An R.C.A. Photophone sound system provided the sound for the 550 patrons the cinema could seat at prices ranging from 6d to 1/3d. The propreitors were Ystalyfera Kinema Ltd.
The George Edwards Hall was erected in the memory of George Edwards in 1911. In 1919 it was taken on a lease by John Stanley Jones and opened as a cinema on or around the 15th February 1919. Originally intended as a theatre with a proscenium 26 feet in width and a stage depth of 18 feet, 2 dressing rooms were provided for the artists. Seating for 600 patrons was provided. The Cefn Chronicle tells us that the first film was “Heart of the Lion”, followed the next week by “The Chrystal Gazer” starring Fanny Ward. A local pianist was employed to provide background music.
Surprisingly, like its rival in the village, the venue did not merit a mention in Kinema Weekly Yearbook for the first few years so we are unaware of opening admission prices.
An A.W.H. sound system was installed to enable the venue to navigate the sound era.
By 1938 the cinema was being run by the hall committee, with two shows nightly at prices from 4d to 1/– and by 1951 a new lessee was installed in the shape of Mr A. Jacobs of Rhyl (who was also running the Palace cinema in Cefn). It was he who changed the venues name to the “Peoples Cinema” whilst continuing the policy of two shows nightly from 5.30pm.
Prices had increased to 7d to 1/6d by this time and an R.C.A. Photophone sound system had replaced the earlier AWH system and seating capacity had been reduced to 550 patrons.
At some time before 1960 Jacobs decided that the village was not big enough to support two cinemas and with people showing a preference for the “Palace”, he closed the “Peoples Cinema”.
The hall went back to its original purpose and was used for Concerts and pantomimes and is still in existence today. It is currently being considered for a lottery grant to update its rather dated appearance.
This venue opened its doors circa 1923 under the ownership of Mr. F.J. Jones. Originally it only opened on three nights a week with prices ranging from 6d to 1/6d. It could seat 400 patrons and had a proscenium 20ft wide.
A British Acoustic sound system saw it into the sound era, when prices ranged from 9d to 1/6d. By 1951 Royal Cinema (Amlwch) Ltd had control of the venue and seats had been reduced to 380 (Reason unknown). Prices were now 1/– to 2/3d and programmes were changed 3 times a week, which indicates Daily opening. Kinema Weekly Yearbook also mentions in 1952 ONLY that there was a dance hall atached to the cinema. The cinema was closed by 1965 and demolished in 1971. At least your correspondent got that bit right!
This venue was built around 1919, just behind the Holly Bush public house and opposite the George Edwards hall (The other cinema in Cefn) on what had been part of the track of the tramway from the Rhosymedre quarries. The building was built largely of corrugated iron, which somewhat belied its comfortable and welcoming interior.Access was gained by a set of steps from Hill Street, which led down to the foyer.
The first owner was Mr. John Owen Jones, who was described as “an energetic, bald-headed man who spent matinees running up and down the central aisle with his flashlight threatening to evict any unruly boys.”
The cinema could seat 700 patrons. Surprisingly the cinema was not mentioned in Kinema Times Yearbook until much later, so we are unaware of opening admission prices. An R.C.A. Photophone sound system was installed to take the cinema into the sound era.
The cinema appears to have survived the war years with Mr. Jones still as owner, but by 1951 Mr. A. Jacobs of Rhyl (Who was also by now the lessee of the George Edwards Hall) had taken over as owner and prices were now 7d to 1/6d, with shows continuously daily from 5.30pm each day.
By 1966 the cinema was in the hands of G.V.H. Cinemas of Ellesmere Port, but Cinemascope had not been installed apparently. How the venue survived so long when all films were released in the large screeen format is not known. 1967 was to be the last season for the cinema, unfortunately, as in August 1967 the cinema was destroyed by fire and subsequently demolished.
As originally built the venue could seat 501 patrons and sound was via a British Thomson – Houston sound system. The proscenium was 26 feet in width and the cinema ran on two shows nightly with 3 changes of programme per week. Prices in 1951 were 1/– to 2/5d.
This venue opened circa 1924 under the ownership of Messrs C.W. & F.L. Johnson as “The Cinema”, seating 600 patrons with prices 5d to 1/3d. It ran on one show per night with 2 changes of programme per week.
By the 1930’s a Mr. T.J. Jones of Llangefni had taken ownership and had introduced Saturday matinees and a Kaylee sound system. Prices were now 9d to 1/6d.
Mysteriously seating is given as only 380 seats in 1951 from the 600 originally. But no explanation can be found for this. The ownership was now with a company known as Royal Cinema (Amlwch) Ltd. Programmes were nopw changed 3 times a week and prices were 1/9d to 2/3d.
Cinemascope was introduced in 1955 onan 27 feet wide screen in the 29ft wide proscenium. It appears that seating rose to 298 seats with tis installation, perhaps if true the only case of a cinema gaining seats with the coming of Cinemascope! Prices were now 2/– to 4/–.
The final fate of the cinema is correctly given in the first added comment.
The Luxor weas originally known as the “Town Hall Cinema” and was founded bgy E.H. James, owner of a small chain of cinemas which included venues in Llanrwst, Bettws y Coed, Penmaenmawr. Opened circa 1934 it had Kaylee sound and showed 3 different programmes a week with once nightly performances on Tuesday, Thursday and Frisday, two continuous performances on Monday and Wednesday and 3 shows on Saturday. The proscenium was 30 feet wide and the venue could seat 399 patrons.
It survived the 1930’s and 40’s and in 1956 installed Cinemascope on a 27feet wide screen. At this time shows were twice nightly on the continuous principle with an extra matinee on Saturdays, still with 3 changes of prtogramme per week. Prices were now 1/– to 2/3d.
Its name had now been changed to the “Luxor” (The change seems to have been made around 1939)
By 1964 Mrs James had taken control of the cinema – whether this was due to the death of her husband or illness is not known – and the cinema retained its policy of 2 shows per night and three changes per week. Prices were now 2/– to 4/–.
The cinema closed in 1970 leaving patrons now with a journey to Holyhead or Llandudno Junction if they wish to see films as they were intended to be shown.
The Cybi was noted as holding film shows from around 1930 and was then fitted with a Morisons sound system. Whether it was run by a travelling showman or not is unknown. It was closed at the outbreak of WWII.
In 1945 under the ownership of Messrs Johnson and Berretta it was refurbished and re-opened with continuous shows from 5.45pm every evening, with matinees on Saturdays. It seated 240 patrons in a hall just 25 ffeet wide. By 1952 Mr C.W. Barretta was in sole ownership and prices ranged from 1/– to 1/9d. It installoed cinemascope around 1955 with a screen 18 feet in width.
Aound 1961 ownership passed to Mr W.T. Richards with prices from 1/6d to 2/3d. In 1968 a Mr Johnson was the owner and then Mr E.G. Lennard succeeded him with prices ranging from 2/– to 3/6d. By now it was featuring Bingo on a part time basis and in 1972 it became a full time Bingo and Social Club. The licence for bingo was given up in the early 1980’s and the building closed and boarded up. Most recent usage known was as the Jimmy O'Toole Unemployed Workers Centre.
The Forum opened in 1938 with an R.C.A. sound system. Hoylake Entertainments Ltd were the first and only owners and the cinema seated 638 patrons originally. Early prices (in 1951 ) were 10d to 2/–. Programmes were once nightly with matinees on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Cinemascope was installed in 1955 when the number of seats was reduced to cater for the new lines of sight.
The propreitor at the time of opening was W.O. Thomas. The cinema originally could seat 400 patrons at prices from 6d to 1/–. Programmes changed twice weekly, and shows were continmuous daily.
By 1952 the owners were Park Cinemas (Blaenau Festiniog) Ltd and seating had been reduced to 368 seats at prices of 9d to 1/6d.
The Empire was opened circa 1924, when the propreitor was listed as Captain Lewis Davies. This was probably incorrect as although he was still listed as propreitor in 1939, it is known that the owner was Captain Pritchard, who also owned cinemas in Criccieth, Pen y Groes and Caernarvon.
It ran on one show per ni8ght with three4 on Saturdays and changed programmes twice a week. Prices at opening were 5d to 1/3d. It could seat 400 patrons. By 1938 prices had changed to 6d to 1/–.
With the death of Captain Pritchard during WWII, the other cinemas were purchased by Paramount, but they declined the ‘Empire’ probably because of the amount of competition, and it was closed in 1945.
The talk of re-opening in 1995 was true. The former cinema was taken on lease(?) by Peter Moore, who owned the Empire, Holyhead, but was thwarted when he was arrested, tried and jailed for life for the murder of four homosexuals. This closed the Empire as well and left two other former cinemas he planned to re-open ‘in limbo’.
Last saw this former cinema last year when it was empty, having been recently used as the local Labour Party HQ.
When running as a cinema, it unusually had an outside projection box, to comply with the 1909 cinematograph act, which overhung the street. This was demolished long ago.
The original owner was Captain W.E. Pritchard, who also owned cinemas in Pwllheli,Blaenau Festiniog, Pen y Groes and Caernarvon. Fopllowing his death the cinemas were sold to Paramount Picture Theatres in 1945 and it was the death of Guy Baker, that groups owner that caused closure of the Coliseum in 1983. All Bakers cinemas closed following his death. The cinemas projectionist who stayed on when it re-opened on a volunteer basis was Bob Piercy, who was the longest serving projectionist in the world when he eventually passed away.
As opened the theatre could seat 800 patrons. The proscenium was 27 feet wide, not 24, and its prices were 6d to 1/3d in the first year it went over to film only. Sound system was a British Acoustic sound system.Two dressing rooms were provided for the stage performers.
By 1951 seating had been reduced to 650 seats (reason not known) and its prices were 10d to 2/–.
In recent years it has gained the legend of having been haunted during its time as a cinema, although by whom is unknown. Balcony customers have reported being continually disturbed by someone wanting to get to a seat beyond where they were sitting or wishing to access the exit doors, but when they went to complain about this they found that they were the only person in the row!
Early picture shows were held here by William Haggar and Arthur Cheetham (and possibly John Codman), the Welsh Cinema Pioneers, in the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1966 the lessee was a J.L. Briddon and the venue seated 350 patrons. Cinemascope was fitted circa 1955 with a 20 foot wide screen in the 25 feet proscenium.
The cinema was open from Easter to October (closed throughout the winter) with one show daily on Tuesdays to Frisdays. There were two changes of programme per week. Admission was 2/– to 4/6d in 1966.
The Welsh Cinema pioneers Arthur Cheetham and William Haggar are known to have put on shows here in the first decade of the twentieth century. The Cinema was known as the Towyn Cinema from at least 1951 (Kinematograph Yearbook)and had a British Thomson-Houston sound system. The propreitor in 1966 was H.T. Parks of Prestatyn. Cinema scope was fitted in 1955 on a 31 foot 6 inches screen when the cinema held 400 seated patrons, and admission was 2/– to 3/–.
There were three4 changes of programme per week with shows continuous from 6.30pm Monday to Friday and from 6.00pm on Saturdays. No shows at that time on Sundays.
The Lessee in 1951 (and apparently from around 1940 until closure was Mr. G.E.H. James, who also ran cinemas at Llanfairfechan, Menai Bridge, Bethesda, Dolgellau, Llanberis, and Llanrwst. It was he who installed the British Thompson-Houston sound system and admission prices in 1951 were 1/– to 2/–.
On the 25th June 2008 the Real Institute announced it was now homeless as the commitee of the Memorial Hall wanted to use the Hall for a different purpose. It is not known what has become of it.
Sometime in the 1950’s the cinema came under the contol of Guy Bakers Paramount Pictures Circuit. After his death in 1983 the Victoria, as it was still known at the time, closed, as did all Guy Bakers cinemas. It re-opened when Bala Council purchased it to stop its permanent closure.
Unfortunately its future is again in doubt as Gwynedd Council announced in May this year that they were putting the cinema up for sale to curtail their costs on the building and to raise much needed funds. What will happen? One hope is that the people of Bala club together to save their cinema, much like the people of Porthmadog did in 1983. Unless someone reading this wants to buy a cinema, That is.
Sorry Carol, but part of your memory has faded, “Rock around the Clock” was shown at the Palace, not the Florida! and as the Police Station was situated directly across the road from the Palace, anyone who tried to jive was very quickly arrested and taken away!
The ballroom was not at the rear of the cinema as stated, but a seperate building higher up Bruce Grove, and was situated above a parade of shops, probably owned (or built) by the cinemas owners.
The CLIVE Cinema was NOT demolished but still stands in Church street, now converted into flats with a motor vehicle reapir shop where the old foyer used to be. A Plaque commemorates its history as the old Red Lion flannel mill and Clive Cinema, attached to the former front. I visited it and photographed it on the 10th June this year (2009)
Also, was Ian Belion at the Regent Newtown prior or after the installation of Cinemascope? This reduced the seating of both the Pola and the Regent to 624 and 564 seats respectively from the 800 as originally built. Lines of sight Ian.
An R.C.A. Photophone sound system provided the sound for the 550 patrons the cinema could seat at prices ranging from 6d to 1/3d. The propreitors were Ystalyfera Kinema Ltd.
The George Edwards Hall was erected in the memory of George Edwards in 1911. In 1919 it was taken on a lease by John Stanley Jones and opened as a cinema on or around the 15th February 1919. Originally intended as a theatre with a proscenium 26 feet in width and a stage depth of 18 feet, 2 dressing rooms were provided for the artists. Seating for 600 patrons was provided. The Cefn Chronicle tells us that the first film was “Heart of the Lion”, followed the next week by “The Chrystal Gazer” starring Fanny Ward. A local pianist was employed to provide background music.
Surprisingly, like its rival in the village, the venue did not merit a mention in Kinema Weekly Yearbook for the first few years so we are unaware of opening admission prices.
An A.W.H. sound system was installed to enable the venue to navigate the sound era.
By 1938 the cinema was being run by the hall committee, with two shows nightly at prices from 4d to 1/– and by 1951 a new lessee was installed in the shape of Mr A. Jacobs of Rhyl (who was also running the Palace cinema in Cefn). It was he who changed the venues name to the “Peoples Cinema” whilst continuing the policy of two shows nightly from 5.30pm.
Prices had increased to 7d to 1/6d by this time and an R.C.A. Photophone sound system had replaced the earlier AWH system and seating capacity had been reduced to 550 patrons.
At some time before 1960 Jacobs decided that the village was not big enough to support two cinemas and with people showing a preference for the “Palace”, he closed the “Peoples Cinema”.
The hall went back to its original purpose and was used for Concerts and pantomimes and is still in existence today. It is currently being considered for a lottery grant to update its rather dated appearance.
This venue opened its doors circa 1923 under the ownership of Mr. F.J. Jones. Originally it only opened on three nights a week with prices ranging from 6d to 1/6d. It could seat 400 patrons and had a proscenium 20ft wide.
A British Acoustic sound system saw it into the sound era, when prices ranged from 9d to 1/6d. By 1951 Royal Cinema (Amlwch) Ltd had control of the venue and seats had been reduced to 380 (Reason unknown). Prices were now 1/– to 2/3d and programmes were changed 3 times a week, which indicates Daily opening. Kinema Weekly Yearbook also mentions in 1952 ONLY that there was a dance hall atached to the cinema. The cinema was closed by 1965 and demolished in 1971. At least your correspondent got that bit right!
This venue was built around 1919, just behind the Holly Bush public house and opposite the George Edwards hall (The other cinema in Cefn) on what had been part of the track of the tramway from the Rhosymedre quarries. The building was built largely of corrugated iron, which somewhat belied its comfortable and welcoming interior.Access was gained by a set of steps from Hill Street, which led down to the foyer.
The first owner was Mr. John Owen Jones, who was described as “an energetic, bald-headed man who spent matinees running up and down the central aisle with his flashlight threatening to evict any unruly boys.”
The cinema could seat 700 patrons. Surprisingly the cinema was not mentioned in Kinema Times Yearbook until much later, so we are unaware of opening admission prices. An R.C.A. Photophone sound system was installed to take the cinema into the sound era.
The cinema appears to have survived the war years with Mr. Jones still as owner, but by 1951 Mr. A. Jacobs of Rhyl (Who was also by now the lessee of the George Edwards Hall) had taken over as owner and prices were now 7d to 1/6d, with shows continuously daily from 5.30pm each day.
By 1966 the cinema was in the hands of G.V.H. Cinemas of Ellesmere Port, but Cinemascope had not been installed apparently. How the venue survived so long when all films were released in the large screeen format is not known. 1967 was to be the last season for the cinema, unfortunately, as in August 1967 the cinema was destroyed by fire and subsequently demolished.
As originally built the venue could seat 501 patrons and sound was via a British Thomson – Houston sound system. The proscenium was 26 feet in width and the cinema ran on two shows nightly with 3 changes of programme per week. Prices in 1951 were 1/– to 2/5d.
This venue opened circa 1924 under the ownership of Messrs C.W. & F.L. Johnson as “The Cinema”, seating 600 patrons with prices 5d to 1/3d. It ran on one show per night with 2 changes of programme per week.
By the 1930’s a Mr. T.J. Jones of Llangefni had taken ownership and had introduced Saturday matinees and a Kaylee sound system. Prices were now 9d to 1/6d.
Mysteriously seating is given as only 380 seats in 1951 from the 600 originally. But no explanation can be found for this. The ownership was now with a company known as Royal Cinema (Amlwch) Ltd. Programmes were nopw changed 3 times a week and prices were 1/9d to 2/3d.
Cinemascope was introduced in 1955 onan 27 feet wide screen in the 29ft wide proscenium. It appears that seating rose to 298 seats with tis installation, perhaps if true the only case of a cinema gaining seats with the coming of Cinemascope! Prices were now 2/– to 4/–.
The final fate of the cinema is correctly given in the first added comment.
The Luxor weas originally known as the “Town Hall Cinema” and was founded bgy E.H. James, owner of a small chain of cinemas which included venues in Llanrwst, Bettws y Coed, Penmaenmawr. Opened circa 1934 it had Kaylee sound and showed 3 different programmes a week with once nightly performances on Tuesday, Thursday and Frisday, two continuous performances on Monday and Wednesday and 3 shows on Saturday. The proscenium was 30 feet wide and the venue could seat 399 patrons.
It survived the 1930’s and 40’s and in 1956 installed Cinemascope on a 27feet wide screen. At this time shows were twice nightly on the continuous principle with an extra matinee on Saturdays, still with 3 changes of prtogramme per week. Prices were now 1/– to 2/3d.
Its name had now been changed to the “Luxor” (The change seems to have been made around 1939)
By 1964 Mrs James had taken control of the cinema – whether this was due to the death of her husband or illness is not known – and the cinema retained its policy of 2 shows per night and three changes per week. Prices were now 2/– to 4/–.
The cinema closed in 1970 leaving patrons now with a journey to Holyhead or Llandudno Junction if they wish to see films as they were intended to be shown.
The Cybi was noted as holding film shows from around 1930 and was then fitted with a Morisons sound system. Whether it was run by a travelling showman or not is unknown. It was closed at the outbreak of WWII.
In 1945 under the ownership of Messrs Johnson and Berretta it was refurbished and re-opened with continuous shows from 5.45pm every evening, with matinees on Saturdays. It seated 240 patrons in a hall just 25 ffeet wide. By 1952 Mr C.W. Barretta was in sole ownership and prices ranged from 1/– to 1/9d. It installoed cinemascope around 1955 with a screen 18 feet in width.
Aound 1961 ownership passed to Mr W.T. Richards with prices from 1/6d to 2/3d. In 1968 a Mr Johnson was the owner and then Mr E.G. Lennard succeeded him with prices ranging from 2/– to 3/6d. By now it was featuring Bingo on a part time basis and in 1972 it became a full time Bingo and Social Club. The licence for bingo was given up in the early 1980’s and the building closed and boarded up. Most recent usage known was as the Jimmy O'Toole Unemployed Workers Centre.
The Forum opened in 1938 with an R.C.A. sound system. Hoylake Entertainments Ltd were the first and only owners and the cinema seated 638 patrons originally. Early prices (in 1951 ) were 10d to 2/–. Programmes were once nightly with matinees on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Cinemascope was installed in 1955 when the number of seats was reduced to cater for the new lines of sight.
The propreitor at the time of opening was W.O. Thomas. The cinema originally could seat 400 patrons at prices from 6d to 1/–. Programmes changed twice weekly, and shows were continmuous daily.
By 1952 the owners were Park Cinemas (Blaenau Festiniog) Ltd and seating had been reduced to 368 seats at prices of 9d to 1/6d.
The Empire was opened circa 1924, when the propreitor was listed as Captain Lewis Davies. This was probably incorrect as although he was still listed as propreitor in 1939, it is known that the owner was Captain Pritchard, who also owned cinemas in Criccieth, Pen y Groes and Caernarvon.
It ran on one show per ni8ght with three4 on Saturdays and changed programmes twice a week. Prices at opening were 5d to 1/3d. It could seat 400 patrons. By 1938 prices had changed to 6d to 1/–.
With the death of Captain Pritchard during WWII, the other cinemas were purchased by Paramount, but they declined the ‘Empire’ probably because of the amount of competition, and it was closed in 1945.
The talk of re-opening in 1995 was true. The former cinema was taken on lease(?) by Peter Moore, who owned the Empire, Holyhead, but was thwarted when he was arrested, tried and jailed for life for the murder of four homosexuals. This closed the Empire as well and left two other former cinemas he planned to re-open ‘in limbo’.
Last saw this former cinema last year when it was empty, having been recently used as the local Labour Party HQ.
When running as a cinema, it unusually had an outside projection box, to comply with the 1909 cinematograph act, which overhung the street. This was demolished long ago.
The original owner was Captain W.E. Pritchard, who also owned cinemas in Pwllheli,Blaenau Festiniog, Pen y Groes and Caernarvon. Fopllowing his death the cinemas were sold to Paramount Picture Theatres in 1945 and it was the death of Guy Baker, that groups owner that caused closure of the Coliseum in 1983. All Bakers cinemas closed following his death. The cinemas projectionist who stayed on when it re-opened on a volunteer basis was Bob Piercy, who was the longest serving projectionist in the world when he eventually passed away.
The Pola must have been the ONLY cinema in the U.K. not to have its seating reduced when cinemascope was introduced the!
As opened the theatre could seat 800 patrons. The proscenium was 27 feet wide, not 24, and its prices were 6d to 1/3d in the first year it went over to film only. Sound system was a British Acoustic sound system.Two dressing rooms were provided for the stage performers.
By 1951 seating had been reduced to 650 seats (reason not known) and its prices were 10d to 2/–.
In recent years it has gained the legend of having been haunted during its time as a cinema, although by whom is unknown. Balcony customers have reported being continually disturbed by someone wanting to get to a seat beyond where they were sitting or wishing to access the exit doors, but when they went to complain about this they found that they were the only person in the row!
Early picture shows were held here by William Haggar and Arthur Cheetham (and possibly John Codman), the Welsh Cinema Pioneers, in the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1966 the lessee was a J.L. Briddon and the venue seated 350 patrons. Cinemascope was fitted circa 1955 with a 20 foot wide screen in the 25 feet proscenium.
The cinema was open from Easter to October (closed throughout the winter) with one show daily on Tuesdays to Frisdays. There were two changes of programme per week. Admission was 2/– to 4/6d in 1966.
The Welsh Cinema pioneers Arthur Cheetham and William Haggar are known to have put on shows here in the first decade of the twentieth century. The Cinema was known as the Towyn Cinema from at least 1951 (Kinematograph Yearbook)and had a British Thomson-Houston sound system. The propreitor in 1966 was H.T. Parks of Prestatyn. Cinema scope was fitted in 1955 on a 31 foot 6 inches screen when the cinema held 400 seated patrons, and admission was 2/– to 3/–.
There were three4 changes of programme per week with shows continuous from 6.30pm Monday to Friday and from 6.00pm on Saturdays. No shows at that time on Sundays.
The Lessee in 1951 (and apparently from around 1940 until closure was Mr. G.E.H. James, who also ran cinemas at Llanfairfechan, Menai Bridge, Bethesda, Dolgellau, Llanberis, and Llanrwst. It was he who installed the British Thompson-Houston sound system and admission prices in 1951 were 1/– to 2/–.
On the 25th June 2008 the Real Institute announced it was now homeless as the commitee of the Memorial Hall wanted to use the Hall for a different purpose. It is not known what has become of it.
Sometime in the 1950’s the cinema came under the contol of Guy Bakers Paramount Pictures Circuit. After his death in 1983 the Victoria, as it was still known at the time, closed, as did all Guy Bakers cinemas. It re-opened when Bala Council purchased it to stop its permanent closure.
Unfortunately its future is again in doubt as Gwynedd Council announced in May this year that they were putting the cinema up for sale to curtail their costs on the building and to raise much needed funds. What will happen? One hope is that the people of Bala club together to save their cinema, much like the people of Porthmadog did in 1983. Unless someone reading this wants to buy a cinema, That is.
Following its nightclub days it featured as a “concert” venue and the Rolling Stones played here just before they became really famous.
Sorry Carol, but part of your memory has faded, “Rock around the Clock” was shown at the Palace, not the Florida! and as the Police Station was situated directly across the road from the Palace, anyone who tried to jive was very quickly arrested and taken away!
The ballroom was not at the rear of the cinema as stated, but a seperate building higher up Bruce Grove, and was situated above a parade of shops, probably owned (or built) by the cinemas owners.
The CLIVE Cinema was NOT demolished but still stands in Church street, now converted into flats with a motor vehicle reapir shop where the old foyer used to be. A Plaque commemorates its history as the old Red Lion flannel mill and Clive Cinema, attached to the former front. I visited it and photographed it on the 10th June this year (2009)
Also, was Ian Belion at the Regent Newtown prior or after the installation of Cinemascope? This reduced the seating of both the Pola and the Regent to 624 and 564 seats respectively from the 800 as originally built. Lines of sight Ian.