Clifton Leamington Spa
2 Spencer Street,
Leamington Spa,
CV31 3NF
2 Spencer Street,
Leamington Spa,
CV31 3NF
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Clifton Circuit
Architects: Horace G. Bradley, James A. Roberts
Functions: Nightclub
Styles: Neo-Classical
Previous Names: Bath Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The Bath Cinema was opened on 23rd March 1925 with Ramon Navarro in “Scaramouche”. Designed by noted cinema architect Horace G. Bradley, the auditorium was decorated with Wedgewood style plaques on the side-walls. Seating was provided in stalls and circle levels. There was also an adjacent cafe. In 1926, a ballroom and garage was built adjacent to the left side of the building.
In July 1938, it was taken over by the Stratford Picture House Co. part of the Clifton Cinema circuit, and it was re-decorated and re-named Clifton Cinema. Now part of the Clifton Cinemas chain, it was closed on 2nd September 1956 with Trevor Howard in “Gift Horse” and Joan Collins in “Our Girl Friday”.
The original Wedgewood style interior was stripped out and the proscenium altered for CinemaScope to the plans of architect James A. Roberts. The Clifton Cinema re-opened with the provincial premiere of the Norman Wisdom film “Up In the World” on 16th December 1956. In the 1960’s, the ballroom was converted into a bingo club.
The Clifton Cinema was closed on 16th January 1982 with James Farentino in “Dead and Buried”. The cinema was converted into a nightclub named Lester’s (today operating as Evolve) while the former ballroom became a Granada Bingo Club (today a bar named Dockers).
Contributed by
Ken Roe
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
The Bath Cinema was built in 1925 by the Bath Cinema (Leamington) Company which was owned by my gt aunt Edith Devis. The Bath Cinema Company also built the Regal Cinema and bought the Scala and Regent Cinemas, finally owning all 4 Leamington Cinemas. The Company also had sites for two further cinemas in Warwick and Stratford. The Bath Cinema Company sold all 4 cinemas to the Clifton Cinema Company in 1937.