The official histories of this theatre state that it was converted from a 1908 hotel in 1914, which I find hard to believe. The structure in 2007 presents NO evidence that it was ever anything but a cinema. I would have expected to see blocked up windows and doors, but there is no trace of this in the external walls of the auditorium. If it was a hotel before, then it must have largely been demolished. Internally too, there is no evidence that this was ever anything but a purpose built cinema.
This used to be my local cinema in the 1970’s & 80’s and was always a favourite.
What is so lovely now is the “kick-in-the-teeth” to all those who said the cinema was unviable / an eyesore / past its sell-by date! Just look at the programme of films – and the majority of them are SOLD OUT! How many cinemas can say that?
It was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post that the Cottage Road Cinema is once again a profitable venue and its future is more assured under the control of Northern Morris Cinemas. The bar has recently reopened.
Two internal pictures here from 1988 as a bingo hall-
Former screen end:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/373390842/
Circle area:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/373390839/
Two interior photographs of the Camberwell Regal/ABC taken in 1988, when it was operating as a bingo hall.
Proscenium:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365981534/
Circle:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365981532/
Up-to-date (2007) photographs of this lovely and historic cinema are here:
Exterior:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369963591/
Foyer:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369963589/
Auditorium:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369963587/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369963583/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369963582/
The official histories of this theatre state that it was converted from a 1908 hotel in 1914, which I find hard to believe. The structure in 2007 presents NO evidence that it was ever anything but a cinema. I would have expected to see blocked up windows and doors, but there is no trace of this in the external walls of the auditorium. If it was a hotel before, then it must have largely been demolished. Internally too, there is no evidence that this was ever anything but a purpose built cinema.
Sad photo’s of the derelict Lounge in 2007 here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369952124/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369952121/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369952119/
Current (2007) photos of the Cottage road cinema here:
Foyer:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369959173/
Auditorium:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369959167/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369959163/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/369959162/
This used to be my local cinema in the 1970’s & 80’s and was always a favourite.
What is so lovely now is the “kick-in-the-teeth” to all those who said the cinema was unviable / an eyesore / past its sell-by date! Just look at the programme of films – and the majority of them are SOLD OUT! How many cinemas can say that?
Pre-restoration pictures can be seen here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365799104/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/92192258/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365799100/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365799102/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365799103/
An old exterior shot – from 1978 – is here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/332844635/
Photo from 1998, when still in use for bingo, here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342497753/
Exterior photo dating from 1998 here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342514686/
Another exterior photo of the Odeon as Dickie Dirts here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365965077/
Two more exteriors from 1988 here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365981525/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/365981519/
More pre-renovation photos here:
Exterior:-
View link
View link
Circle passage:-
View link
Auditorium:-
View link
Couple of interior pics here.
Whilst still a cinema in 1986:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/364937181/
After conversion to a pub – showing some of the restored original ceiling:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/294034716/
Photo in the Bassetlaw Museum archives here:
View link
Exterior in 1988 here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/77307744/
Proscenium arch in main screen here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/77307746/
One of the mini’s beneath the balcony here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/77307748/
Picture across the balcony here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/77307747/
A series of photographs taken in 2007 are available.
Exterior here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361635642/
Interior of auduitorium (side view and boxes) here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361635640/
View of circle area here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361635637/
A exterior pic of the Picturedrome as it is in 2007 can be found here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361608986/
and a picture of the foyer is here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361608985/
A contemporary photo of the Town Hall auditorium is here:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/361635633/
Early in 2007 the former Odeon remains unused and boarded up. All signs and branding have been stripped from the exterior of the cinema.
There is an exteral picture here:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/214259532/
and an internal one of the lower screen here :–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/214259531/
I’ll try and upload some others if I can find them, but I seem to think I did not get many good shots on this day.
The Windsor has been renamed the Palace Cinema and continues to screen films. There are plans to install an organ.
It was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post that the Cottage Road Cinema is once again a profitable venue and its future is more assured under the control of Northern Morris Cinemas. The bar has recently reopened.
The Palace Cinema has been put up for sale – it is continuing to operate in the meantime.
This is another recent photo of the Screen:–
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/218471943/