Scala Cinema
74 Eldon Street,
Darlington,
DL3 0NW
74 Eldon Street,
Darlington,
DL3 0NW
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Additional Info
Firms: Hoskins & Brown
Styles: Neo-Classical
Previous Names: Eldon Street Picture Hall, People's Palace
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Located to the north of the town centre. The Eldon Street Picture Hall was opened on 17th March 1913. Designed by local architects Hoskins & Brown, the auditorium ran parallel to the street. The proscenium was 25 feet wide, and the stage was 9 feet deep. There were two dressing rooms which had occasional use when variety acts were presented.
It was re-named People’s Palace, and in 1920 had been re-named Scala Cinema. In the mid-1950’s it was equipped with CinemaScope.
The Scala Cinema was closed on 28th April 1962 with Doris Day in “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”. It was converted into a bingo club, operating as Masons Bingo Club in 1994, and later became a Top Ten Bingo Club which closed in 2014.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
A view of the theater fron a different angle is here.
Photo uploaded of the building whilst still the Scala Cinema
Top Ten Bingo has since ceased trading at this location.
Northern Despatch Entertainments page dated April 12 1961 uploaded to photos section.
The Scala cinema was still going at this time and despite claims here and elsewhere that it became the Essoldo, it does not appear with that company’s advertising block, the top of which can just be seen at the foot of the cinema column.
I would add that I only ever recall the locals referring to this cinema as the “Scala on Eldon street”.