According to the Ryde Social Heritage Group the cinema opened 22 December 1921(what’s in a year), although it wasn’t listed in the Kine Year Books until a few years later. It was refurbished in 1966 reopening on 2 May, put back a week because of inclement weather. It eventually closed on 20 June 1973 with Elvis on Tour and The Trouble With Girls.
The State opened on 2 December 1935 with Ruggles of Red Gap. It remained closed between 1978 and 1983. There were plans to add two more screens in 1994 by acquiring Allen’s Garage but I don’t know if this was ever done.
The Midland was reported as being the first provincial cinema in Northern Ireland (i.e. outside Belfast) to have talkies in October 1929 so must have been open by this time.
The Strand opened on 17 January 1935 and was originally run by Billy James. It was designed by W.E. Taylor and had marble steps leading up to the lobby which was oak-panelled. The cafe doubled as a dancefloor.
The cinema opened on 20 October 1975 and was later reported to be the province’s first multi-screen cinema. Each screen had a different colour and the even numbers were no smoking at the time.
The Vogue opened on 19 April 1940 with Rage of Paris, the ceremony performed by the Countess of Kilmorey. It was closed for a refit during May-August 1998.
There is an image of the Astor at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AnnStreetMemories/photos/a.198441940365036.1073741875.105656169643614/125654814310416/?type=3&theater
The Castle was badly damaged by fire on 18 November 1971 and was probably demolished. One source says it belonged to a Mr Hobson and waslater run by Supreme Cinemas.
In 1940 local choirs performed the Messiah at the cinema to raise money for the British Legion and a variety concert was given in 1942 by the Lofthouse Red Cross Society.
This could very well be a tale of two or three different operations. A newspaper report says that the cinema opened in 1949 and was run by the Brown brothers, two travelling showmen, and lasted until the late 1960s. Having spoken to a local trader he seems to think the cinema was in an old barn next to the public car park behind the buildings in the main street, and it is some sort of warehouse now. Sounds like a job for Poirot!
Riley’s snooker club went into administration in 2014 and the building went on the market for £500,000. It was announced in January 2015 that the property would be converted into a church by the Apostolic Faith Mission which was looking for new premises. One photograph also shows it as a House of Holland many years ago.
The Castle opened about 1913 and was renamed the Filmcenta in 1982. I believe its last film was Doc Hollywood so probably closed about 1991. One photograph shows it as a children’s adventure playground before Lazerzone.
Opened in July 1924. Closed during the war but reopened apparently because the Rex had taken a hit but closed again on the Rex’s reopening in 1946.
Opening date of the cinema was 6 December 1928.
According to the Ryde Social Heritage Group the cinema opened 22 December 1921(what’s in a year), although it wasn’t listed in the Kine Year Books until a few years later. It was refurbished in 1966 reopening on 2 May, put back a week because of inclement weather. It eventually closed on 20 June 1973 with Elvis on Tour and The Trouble With Girls.
Playhouse was demolished February 2010.
The Bijou opened on 14 November 1910. The Scala opened much earlier on 22 December 1921.
According to Google street view in June 2015 it was a veterinary clinic called Pet Doctors.
The State opened on 2 December 1935 with Ruggles of Red Gap. It remained closed between 1978 and 1983. There were plans to add two more screens in 1994 by acquiring Allen’s Garage but I don’t know if this was ever done.
John McManus acquired the cinema from EMI in May 1974 and reopened it for business on 5 December 1974.
The Midland was reported as being the first provincial cinema in Northern Ireland (i.e. outside Belfast) to have talkies in October 1929 so must have been open by this time.
The Strand opened on 17 January 1935 and was originally run by Billy James. It was designed by W.E. Taylor and had marble steps leading up to the lobby which was oak-panelled. The cafe doubled as a dancefloor.
The cinema opened on 20 October 1975 and was later reported to be the province’s first multi-screen cinema. Each screen had a different colour and the even numbers were no smoking at the time.
The Vogue opened on 19 April 1940 with Rage of Paris, the ceremony performed by the Countess of Kilmorey. It was closed for a refit during May-August 1998.
The Regal opened on 22 August 1932, the rather drab-looking replacement is in business use.
The Royalty closed in August 1961, it was later a Lipton supermarket and a social club, pretty sure it has been demolished now.
I wonder if these are the original cinema toilets!
There is an image of the Astor at this link: https://www.facebook.com/AnnStreetMemories/photos/a.198441940365036.1073741875.105656169643614/125654814310416/?type=3&theater
The Castle was badly damaged by fire on 18 November 1971 and was probably demolished. One source says it belonged to a Mr Hobson and waslater run by Supreme Cinemas.
In 1940 local choirs performed the Messiah at the cinema to raise money for the British Legion and a variety concert was given in 1942 by the Lofthouse Red Cross Society.
This could very well be a tale of two or three different operations. A newspaper report says that the cinema opened in 1949 and was run by the Brown brothers, two travelling showmen, and lasted until the late 1960s. Having spoken to a local trader he seems to think the cinema was in an old barn next to the public car park behind the buildings in the main street, and it is some sort of warehouse now. Sounds like a job for Poirot!
To be a bit more exact the ABC opened on 28 November 1968.
Riley’s snooker club went into administration in 2014 and the building went on the market for £500,000. It was announced in January 2015 that the property would be converted into a church by the Apostolic Faith Mission which was looking for new premises. One photograph also shows it as a House of Holland many years ago.
Mint Casino here has closed down, Google Street View shows the premises up for offers as at September 2015.
The Castle opened about 1913 and was renamed the Filmcenta in 1982. I believe its last film was Doc Hollywood so probably closed about 1991. One photograph shows it as a children’s adventure playground before Lazerzone.
Opened 2 January 1914 closed w/c 29 March 1959 see link which gives dates of all the Leigh cinemas:
http://wiganworld.co.uk/communicate/mb_message.php?opt=f1&opt2=&msd=1080521&offset=4000&subject=Cinemas%20in%20Leigh%20circa%201900%20-%202013
In April 2016 planners agreed to proposals by the Coventry branch of Winners Chapel International to take over the empty building.