EXCLUSIVE: City's historic cinema to close
PLYMOUTH'S oldest cinema – which once hosted a Beatles
concert – is rumoured to be closing in October.
-
A source has told The Herald that The Reel Cinema, formerly
known as the ABC, will close its doors on October 2.
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The cinema, which will have been open for 70 years next
Tuesday, is understood to be making its staff redundant.
Reel Cinema bosses were remaining tight-lipped last night,
refusing to confirm or deny the news.
However, Reel Cinemas director Kailash Chander Sri admitted
that meetings would be held next week on the cinema's
future.
The cinema, which stands behind the Travelodge at Derry's
Cross, was built in 1938 as The Royal Cinema on the site of the
old 1813 Theatre Royal, which had been pulled down the year
before.
From the start it was owned by ABC – Associated British
Cinemas – and, at the time of construction, to a design by
ABC's in-house architect William Riddle Glen, its address was
Union Place.
At construction, which saw 30,000 tons of rock dragged from
the site, the Royal Cinema had 2,404 seats.
The cinema was opened on July 15, 1938, by Mayor S Stephens,
and the first films to be shown were Stage Door and Dangerously
Yours.
As well as a state-of-the-art sound system there was also a
Compton Cinema organ with an illuminated console.
The cinema was renamed ABC on October 26, 1958, and went on
to host The Beatles, Cream, Deep Purple and T Rex in the '60s
and '70s when it used to double as a theatre.
It closed in 1976 and reopened the next year with the one
screen now divided into three and part of the site sectioned
off as a bingo hall.
It was renamed Cannon in 1987 and MGM in 1992 before
reverting to ABC, and it was taken over and became Reel
Cinemas, on August 1, 2006.
Reel is a chain of independent cinemas, owned by
Loughborough-based businessman Kailash Chander Suri.
The 53-year-old property developer refused to comment on the
cinema's future, or staff redundancies.
However, he admitted he was unable to confirm that the
cinema would stay open.
He said: “At the moment I can't comment on anything.
“I have to check with my operations team – we'll be meeting
next week.
“There will be a meeting at the tail-end of next week with
my accounts people.
“I can't confirm it will stay open, and I can't confirm it
will close.”
Comments
by Maxine, Sheffield
Saturday, August 23 2008, 10:41PM
“I have extremely fond memories of this cinema; starting as a young child queuing as far as the Ballards swimming pool to see Jurassic Park with my cousin, to having a wonderful part time job there during my student days. It is where I met my future husband and I really can't believe it is going. So very sad!”
by john, manchester
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 11:54PM
“Has anyone actually contacted Asif to see if he is willing to sell the lease? I have some experience on projects like this and would be willing to help. But it does depend on if he has made plans to sell the site. My guess is he has as he will be trying to raise money to fund his more profitable cinema projects.”
by jonk, manchester
Tuesday, July 22 2008, 11:48PM
“has anyone actually tried to contact Asif about if he would let this building. I have worked in the past in three famous indie cinemas including the Scala and have an inside view as to how such a project would work. I would be willing to help and have been looking looking for a project like this for some time to get involved in. The first step is to get in touch with the owner. Or has anyone any proof that he has earmarked thje bulding for development yet?”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Wednesday, July 16 2008, 2:59PM
“HS - I do see your point but I would be willing to put money on it that he is male - For instance, would a female refer to herself as a "bona fide bird". "Bird" is definitely an expression used by men! Never mind, male or female, he/she definitely livens up this website!”
by HS, Plymouth
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 2:13PM
“Suzannah - not making a dig but just a quick point, Miss_A has a similar sense of humour (though a little more out there than me!) to myself, and I'm most definitely female! Just thought I'd mention it :)”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Tuesday, July 15 2008, 7:39AM
“Kevin. If you type in "Plymouth in old photos" on your search engine, you will find a lovely website full of old photos of Plymouth. It sounds as if Southport has its own problems too. I just think its bad that these local politicans can make these decisions on our behalf! Yes, agree Miss Anthrope is definitely male by the sense of humour - definitely not female wit. Enjoy the old Plymouth photos Kevin.”
by kevin, Southport Merseyside
Monday, July 14 2008, 2:32PM
“Suzannah, Thanks for that concerning Google,I will indeed look forward to their latest innovation. On the Cinema front we here in Southport, Have in recent years had Cinemas close. The latest being the Plaza, reputed to be the second oldest Cinema in the Country. It was flattened, and as been replace with, ( Now I know you and a lot of regular contributor's will be ahead of me an Hotel). Not just any Hotel, but a Boutique? Hotel. As you will have gathered, we have the British Open Golf, in Town this week, the prices this one Hotel alone are charging are Astronomical. I for one certainly hope that the old A.B.C. as I remember Her is not fated to go down this all to familiar path. And by the way can anybody be sure that Miss-Anthrope, is really Female. Thanks again Suzannah, Kevin”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Sunday, July 13 2008, 9:24PM
“KEVIN - you will enjoy Google's latest project then, which they are in the process of . You will be able to take a virtual tour down every street and see what it looks like now. Miss Anthrope is a regular contributator on here. She is whacky, often witty, sometimes annoying and most people generally do not like her. I find that she livens up this website. But unfortunately eccentrics and lateral thinkers are poorly tolerated on here. Hey ho.”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Saturday, July 12 2008, 9:42PM
“KEVIN. Miss_Anthrope is a reader who is a regular on here. You either love her or hate her. I am a fan, she is a bit whacky and witty, and sometimes annoying and a lot of contributors really dislike her input. But she certainly livens up this website (I actually think she is a man as her sense of humour is definitely male). There are a lot of people on this website who are against people who are slightly different, i.e. eccentrics and lateral thinkers and they can be quite bullying but you just have to stand up for them. After having returned to Plymouth from spending all my adult life in London, I am finding it all rather insular and miss the open mindedness of London. Plymouth is a City but still has a small town mentality.”
by kevin, Southport Merseyside
Saturday, July 12 2008, 6:53PM
“Suzannah. Thanks for that, I am almost certain that I attended Stoke Dameral Infants or was it Junior School,in the early Fifties,before moving to Whitleigh. How the memory fades with time. I was last in Plymouth in 1988,in the days before the Pavillions. I was also there for a day in 1984, many changes since leaving in 1961. I would imagine even greater changes have taken place since as I have said my last visit in 1988. Thanks again for informing me of these little details. I must also add how much I am enjoying reading other comments on the Forums. Only one Question needs answering, who is " Miss_Anthrope ". Very interesting studying Google Earth, now that does stir the Memories, looking down on Places where I lived and played. Thanks again Suzannah, Kevin”