Coliseum Cinema

The Coliseum Cinema opened on 20th July 1931 with Greta Garbo in "Romance". Seating was provided for 630 in stalls and circle levels. It was operated by Captain E. Pritchard. By 1947 it was operated by Paramount Picture Theatres Ltd.

The game of bingo was introduced one night a week in the 1970’s. The Coliseum Cinema was closed in September 1983 with "Friday the 13th - Part III". There was a large protest at the closure and the local townspeople rallied together and launched their own company to run the cinema.

It re-opened on 6th July 1984 with Kevin Bacon in "Footloose". The original 1931 projectors were replaced in 1994, when Barclay’s Bank donated some ‘nearly-new’ projectors that had been in their training cinema in London. The Coliseum Cinema was staffed by volunteers.

It was closed in late-January 2011, but there were hopes it could soon re-open. It was not to be, as demolition was completed in February 2016.

Recent comments (view all 22 comments)

Mike Rogers on November 4, 2011 at 3:38 pm

Good read,thanks for the insight.

Eric Evans on March 12, 2012 at 1:42 pm

Just uploaded another photo of the former equipment, please just click on photos.

Eric Evans on March 20, 2012 at 10:40 am

I’ve added a couple of photos of the present equipment.

Eric Evans on May 2, 2013 at 7:46 am

I’ve uploaded new photo of the Coliseum, now in arather sorry state but they are still hoping to reopen. The new commitee are hopefull of securing a grant to refurbish the building. But I have not heard mention of going digital,not being what you would call (cinema people) I hope they realise there is no option, or at least there won’t be in the near future.

Mike_Blakemore on May 2, 2013 at 9:08 am

Hmm. There is no choice, by the end of this year no more 35mm… They must have digital.. The are current problems in getting prints of films.. Mind you have always been told that there is a shortage of prints.. Thankfully I have retired.. and I have not got the worry of finding the money to do it….

Eric Evans on March 2, 2016 at 8:03 am

I’ve uploaded 6 photos of the Coliseum being demolished. Pictures taken March 1st 2016.

Ken Roe on March 2, 2016 at 10:16 am

I’ve uploaded 6 photographs of the Coliseum Cinema taken on 22nd April 2003 during a visit by the Cinema Theatre Association.

Eric Evans on March 3, 2016 at 5:11 am

Nice photos Mr Rowe.

Eric Evans on March 3, 2016 at 5:38 am

The town of Porthmadog has a site on Facebook (Old photos of Porthmadog,so I’ve informed the members and told them to visit the Cinema Treasures site in order to view the photos.

tegwenhaf1980 on June 14, 2016 at 12:05 pm

Hi everyone, I am the administrator of the Facebook Old photos of Porthmadog group – I have now started a separate one for the Coliseum

There are no photos of the demolition as it actually is rather upsetting for those of us who fought to keep it open or at least the building from being demolished.

Enjoy and please join x

https://www.facebook.com/groups/henluniauhanescoliseum/

Diolch / Thanks

Tegwen Haf