Gaumont Chester
87 Brook Street,
Chester,
CH1 3DY
87 Brook Street,
Chester,
CH1 3DY
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Grand opening ad posted.
Very interesting site re Chester Cinemas compiled by David A Ellis, Peter Davies (former Chief Projectionist – Odeon Chester) and Roger Shone:–
https://www.chestercinemas.co.uk/
The former cinema is more to the south than on this map, on Brookdale Place, next to the canal.
Some images of the former Gaumont here (including the restaurant mentioned above:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5602125611/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5602709772/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5602709556/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5602709328/
The first Sunday show at the Gaumont was ‘These Glamour Girls’ and ‘Within The Law’ screened on 3rd November 1940.
Vincent Dunning, who worked at the Gaumont and the Music Hall in the 1940s tells me that the news at the the Gaumont was shared with the Majestic and the news at the Odeon was shared with the Music Hall.
Glady’s Coventry, who became Glady’s Barnes started work at the Gaumont restaurant in 1941 aged seventeen. Her weekly wage was seventeen shillings and sixpence, eighty seven and a half pence. The restaurant was open from 10am – 9pm, later closing at 8pm. A three couse meal could be had for one shilling and sixpence (seven and a half pence). When the price was put up to two shillings people complained, so a small coffee was added. Glady’s was in the restaurant cash desk for thirteen years and eventually became assistant manageress. A Mrs Sumpter and a Mrs Pincher’s carried out the cooking. Unlike today, tea, which was silver service, would be served to the cinema patrons. “Sugar was in cubes, not the packet type you get today.” said Glady’s. As for the food. Glady’s recalls the delicious cream cakes that were on offer. Glady’s served tea to several stars that performed at the theatre, including Adam Faith, Billy Fury and Cliff Richard, who sang to her. A Mr Bill Clarke was the last chef
Here is a view of the rear and stage house of the former Gaumont Palace:
http://flickr.com/photos/ddvx/220870762/