Historic Cinemas

Discussion 0 posts |  Only members can post. Join?

No topics have been posted yet.

About Historic Cinemas

England has over 180 listed cinemas from the Electric Palaces of the Edwardian era to the 1960's Curzon Mayfair via such Art Deco delights as Margate's Dreamland. The listing process was not designed to mothball a building, but to ensure that any changes which are made, both respect and retain those very qualities and characteristics that give a building its 'special architectural or historical interest'.

Increasingly, cinemas are finding new uses. Many were rescued in the late 1950s and 1960s by the craze for bingo. Currently a number of cinemas are being converted into public houses, or becoming homes for the new, more charismatic, churches that are spreading to Britain. Many of the most successful conversions have transformed redundant cinemas into live theatre or arts venues.

In 2000 English Heritage undertook a public consultation asking for information from the public to tell us about architecturally significant cinemas that ought to be considered for listing.

We are therefore interested to hear how historic cinemas are faring. We would welcome your photos here of historic cinemas that you are aware of that have either gone on to thrive in the local community or that have lapsed into decline.

And if you would like to suggest a cinema that is of special architectural or historic interest and therefore might be eligible for listing, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please contact us at web.team@english-heritage.org.uk

Also, if you are interested in Historic Cinemas and would like a copy of our consultation publication 'Picture Palaces - New Life for Old Cinemas' then please also get in touch on the email address above with your name and address and we will send you a copy.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk