Granada Bedford
5-9 St. Peters Street,
Bedford,
MK40
5-9 St. Peters Street,
Bedford,
MK40
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Thanks Ian for the interior pictures. What a beautiful place, and a crying shame it’s gone. Bedford council should hang their heads in shame.
A few negatives recently rediscovered (mis-filed) has yielded some new digitally enhanced scans of the interior of this cinema:–
VIEW ACROSS AUDITORIUM
AUDITORIUM CHANDELIER
AUDITORIUM FROM STAGE
UPPER FOYER
All taken shortly before closure.
Given that this cinema was renamed Cannon for only a few months, could it not perhaps go under its “proper” name on CT?
Very sad that this place got knocked down. Brilliant cinema and a favourite place of mine.
Vintage photographs of the Granada, and its Wurlitzer organ console:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2186.html
I have weird and wonderful memories of the Bedford Granada Cinema from when I was growing up in Bedford in the 80’s. I distinctly remember seeing Rocky IV, Halloween and Cocktail as a ten year old. Wonderful atmosphere, timeless architecture and always a couple on the back row making out. Loads of fights, also I remember they had the smartly dressed ladies patrolling the aisles before showtime with the little torches showing you to your seat and selling ices and pop. Smoked first Marlboro red in the darkness and always remember the thrill of sneaking into an “X” rated film. Then they knocked it down.Was anyone informed?An absolute disgrace.ChrisParsons
A series of photographs taken in 1988 here:–
Exterior:
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Foyer:
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Auditorium:
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I fondly remember going there several times when I lived near Bedford in the 1970s. The main auditorium was impressive in it’s size and decor – one of my favourite memories was seeing 70mm presentations there – really satisfying!