After the original Regent was bombed and until it was replaced 6 years later, a cinema was set up in the old Monastery building at the top of Conduit Hill. A poster for the Monastery Cinema was acquired by the CTA archive. Woodgates of Tenterden built the replacement Regent and also the house of a CTA member who worked in the new cinema projection box.
BBC South East Today broadcast an excellent farewell tribute to the Curzon, which closed around 7pm on Thursday 16th January. There had been no patrons in for a fortnight, but for Cats 10 turned up and 27 for the Last Christmas. Staff were interviewed and I took some photos off my TV to mark this sad occasion.
The photo with the car, captioned as taken at the time of opening is I think later, around 1929. A local journal gives the date 1929 which is one year after the release of the Cavalier.
The 8 screen Light Cinema opposite the station is well advanced with March 2020 as a likely opening date. This could affect the future of the cinema half of the New Century.
Cinema unfortunately in the news when a gang armed with machetes caused a fight and terrified families witnessed armed police arriving to close the cinema and deal with the situation on 23rd November, 2019
The nightclub continues as the Cameo with an entrance on the left side and as the Vinyl retro club on the right side, with a platformed dining area fronting the original entrance doors. Hen nights, birthday parties with VIP booths are on offer and special events like Halloween.www.cameonightclub.co.uk/Andover
The Odeon manager warns that those using screen 5 who are below 5ft 8 inches may have a restricted view. The foyer is 73 steps or a lift above the small entrance lobby and has café tables where 20 people can have a great view of Andover. The 4 screens are down a winding corridor past the sales kiosk. Not unexpectedly this does not feel like a typical Odeon. In contrast the adjacent Asda has a travellator from the ground floor.
Since the comments above the cinema has traded as Real China, a buffet service, but in October 2019, I found that only the front wall on the street survives. The register of listed buildings in the library does not include this address, but perhaps the streetscape will be preserved if nothing else.
Further research has revealed the foundation stone was laid on the 9th October, 1890 by the mayor of Deal, so the hall opened in 1892. The first film shown was the famous Biograph animated pictures transferred from London, from 5th March, 1906. Mr Collins' 18 foot screen showed pictures from 5th Nov, 1910 but the Royal became a fulltime cinema from 19th May, 1913.
On my visit in September, 2019 there was a big queue for the 10.30 am matinee of Downton Abbey and the bingo hall downstairs with separate entrance was still functioning.
Currently the cinema seats 52, and on my visit day the film (Mrs Lowry) was sold out at 7.30 pm. The bar is open for drinks and meals from around noon should you be passing..
The Savoy name has been recreated in the Little Savoy Community Picture House (behind Trinity Baptist Church in Robert Street) This shows vintage films free on Saturdayy plus family films two Friday evenings a month.
To cause confusion the florist has moved diagonally across the road and been replaced by a nail bar. The foyer area with green and cream paving is an antique/junk shop. To locate the site look left when approaching the cathedral. Martin Tapsell 9th Sept, 2019
The Embassy re-opened on Saturday Dec 7th, 1985 as the ABC, with a completely new look designed by Howard and Unick. Designer Nerissa Martin specially made the uniforms, Ray Quilter, chief engineer for ABC completely gutted the interior inside 2 weeks, providing new high backed seating new carpets, new kiosks and new toilets with designer ceramics. Prices were unchanged!
The Silver Screen remains open in the town hall as at mid 2019, but there is talk of a cinema being included in the Debenhams store which is marked for closure like many others.
£7,000 Funding for a new screen and seats from China were provided by Dover District Council and more films are showing, mainly on Mondays and some weekends. There is a printed programme under the title Astor Picturehouse.
The entire village has been recreated by a Knitting group, including the Plaza as a functioning cinema. Perhaps the first time that has happened, but shows the Plaza is well remembered. Pictured in Daily Mail 19/6/2019
Wetherspoon News for Summer 2019 records that Neil Sean has made a 12 minute film about the history of the cinema and the stars who appeared there in person. To be found on You Tube under “Memories of the Coronet”
After the original Regent was bombed and until it was replaced 6 years later, a cinema was set up in the old Monastery building at the top of Conduit Hill. A poster for the Monastery Cinema was acquired by the CTA archive. Woodgates of Tenterden built the replacement Regent and also the house of a CTA member who worked in the new cinema projection box.
This was reported in the Independent using the dates given above
A former work colleague says the cinema was owned by a distant relative by the name of Goodall and the silent film pianist was Mrs Mullard.
BBC South East Today broadcast an excellent farewell tribute to the Curzon, which closed around 7pm on Thursday 16th January. There had been no patrons in for a fortnight, but for Cats 10 turned up and 27 for the Last Christmas. Staff were interviewed and I took some photos off my TV to mark this sad occasion.
The view of the Cinema is dated 1985. The cinema had to make way for the International station and closed in 1992.
This view of the Cinema was taken in 1985 before the change of name. The cinema had to close in 1992 to make way for the International station.
The photo with the car, captioned as taken at the time of opening is I think later, around 1929. A local journal gives the date 1929 which is one year after the release of the Cavalier.
The 8 screen Light Cinema opposite the station is well advanced with March 2020 as a likely opening date. This could affect the future of the cinema half of the New Century.
Cinema unfortunately in the news when a gang armed with machetes caused a fight and terrified families witnessed armed police arriving to close the cinema and deal with the situation on 23rd November, 2019
The nightclub continues as the Cameo with an entrance on the left side and as the Vinyl retro club on the right side, with a platformed dining area fronting the original entrance doors. Hen nights, birthday parties with VIP booths are on offer and special events like Halloween.www.cameonightclub.co.uk/Andover
The Odeon manager warns that those using screen 5 who are below 5ft 8 inches may have a restricted view. The foyer is 73 steps or a lift above the small entrance lobby and has café tables where 20 people can have a great view of Andover. The 4 screens are down a winding corridor past the sales kiosk. Not unexpectedly this does not feel like a typical Odeon. In contrast the adjacent Asda has a travellator from the ground floor.
Since the comments above the cinema has traded as Real China, a buffet service, but in October 2019, I found that only the front wall on the street survives. The register of listed buildings in the library does not include this address, but perhaps the streetscape will be preserved if nothing else.
Further research has revealed the foundation stone was laid on the 9th October, 1890 by the mayor of Deal, so the hall opened in 1892. The first film shown was the famous Biograph animated pictures transferred from London, from 5th March, 1906. Mr Collins' 18 foot screen showed pictures from 5th Nov, 1910 but the Royal became a fulltime cinema from 19th May, 1913.
On my visit in September, 2019 there was a big queue for the 10.30 am matinee of Downton Abbey and the bingo hall downstairs with separate entrance was still functioning.
Currently the cinema seats 52, and on my visit day the film (Mrs Lowry) was sold out at 7.30 pm. The bar is open for drinks and meals from around noon should you be passing..
The Savoy name has been recreated in the Little Savoy Community Picture House (behind Trinity Baptist Church in Robert Street) This shows vintage films free on Saturdayy plus family films two Friday evenings a month.
To cause confusion the florist has moved diagonally across the road and been replaced by a nail bar. The foyer area with green and cream paving is an antique/junk shop. To locate the site look left when approaching the cathedral. Martin Tapsell 9th Sept, 2019
The Embassy re-opened on Saturday Dec 7th, 1985 as the ABC, with a completely new look designed by Howard and Unick. Designer Nerissa Martin specially made the uniforms, Ray Quilter, chief engineer for ABC completely gutted the interior inside 2 weeks, providing new high backed seating new carpets, new kiosks and new toilets with designer ceramics. Prices were unchanged!
From Facebook it appears SSVC removed the equipment from the Astra in Sept 2018 and the cinema has now been re-opened at time of writing (Aug, 2019)
The replacement flats have been named Oscar Lodge and are being let in July, 2019
The Silver Screen remains open in the town hall as at mid 2019, but there is talk of a cinema being included in the Debenhams store which is marked for closure like many others.
The Silver Screen near the library has remained open and is showing films, including classic films at about half the price of the Cineworld.
£7,000 Funding for a new screen and seats from China were provided by Dover District Council and more films are showing, mainly on Mondays and some weekends. There is a printed programme under the title Astor Picturehouse.
The entire village has been recreated by a Knitting group, including the Plaza as a functioning cinema. Perhaps the first time that has happened, but shows the Plaza is well remembered. Pictured in Daily Mail 19/6/2019
Wetherspoon News for Summer 2019 records that Neil Sean has made a 12 minute film about the history of the cinema and the stars who appeared there in person. To be found on You Tube under “Memories of the Coronet”