ABC Harrogate

The Regal Cinema commanded a superb central position in Harrogate and was a particularly fine design by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) in-house architect William R. Glen working with local architects H. Linley Brown and H. Taylor. Total seating was provided for 1,646 in stalls and single balcony. There was an unusually lavish, and wide, screen arch with three illuminated panels either side on the splay walls, the central one containing one of the stylised "Oscar" figures similar to the Halifax Regal.

It opened on 18th September 1937 with Otto Kriger in “Glamorous Night” and Joel McRea in “You Can’t Take the Money”. Organist Wilfred Southworth opened the Compton 3Manual/6Ranks organ which had a melotone attachment and an illuminated console position on a lift.

The Regal Cinema was renamed ABC in the early 1960’s. In 1973 it was twinned with half the under-balcony area becoming a 130 seat cinema (ABC2) and the the remainder a Painted Wagon pub. The balcony continued as ABC 1 apparently unaltered, and retaining all the original features.

However the ABC’s excellent location proved it’s undoing and on 26th February 1983 it closed. It was sold for redevelopment and swiftly demolished to be replaced by a parade of shops including a McDonalds outlet.

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater