This Cinema has sadly closed recently .I am hoping the projectionist/manager will come on here soon to give more details. Looking through the front door though I can see that work has commenced taking down the internal signs and lightboxes..Very sad as this was the last traditionally operating cinemas in South Gwent
Hi Eric, how are you , its martin i have bought photos from you on ebay in the past.
I visited this cinema many times in the 90s . My mate and I would alternate weekly between this one and the Odeon Queen Street depending on which film we wanted to see.
there were three main cinemas in cardiff central shopping area then as I remember, they were The A B C and Odeon Queen Street and the capitol Odeon. Now sadly there is only one and its none of the above its the Cineworld multiplex behind St davids 2 shopping centre.
I do find it quite strange that Chris Plaister hasnt posted anything on here himself regarding his project in the former Odeon you would think it an ideal place to advertise for voluonteers. this site is 100% patronised by cinema enthusiasts. If he hasnt told anyone how can he expect anyone to help.
This was a great cinema I visited it many times in the 90s. It could be arguably classed as one of the earlier purpose built multi screen cinemas. It also had a small internal Bar/cafe area. the posters were displayed in light boxes on an internal wall just inside the entrance doors. you then went down a few steps into the ticket ares were you bought your ticket the “lobby” was quite narrow and included the ticket desks to the left and then further in on the right was the concessions stand.
at the end of the short lobby you would turn left and upstairs to see your film in the selected cinema.
If memory serves me right the cimemas 5 screens were spread tightly on two floors with flights of stairs up.
the exterior of the old Odeon in Newport is still looks in remarkably good condition. all of the original tiles are still in place. It also still has its original canopy .the roof was leaking last time i was in there primarily in the derelict projection room and I think this would be quite expensive to rectify.
I love this old cinema. As I have said before its a miracle its still standing as it hasnt been used as a cinema since 1981, which will be 30 years next year.
This cinema operated as a one screen cinema until its decline in the late 70s, as the auditorium was never sub divided.
martin
Hi
I was involved in the above film and was glad to give my own tribute to this very special cinema.
the film is very professional in its finish and quite sad as well.
Anyone who visited the cinema over the years would im sure acknowledge it was a great place to see a film.
I pass the Building every day on my way to work and still get a pang of sadness to think that I will never see a film in there again.
the exterior is prettymuch the same and you could still tell that this “hotel” started out life as a 1960s ABC cinema. but now in place of the familiar ABC sign there is “Travelodge” and in place of the huge auditorium are many hotel rooms. were there were seats now beds lay in their place. now customers sleep as residents instead of patrons and film fans.
this cinema had a 40 year history of film presentation its huge screen showed films such as Jaws,superman ,ET, Jurassic Park and Star Wars.
Those who visited in the 90s Saw the cinema pretty much as it looked in the 1960s as the interior didnt change alot .
People didnt realise it at the time but when they visited the ABC in Newport they were seeing a film in great surroundings with great staff serving you in an old fashioned “wonderful” way.l
Go to Cineworld Newport and that is gone forever. your ticket is ripped by a spotty tennager and you watch your film on the big screen in sterile unispired surroundings. the romance is dead .
Hi Tim
All seems good for the Odeon york at the moment ..Reel is a great company.. Kept my local (and favourite cinema) The ABC Newport Wales open beyond its years. Hope to visit the York “Odeon” again soon I last visited In 2002 so another visit is well overdue.
best wishes Tim … Martin
So glad to hear that the odeon in york has had an apparent saviour in “Reel” cinemas. they are a great company. they took on My local cinema some years ago (ABC Newport Wales) and struggled for the last year and a half, but didnt give up until they had to.
Hope that they succeed with the Odeon York. I visited the cinema in 2002 and loved it even though it was in a bad state of repair it still had alot of original features.
this cinema closed some time ago and the building is now used as a childrens playgroup.
I went there to see a film a few years ago. the interior was well maintained. the cinema was operated by one man who sold you your ticket served you your drink , sweets etc and also operated the projector.
the projection room was tiny and housed a large ancient looking projector.
the auditorium was small but comfortable and had modern seating.
….martin
the “Newport City Church” has now vacated the building. Probably due to high running costs and an ever increasing list of repairs that needed doing.
martin
the conversion of the cinema into a hotel is now all but complete. and looks as though it will be open will be open very soon. the cinema interior was completely gutted and rebuilt during the last 10 months. the exterior was also changed slightly with some of the brickwork rendered and painted. the entrance to the hotel is going to be through what was the original cinema entrance.
martin
When Newly opened The lobby looked somewhat Different to how it looks today. There was a milk bar on the right hand side past the ticket desk which sold soft drinks milkshakes and icecream.
As you entered the main doors there was quite a large virgin gift shop selling film merchandise and memorabilia.
the lobby also had a clock projected onto the wall.
there was a premium screen in the cinema with large seats and a snack pack when you bought your ticket. the premium screen also had its own bar. Now most new multiplexes have premium seats but in 1997 it was new an unusual. this screen still exists within the cinema.
Martin
the cinema closed on 3.4.08.
demolition of the interior is now in full swing.
the interior will now be redeveloped and the buildings use changed to a hotel.
this cinema is going to close for good on thursday 3.4.08.
thus ending a long history of entertainment venues on this site (to include the Lyceum Theatre/cinema).
the present cinema building is almost 40 years old and was the last purpose built Functioning city centre cinema in newport.
hope to see a few of you on the last night to say good bye to the ABC.
A lovely cinema utilising an older building ,also noted because it is located in a rural area with no real local compitition, ,long may it reign
what a beautiful old lady this theatre is..shame so many of her conteparies have already died….
This Cinema has sadly closed recently .I am hoping the projectionist/manager will come on here soon to give more details. Looking through the front door though I can see that work has commenced taking down the internal signs and lightboxes..Very sad as this was the last traditionally operating cinemas in South Gwent
hi peter.. hope you see this i lost your details my mobile broke and i lost your number… martin
Cool photo when i go hunting i love photographing them when they are like this (although very sad to see them derelict) regards martin
Hi Eric, how are you , its martin i have bought photos from you on ebay in the past. I visited this cinema many times in the 90s . My mate and I would alternate weekly between this one and the Odeon Queen Street depending on which film we wanted to see. there were three main cinemas in cardiff central shopping area then as I remember, they were The A B C and Odeon Queen Street and the capitol Odeon. Now sadly there is only one and its none of the above its the Cineworld multiplex behind St davids 2 shopping centre.
the web address above is wrong my website is www.walesvintage cinema.com its a work in progress and I am hoping to add to it on a regular basis.
martin
I do find it quite strange that Chris Plaister hasnt posted anything on here himself regarding his project in the former Odeon you would think it an ideal place to advertise for voluonteers. this site is 100% patronised by cinema enthusiasts. If he hasnt told anyone how can he expect anyone to help.
This was a great cinema I visited it many times in the 90s. It could be arguably classed as one of the earlier purpose built multi screen cinemas. It also had a small internal Bar/cafe area. the posters were displayed in light boxes on an internal wall just inside the entrance doors. you then went down a few steps into the ticket ares were you bought your ticket the “lobby” was quite narrow and included the ticket desks to the left and then further in on the right was the concessions stand.
at the end of the short lobby you would turn left and upstairs to see your film in the selected cinema.
If memory serves me right the cimemas 5 screens were spread tightly on two floors with flights of stairs up.
martin
my site… www.walesvintagecinema.com
Please visit my website www.walesvintagecinema.com
the exterior of the old Odeon in Newport is still looks in remarkably good condition. all of the original tiles are still in place. It also still has its original canopy .the roof was leaking last time i was in there primarily in the derelict projection room and I think this would be quite expensive to rectify.
I love this old cinema. As I have said before its a miracle its still standing as it hasnt been used as a cinema since 1981, which will be 30 years next year.
This cinema operated as a one screen cinema until its decline in the late 70s, as the auditorium was never sub divided.
martin
Please visit my website www.walesvintagecinemas.com
Martin
please visit my website www.walesvintagecinema.com
martin
Hi
I was involved in the above film and was glad to give my own tribute to this very special cinema.
the film is very professional in its finish and quite sad as well.
Anyone who visited the cinema over the years would im sure acknowledge it was a great place to see a film.
I pass the Building every day on my way to work and still get a pang of sadness to think that I will never see a film in there again.
the exterior is prettymuch the same and you could still tell that this “hotel” started out life as a 1960s ABC cinema. but now in place of the familiar ABC sign there is “Travelodge” and in place of the huge auditorium are many hotel rooms. were there were seats now beds lay in their place. now customers sleep as residents instead of patrons and film fans.
this cinema had a 40 year history of film presentation its huge screen showed films such as Jaws,superman ,ET, Jurassic Park and Star Wars.
Those who visited in the 90s Saw the cinema pretty much as it looked in the 1960s as the interior didnt change alot .
People didnt realise it at the time but when they visited the ABC in Newport they were seeing a film in great surroundings with great staff serving you in an old fashioned “wonderful” way.l
Go to Cineworld Newport and that is gone forever. your ticket is ripped by a spotty tennager and you watch your film on the big screen in sterile unispired surroundings. the romance is dead .
Hi Tim
All seems good for the Odeon york at the moment ..Reel is a great company.. Kept my local (and favourite cinema) The ABC Newport Wales open beyond its years. Hope to visit the York “Odeon” again soon I last visited In 2002 so another visit is well overdue.
best wishes Tim … Martin
Hi
I think i have an early image of this cinema.. If I sent you a copy could you confirm .
regards
martin
Hi Tim
So glad to hear that the odeon in york has had an apparent saviour in “Reel” cinemas. they are a great company. they took on My local cinema some years ago (ABC Newport Wales) and struggled for the last year and a half, but didnt give up until they had to.
Hope that they succeed with the Odeon York. I visited the cinema in 2002 and loved it even though it was in a bad state of repair it still had alot of original features.
best regards
martin
this cinema closed some time ago and the building is now used as a childrens playgroup.
I went there to see a film a few years ago. the interior was well maintained. the cinema was operated by one man who sold you your ticket served you your drink , sweets etc and also operated the projector.
the projection room was tiny and housed a large ancient looking projector.
the auditorium was small but comfortable and had modern seating.
….martin
the “Newport City Church” has now vacated the building. Probably due to high running costs and an ever increasing list of repairs that needed doing.
martin
the conversion of the cinema into a hotel is now all but complete. and looks as though it will be open will be open very soon. the cinema interior was completely gutted and rebuilt during the last 10 months. the exterior was also changed slightly with some of the brickwork rendered and painted. the entrance to the hotel is going to be through what was the original cinema entrance.
martin
James
the projectionist from above. I have tried e mailing you several times with no success. I would love to hear from you.
get back to me.
martin
When Newly opened The lobby looked somewhat Different to how it looks today. There was a milk bar on the right hand side past the ticket desk which sold soft drinks milkshakes and icecream.
As you entered the main doors there was quite a large virgin gift shop selling film merchandise and memorabilia.
the lobby also had a clock projected onto the wall.
there was a premium screen in the cinema with large seats and a snack pack when you bought your ticket. the premium screen also had its own bar. Now most new multiplexes have premium seats but in 1997 it was new an unusual. this screen still exists within the cinema.
Martin
the cinema closed on 3.4.08.
demolition of the interior is now in full swing.
the interior will now be redeveloped and the buildings use changed to a hotel.
martin
m
Hi All
this cinema is going to close for good on thursday 3.4.08.
thus ending a long history of entertainment venues on this site (to include the Lyceum Theatre/cinema).
the present cinema building is almost 40 years old and was the last purpose built Functioning city centre cinema in newport.
hope to see a few of you on the last night to say good bye to the ABC.
martin