Palace Cinema

35 Station Road,
Aldershot, GU11 1BA

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Additional Info

Architects: John Priestly Briggs

Firms: Frank Matcham & Company

Functions: Banquet Hall, Conference Center

Styles: Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Picture Palace Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 440125.231.3191

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Palace Cinema

A small but intimate cinema designed by office of the Frank Matcham Co. It once had silk wall panels and gas lighting and was originally run by the Aldershot Picture Palace Co., a private independent company.

It was sold to local council in the 1970’s and screened pornographic films.

It then operated as a night club, originally named Cheeks and then VOX. In Spring of 2010, it re-opened as a live music and special events venue known as The Palace, but this closed in 2013. It was re-opened as a banquet hall and conference centre on 18th December 2015.

The former Palace Cinema was given a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage in 1979.

Contributed by Mike Luck

Recent comments (view all 19 comments)

ritzman
ritzman on November 22, 2015 at 12:14 am

Friday November 19 1965

Aldershot News

31 cinema patrons collapse after throat-cutting scene

Thirty one customers to the Palace Cinema, in Aldershot, have fainted in four days this week during the screening of the film The Shocking World.

All were men and they collapsed after the scene in which a knife is apparently pushed through a man’s throat.

The film, a documentary in colour showing aspects of life and violence throughout the world, began its run on Sunday, and by the end of the evening 12 men had fainted.

One needed treatment at Farnham hospital and was detained until Monday, but the others were revived by the manager Mr AHJ Whittle and his staff, and either returned to see the last of the programme or went home.

Since then Mr Whittle has sought help from the St John Ambulance Brigade, which has had personnel on duty at the cinema.

Eight men passed out on Monday and another eight on Tuesday, but on Wednesday the number was reduced to three.

Mr Whittle told our reporter that he and his staff coped with the emergency and have laid in ample stocks of smelling salts.

ritzman
ritzman on December 28, 2015 at 9:02 pm

The Palace has re-opened (December 18th 2015) as a banqueting and entertainment venue. It has been redecorated in a colour scheme similar to that when it was last used as a cinema. The balcony was divided off from the main auditorium by a drop wall when it was used as a music venue and night club. The drop wall has been retained and has large windows that allow sight of the former stalls area. The stage and proscenium are still in place. The new look interior is very pleasing to the eye and every effort has been made to preserve the original decorative scheme and plaster detailing.

ritzman
ritzman on December 28, 2015 at 9:19 pm

The following link will allow you to see photos taken on the opening night and launch of the Palace as a banqueting venue http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/palace-aldershot-welcomes-guests-official-10628075

ritzman
ritzman on October 6, 2016 at 6:46 pm

New photos added of the restored and redecorated former auditorium of the Palace cinema. The PALACE is now a wedding/conference facility.

ritzman
ritzman on October 30, 2016 at 5:44 am

New photo added. Taken about 1950 showing the neon signage and canopy. This cinema is now nearly 103 years old.

ritzman
ritzman on December 28, 2018 at 3:46 pm

New b&w photo added: Auditorium just before final film presentation in 1984

ritzman
ritzman on February 20, 2020 at 12:47 pm

New photo added from 1988

ritzman
ritzman on April 21, 2020 at 11:48 am

New photo added from 1956

ritzman
ritzman on May 30, 2020 at 2:54 pm

New photo added approximately 1921/22 film showing was Queen of Sheba which was released in 1921

ritzman
ritzman on November 15, 2020 at 11:43 am

3 new colour photos of the auditorium prior to the conversion for night club use in 1987

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