Gaumont West Wickham

88 Station Road,
West Wickham, BR4 0PU

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation

Architects: John Stanley Beard, William Robin Bennett, Alfred Douglas Clare

Firms: J. Stanley Beard & Clare

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Plaza Cinema, Odeon

Nearby Theaters

Odeon Cinema, West Wickham, Bromley,1937

Located in West Wickham, a district to the east of Croydon in the south-east of Greater London. The Plaza Cinema was opened on 4th September 1933 with Constance Bennett in “Our Betters” and Wheeler & Wolsey in “Diplomaniacs”. Built for an independent operator, it was designed by architects John Stanley Beard, Alfred Douglas Clare & William Robin Bennett. The exterior facade of the building was covered in white tiles on its two outer bays, with a central section over the entrance having three windows surrounded by brick. The name ‘Plaza’ was set in the brickwork above the window, and there was a zigzag, tile motif above the name. The cinema was built for cine-variety and had a stage and three dressing rooms. Seating was provided for 616 in the stalls and 270 in the balcony.

It was taken over by Oscar Deutsch’s chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. in 1937, but retained the Plaza name until 15th March 1938, when it was re-named Odeon. The Rank Organisation re-named the cinema Gaumont on 19th March 1951, and it was closed on 5th January 1957 with Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis in "Hollywood or Bust" and Tom Conway in "Breakaway".

It was demolished in June 1961, and Rosemallow House was built on the site, which includes a Finefare supermarket (today Sainsbury’s) and a branch of Boots.

Contributed by Ken Roe
You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.