Avion Super Cinema
19 Anchor Road,
Aldridge,
WS9 8PT
19 Anchor Road,
Aldridge,
WS9 8PT
1 person
favorited this theater
A mid-sized suburban cinema in an area of the West Midlands, near Walsall, the Avion Super Cinema looked remarkably like an original ‘Odeon’ but was never owned by that circuit.
Finished in cream glazed faience enlivened with green bands and a black base, there is a huge window lighting the circle foyer with entrance doors underneath the central canopy.
The auditorium is a dull brick box behind the facade. Neon lighting was much in evidence at night.
There was also a small stage and several dressing rooms. Seating was divided between the stalls and single balcony. The auditorium was decorated in shades of rose-dubarry and silver with the Art Deco style plasterwork picked out in green.
Several different colors of seating was used to create diametrical patterns when viewed from the stage.
The cinema opened on 26 September 1938 with a personal appearance by George Formby followed by his latest film “I See Ice”. It then settled into an uneventful routine mainly showing films but with around six full weeks of variety shows on the stage.
No major changes were made to the design of the building and it eventually closed on December 30, 1967.
It became a bingo hall almost immediately after and continued for over 40 years.
In 2001, the faience tiles were in poor condition and were removed with the walls underneath being rendered and painted – this has considerably smartened up the facade and indicates that the Avion was scheduled to be around for some years to come. Unfortunately, due to increased Government taxes on bingo, the Gala Bingo Club was closed on 1st August 2009, and the building was put up for sale.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy, Ray Martinez
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I was a projectionist working from 1954 To 1964 on B T H mark one projectors. At the Avion.
I found the following information for an Avion Super Cinema:
AVION SUPER CINEMA Anchor Road (BTH) Opened 1938 – Props., Avion Cinemas (Aldridge) Ltd. Architect: Roland Satchwell. 1.000 seats. Prices 6d. to 1s. 6d. Continuous from 2 p.m. daily. Films hooked at Hall. Occasional Variety. Stage, 30ft. x 15ft.; two dressing-rooms. Phone Aldridge 52312. Station, Aldridge, L.M.S. Closed 1967. Bingo since.
Since most of the information matches the description above, I assume that the architect was Roland Satchwell.
Here is a 2008 photo. The address for Avion Bingo is 19 Anchor Road.
This is a 2009 photo. The building is for sale.
Currently this fine cinema is destined to be either a Wetherspoons pub or an extension car park to the local supermarket – lets hope that Wetherspoons prevail!
Unusual Is that Roland Satchwell was an active Director until 1945, when a New company was formed to take over the Avion and buy the Dale Willenhall from the Estate of Norah Tiler.. A reminder Satchwell designed the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham… which not being a Cinema is not listed here
Two recent photos on The28dayslater site show the rear of this cinema being demolished. Believed to be for conversion to a Weatherspoons pub.
Weatherspoons usually knocks the back wall out. alas.. But as long as they do not demolish the rest of the building. There is some chance in the future to turn it into a Live theatre.. As The Walsall area lacks anywhere decent to perform in..