Past News

LONDON (Harrow): The big changes coming in 2025 including new residential and social homes
The restoration of a historic art-deco cinema in Harrow is set to move towards completion in 2025 after changes to the original plan were agreed.
The redevelopment of the Station Road site to provide dozens of new flats, alongside a four-screen cinema, had hit a snag after the previous builder ‘went broke’ before it was finished.

CHELTENHAM: Iconic building The Daffodil to become a family home
Plans to transform the site at 18-20 Suffolk Parade into a family home have been given the nod.
Objectors fear it will mean the historic beauty of the former cinema and restaurant will be lost.
The site first opened in 1922, designed by prolific Cheltenham architect Leonard William Barnard, with seating for up to 750 cinemagoers.

EDINBURGH: Timeline announced for iconic Edinburgh Filmhouse cinema reopening
Work to revive the Filmhouse on Lothian Road will get underway within the next few weeks, The Scotsman reported.
The charity spearheading efforts to reopen the site confirmed that contractors will start work later this month.

GLASGOW: Glasgow man launches petition to safeguard the future of former Possilpark cinema
Andrew Moore is appealing to the public to join his efforts to ensure the former V ogue Cinema, on Balmore Road, which has sentimental value to him, isn't demolished.
Currently, the former cinema is a C-listed building. Demolition work had begun by the current owners, however, it was given protection status by Historic Environment Scotland who listed it as a building of special historical and architectural interest - causing works to stop.

GOSPORT: Criterion arts venue could have "shocking implications" for council finances
The project to revamp Gosport’s Criterion building could leave the borough council stumping up cash to keep it afloat as it would never make a profit.
The proposed flexible, multi-purpose arts space is set to lose money for years.
Gosport Borough Council’s policy and organisation board was told that to start renovating the Criterion would cost £1.42 million. It would then cost hu ndreds of thousands to keep it going.
The Criterion, in Forton Road, was bought by the council for £600,000 in 2022 as for a new entertainment venue funded by grants.

MINEHEAD: One of the best value for money entertainment venues in Somerset
One of the best value entertainment venues where you can watch the new Hollywood films for just £4.
The Avenue Cinema, in Minehead, is a popular venue for everyone who lives in Minehead - but most people across the rest of Somerset aren't aware of the cinema.

NATIONAL NEWS: Merlin Cinemas founder named MBE in New Year honours list
Merlin Cinemas' founder, Geoff Greaves, has been awarded an MBE in the King's New Year honours list for his outstanding services to cinema.
The cinema chain was founded in 1990 and operates 18 venues across the country, including two in Scotland.

ABINGDON: Cinema's full revamp ruled out due to £2.5m cost
A cinema found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and asbestos will not be fully renovated because the town's council cannot afford the repairs.
Abbey Cinema in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was initially closed for a brief period at the beginning of October, but was forced to extended its closure af ter RAAC and asbestos were discovered.
Its owner, Abingdon Town Council, said a full renovation would cost about £2.5m which was "beyond the council's means".

BIRMINGHAM: Cinema's we've loved and lost - in pictures
With the closure of the Electric Cinema, we've taken a nostalgic journey back to the numerous Odeons and cinemas across our region that have shut their doors over time.
The cinema on Station Street, reputedly the UK's oldest operational cinema, reopened in 2022 under new management following the pandemic.
Over the years, we've seen many 'Picture houses' disappear from our landscape. They were once a common sight in every town and district, lining major routes like the Stratford Road.

BRISTOL: Campaign to save derelict Redfield Cinema intensifies
A campaign to save Redfield Cinema, which remains derelict, has intensified, as a planning application from the building owners to turn the site into new housing has been appealed.
The Save Redfield Cinema is a campaign group which hopes to bring the art deco venue of St George’s Hall back to life since it closed in 2021.
The venue that holds the status of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) on Church Road, had been home to a pub for over 20 years, previously owned by Wetherspoons.

EAST LOTHIAN: Musselburgh Conservation Society talk on old cinemas
The talk, entitled 'Oor Scratchers: Old Cinemas of East Lothian', will be led by Dr Hanita Ritchie and take place on Tuesday, January 8, at 7.30pm in St Peter's Church Hall, High Street.
The discussion will delve into Scotland's 'golden age' of cinema-going, illustrating the love affair Scots had with the silver screen.
Dr Ritchie will present a wealth of photographs, recounting tales from East Lothian's more than 20 venues that thrived between the 1890s and the 1970s.

LIVERPOOL:
'Iconic' cinema transformed to its former glory
A "rare and iconic" Merseyside cinema and music hall has undergone an extraordinary transformation 67 years after the theatre closed its doors.
The former Prescot Picture Palace is one of the most historic buildings in the town.
The former Picture Palace is now the 26th historic building in Prescot town centre to benefit from restoration work as part of Knowsley Council’s wider regeneration programme for the town.
The Grade II listed site is a rare e xample of its type and was one of the earliest cine-variety houses in the country.

After years of closure could 2025 finally see historic cinema reopen its doors?
It has been close to five years since a film was shown at Woolton Picture House.
The historic cinema has been found on Mason Street in Woolton since 1927 but its doors have been shut since the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.
However, last year saw the first meaningful step in the long road to reopening. In August, a planning application to renovate parts of the cinema in order to allow it to reopen was submitted to Liverpool City Council.
Submitted by Jonathan Woodward (Woolton Picture House Limited), the application intends to replace the roof covering, introduce new facilities and refurbish part of the building.
The plans were appro ved subject to conditions by the city council in October. The conditions include work beginning within the next three years and ensuring that refurbishment works are in keeping with the building's heritage.
After years without closure, film fans in Liverpool will hope that 2025 will see movement towards returning to the beloved cinema's red seats.

RINGWOOD: Formal plans submitted to turn former cinema into shops and flats
Ringwood-based developer Halo Developments has lodged a formal planning application to transform the former Regal Cinema in Ringwood’s Market Place.
The proposal involves part demolition, refurbishment, alteration, and change of use of the listed building to create a commercial floorspace and 11 residential dwellings.

WORCESTER: Odeon Cinema on Foregate Street celebrates 75th anniversary
Odeon Cinema, on Foregate Street, Worcester, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in January.
Despite opening in 1949, the site of the cinema had been owned by Odeon since the 1930s, making it just one of six Odeon Cinemas in the UK commissioned by founder Oscar Deutsch still standing.

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