Coronet Cinema

Opened as the Savoy Cinema by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) on 5th February 1940, it was one of only a few cinemas that had been virtually completed as war broke out in September 1939 and was allowed to continue to open as planned. Designed by ABC staff architect William R. Glen in a modern Art Deco style.

It was re-named the ABC in 1962 and in 1979 they leased it to the independent Coronet Cinemas chain, who re-named it the Coronet Cinema.

The Coronet Cinema closed on 22nd June 1983 with the films “Blade Runner” and “Body Heat” playing in a double bill in the still unaltered cinema.

In 1984, the auditorium was converted into a snooker hall with a false ceiling across from the front of the balcony, the balcony became an un-used area. The foyer became an amusement arcade.

By 1987, the building had become vacant and lay unused until the mid-1990’s when pub operators J.D. Wetherspoon converted the building into a pub, restoring all the features of the cinema.

The refurbishment and restoration of this former theatre won awards for the Wetherpoon chain of pubs, and it is a great place to go and have a pint of beer and a meal and take in the atmosphere of a suburban movie palace.

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