ABC Haymarket Newcastle upon Tyne

Originally opened as the Haymarket Cinema with Tom Walls in “Just Smith” on 21st December 1933. A project of Dixon Scott (who also commissioned the News Theatre on Pilgrim Street, now operating as the Tyneside Cinema), this was originally a comfortable city centre cinema of modest capacity (1,280 seats) which played second-run product. Its architectural style was Egyptian with interior decorations by M. Alexander & Son which were inspired by a Cairo cinema. The foyer featured friezes of camels & palm trees. There was a box located on each side of the proscenium at circle level. Dressing rooms were located under the stage. The booking policy was to play the best of what had been relinquished by the city’s main cinemas at that time, namely the Paramount(later Odeon), Queens Cinema (Queens Cinerama Theatre), Pavilion Cinema, Westgate (later Gaumont) and Stoll Picture Theatre (now Tyne Theatre and Opera House).

The owners claimed that the building was quite capable of seating 1,700 people, but that they wanted the best in comfort and legroom for their patrons.

Associated British Cinemas(ABC) acquired the property from Dixon Scott in September 1935 and extended its size considerably by lengthening the building. The alterations included the transfer of the projection suite from the circle wedge to above the rear circle and removal of the boxes beside the proscenium. The enlarged capacity was 2,013 and the new booking policy was to play first run M-G-M, Warner Bros and, naturally, Associated British Pictures when it reopened on 31st August 1936. The Haymarket Cinema suffered some damage from a fire in April 1942. Repairs were carried out and it reopened on 7th December 1942.

Although the ABC Haymarket was always a very busy cinema, it was to become disadvantaged by being compulsorily purchased by Newcastle University in the early-1950’s and leased back on relatively short leasehold periods to ABC subsequently. Newcastle University was never in a hurry to utilise the site to extend their premises but, by the same token, were not prepared to relinquish ownership of the building either. On 7th March 1971 the European Premiere of “Get Carter” starring Michael Cain was held at the ABC Haymarket. The film, which was filmed on location in Newcastle upon Tyne played for several weeks at the cinema.

Due to its short leasehold, ABC were never prepared to inject large capital sums into the building by widening the relatively narrow proscenium during the wide screen era of the 1950’s and 1960’s or by subdivision during the conversion era of the 1970’s and 1980’s. For this reason (and to retain a foothold in Newcastle) ABC, by now part of EMI, acquired the twinned Essoldo Cinema on Westgate Road in 1974. ABC programmed this very nice (and up to date) twin in conjunction with the ABC Haymarket Cinema until the latter’s closure on 20th September 1984, the final film was Prince in “Purple Rain”.

A rather sad end for what had once ranked as one of ABC’s busiest and most profitable cinemas in Great Britain. It was demolished in March 1985 with only the lower portion of the façade remaining. This was removed in 1987. The site became a car park for the University.

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

terry on July 2, 2015 at 2:36 pm

3 photos of the auditorium have been uploaded. Sadly, these were taken in the cleaners lights the day following closure and the theatre looks far from at its best as a consequence……

terry on March 22, 2016 at 4:25 pm

Image uploaded to photos section.

terry on June 23, 2016 at 6:44 am

Something never mentioned about the Haymarket: there was a very large restaurant on the first floor, the windows of which can be seen on all photos of the Front of House. Access was via large glass doors from the Dress Circle foyer.

It was the best cinema restaurant in Newcastle in terms of size and position with a panoramic vista of the busy Haymarket and the top of Northumberland Street.

It was used for V.I.P./Press Receptions until Newcastle University acquired it (as part of their Archaeology Dept) after when receptions were held in the offices/rear circle foyer area. If it was a particularly large function a nearby hotel suite would be hired.

I had a photograph of Tony Hancock with G.M, C D E Parkin in the restaurant for the launch of either ‘The Rebel’ or ‘The Punch and Judy Man’ and – guess what – I have mislaid it (like many others)….

If and when I locate it I shall upload it to the usual section.

terry on August 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm

I have not found the actual photo (it was in a desk drawer at the Haymarket long after the death of Doug Parkin) but I have found a link to – presumably – the same image :–

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rustythespian/5867145226/in/photolist-7dBJW6-7dm5Bk-7dBKie-7dFCWh-6ERBtp-7dC9XT-5uSWKH-7eotMk-9WsDSj

terry on September 17, 2016 at 11:26 am

Four photos uploaded of the auditorium in the houselights taken a few days before closure.

Unfortunately, the cable for the tabs had just ‘given up the ghost’. Steve Veasey, ABC Furnishing Manager, had ordered new curtains and a pelmet for the Haymarket in 1980 but the latter failed to materialise for some unknown reason.

The fountains were only partially illuminated latterly and many of the elaborate light fittings had been removed during a 1976 re-dec. Furthermore, most of the trough lighting had also been disconnected.

By and large, though, the photos give a hint of what the place had looked like in its heyday.

davidcoppock on May 31, 2018 at 10:54 pm

Is there anything there now on that site?

terry on July 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm

2 1955 pics uploaded.

terry on January 19, 2021 at 6:32 am

Photo uploaded of the Press/Trade Show of ‘The Rebel’ at the ABC Haymarket in 1961.

terry on April 3, 2021 at 9:10 am

Colour interior image dating back to 1955 (when all original lighting was in use) uploaded to photos section. This is courtesy of Kevin Gooding and would be a much better shot to appear with the overview than the existing one which was taken in the cleaners lights following closure.

terry on July 8, 2023 at 4:29 pm

In 1964 a Gala Film Premiere was held for ‘4 For Texas’ when the Front Circle price was 5 guineas (about £80 today). There was a stage presentation which included Cleo Laine, Jimmy Tarbuck, Oliver Reed, Jess Conrad, Ronald Fraser, James Booth and Elisa Peake. (see image in photos section).