Picturedrome Cinema
51 Canada Grove,
Bognor Regis,
PO21 1DW
51 Canada Grove,
Bognor Regis,
PO21 1DW
2 people
favorited this theater
Built in 1885 as the Assembly Rooms it was designed by architect Arthur Smith. In around 1905 it was known as the Queens Hall and some film shows and other entertainments were being held here.
It was opened as a full time cinema known as the Picturedrome on 5th July 1918 with the Cecil Hepworth film “Boundry House” starring Alma Taylor. The conversion had been carried out by architect and owner Peter Dulvey Stonham. A seating capacity of 662 was given and through most of its cinematic life it has been operated by Independent exhibitors and small circuits.
On 1st July 1983 it was taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain and re-named Classic. They were taken over by Cannon Cinemas in 1989 and it was re-named Cannon, later becoming the MGM Cinema after yet another takeover. At sometime during these years the building was twinned, and it was operating as a cinema and bingo hall.
It was recently operated by ReelTime Cinemas, an independent chain who operate ten cinemas in Southern England and was re-named Picturedrome Cinema again, screening movies in two auditoriums. In the spring of 2007 it was taken over by another independent operator and in 2008, work began on a renovation programme.
On 23rd July 2009, the Picturedrome was designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Exterior photo here
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The Picturedrome has changed hands again recently, this time it has been acquired by an independent operator known as Picturedrome Electric Theatre Co Ltd.
The new owners of the Picturedrome also acquired the Plaza Cinema in Dorchester at the end of 2008 another cinema which was formerly owned and operated by the Kent based Reeltime Cinemas.
Nice name for a movie house,in England they do not tear the old stuff down like us in the U.S.A.
The Picturedrome’s second screen, which was situated in the upstairs hall opened on 17 August 1984 when it was owned by the Cannon Classic chain. INDIANA JONES & THE TEMPLE OF DOOM was showing in the main screen and STAR TREK 2 was showing in the new smaller screen.
Photo from 1988 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5305598335/