Coronet Cinema

Situated in the Quarry Bank district of Brierley Hill, in the West Midlands, the plans for the Coronet Cinema, the district’s one and only cinema, were approved in July 1932. It was built by Messrs. Batham and Beddall of Brierley Hill for The Quarry Bank Cinema Company, run by Cecil Coupar’s family as part of his circuit of purpose-built ‘mini-cinemas’.

The Coronet Cinema opened on 22nd February 1933 with “The Cuban Love Song”, starring Lawrence Tibbett. The opening ceremony was performed by J. E. Dunn, president of the Quarry Bank Hospital Carnival Committee, to which the proceeds of the evening’s show were donated.

Designed by Birmingham based architect A.L. Horsburgh, there was no balcony, despite there being four separate admission prices, ranging from 4d and a shilling. As at other Cecil Coupar cinemas, Morrison sound equipment was installed, but after the war this was replaced with the RCA system when new Kalee II projectors were acquired. It had a 23ft wide proscenium.

Harold Roberts was the long-serving manager.

Inevitably the 1950’s brought declining attendances and even vandalism. In 1959 a number of cinemas in Brierley Hill closed, and the Coronet Cinema followed suit with its final show on 20th February 1960: “The Mouse that Roared”, starring Peter Sellers, supported by Fred MacMurray in “Good Day for a Hanging”.

Ironically, Harold Roberts' problems were not yet over. Applications to convert the building into a factory, and then a car showroom, were both turned down. The building subsequently changed hands several times before being demolished in January 1967 to make way for a petrol station. The petrol station has since been demolished and housing now stands on the site.

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