Well, it may have had a reprieve. A property agent (who specializes in pubs) now have a to let sign on the front of the building! Their website suggests it is available freehold or leasehold.
Sorry for the delay in reply, ritzman. You may well be right about Eric. I’m not sure the fate of the organ, but I believe he had the pipes built into an upstairs room, so I don’t know how easy it would be to remove from the house! Perhaps a local historian might have more information?
As mentioned above, this cinema’s future past the end of the month is uncertain.
The sad thing is that it is not due to lack of bums on seats – it’s because distributors will no longer carry expensive 35mm prints of the latest films, and they cannot afford digital equipment.
The Silver Screen Cinema has been open for nearly 25 years and ended a two-year period without a cinema when the Cannon closed. That cinema was, in turn, open since 1912.
It looks like the fate of this cinema is sealed. Planning permission has been submitted to convert it into flats. As always with Shepway District Council, it was done in a hush-hush manner and it would seem no objections were filed. The decision seems to be overdue.
Andy, have you tried talking to Eric Hart in Chart Road, Folkestone about the organ? He has the old organ from the Folkestone Savoy in his front room! As it says it was sold to an enthusiast, he may know who that was.
Well, it may have had a reprieve. A property agent (who specializes in pubs) now have a to let sign on the front of the building! Their website suggests it is available freehold or leasehold.
http://www.sidneyphillips.co.uk/fulldetails.php?prn=37950
It was in a sad state, but still standing, when I went past it yesterday. However, it would appear the council are forcing the owners to demolish it:
http://www.courier.co.uk/Latest-ABC-cinema-site-Tunbridge-Wells/story-20529060-detail/story.html
Sorry for the delay in reply, ritzman. You may well be right about Eric. I’m not sure the fate of the organ, but I believe he had the pipes built into an upstairs room, so I don’t know how easy it would be to remove from the house! Perhaps a local historian might have more information?
As mentioned above, this cinema’s future past the end of the month is uncertain.
The sad thing is that it is not due to lack of bums on seats – it’s because distributors will no longer carry expensive 35mm prints of the latest films, and they cannot afford digital equipment.
Here are some articles from the local paper:
http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk/Cinema-s-future-hangs-hope-digital-projector/story-20528093-detail/story.html
http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk/Silver-Screen-Cinema-petition-reaches-2-000/story-20781699-detail/story.html
There is an online petition to the local council:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/save-our-cinema-silverscreen-folkestone
The Silver Screen Cinema has been open for nearly 25 years and ended a two-year period without a cinema when the Cannon closed. That cinema was, in turn, open since 1912.
It looks like the fate of this cinema is sealed. Planning permission has been submitted to convert it into flats. As always with Shepway District Council, it was done in a hush-hush manner and it would seem no objections were filed. The decision seems to be overdue.
http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MR3S45NZ03R00
Apparently Cineworld will be closing this cinema in 2013.
This cinema was due to be turned into a nightclub, but plans were abandoned this year and it looked like it was to be knocked down:
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/colchester/9457694.Owner_of_old_Odeon_in_Colchester_says_he_may_pull_it_down/
However, it has now been put on the market… for £1.5 million!
http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/colchester/9572446.Derelict_Odeon_cinema_is_up_for_sale_at___1_5m/
If you fancy owning your own cinema, here’s the sale page:
http://www.whybrow.net/pr_details.php?id=833
Andy, have you tried talking to Eric Hart in Chart Road, Folkestone about the organ? He has the old organ from the Folkestone Savoy in his front room! As it says it was sold to an enthusiast, he may know who that was.