Ambassador Super Cinema

Designed in an Art Deco style, by prolific cinema architect John Knight in 1928, the Ambassador Super Cinema was the only remaining example of Knight’s many theaters in the northwest area of England.

Built for the Snape & Ward circuit, the Ambassador Super Cinema opened on December 24th 1928, the opening films were Emil Jannings in “Vaudeville” and “Enemies of Society”. There was also a variety programme on the 16 feet deep stage. It had a 40 feet wide proscenium, six dressing rooms and an orchestra pit, which contained a Jardine ‘Rex Gloria’ 3Manual organ. The Ambassador Super cinema featured a strong symmetrical facade, a projecting centerpiece flanked by Italianate style towers, and fluted Art Deco style moulding the full width of the facade at cornice level.

The theater’s interior was very well preserved. The foyer had a marble staircase with metal balustrade on fluted posts and windows with decorative colored glass. The auditorium had a coffered ceiling and a fluted frieze matching that on the exterior, as well as a narrow balcony to rear.

The side walls were decorated with stepped panels under shell moulded plaster hoods – both of these mouldings inspired by the 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs. Decorative shields with winged helmets and drapes at beam ends to ceiling coffers.

The Ambassador Super Cinema closed on 28th November 1964 and was converted into a Mecca Bingo Club, who kept very well maintained.

A preservation group were attempting to raise the funds to purchase, renovate, and develop the building into a community media and arts center.

Although this was designated a Grade II Listed building, the Ambassador Super Cinema was stripped of its designation and was sadly demolished in April of 2004.

Recent comments (view all 39 comments)

adtv on April 24, 2004 at 5:50 am

Hi Cath
I have emailed you with my details, i can copy it for you as i work for an audio visual hire company. www.mcl-manchester.com
As always in these matters money always clouds the judgements of heritage matters.
Regards
Andy

cath1 on April 25, 2004 at 5:18 am

Hi Andy,
Thanks, I’ll be in touch soon.
Regards
Cath

cathc on June 10, 2004 at 2:13 pm

Hi Andy,
Sorry but I mislaid your phone number.
I still have my 15 minute Video of the intact interior of The Ambassador Cinema.
Cath Connett

adtv on June 10, 2004 at 3:12 pm

Hi Cath
Email me at and i will give you my number.
Regards

Andy

rjcarr on September 17, 2004 at 3:14 pm

sorry you could`nt save the ambassador.
what chance have nobodies got when contractors and councellers
are in the same bed?????

brianw on September 19, 2004 at 2:46 pm

Hi Andy
If Possible could you email me any photo’s of the insibe of the cinema looking from the stage area to the projection room and inside the projection room
many thanks. Brian.

adtv on September 19, 2004 at 3:26 pm

Hi
I dont have any unfortunately.
Regards

Andy

KenRoe on September 11, 2005 at 10:09 am

According to the developers, this building had ‘little architectural merit’! I wonder if future generations will say the same about what has been built on the site!

This is what was lost…..
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/17/lg/10.jpg

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/17/lg/11.jpg

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/17/lg/23.jpg

….and that’s just the outside!

May all concerned in this wanton destruction of our Heritage, hang their heads in shame.

ormus on January 10, 2006 at 1:02 pm

Ive been driving past this building for about 40 yrs now. Fantastic building. What a great shame its now just another mini housing project.
We simply cant demolish glorious buildings like this, time and time again.
Salford council should resign, en mass.

Ian on May 29, 2007 at 3:56 am

A couple more pictures taken just prior to demilition here:–

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