The Dingle.
The building which replaced the Queens Cinema also used the site of the Evans shop.The current occupiers , Specsavers, recently moved from one shop unit into the other (on the cinema foyer site).
No. 94, also visible in the picture became part of the adjoining bank, but when the Cardiff Cinema opened there was also a small entertainment hall, called the Queens Hall advertised at that address.
Recently published photographs reveal that when the Panopticon became the Pavilion the original small entrance was still in use.The enlarged foyer and canopy , as restored for the now closed pub,was added shortly afterwards.
In 2013 plans to adapt the building for a new use were proposed.
The art gallery appears to have re-located to the newly refurbished Pier Pavilion which also includes a totally new 68 seat digital cinema.(Listed separately)
The Washington building will continue as a cafe and Tesco store with another retail unit still available.
Attempts to find a picture of the Ninian Palace as originally built have so far failed. The plans do not contain a front elevation but suggest it might have been similar to other smaller cinemas being built at the same time.The concrete frontage with metal window frames almost certainly dates from the repairs after the fire in 1949.
No trace of the Empire/Gaumont remains and now Primark are moving across the road into a building originally built for Woolworths and later occupied by BHS.(A theatre was planned but not built on this site ca 1910)
Recently altered to a convenience store and less of the interior is now accessible.
Streetview image needs updating, the auditorium building can be seen from Westgate Street through the car park at the rear of the Angel Hotel.
The remaining frontage on Castle Street and the side of the building in Womanby Street, altered for use as a garage in the 1920’s are still visible.
Original plans can be seen at the Glamorgan Archive.
Still open in late 2012 showing films in the traditional way ,from the “automaticket” and reasonable prices as you enter, a 450 seat auditorium, analogue sound, etc.
Unfortunately on a weekend evening less than 10% of the seats were occupied when I visited and whether this refects local apathy or the film on offer, which was the poorest major studio release I’ve seen in
ages, I’m not sure, but for a step back to cinema as
it used to be, seek this one out while you still can, as it has been up for sale for several years.
The very extensive collection of papers from the various businesses owned by S. Andrews may be found at the Glamorgan Archive. They owned several cinemas in South Wales.
RhianDavies91 may also find that,in days gone by, Disney films were generally shown first at Rank (Odeon etc) cinemas in Cardiff and were often withdrawn from distribution after a time until being re-released years later.
Some evidence exists for the use of the Stacey Hall as a cinema, including the plan to add a projection room.It is also reported in Gary Wharton’s book, though I don’t recall seeing any press publicity, I’ll spend a wet afternoon looking at the newspaper archive.
Incidentally the Clifton wasn’t shown as being painted blue on the original plans!
The Glamorganshire canal – very busy in its day ran nearby but was abandoned and much of it was filled in after World War II. Old pictures show it at the pub called the Cow and Snuffers ( now also closed) a few yards(metres if you prefer)from the Tivoli.
I haven’t found a photograph of the Tivoli so am relying on the architect’s plans for details of its appearance, but agree that the rear portion is almost certainly, with subsequent alterations, repairs etc, the 1935 auditorium.
In August 2011 the demolition contractors had moved in and only a pile of rubble remained.
The Car Park will be there before long.
Did anyone take last photos of the interior?
Thanks to mickrick for the above comment. In the early 1900’s, roller skating was very popular and was offered in a number of halls , some later converted into cinemas.
Roller skating was advertised in the local paper at the Olympia for a while at the height of this craze, maybe the painting dates from this time?
Do any photographs exist of the picture, or of the proscenium before demolition?
Further modification and decoration of the building has now taken place ( following the closure of Blockbuster).
Thanks to clarkey for this confirmation of details.Perhaps the main page for the Coliseum can now be updated?
Gaumont/Empire site now occupied by Matalan.
Early 1900’s.
The far side of the building shown above closely resembles the Windsor Kinema as built in 1914, on the site of a hall which was operated for a short time as a cinema by the Willmore Brothers. The old hall’s several previous uses are described in one of the “Penarth Walks” leaflets published locally some years ago, which also mentions the other garage nearer to The Dingle.
April 2014, 2D digital and much improved sound system.Another tiny audience on the day of my visit, and “For Sale” board still on the building.
The building which replaced the Queens Cinema also used the site of the Evans shop.The current occupiers , Specsavers, recently moved from one shop unit into the other (on the cinema foyer site). No. 94, also visible in the picture became part of the adjoining bank, but when the Cardiff Cinema opened there was also a small entertainment hall, called the Queens Hall advertised at that address.
Recently published photographs reveal that when the Panopticon became the Pavilion the original small entrance was still in use.The enlarged foyer and canopy , as restored for the now closed pub,was added shortly afterwards. In 2013 plans to adapt the building for a new use were proposed.
The art gallery appears to have re-located to the newly refurbished Pier Pavilion which also includes a totally new 68 seat digital cinema.(Listed separately) The Washington building will continue as a cafe and Tesco store with another retail unit still available.
In October 2013 the “Former Riva Bingo Hall” (sic) is to be sold by auction. The auction details suggest it as a development site .
A press advert in late 1913 shows afternoon patrons were treated to a free tea!
Attempts to find a picture of the Ninian Palace as originally built have so far failed. The plans do not contain a front elevation but suggest it might have been similar to other smaller cinemas being built at the same time.The concrete frontage with metal window frames almost certainly dates from the repairs after the fire in 1949.
No trace of the Empire/Gaumont remains and now Primark are moving across the road into a building originally built for Woolworths and later occupied by BHS.(A theatre was planned but not built on this site ca 1910)
Almost all films are now presented by digital means in both cinemas.
Recently altered to a convenience store and less of the interior is now accessible. Streetview image needs updating, the auditorium building can be seen from Westgate Street through the car park at the rear of the Angel Hotel. The remaining frontage on Castle Street and the side of the building in Womanby Street, altered for use as a garage in the 1920’s are still visible. Original plans can be seen at the Glamorgan Archive.
Appears to be partially closed, operating only one of the two floors.
Still open in late 2012 showing films in the traditional way ,from the “automaticket” and reasonable prices as you enter, a 450 seat auditorium, analogue sound, etc. Unfortunately on a weekend evening less than 10% of the seats were occupied when I visited and whether this refects local apathy or the film on offer, which was the poorest major studio release I’ve seen in ages, I’m not sure, but for a step back to cinema as it used to be, seek this one out while you still can, as it has been up for sale for several years.
The very extensive collection of papers from the various businesses owned by S. Andrews may be found at the Glamorgan Archive. They owned several cinemas in South Wales. RhianDavies91 may also find that,in days gone by, Disney films were generally shown first at Rank (Odeon etc) cinemas in Cardiff and were often withdrawn from distribution after a time until being re-released years later.
Demolition contractors have completed their work. It is not known whether any more relics and memorabilia were salvaged.
Location is actually about 1 ½ miles west of point shown by Google map, the building is still there, much adapted.
Some evidence exists for the use of the Stacey Hall as a cinema, including the plan to add a projection room.It is also reported in Gary Wharton’s book, though I don’t recall seeing any press publicity, I’ll spend a wet afternoon looking at the newspaper archive. Incidentally the Clifton wasn’t shown as being painted blue on the original plans!
A Westar/Peerless Magnarc projector was displayed in the Wetherspoons pub when it opened.
The Glamorganshire canal – very busy in its day ran nearby but was abandoned and much of it was filled in after World War II. Old pictures show it at the pub called the Cow and Snuffers ( now also closed) a few yards(metres if you prefer)from the Tivoli. I haven’t found a photograph of the Tivoli so am relying on the architect’s plans for details of its appearance, but agree that the rear portion is almost certainly, with subsequent alterations, repairs etc, the 1935 auditorium.
In August 2011 the demolition contractors had moved in and only a pile of rubble remained. The Car Park will be there before long. Did anyone take last photos of the interior?
Thanks to mickrick for the above comment. In the early 1900’s, roller skating was very popular and was offered in a number of halls , some later converted into cinemas.
Roller skating was advertised in the local paper at the Olympia for a while at the height of this craze, maybe the painting dates from this time?
Do any photographs exist of the picture, or of the proscenium before demolition?