The theatre organ (a 3-manual, 7-rank Wurlitzer) from the Ritz Cinema in Aldershot was purchased and removed in 1971 by organ builder David Pawlyn, who placed it into storage in his workshops in Aylesbury.
The Compton was removed during September/October 2013, prior to the auditorium section being demolished. Gifted to the Aberdeen Theatre Organ Trust by the developers Knight Property Group.
Used as a market hall and a betting shop (Tote as it was called back then), the former cinema then became the Jigsaw Nitespot, an Irish Club for dancing, music and, apparently, a darned good steak!
Conversion to a workshop and retail came later in the 1970’s.
The Astoria had a total of 1369 seats, 946 in the stalls, and 423 in the balcony. Originally planned for 2050 (1350 stalls, 700 balcony), these numbers were reduced due to a mixture of licensing conditions, together with adjustments to allow for the best sight lines to the screen.
Two houses were demolished to have the cinema built. These has been acquired by Burlington Picture House Company Limited to build a cinema in March 1928. This company was unable to raise enough capital to proceed, and, coupled with delays to the planning and persistence locally to oppose building a cinema at Castle Circus, was eventually bought out by Associated British Cinemas who proceeded immediately to demolish the houses in 1931.
A problematic building site meant that the Regal Cinema wouldn’t open until the 31st July, 1933.
The Pontio (as it is known locally) closed for two weeks from the 4th to the 18th September, 2026. This was to install a new floor and to refurbish the seating.
A very popular venue with a packed programme of films to enjoy across a wide spectrum of genres. As you would expect, this includes films made in the Welsh language along with Independent films, classics, and current films.
The Ritz Cinema reopened as the Ritz Bingo & Social Club the same year as closing as a cinema. This lasted until around 1975. The cinema/bingo club, along with the Farmers Arms pub were demolished for houses.
Two sets of plans have been submitted to the Borough Council today (14th August, 2026) by Austringer Capital. A 24 lane bowling alley opened in the complex in June 2026. It is now to be decided about the remaining space: either a storage facility or a nine screen cinema complex. No potential cinema operator has been announced along with the planning application.
Initially after closure, the former cinema was turned into the Scala Bingo Club by Cornwall Cinema Bingo Clubs. It closed in 1973 when the former King’s Cinema closed as a cinema and was re-opened as a bingo club by the same company. The bingo clubs traded as a part of the Cornwall Cinemas circuit.
Originally on Pier Road, the venue was known as The Kursaal. A windmill stood next to the building, which was later demolished. Originally the Kursaal had a tin sheet roof, with a lower pitch to it.
Later called The Casino, it’s possible that it was used as a bingo hall. The facade was replaced, along with the pitch of the auditorium. I have uploaded pictures of the original building as built, and the later use as a ‘casino’ as it was called, both with the windmill in the background.
An advertisement in a booklet promoting the area by the Prestatyn Urban District Council for 1934-35 has the cinema called Scala Super Cinema, operated by Saronie’s Enterprises. Seat prices shown are: Circle 1/6, booked 1/10, Stalls 1/- and Front Stalls 7d. Matinees on all wet days during July and August. I have uploaded a picture of this advertisement.
Having been closed and boarded up since 2013, activity has been seen at this former cinema more recently. The cinema is being gutted out completely to create a trampolining centre.
The theatre organ was removed and broken up in 1957, prior to being modernised.
Organ removed October 1969 and sold, installed into a railway goods shed in Burnham Market, it is currently in a private location in Lymm, Cheshire.
The theatre organ remained in the Gaumont right up to closure as a cinema. It was removed in March 1961 prior to the internal changes for retail.
The Conacher theatre organ was removed in 1969.
The theatre organ (a 3-manual, 7-rank Wurlitzer) from the Ritz Cinema in Aldershot was purchased and removed in 1971 by organ builder David Pawlyn, who placed it into storage in his workshops in Aylesbury.
The Compton was removed during September/October 2013, prior to the auditorium section being demolished. Gifted to the Aberdeen Theatre Organ Trust by the developers Knight Property Group.
Used as a market hall and a betting shop (Tote as it was called back then), the former cinema then became the Jigsaw Nitespot, an Irish Club for dancing, music and, apparently, a darned good steak! Conversion to a workshop and retail came later in the 1970’s.
The Astoria had a total of 1369 seats, 946 in the stalls, and 423 in the balcony. Originally planned for 2050 (1350 stalls, 700 balcony), these numbers were reduced due to a mixture of licensing conditions, together with adjustments to allow for the best sight lines to the screen.
Two houses were demolished to have the cinema built. These has been acquired by Burlington Picture House Company Limited to build a cinema in March 1928. This company was unable to raise enough capital to proceed, and, coupled with delays to the planning and persistence locally to oppose building a cinema at Castle Circus, was eventually bought out by Associated British Cinemas who proceeded immediately to demolish the houses in 1931.
A problematic building site meant that the Regal Cinema wouldn’t open until the 31st July, 1933.
R.C. Hill operated the Cameo as Duchy Cinemas Ltd.
The changes to the rear of the building were by Levitt Bernstein Associates Ltd. as architects.
The Pontio (as it is known locally) closed for two weeks from the 4th to the 18th September, 2026. This was to install a new floor and to refurbish the seating.
A very popular venue with a packed programme of films to enjoy across a wide spectrum of genres. As you would expect, this includes films made in the Welsh language along with Independent films, classics, and current films.
Closed as a cinema Saturday, 29th November, 1969 with the popular British film ‘The Virgin Soldiers’.
The Ritz Cinema reopened as the Ritz Bingo & Social Club the same year as closing as a cinema. This lasted until around 1975. The cinema/bingo club, along with the Farmers Arms pub were demolished for houses.
Joseph Lawden and Howard Cetti are given as joint architects according to the plans submitted and approved by the council.
Unfortunately, this date of opening on the Cinema 100 plaque has been proven to be incorrect.
Two sets of plans have been submitted to the Borough Council today (14th August, 2026) by Austringer Capital. A 24 lane bowling alley opened in the complex in June 2026. It is now to be decided about the remaining space: either a storage facility or a nine screen cinema complex. No potential cinema operator has been announced along with the planning application.
Now operated by, and renamed, ARC cinemas.
Closed on the 25th June, 2026.
Initially after closure, the former cinema was turned into the Scala Bingo Club by Cornwall Cinema Bingo Clubs. It closed in 1973 when the former King’s Cinema closed as a cinema and was re-opened as a bingo club by the same company. The bingo clubs traded as a part of the Cornwall Cinemas circuit.
Photograph now added whilst Carrimore’s taken in the 1960’s.
Originally on Pier Road, the venue was known as The Kursaal. A windmill stood next to the building, which was later demolished. Originally the Kursaal had a tin sheet roof, with a lower pitch to it.
Later called The Casino, it’s possible that it was used as a bingo hall. The facade was replaced, along with the pitch of the auditorium. I have uploaded pictures of the original building as built, and the later use as a ‘casino’ as it was called, both with the windmill in the background.
An advertisement in a booklet promoting the area by the Prestatyn Urban District Council for 1934-35 has the cinema called Scala Super Cinema, operated by Saronie’s Enterprises. Seat prices shown are: Circle 1/6, booked 1/10, Stalls 1/- and Front Stalls 7d. Matinees on all wet days during July and August. I have uploaded a picture of this advertisement.
Having been closed and boarded up since 2013, activity has been seen at this former cinema more recently. The cinema is being gutted out completely to create a trampolining centre.
Star also operated a bingo club within the building, presumably in the former circle area?