Unit 4 Cinema
Bolton Road,
Walkden,
M28 5AY
Bolton Road,
Walkden,
M28 5AY
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Located in Walkden, Lancashire. The Unit 4 Cinema was opened after 1967, and was a replacement for the Criterion Picture House, which had previously been on the site. It was operated by Unit 4 Cinemas, and later became part of the Apollo Theatres chain. The four screen operation had screens seating 118, 108, 86 and 94. The cinema closed by November 1999.
Contributed by
Lee Walmsley
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Hi I actually came across this website by mistake (would you believe it), I was searching for Curzon Manchester Cinemas and came across this site. Low and behold a site dedicated to Cinemas and their History. I’ve allways liked Cinemas and their Buildings.
Anyway, I actually live in Worsley/Walkden not 10 mins away from Apollo Unit 4 Cinemas in Walkden. I’ve lived in Salford/Manchester all my life and seen cinema buildings come and go. I remember going to Apollo Unit 4 Cinemas quite frequently between 1985-1994 ish. It closed down I think around 94-97 time. I have tried emailing Apollo Cinemas regarding information about this cinema last year, but not reply. Anyway. My Email address is .uk
Take Care.
Lee Oatway.
Sorry to correct you, but the Palace and Unit 4 were 2 separate cinemas. The Palace is as you describe it, but was situated on the A6 next to the Bull’s Head? hotel (a Threlfalls pub with awful beer!) and was converted into a bingo hall in about 1968-9. The Unit 4 was on Bolton Rd just north of the shopping centre. My credentials for saying this are that I was the projectionist there almost up to conversion (a moonlighting job whilst I was in 6th form) It was owned by Emery’s up to conversion.
Slight correction to Graham.I was one of the first receptionists at the Unit 4 when it opened.There was a cinema on the site originally named The Criterion.It was knocked down to make way for the new Arndale Centre.The owners(not the Emerys at the time)had to have some work done in the foyer whilst I was there & the old Criterion Cinema sign was found whilst they were digging.I myself was thrilled as I spent many happy hours at the “Crit) as it was affectionally known to us locals.
I was at the Palace and I only remember the Unit4 not the criterion. Wasn’t it a bowling alley before it became Unit4? Emerys owned a cinema in Swinton, but that had closed before I was on the scene. As to the Bull’s Head, I gather that it’s now a Wetherspoons, so the berr might have improved!