Cannon Huddersfield
Queensgate,
Huddersfield,
HD1 2RB
Queensgate,
Huddersfield,
HD1 2RB
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cannon Cinemas, Classic Cinemas (UK), Essoldo Circuit (Contol) Ltd., MacNaghten Vaudeville Circuit
Architects: W. Cooper
Functions: Bar
Previous Names: Armoury Theatre, Hippodrome Theatre, New Hippodrome Theatre, Tudor Super Cinema, Essoldo, Classic
Nearby Theaters
The building started life as a riding stable in 1846, and was converted into the Armoury Theatre, which opened 3rd February 1902. It was converted into a music hall, known as the Hippodrome Theatre which opened on 21st July 1905 with Vesta Tilley topping the bill. Some films were being screened as part of the programme by 1911. In May 1926, it was closed for modernisation, and re-opened as a legitimate theatre named New Hippodrome Theatre. It closed in September 1930.
It was fully refurbished and re-opened 6th October 1930 as the Tudor Super Cinema. It was equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system, and there was now a café for the convenience of its patrons. By 1957 the Essoldo Group had taken it over, but but was destroyed by fire in 1960. It was rebuilt using the surviving exterior walls and the façade was given a modern look. At some point in the 1970’s a second screen was added on the former stage area with a separate entrance, and taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain it was re-named Classic. The cinema was then taken over by and renamed Cannon Huddersfield. It was closed closed on March 5, 1998 with Albert Finney in “Tom Jones” & Paul McGann in “Downtime”.
After a short period of dereliction the Cannon was converted into a bar named ‘Livingstones’. The former flytower has been reduced in height, both entrances are in use, the frontage has been restored to its original condition, but inside nothing remains to suggest it was ever either a cinema or a theatre.
Livingstones bar closed in 2010 and building stood unused in August 2011. It has since reopened as a pub name Rat & Parrot.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
Point taken Ian
indeed the cinema did re open for a while in 1993…..I seem to remember it was open for more than twelve months maybe three years.
It was run by two lads David Hepworth and Colin Platt under a company called Page Media Limited. They also took on the running of the Palace Cinmea Malton and I worked for them at the Palace as Manager / Projectionist. I left in 95 after a falling out but the Palace went on for a further Twelve months until the Tudor Huddersfield closed and the company went into administration.
The Palace Malton reopened five years later run I believe by two university media studies graduates and is still open and just holding its own!
Wow what a blast from the past! I can remember working here as a volunteer in the early to mid 80’s. Then the manager was a great friend Philip Bradley whome I would love to be able to contact if possible. I do have photo’s somewhere of the projection room at the time with Peter Quinn head projectionist who sadly died. Every Thursday i would be the one in all weathers changing posters and letters above the canopy on classic one and number 2 on Zetland street. If anyone from that era remembers me it would be great to here from you, if anyone else would like any info about the cinema at that time please ask, I got to know the place quite well.
Another exterior shot from 2009:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3933714762/
My father Philip Bradley managed the cinema for a number of years up to it’s closure and I have some great memories of time spent at the cinema.
Two photos uploaded.
One of my old bosses, the late John McIntosh told me that the building had two fires in its lifetime, the first resulting in the loss of the ‘upper circle’ and the second saw the ‘circle’ removed. The place was then reconstructed as one of Essoldo’s ‘luxury’ venues all on one floor and very comfortable it was with all the technical side being (at the time) ‘top notch’ with Fedi projectors, 70mm, 6 track etc. (same as Newcastle).
I may as well tell the story the ABC staff told me that at the time of the second fire, the Essoldo (as it then was) was showing a James Bond film ( I am guessing ‘You Only Live Twice’ given the year 1967) and enjoying full houses whilst the ABC was playing something that was attracting meagre audiences (probably an ABPC release). The Assistant Manager in charge of the ABC said jokingly to the staff as they were leaving at the end of the show: “Someone throw an oily rag on the Essoldo as they go past!”. Well, that night it went up in smoke! What a coincidence!
For the two years or so that the Essoldo was out of action the ABC picked up the best of the Rank product in addition to its own. The Princess did not apply for temporary first run and the other remaining cinema, the Empire, played its own variety of mainly ‘X’ rated ‘exploitation’ fare.
LOL! Great story.
Closed as a movie theater on March 5, 1998 with “Tom Jones” and “Downtime”.
My Mother was the Area Controller of the Classic Cinema in the 1970’s which was two of over 100 screens in cinemas around country. I remember visiting the Huddersfield Classic Cinema many times and knew the manager Philip Bradley and his wife Joyce, I believe their son was called Rob whom I met in Palma Nova where Classic Cinemas held their conferences each year. Still have the photographs!
My mother is nearly 98 and still driving would you believe. She is still giving talks at social clubs about her long career in the cinema industry. It’s called ‘Reel Life’ a woman in a man’s world.