Strand Cinema

The Palace Cinema was purpose-built as a cinema and opened on 14 September 1914: which I believe was unusual as most cinemas were conversions from either public halls or theatres. The cinema was owned by Joseph Wingate & designed by the architects Denny & Blain of Dumbarton. It was constructed at a cost of 3,000 Pounds (including fittings) and had tip-up seats in the balcony and stalls for 1,000 patrons. The building boasted six exits and a semi-lit auditorium during the performance. For electricity it used a self-starting National gas engine which was designed to run off the town gas supply (coal gas) capable of easily running 600 lights. The heating equipment was by James Cormack & Sons, Glasgow.

It became the Strand Cinema in 1929. It had dual electricity supplies, and was capable of switching from it’s own side of Bank Street to the other side during a power outage. In the early-1950’s ownership passed from Joseph Wingate to his son Charlie. The Strand Cinema had two screenings a day (Monday to Saturday inclusive), and a children’s matinee on Saturday morning. I’m not too sure about Sundays whether it was one or two screenings. The projectors were Kalee 12’s with Peerless carbon arc lamps.

Last operated by the A.B. King chain, the Strand Cinema was closed in 1978, demolished and replaced by an Aldi store.

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