Palace Cinema
High Street,
Conwy,
LL32 8DB
High Street,
Conwy,
LL32 8DB
1 person
favorited this theater
Located in the North Wales town of Conwy (originally known as Conway, Carnarvon). The Palace Cinema opened on 6th January 1936 with Hugh Williams in "Lieutenant Daring R.N.".
It was designed by architect Sydney Colwyn Foulkes for independent operator Mr H. Christmas Jones. The front of the building was originally a Georgean house which had been in use as a bank for many years. It was built of grey weather-worn stone, fitting in nicely with the old townscape. Behind this was built the modern cinema’s auditorium block. Inside the auditorium was rather plain, but there was a reason for this. The lighting was by Holophane, which was able to bathe the auditorium in over 400 tints and hues of colour. There are six silvered columns on each side of the proscenium opening which reflected the lighting. Across the top of the proscenium were panels in silver, which showed the faces of leading film stars of the 1930’s. The ceiling was a plain ‘dome’ which had the Holophane lighting ‘played’ onto it. There was a cafe located in the balcony foyer which provided refreshments to patrons.
Of all the cinemas that were built in the U.K. in 1936, the Palace Cinema received the title ‘Cinema of the Year’ and the architect was given a ‘special design award’.
In the 1970’s occasional stage shows were included in the programming. The proscenium was 28 feet wide and two dressing rooms had been provided. It became a part-time bingo club, playing Thursday through Saturday, with films on Sunday-Wednesday. The Palace Cinema closed on January 14, 1986 with Helen LangenKamp in “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. It was converted into an independently operated bingo club, which operated until its closing in early-2013. The vacant building was ‘For Sale’ in December 2024.
The former Palace Cinema is a Grade II Listed building.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Some exterior photographs from October 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/52962040/
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/206611807/
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/52961934/
Close-ups of details:
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/52962077/
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/52961999/
http://flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/21651195/
An interior photo from around 1981 here:–
View link
The Palace Cinema closed for the final time on January 14, 1986 with “Nightmare On Elm Street” due the theater being the victim of video according to the management. The Palace last served as both a first-run movie theater and a bingo club.
November 2024 - up for sale. Agent’s notes: ‘This fantastic property has been in ownership by the same family since 1972 and it is the first time on the open market for over 50 years. ACCOMMODATION Eitherside of the main entrance into the Palace Bingo and Social club are two lock up retail shops with a restaurant above (known as Jackdaw). The bingo hall closed in early 2013. Viewings by appointment only and businesess are not included in the sale.
Included are 2 lock up shops paying £400.00 per month and a lock up restaurant, in total producing circa £20,000.00 per annum. Palace Bingo and Social Club GROUND FLOOR 20m x 33m circa 7180 Square Foot 1st Floor presently arranged with seating circa 2350 Square Foot. FREEHOLD: £800,000.00’