ABC Shrewsbury

55 Mardol,
Shrewsbury, SY1 1PP

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cannon Cinemas, Granada Theatres Ltd., Virgin Cinemas

Architects: George Coles

Functions: Restaurant

Styles: Tudor Revival

Previous Names: Empire Cinema, Cannon, Virgin

Nearby Theaters

Empire Cinema Shrewsbury

The Empire Cinema was opened on 25th November 1922. It has a Tudor half-timber facade. Seating was provided for 764 in the stalls and 230 in the circle. It was part of the Bernstein Theatres chain, and it was the first cinema in Shropshire to be equipped with sound in September 1929 when a Western Electric(WE) sound system was fitted. In 1931 became part of the Granada Theatres chain.

It was refurbished in May 1973 to the plans of noted cinema architect George Coles. In January 1989, it was taken over by the Cannon Group, and re-named Cannon. In July 1995, it was taken over by the Virgin Cinemas chain and re-named Virgin. Finally from 3rd May 1996, it was taken over by ABC and re-named ABC from 21st June 1996. The ABC was closed on 22nd January 1998. It was converted into a Pizza Express restaurant.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on August 2, 2012 at 2:37 am

A picture exterior of the former theatre building as a Pizza Express is here.

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