Century Cinema
1 Beresford Square,
Woolwich,
London,
SE18 6BB
1 Beresford Square,
Woolwich,
London,
SE18 6BB
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Located in the southeast London district of Woolwich, close to the Woolwich Arsenal. The Arsenal Cinema opened on 20th October 1913 with 650 seats. It was equipped with four dressing rooms for artistes who may have appeared on the 16 feet deep stage. From around 1915, it had been renamed the Cinema.
In the early-1930’s, it was expanded to seat 900. The Cinema was taken over by the Granada Theatres chain in November 1952, and in September 1953, it was re-named Century Cinema.
The Century Cinema was closed on 27th May 1961 with Pat Boone in "All Hands on Deck" and Lex Barker in “The Deerslayer”. It became a Century Bingo Club from August 1961. This closed in 1966, and it was demolished in late-1968. A supermarket was built on the site, in 2010 this is operated by Iceland.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
ny info or photos anyone.
I remember this cinema well.As regards the chain it may have been part of prior to Granada,I recall on the side of the building it was advertised as “A Selwyn Cinema” in the late 1940s & early1950s.I recall reading this many times as a schoolboy as I queued for a bus to take me home to nearby Plumstead.
Maybe others can confirm if “Selwyn"is known as a cinema chain at that time.At onetime in the late 50s there were 4 cinemas in Woolwich…"The Century”,“The Regal”,“The Odeon” & “The Granada”.Now as far as I’m aware there are none although the last 3 still stand but are used for other purposes.I expect & hope the last 2 have presevation orders on them for they are remarkable pieces of architecture.
nouvelle vague; From at least 1944 through to the sale to Granada Theatres in November 1952, the Cinema was operated by and owned by H.P. Selwyn and he booked the films at the hall. I have not heard of a Selwyn Circuit, so this was probably the only cinema he owned, but there ‘may’ have been one or two more, judging by the wording you saw on the side of the building. Or the wording could just have been a self promotion on his own behalf.
Thanks for the information Ken.I think you’re probably right & there was no Selwyn “chain”.I don’t remember seeing the name on several of the other independant cinemas in the area,including that odd little place on Plumstead Common(if you know the area)I think called the"Savoy".