Hollywood Cinema

This imposing building was errected in 1875 and at first was used as an aquarium and later in the main hall for summer shows, pantomimes and roller skating. It underwent a re-build by local architects Bottle & Olley in 1882 and re-opened in 1883.

This brought about use as a theatre and many famous artists appeared here; Lily Langtree, Helen Terry and Oscar Wilde. By 1914 it was screening films as part of the Variety programmes. In the 1920’s it had converted fully into a cinema and was still known as the Royal Aquarium with a seating capacity of 1,500.

A dining room at the rear of the building was converted into a live theatre known as the Little Theatre and this added to the amenities of the building. In January 1970 the Little Theatre was converted into the Little Cinema and a disco opened in another space – the building became known for a while as the 3 in 1.

In July 1982 the main hall was re-named Royalty Cinema and seating was now provided for 1,180 with the Little Cinema seating 264.

In recent years the building has been re-named again and is now known as the Hollywood Cinema, first with 4 screens which seat 500, 250, 200 and 200 and a fifth screen has now been added

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

KenRoe on December 11, 2006 at 5:50 am

Four photographs of the Hollywood Cinema which I took in 2003:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/319658353/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/319658739/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/319659095/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/319659528/

lostmemory on December 11, 2006 at 7:44 am

This is another recent photo of the Hollywood Cinema.

Ian on August 9, 2007 at 4:51 am

A couple of exterior photos here:–

View link

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and a picture of the original ceiling long hidden away :–

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lostmemory on July 21, 2008 at 6:37 pm

Another exterior view can be seen here.

lostmemory on October 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm

This is another photo of the Hollywood Cinema.

Ian on November 2, 2012 at 2:31 am

Two shots of the Hollywood Cinema in 2003:–

REAR EXTERIOR FORMER LITTLE THEATRE SCREEN