This was the first new cinema to be built by Rank after WW II

It opened on 1st February 1960 with the film "Follow A Star" starring Norman wisdom and John Le Mesurier.

Designed by T.P.Bennet, it had 1244 seats on a single floor in a sloping stadium style and the projector was suspended above the rear stalls almost level to the screen

In June 1987 it closed and the rear stalls were converted into two smaller cinemas while the main cinema retained the original screen

The cinema struggled to compete with the new six screen multiplex which opened in 1990 and it finally closed its doors in August 2005



The Odeon 1961



and in 1974




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Visited with Skeleton Key, thanks mate, another great explore!!!

I know that a few people have been in here but the old access point is now firmly and permanently sealed due to somebody leaving it in a right old state.

Access is now akin to a scene from "The Great Escape". Nuff said

Oh and the power is now off, so my pics are flash only I'm afraid






I liked this.......




God these ticket girls are ugly!!!!









































I'm begining to realise that no report is complete without a piano!!!



I made friends with cuddly Kenny Everett, yep!!!!





Sorry it was a little on the pic heavy side