ABC Forest Hill

Located in the southeast London district of Forest Hill. Designed in a Neo-Classical style, the Capitol Cinema was built in 1928-9 for London & Southern Cinemas and designed by noted cinema architect and garden designer John Stanley Beard.

It opened on 11th February 1929 with John Gilbert in “Man, Woman and Sin”. As the cinema was designed for silent movies, sound equipment had to be installed soon after opening. It originally had a Compton 2Manual/8Ranks theatre organ which was opened by organist Edgar Peto. There was also a café for the convenience of patrons. The stage was 22 feet deep and with three dressing rooms it allowed for variety shows to be staged.

It was taken over by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) from July 1933 and they operated it for the remainder of its cinematic life.

Occasional variety shows were part of the programming in the 1950’s and the Compton organ was played until it was removed in the late-1950’s.

It was re-named ABC in December 1968 and closed on 13th October 1973 with Gene Hackman in “Scarecrow” and Gary Grimes in “Class of ‘44”. The building stood empty for several years until it was leased to Mecca Ltd. and opened as a Mecca Bingo Club on 23rd February 1978. Last operated as a Jasmine Bingo Club, bingo ceased in December 1996 when the Jasmine chain were made bankrupt. The building again stood empty and unused.

It re-opened on 9th May 2001 as part of the J.D. Wetherspoon chain of pubs and is now called “The Capitol”. In September 2014, it was announced that J.D. Wetherspoon were planning to close the Capitol pub. It was closed in June 2014 and the building was put up ‘For Sale’. Wetherspoon’s re-opened the pub by October 2017. In late-September 2022 Wetherspoon’s announced that the pub was up ‘For Sale’ as a going concern. Wetherspoon’s permanently closed the pub on October 15, 2023.

It was announced in late-September that planning permission was being sought to convert the building into a Gambado, soft ball games centre, which will include laser tag, ball pits, rides and themed parties.

The former Capitol Cinema is a Grade II Listed building.

Recent comments (view all 14 comments)

Ian on February 5, 2008 at 9:41 am

A collection of photos – mostly interiors – here:–

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Bean on September 9, 2008 at 3:51 am

I am researching the history of this place and would like any information available. If you feel you could help please reply to this message. T Bean.

rebeckle on December 12, 2008 at 10:41 am

Hi Bean.
JS Beard (the Architect) was my great grandfather. My grandfather (93 and still going strong) recently finished writing a family history so I might be able to help you out with some info.

Bean on December 16, 2008 at 5:10 am

Hi rebeckle!

This sounds excellent. Could you please give me a quick call on 07092 173263 with any kind of contact details?

Bean on December 24, 2008 at 7:11 am

I really want to know where the organ went in the 1950s. Can anybody help?

Bean.

traceyse26 on August 7, 2013 at 6:43 pm

IT WAS A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO GO 1960’S/70’S SATURDAY MORNING PICTURES COSTING SIXPENCE LOADS OF CARTOONS/EPISODES TO SEE IE ZORRO, FLASH GORDON COMPETITIONS + MUSIC IE; DESMOND DECKER & ISraelites ICE CREAM LADIES + ORGAN PLAYING

Ian on January 27, 2014 at 9:37 am

A few contemporary photos of the Capitol as a Wetherspoons pub here:–

EXTERIOR

FOYER

PROSCENIUM

DETAIL OF BALCONY

AUDITORIUM to REAR

Ian on October 25, 2017 at 3:22 am

As of October 2017 the Capitol is up and running again as a Wetherspoons pub with no apparent change to the interior from 2014.

EXTERIOR

PROSCENIUM

PLASTERWORK DETAIL

BALCONY AND REAR

Biffaskin on January 6, 2021 at 2:37 pm

Mecca disposed of several bingo clubs to Jasmine Bingo, this was one of them, and they were the final bingo operators here.

execelsior on March 17, 2024 at 5:46 am

I also discovered the building on the way to the museum.

What a joy that was!!!

It is tragic that the building is not used.

I don’t think the circle was used by J.D. Wetherspoon