ABC Middlesbrough

Opened as the Elite Cinema in July 1923, and designed by James Forbes, this building is now a large pub with little remaining inside to indicate its cinematic days.

It had been modernised in 1964 when it was renamed ABC and then further altered when after a four month closure it reopened on 6 May 1974 as a triple cinema. From the sizes of the cinemas (ABC1: 490 seats, ABC2: 289 seats and ABC3: 268 seats) I assume this was not a drop wall conversion but an internal rebuilding, so most likely when the building was converted to bingo and then a pub, there was little left to preserve!

Interesting exterior, largely intact, with a monumental corner entrance over five storeys. Built in brick with stone dressed windows (demi lune shaped in many instances), the cinema also contained a stage, ballroom and cafe. The exterior wall of the auditorium as viewed from the rear is circular.

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