ABC Motherwell
165 Windmill Hill Street,
Motherwell,
ML1 1BA
165 Windmill Hill Street,
Motherwell,
ML1 1BA
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Architects: Alexander Cullen, Charles J. McNair
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: New Century Theatre, Motherwell Theatre, Rex Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The New Century Theatre was opened as a 1,500-seat variety theatre in 1902. It was designed by architect Alexander Cullen. It was renamed Motherwell Theatre from 1913 to 1915 when it operated as a cinema. It reverted back to its original name and variety theatre use until it was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in November 1929. It was closed around 1932.
The building was mostly demolished apart from the upper parts of the façade, and architect C.J. McNair designed a new 2,031-seat Rex Cinema as a replacement. There were 1,331-seats in the stalls and 700-seats in the circle The Rex Cinema was opened on 17th August 1936 with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers in “Follow the Fleet”. It was equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system.
It was re-named ABC in 1972. The ABC was closed on 12th June 1976 with Sylvia Kristel in “Emmanuelle”. It was converted into an amusement arcade. It then became the Big Apple nightclub.
It was demolished in 1995, and a Lidl Supermarket now operates on the site.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 1 comments)
Scottish Ghosts (1995) says the cinema was haunted by a man who had committed suicide by jumping from the balcony in theatre days. He was called Oscar by staff.