ABC Eccles
52 Church Street,
Eccles,
M30 0DF
52 Church Street,
Eccles,
M30 0DF
2 people
favorited this theater
The Broadway Theatre was the bigest luxury cine/variety theatre to be built in Eccles and designed by architect Joseph Gomersall — one half of the pair of famous British cinema architects Drury & Gomersall. There was no expense spared for the Broadway Theatre which was built at the cost of £70,000 a fair amount in 1932. It was equipped with a Christie 3Manual theatre organ.
The theatre was principally used for movies but was capable of taking touring theatrical productions and accomodating local theatrical groups and variety acts.
Amongst the famous names that appeared on its stage was George Formby.
In 1935, the cinema changed ownership to the little known Mancunian circuit. It changed hands once more in 1936 and became part of Union Cinemas. The final cinema circuit to own the Broadway was the ABC group (Associated British Cinemas)
The cinema closed on March 13th, 1974 and the last two films shown were "Big Boss" and "Soon the Darkness" (ironic).
The Broadway was sold to Kwik-Save Supermarkets in 1975.
It was finally demolished in 2001 to make way for an access road and carpark for the new Morrisons Supermarket.
Contributed by
Steve Lynch
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Recent comments (view all 35 comments)
I followed Richard Roper into Huddersfield as A/M and knew a lot of the people mentioned; am still frequently in touch with John McIntosh (ABC Wigan), Frank Chambers (ABC Leeds – before Dave Riby) and, until recently, my very good friend, Brett Childes (Odeon Sunderland) who passed away on October 04.
I went on to manage ABC’s theatres in South Shields, Chester, Newcastle upon Tyne (Haymarket AND Westgate Road) and Darlington; sadly,the latter appointment was as a result of Cannon’s strategic withdrawal -true to form – from that city, when Odeon and Warner Bros were left to fight for supremacy; I am pleased to say that Odeon won when they moved to ‘The Gate'development, although that has since become the 'Empire'following the M&M’s intervention upon the Odeon/UCI and Cineworld/UGC mergers………all so complicated!
A vintage photograph of the auditorium in 1966:
View link
The circle in 1966:
View link
This site has a circa 1955 photo.
Just came across this website by chance. I worked at the ABC Eccles and many others in the Manchester area during the late 60’s. I did not know I still have dgcarter’s cufflinks.
Jimmy Gold made me the offer of becoming his house mananger at the new ABC Leeds. I turned it down and subsequently left ABC in April 1970. But I have always tresasured my memories.
David Yes you still have my cufflinks. Red and white mother of pearl rectanglular. How are you?
Dave Moss? Surely you mean Derek Moss!
Derek was a splendid bloke who was, around the time I knew him, assistant manager at the Broadway and trying his luck with a most delightful ice-cream girl from the Savoy Sale. I forget her name but I do remember her black hair and her pink overall.
I also recall she was married to (but separated from) an appalling thug who spotted Derek dropping her off at home one evening after work.
The ensuing debacle included Derek knocking the guy down with his car, followed by the guy jumping up again with an injured leg and stoically chasing Derek’s speeding car down the road for some distance.
Happy days. ;)
Hi Doug – Contact me via my e-mail –
Hi, If ‘terry’ should read this post, could he please let me have John McIntosh’s email address. I last spoke with John in 1963 when we were both at the ABC Sheffield and he was promoted to the Playhouse Dewsbury.
Hi all, Just found this site this evening and recognise a lot of the names from various posts. DELBOY, please reveal yourself, you seem to know a lot about my past!. The story about the Savoy Sale ice cream girl is entirely accurate, and thank you for calling me a ‘splendid bloke’
I would love to hear from anyone who may remember me from either Eccles, Sale, Stockport, Ardwick, Broughton or Deansgate during the 60’s.
I have emailed David Stirzaker and sent him a photo of our days at Eccles, as well as David and me the photo also shows Kevin Utley, who was the Manager, D.Carter A/M and a Ken (surname escapes me)T/M.
My personal email is