Odeon Queensway
Holloway Circus, Queensway,
Birmingham,
B5
Holloway Circus, Queensway,
Birmingham,
B5
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cinecenta, Rank Organisation, Star Cinemas
Previous Names: Compton Cinema Club, Cinecenta Cineclub, Cinecenta Cinemas
Nearby Theaters
The Cinecenta was a project of Cinecenta Ltd. who specialised in art house films. It opened as the Compton Cinema Club on December 7, 1965 screening uncensored adult films. On 21st August 1977 became the 200 seat Cineclub still screening uncensored films. A second screen opened on 10th June 1979 screening mainstream films and the seating capacities were now 114 and 113.
From December 1979 the cinemas were taken over by the Star Cinemas circuit and both screens became public cinemas from 1980. Closed on 26th March 1983 they were taken over by the Rank Organisation and re-furbished to re-open on 18th December 1983 as the Odeon Queensway, becoming a part of the former Scala Superama Cinema/Odeon Ringway which was located next door.
All the screens of the Odeon Queensway closed on 18th September 1988 and have been left empty and unused ever since.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Photos from 1988 here:–
Interior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4947254149/
Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4947254389/
One of the better cinemas from my childhood – this was the place where I saw STAR WARS on it’s original run in 1978 and on a 70mm reissue in 1979. I also saw the likes of LORD OF THE RINGS, ALIENS, CROCODILE DUNDEE, SHORT CIRCUIT, KARATE KID PART 2. By 1987 though, the audiences had dwindled with the likes of CREEPSHOW 2 and SPACEBALLS not getting the audiences. Much missed by long remembered.
You would think that these dormant screens would make a profit now if they re-opened again..
Biffaskin.. I would like to see them re-open. But alas The Rates on these 3 screens was eyewatering. They paid far more rates then the Alexandra Theatre and The Rep. Some years ago I did a study for a City Councillor On the finances of Birmingham Theatres as against the Commercial operations Like for like The Birmingham Odeon Theatre (Live) as against The Hippodrome Now that was an education Hippodrome paid more then double the cleaning cost of the Odeon using the same contractor On the other The Hippodrome only paid 32% of the rates The Odeon New St was charged. I must add I did put the Cat amongst the Pigeons :)
Grand opening ad posted
This reopened as Cinecenta on August 21st, 1977, to the public. It was the Compton cineclub 24.
This opened as the Compton Cinema Club on December 7th, 1965, showing adult movies for members who paid ten shillings.