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   Discover. Preserve. Protect.
Home » Theater Guide » Location » United Kingdom » England » Dunstable, Bedfordshire » ABC Dunstable
Also known as Union Cinema, Studio Cinema.

ABC Dunstable

Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England
51 High Street North
, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom LU6 1JF
(map)
Status: Closed
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Deco
Function: Unknown
Seats: 1432
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Leslie H. Kemp
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The Union Cinema was built by Union Cinemas Ltd. and was located next to the older (and smaller) Palace Cinema which they also operated.

It opened on 27th September 1937 with John Lodge in "Bulldog Drummond at Bay" and Charlie Ruggles in "Mind Your Own Business". The facade has five windows which allowed light into the cafe which was located in the circle foyer. There is a panel on the facade depicting a female figure in stone relief offering film spools aloft to a draped proscenium. Inside the auditorium there are decorative niches which run the full height of the walls over the front stalls exits next to the proscenium.

Associated British Cinemas(ABC) took over the Union Cinemas circuit in October 1937 and they retained the Union Cinema name until 1961 when it was re-named ABC. In 1969 it was taken over by the Star Cinemas Circuit of Leeds and re-named Studio Cinema.

Very soon afterward, the Studio went over to part time bingo and films ceased on 14th February 1973. It became a full time bingo club named the Union Bingo Club. By 2001 the bingo club had closed and it was converted into a nightclub named 'Cubes' which opened on 13th June 2002. The nightclub apparently closed by early 2009.

The former Union Cinema was granted Grade II Listed building status by English Heritage in March 1999.
Contributed by Ken Roe

YOUR COMMENTS

 
An old picture from the 1980's here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/136991025/
posted by Ian on Dec 14, 2007 at 2:40pm
and an auditorium view from 1937 also on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2978475238/
posted by ben on Mar 15, 2009 at 7:12am
and altho the nightclub appears to have closed maybe there is hope for sensitive preservation in the following local paper report
Community church planning to expand into former nightclub
By Bev Peck

Scheme lodged with council to renovate Cubes

Dunstable Community Church, in High Street North, hopes to take over the former Cubes nightclub building. Plans have already been submitted to South Beds District Council to renovate and change the use of the former nightspot, which is just yards away from their original building.

The church is keen to move into the extra space due to massive growth during 2008. Senior pastor Doug Richards said: "We are excited about the chance to restore this property to its former glory and make it available for the use and enjoyment of the whole community."

The church plans to keep its current building as its headquarters.

Everyone is welcome at Dunstable Community Church. Services take place every Sunday at 10.45am and 6pm.

For further details on the church, call the offices on 01582 477147 or visit www.dcc.org.uk

posted by ben on Mar 15, 2009 at 7:16am
A 2009 exterior photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3359548306/
posted by Ian on Mar 16, 2009 at 2:28am
It's interesting to see the slight upward grade of the side street to the cinema's left.
I wonder if that played any role in how the ABC's auditorium was originally laid out? Or if i was excavated further donward towards the screen. Assuming the screen was loacted at the back.
posted by David Zornig on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:18am
The screen is / was at the rear so yes the front stalls must have been excavated to some degree. Given its listed status, I am assuming that much of the original design remains in the nightclub, albeit possibly hidden from view. The photo above from 1937 shows a very stylish interior.
posted by Ian on Mar 16, 2009 at 6:37am
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