Those of you that have been around a while will remember about 5 or 6 years ago i made a bit of a 'thing' of going out and exploring as many of the UKs closed cinema and theatre buildings as i could. It was pretty successful (if i do say so myself). We had some mega explores and saw some really good stuff. Since about 2012 however i think ive taken my eye off the ball with them a bit and seemingly so has everyone else. Several really top notch examples have closed and been demo'd or converted without anyone even looking at them really. (Shepherds Bush Pavillion springs to mind). Seeing a couple of new ones pop up in the last couple of weeks has jogged my memory tho and i think its about time we had a recap of whats out there and HOPEFULLY people will get off the arses and do some exploring.
Firstly i shall draw your attention to the excellent work the theatres trust do in basically making a big list of theatres that 'probably' need some attention. Some will be familiar some will not!
http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/theatre-buildings-at-risk/tbar-2015/england-tbar-register-2015
Theres also good recources at http://bingo.vg/closed-clubs/ or http://cinematreasures.org/
If thats not easy enough i think we should turn this thread into a list of whats out there. Im not talking a list of tourbus cinema explores, im talking never before explored and in some cases never even photographed in the modern era cinemas. Il start you off with a few but it would be nice if people could think about their local areas etc. and add some to the list that might be a goer. Unfortunately these buildings have a habit of closing down and disappearing into the ether.
Walthamstow EMD/Granada - This one has been on the cards forever, probably the most notable 'unexplored' derelict cinema out there nowadays. Old photos from back in the 80s show an amazing building inside. No recent photos seem to exist however. The only glimpse of inside is a crappy video from a town councillor who was let in when the building was squatted about 5 years ago. Recently the building has been sold and apparently asbestos removal has started which obviously may open the way for explorers if they actually try it!
Llandudno Grand - This one was a club downstairs that closed fairly recently i think. Upstairs however is AMAZING or at least it was in the handful of old photos ive seen. I have checked it out once back in early August but there were workers apparently stripping out the club part (although it didn't look like they were doing much damage really, just chucking old papers in the skip outside). They wouldn't let me in of course.
Gaumont Chadwell Heath - Been to look at this one a couple of times while in the area. Its a standard ex-cinema bingo hall closure. Nice unmolested interior and could be really good behind the scenes! Got as far as seeing into the still fully lit up auditorium but couldn't quite pull it off.. One to keep an eye on for the Londoners i think.
Savoy Burnt Oak - Ex Mecca Bingo, Huge 1930s super cinema. Closed 2014, that's all i know so far.
Central Hall Watford - Again North London, Again Ex Mecca, Again Closed 2014, to be demolished to become shops apparently. Hopefully not gone already but someone needs to go look like NOW!
More when i get time!
Firstly i shall draw your attention to the excellent work the theatres trust do in basically making a big list of theatres that 'probably' need some attention. Some will be familiar some will not!
http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/theatre-buildings-at-risk/tbar-2015/england-tbar-register-2015
Theres also good recources at http://bingo.vg/closed-clubs/ or http://cinematreasures.org/
If thats not easy enough i think we should turn this thread into a list of whats out there. Im not talking a list of tourbus cinema explores, im talking never before explored and in some cases never even photographed in the modern era cinemas. Il start you off with a few but it would be nice if people could think about their local areas etc. and add some to the list that might be a goer. Unfortunately these buildings have a habit of closing down and disappearing into the ether.
Walthamstow EMD/Granada - This one has been on the cards forever, probably the most notable 'unexplored' derelict cinema out there nowadays. Old photos from back in the 80s show an amazing building inside. No recent photos seem to exist however. The only glimpse of inside is a crappy video from a town councillor who was let in when the building was squatted about 5 years ago. Recently the building has been sold and apparently asbestos removal has started which obviously may open the way for explorers if they actually try it!
Llandudno Grand - This one was a club downstairs that closed fairly recently i think. Upstairs however is AMAZING or at least it was in the handful of old photos ive seen. I have checked it out once back in early August but there were workers apparently stripping out the club part (although it didn't look like they were doing much damage really, just chucking old papers in the skip outside). They wouldn't let me in of course.
Gaumont Chadwell Heath - Been to look at this one a couple of times while in the area. Its a standard ex-cinema bingo hall closure. Nice unmolested interior and could be really good behind the scenes! Got as far as seeing into the still fully lit up auditorium but couldn't quite pull it off.. One to keep an eye on for the Londoners i think.
Savoy Burnt Oak - Ex Mecca Bingo, Huge 1930s super cinema. Closed 2014, that's all i know so far.
Central Hall Watford - Again North London, Again Ex Mecca, Again Closed 2014, to be demolished to become shops apparently. Hopefully not gone already but someone needs to go look like NOW!
More when i get time!