Grand Cinema

The Grand Cinema was opened in December 1935. It was built and operated by the Murkett Brothers. The cinema suffered some damage during World War II and the facade was modified. This cinema now possesses one of the most ugly facades that I have ever seen. It is best described as Peterborough brick under white paint. Inside the auditorium, it had a 35 feet wide proscenium and there was also a ballroom attached. The Grand Cinema was taken over by new operators in 1958.

I watched a film there in 1974 and was deafened by a sound system that was over and above what would normally be acceptable.

In later years, bingo was tried out, but films soon returned. The rear stalls floor was leveled out to create a bar area, and the front stalls seating was removed and the area used by the community as a disco at certain times, with the audience for films being seated the balcony only. The Grand Cinema closed on 17th June 2005 after it was purchased by the local Council to be re-developed, with proposed housing to be built on the site.

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