Elstree Cinema

Located in the city centre on Hout Street near the corner of St. Georges Mall Street. This cinema was originally known as Markhams Bioscope and was situated in the basement of the Markhams Building. It was opened before 1920 and later became one of the first ‘Tea Room Cinemas’ or ‘Bio-Cafes’ in Cape Town. The tea room cinemas applied the unusual practice (for Cape Town) of having continuous daily performances.

Access was by a gated lift from Hout Street, and another entrance down a long passage from St Georges Street (today St Georges Mall Street).

It was re-named later as the Elstree Cinema and was demolished in the late-1960’s.

A new building housing a hotel/pub (Pickwick Tavern) was built on the site. Now used as an office block and parking garage.

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