More on the redevelopment here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe301q4vn9o
Internal areas being excavated as of May 2024 with the building covered in scaffolding.
Auditorium area has been cleared although the charity shop remains in the entrance block. Site still vacant. View the demolition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz_REBnLz20
The Picture House at Fair Hill reopened as the Phoenix on Monday 31 August 1964 with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in McLintock playing one house Tuesday to Friday and two houses Mondays and Saturdays with children’s matinees on Saturday mornings. Proprietor Thomas Quinn, 400 seats, architects Cosgrove, Rooney and McConville. Opening ceremony by Mr J.P. Duff chairman of Tyrone County Council manager George Dardis. Rebuilt following the fire of 1961. There was an Electric Picture House at Fair Hill from at least 1918 but plain old Picture House by 1932.
Former owner Phil Richardson died in March this year aged 90. More here: https://www.tyronecon.co.uk/news/2023/03/23/gallery/cinema-pioneer-who-brought-big-titles-to-local-screens-laid-to-rest-41682/
Video of the abandoned cinema at the following link: https://www.thesun.ie/money/10310055/abandoned-omagh-cinema-fully-fitted-popcorn-property-tiktok/#:~:text=MOST%20READ%20IN%20THE%20IRISH%20SUN&text=It%27s%20clear%20the%20cinema%20shut,scattered%20around%20the%20snack%20stand
The cinema was due to reopen on 30 September 2021 according to the press. More here: https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/19603466.film-fans-prepare-open-new-lume-cinema-kidderminster/ suggesting it is still a 4-screen.
Not the easiest place to get to. It’s a good idea to enter from the north side of the shopping centre otherwise you go up and down again to get over the road in the middle.
Chicago’s in the former auditorium closed for the pandemic in 2020 and never reopened. You tube link featuring the abandoned building at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ3QUXxka1g. More on the flats scheme here: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/apartment-block-plans-would-see-6451652. The Boston bar in the foyer, formerly Revolution, is also boarded up as are many properties in the town!!!
Site occupied by Emlyn Hughes House, HQ of the Furness Building Society. There is a statue of Emlyn, who was born in the town, directly outside.
More on the redevelopment here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqe301q4vn9o Internal areas being excavated as of May 2024 with the building covered in scaffolding.
Period picture of the Empire on the page here: https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/18256839.wilfred-strongest-briton—michael-nostalgia-column/
More on this theatre here: https://www.wadaos.org/single-post/whitehaven-s-lost-treasure
Some interesting shots of the Gaiety at: https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/gaiety-cinema-whitehaven-nov-2009-report.44916/
Site now a parade of shops.
Auditorium area has been cleared although the charity shop remains in the entrance block. Site still vacant. View the demolition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz_REBnLz20
The frieze is displayed on Watergate outside the Cast building just a few yards from the Savoy cinema.
Old bingo area downstairs is now a hospice charity shop. Foyer upstairs used as an exhibition area for local development plans.
You forgot to mention the school tuck shop Zappo. Seating in screens as follows: 1) 128 2) 129 3) 135 4) 58 5) 341 6) 272 7) 105 8) 65 9) 208 10) 135 11) 145 12) 205 13) 87 14) 65 15) 127 16) 133 17) 307 18) 57 19) 57 20) 58.
Opening night 1.11.31 with Jailbirds starring Laurel & Hardy.
The Medway was advertising from summer 1948 until 1953 and was billed as “a small cinema with a big reputation”
Phoenix closed temporarily April 1984 but hadn’t readvertised in the press by the end of 1985. Still being checked out.
The Picture House at Fair Hill reopened as the Phoenix on Monday 31 August 1964 with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in McLintock playing one house Tuesday to Friday and two houses Mondays and Saturdays with children’s matinees on Saturday mornings. Proprietor Thomas Quinn, 400 seats, architects Cosgrove, Rooney and McConville. Opening ceremony by Mr J.P. Duff chairman of Tyrone County Council manager George Dardis. Rebuilt following the fire of 1961. There was an Electric Picture House at Fair Hill from at least 1918 but plain old Picture House by 1932.
The Royal closed after the last performance of Underworld USA on 20 August 1964 due to the reopening of the Picture House/Phoenix.
Former owner Phil Richardson died in March this year aged 90. More here: https://www.tyronecon.co.uk/news/2023/03/23/gallery/cinema-pioneer-who-brought-big-titles-to-local-screens-laid-to-rest-41682/
Video of the abandoned cinema at the following link: https://www.thesun.ie/money/10310055/abandoned-omagh-cinema-fully-fitted-popcorn-property-tiktok/#:~:text=MOST%20READ%20IN%20THE%20IRISH%20SUN&text=It%27s%20clear%20the%20cinema%20shut,scattered%20around%20the%20snack%20stand
The cinema was due to reopen on 30 September 2021 according to the press. More here: https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/19603466.film-fans-prepare-open-new-lume-cinema-kidderminster/ suggesting it is still a 4-screen.
Exact opening date for the public was 16 December.
Not the easiest place to get to. It’s a good idea to enter from the north side of the shopping centre otherwise you go up and down again to get over the road in the middle.
Chicago’s in the former auditorium closed for the pandemic in 2020 and never reopened. You tube link featuring the abandoned building at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ3QUXxka1g. More on the flats scheme here: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/apartment-block-plans-would-see-6451652. The Boston bar in the foyer, formerly Revolution, is also boarded up as are many properties in the town!!!
Souvenir shop as of May 2023 with an emporium full of collectables upstairs. Lego attraction in the former projection box.
Also had a spell as a shirt factory according to the local museum.
Branch of Pure Gym in May 2023. Sorry, site not uploading photos.
Carpet shop in the foyer area now seems to be have closed down.
The cinema is now operating as The Avenue and has a separate entry on the site. Kwik Save in the picture is now Poundland as of May 2023.