Wallaw Cinema

I visited the Wallaw on the 10th April 2004 and I must say the building is in a disgusting state. Certainly nothing like the photo above. It is now painted in a tacky blue colour and the interior is a disgrace, the box office looks like it hasnt seen a lick of paint in 50 years! The chairs in the Minor are also terrible, squeeky, wobbly, uncomfortable, and defaced. The lighting was shocking and as for the quality of the presentation, well lets just say my home cinema at home is more enjoyable. The screen went blank twice, the sound was hissy, the picture was blurred. I would not reccomend the cinema at all, instead visit the UCI where its much better value for money and you are treat like a human!

Shame on all those that disrepect the Wallaw. It would not have got in such a state if people had not disregarded it in favour for the flashy, and quite frankly impersonal, UCI. As most people should know by now, the Wallaw closed it's curtains for the last time on thursday night, and I think the whole county should be ashamed that it did not do more for what was a once great cinema. As with most businesses, you can only spend money after you make money, and as the cinema-going public has not been willing to support this wonderful little cinema, no wonder it had got a bit shabby of late. I have been going there since I was little and visited it regularly, and I would have continued to do so until the end of my days. It's just a shame that no-one else has this kind of loyalty anymore.

although the decoration of the Wallaw cinema was not the most tasteful for the style, i think that the building is one of the most beautiful buildings in the North East and i am disgusted that more people did not support it, they choose to go to the commercial cinemas that have no atmosphere. I am a 21 year old photographer and would love to take photographs of the inside before this building becomes ignored if anyone could help me with this i would be grateful.

Yes people I know that feeling of seeing your favorite movie house close. But I can tell you this. Dont sit there and watch it ride off into the sunset, because if you dont do something, someone else will. Theatres like this and then one I used to go to need to promote themselves within the schools and colleges for programming. Try some late night horror festivals and classic films for seniors.
Be creative and enthusiastic, and definitely not ordinary.

Also keep your fingers crossed too. It looks like a cool place, thats such a different name, but I like it.

Does anyone know the company details of who owns the Wallaw Theatre?

The Wallaw Theatre opened in mid-1937. It was part of a small independent Wallaw Circuit owned and operated by Walter Lawson who had been operating cinemas since April 1914.

It was sold to Associated British Cinemas (ABC) on 24th March 1955 and re-named ABC-Wallaw, remaining with them until it was taken over by an independent operator on 26th June 1970.

Within eighteen months it was taken over by the Classic Cinema's chain and was re-named Classic-Wallaw from 2nd January 1972. On 22nd June 1977 it was taken over by a local haulage firm who operated it as an independent cinema (re-named Wallaw Cinema again) but it was run on a shoestring.

It was tripled in 1987, with the orginal circle becoming Screen 1 with 850 seats and two mini cinemas in the former rear orchestra stalls seating 150 in Screen 2 and 80 in Screen 3. In 1994 a new screen was fitted in Screen 1 which measured 40ft wide x 25ft high, reputed to be the largest screen in the North East of England.

It closed on the 29th April 2004 with "The Passion of the Christ" showing in the main Screen 1. As the credits faded, the house tabs (curtains) began to close, but got stuck; as if to make a last protest about the closure! The equipment has been removed from the building and there have been plans to turn it into a community centre.

Many Thanks for that I think I have an idea who the local haulage firm may be.

A lot of the information above is incorrect.I worked at the wallaw from august 1984[which is when fergusons transport bought the building]to its closure last year.It was leased to and run by bob milner until 1997.During that time bob built the business up and it was a very well run popular cinema.Bob and myself restored a lot of the decor and fittings and managed to get the building listed.Since bob left i have witnessed the gradual decline until closure last year.their were many reasons which i cant go in to why the cinema ended up closing but im sure it could be restored and reopen once again.It does need someone to spend some money on it but as a keyholder i know the equipment hasn`t been removed.Its all still there.Seats,screens,projectors,etc.There have been two people interested in reopening it as a cinema and someone who wanted to turn it in to a nightclub.Nothing became of any of these proposals and now the building stands decaying.If nothing is done soon it will be to late.The building is for sale or to let if anyones interested.

This may seem strange but I am part of a Paranormal Group who is looking to spend the night in old places. For various reasons I believe the Wallaw may be a good location to spend the night as with other old buildings in Blyth. The was the reason for asking if anyone knew who owned it. Since my original post the News Post Leader did a photo shoot with me which should be in the local paper very soon. The idea being for the owners to let us spend the night. I am originally from Blyth so if I fail to spend the night at least there has been some publicity for what was a great cinema!!!!

FAO Project, Re Wallow theatre

Can you tell me if this cinema is still available on the market to lease of for sale. I may be interested but need to view it and the area in which it is in. I was very interested in reading about it . looks like it was a real nice cinema once. I'm curious as to what is happenning with it now. There seems to be no way of contacting you direct on this site. Can you reply to me please at john.kino@good.co.uk thanks jon

Further photographs of the Wallaw are here:-

Exterior:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342786914/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342786910/

Circle Foyer:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342786908/

Auditorium (screen 1) :-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342786903/
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/342786900/

This link gives the address for a Wallaw Cinema as 14 Union Street.

i got access and was inside the wallaw cinema today 16/04/2008 and all my photos are on my myspace photo album which is linked here.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=62046029&albumId=1874236

the lobby area is flooded because of a hole in the roof which is tradgic. but that is the bulk of the damage. there is a small leak in majour screen in the upper circle section. then the rest of what is needed is simple cosmetiics replacement sound systems, new seats and some paint. other than that the building is screaming for a new lease of life. the place may look beaten down. but with some money its still possible to recindle what it had. check those pictures out and contact me on myspace if you want to talk.