Pavilion Cinema

In Welwyn, Hertfordshire, the Pavilion Cinema opened on Friday 29th July 1938 with “Rosalie”, starring Eleanor Powell and Nelson Eddy. It had been built in just three months, to plans by J. Edmund Farrell, and was set back lengthways along the road. There was a car park, a cycle shelter and a café.

In June 1961 the Pavilion Cinema was sold to P. Tabor for conversion into a motor distribution centre - and unleashed a wave of controversy. There were two public meetings and a 6,000-signature petition was raised.

This was all to no avail. The Pavilion Cinema did stay open for a while, but closure was eventually set for 1st January 1962 - and then abruptly brought forward to Saturday 2nd December 1961, after a six-day run of “Victim”, starring Dirk Bogarde, and Derek Farr in “Attempt to Kill”.

The building was converted into Acland and Tabor’s car distribution centre in January 1962. By 1985, it had become the vehicle testing part of Godfrey Davis (Welwyn) Ltd.

Then, in Summer 2008, the large site was cleared, in preparation for a new housing development.

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