Grand Cinema

Henry Claypole must have been the original “Yuppie”, because by 1924 he was not only the MANAGER, BUT Managing Director of Grand Cinema Co. Ltd., the owners of the cinema! In 1924 he was presiding over 2 shows per night and two changes of programme per week at prices of 2d to 1/6d. In 1938 the 550 seats were priced at 4d to 1/6d, still with 2 shows/night and 2 changes of programme per week. 1951 saw only changes in prices to 1/– to 2/9d and the addition of a saturday matinee. By 1966 Cinemascope had been installed on a 32foot x 12 foot screen with the proscenium 32 feet wide.420 seats were available at 1/6d to 4/– and there was one show daily at 7.30pm with 2 on saturdays from 5.30pm. 3 changes of programme per week was now the norm.