Carlton Cinema

In the Orrell Park district of Liverpool, the trade press in October 1930 described the Carlton Cinema as a very satisfying example of suburban picture theatre design. Constructed with frontages to Moss Lane and Victoria Drive, the cinema was owned by Orrell Park Picture House Ltd.

The frontages were of white, glazed faience and rustic brick. Three pairs of doors led into the main entrance, from which doors led into two spacious waiting rooms. The auditorium was stadium-style, with 870 seats in the raked stalls and 580 seats in the stepped rear floor. The proscenium was 38ft wide, the stage was 8ft deep and dressing rooms were also provided.

The Carlton Cinema opened on 1st September 1930 with “The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland” starring Charlie Murray and George Sidney, a popular 1930’s comedy team.

Early in 1955 CinemaScope was installed, the first such presentation, on 7th February, being “The Robe”.

The Carlton Cinema closed on 2nd February 1974 with “The Mackintosh Man”, starring Paul Newman. The building moved over to bingo, under the Coral Leisure Group. A false ceiling was installed in the auditorium.

More recently, the building has been a Carlton Bingo Club which closed in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It never reopened. In September 2022 the former front stalls seating area floor had been levelled and began use as a carwash and valeting service. The stepped rear floor in the auditorium has been boarded up and is no longer accessible. The foyer has been converted into retail use.

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