Geograph has further information, picture reference ST0889. Opened pre-1914, it closed as a cinema in 1980, with part-time bingo running 1975-80 as a cine-bingo operation. Became a snooker club from 1981 onwards. It is Grade II listed a rare surviving pre1914 cinema.
When bingo ceased, it became a printers workshop. A deal was struck by a local teacher with the landlord to convert the building into a community arts centre. This opened on 1st March 2017, and is called The Balcony.
Located at 127a, High Street, the Maxime closed in 1964. Demolished shortly afterwards along with other premises to create a shopping centre, The Avon Shopping Precinct. The location was at a 3-way junction of High Street, Bank Street and Lanbourne. Information sourced from an article on the cinema in the Wiltshire Times newspaper.
We can date this photo, as the signage announces that the talkies are coming! So early months of 1930. Presumably the Elmfield Picture Hall is next door, covered by advertising as it had closed by then.
The facade, at least, survives, currently a North Face outdoor clothing store. Postcode is D02 DX98. I have no information as to whether any of the cinema interior still survives though.
The Victoria Hall was located off of Cross Street. When the Palace was opened, the Victoria Hall was converted into a Billiards Hall, which lasted into the 1960s, so two very separate venues.
Adamoell- please do add some interior views of this venue!! It’s great that a cinema club is also still keeping the cinematic use of the building as well as being a church… great stuff!
Only the facade remains, flats have replaced the auditorium.
Is this after closure? I ask this as the cases either side of the entrance are advertising what’s on at the Palace!
Dreadfully out of focus!
Photographs show initially opened as an Alpha Bingo Club, prior to being the Granada/Mecca.
Hutchinson Cinemas operated this venue as the Carlton Bingo & Social Club after closing it as a cinema, and prior to demolition.
It went over to bingo, called Empire Bingo.
Upon conversion to a triple by Classic, the stalls area became a Vogue Bingo Club, the snooker club came later when the bingo operation ceased.
Mecca later operated this venue as a Mecca bingo club.
Bingo use confirmed, as the former bingo club is being offered for sake with planning permission to convert into flats.
Faded signage indicates use as a bingo club.
Geograph has further information, picture reference ST0889. Opened pre-1914, it closed as a cinema in 1980, with part-time bingo running 1975-80 as a cine-bingo operation. Became a snooker club from 1981 onwards. It is Grade II listed a rare surviving pre1914 cinema.
The photo shows that it went over to bingo.
When bingo ceased, it became a printers workshop. A deal was struck by a local teacher with the landlord to convert the building into a community arts centre. This opened on 1st March 2017, and is called The Balcony.
The aerial view shows the cinema as having been demolished for car parking.
No sign of this cinema exists now in Market Place, long since demolished.
Located at 127a, High Street, the Maxime closed in 1964. Demolished shortly afterwards along with other premises to create a shopping centre, The Avon Shopping Precinct. The location was at a 3-way junction of High Street, Bank Street and Lanbourne. Information sourced from an article on the cinema in the Wiltshire Times newspaper.
The bingo section was last operated as the Stardust Bingo & Social Club.
Postcode is LU1 2AQ
We can date this photo, as the signage announces that the talkies are coming! So early months of 1930. Presumably the Elmfield Picture Hall is next door, covered by advertising as it had closed by then.
Demolished 1972 according to David Atwell’s book Cathedral of the Movies.
The facade, at least, survives, currently a North Face outdoor clothing store. Postcode is D02 DX98. I have no information as to whether any of the cinema interior still survives though.
I’m surprised that this venue hasn’t been Listed as yet.
The Victoria Hall was located off of Cross Street. When the Palace was opened, the Victoria Hall was converted into a Billiards Hall, which lasted into the 1960s, so two very separate venues.
Closed as a swimming pool and purchased by the local college, the auditorium section has been demolished, only the facade remains.
Adamoell- please do add some interior views of this venue!! It’s great that a cinema club is also still keeping the cinematic use of the building as well as being a church… great stuff!