The sudden change to bingo in 1961 was because Bow Bingo had set up in the former Picture House/Ritz, but that caught fire and was destroyed. The bingo license was transferred by the owners, as they still owned the former Plaza, it had been leased out as a factory.
Wentworth Hall was a Quakers Meeting House located at 201, Ballards Lane, Church End. It survived well into the 2000’s, but has been demolished for a block of flats called Hartnell Court to be built.
A recent visit on the 7th September 2024 has revealed that the congregation has moved to another building not far away, and the former Picture Palace is now disused.
Operated as an EMI Bingo & Social Club for a time as well, before being a nightclub, as EMI Bingo ceased trading in September 1983, the clubs having been sold to Coral.
Christina Gaus has kindly written further details on this cinema which I have reproduced below (with some minor alterations to the text to correct the grammar translation from German to English):
“The original Schauburg Cinema opened in 1929 in the auditorium of the former Apollo Variety Theatre with a seating capacity of 600 seats. This building was destroyed completely during WW2.
The replacement Schauburg was built in 1949 seating 1000 patrons, the architect is unknown at present.
At some point the cinema was tripled, seating is provided for 350, 160 and 61. The main screen is equipped with a curved 17m x 7m Cinerama screen and is the only cinema in the County of Baden-Wurttemberg able to show the Todd-AO format.
Programmed as an Art House cinema, it has received many awards for ‘Outstanding Programme Schedules’. Since 2005 the cinema holds the annual Todd AO - 70mm - Festival.”
Declared open at a ribbon cutting ceremony by Eastenders star Anita Dobson on 20th July, 1989. Special guests were treated to a performance by musicians called Fingers & Frets and saw a preview of the film Lethal Weapon II starring Mel Gibson almost two months before the film was released, followed by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
A second screen also showed this film, the other three remaining screens opening with The Land Before Time, Licence to Thrill and finally Police Academy 6.
Opened as the Picturedrome, address was 44 High Street, NN9 5TN. Name changed to Picture House when the facade was given a modernisation as per my pictures that I uploaded.
After being left in a perilous state (no pun intended) by Wetherspoons, and after being sold on by them, the lack of a secure dry building has finally meant that Thurrock Council have issued an enforcement order on the new owner to secure the building. It has been known for stalls exit doors to have been left wide open recently, with Urban Explorers not helping with a string of videos being posted online as well, proving as to how unsecured the building was.
Fingers crossed, this lengthy saga will come to a good ending…..
Announced today that Omniplex are to tr=open the complex after agreeing a lease with the Council owners. Refurbishment prior to opening will take up to 18 months though! Omniplex Cinemas Group is an Ireland based operator with the director being Paul John Anderson. There will be 12 screens as before, with up to 30 jobs created once opened again.
It did become a bingo hall under Mecca, known as Mecca Metropolitan, the main picture’s signage clearly show this!
The sudden change to bingo in 1961 was because Bow Bingo had set up in the former Picture House/Ritz, but that caught fire and was destroyed. The bingo license was transferred by the owners, as they still owned the former Plaza, it had been leased out as a factory.
Full postcode is SE14 6TQ. The new college retains the numbering of the former cinema as well.
Work to modernise this venue is due to start, with a view to re-opening in 2025 following the securing of a long-term lease.
In 2024 Rami Hair & Beauty is located at this address, full postcode is N7 6BU.
Wentworth Hall was a Quakers Meeting House located at 201, Ballards Lane, Church End. It survived well into the 2000’s, but has been demolished for a block of flats called Hartnell Court to be built.
Currently the Horn of Africa community centre, it doubles up as a restaurant as well. Full postcode is NW10 4TS.
Converted into student flats, it is now known as The Harlesden. There is a coffee shop at street level. Full postcode is NW10 4LX.
A recent visit on the 7th September 2024 has revealed that the congregation has moved to another building not far away, and the former Picture Palace is now disused.
Ummm, Mecca Bingo signage? Can’t be the Odeon, must be the former Gaumont Palace!!
Architect given as Hipkiss & Stephenson at the wonderlandbirmingham.co.uk website….
On the current closure list.
Known as Commercial Buildings, this is in moulded concrete at the top of the facade, just out of sight in this picture.
The lease must have been extended, as it is still operated by the same company in 2024.
Operated as an EMI Bingo & Social Club for a time as well, before being a nightclub, as EMI Bingo ceased trading in September 1983, the clubs having been sold to Coral.
Christina Gaus has kindly written further details on this cinema which I have reproduced below (with some minor alterations to the text to correct the grammar translation from German to English):
“The original Schauburg Cinema opened in 1929 in the auditorium of the former Apollo Variety Theatre with a seating capacity of 600 seats. This building was destroyed completely during WW2.
The replacement Schauburg was built in 1949 seating 1000 patrons, the architect is unknown at present.
At some point the cinema was tripled, seating is provided for 350, 160 and 61. The main screen is equipped with a curved 17m x 7m Cinerama screen and is the only cinema in the County of Baden-Wurttemberg able to show the Todd-AO format.
Programmed as an Art House cinema, it has received many awards for ‘Outstanding Programme Schedules’. Since 2005 the cinema holds the annual Todd AO - 70mm - Festival.”
https://www.schauburg.de/
In it’s final years it was known as The Old Vic.
By 1955 it had become an auctioneers premises.
Hints of ABC triangle?!! Very nice indeed! Congratulations Mark on another great little cinema!
This building is nowhere on Cheltenham Mount! Correct location is Cheltenham Parade at the corner of Mount Parade, HG1 1BX.
The new business is known as Cardamom Black @ “The Old Empire Theatre”.
Declared open at a ribbon cutting ceremony by Eastenders star Anita Dobson on 20th July, 1989. Special guests were treated to a performance by musicians called Fingers & Frets and saw a preview of the film Lethal Weapon II starring Mel Gibson almost two months before the film was released, followed by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
A second screen also showed this film, the other three remaining screens opening with The Land Before Time, Licence to Thrill and finally Police Academy 6.
Opened as the Picturedrome, address was 44 High Street, NN9 5TN. Name changed to Picture House when the facade was given a modernisation as per my pictures that I uploaded.
The architect was Joseph Gannon, the new cinema was designed in 1935, opening in 1936.
After being left in a perilous state (no pun intended) by Wetherspoons, and after being sold on by them, the lack of a secure dry building has finally meant that Thurrock Council have issued an enforcement order on the new owner to secure the building. It has been known for stalls exit doors to have been left wide open recently, with Urban Explorers not helping with a string of videos being posted online as well, proving as to how unsecured the building was. Fingers crossed, this lengthy saga will come to a good ending…..
Announced today that Omniplex are to tr=open the complex after agreeing a lease with the Council owners. Refurbishment prior to opening will take up to 18 months though! Omniplex Cinemas Group is an Ireland based operator with the director being Paul John Anderson. There will be 12 screens as before, with up to 30 jobs created once opened again.