The Crescent Cinema occupies a commanding site on the corner of Ropergate and Front Street and was designed by local architects Garside and Pennington.
It opened on 2nd November 1926 and within the complex was the 1,190 seat cinema which had a fully equipped stage with associated dressing rooms, a cafe and a substantial dance hall.
It was taken over by the Leeds based Star Cinemas chain in 1944, (as was the Alexandra Cinema in town) and as the popularity of cinemas waned the Alexandra Cinema was the property turned over to bingo in 1961 with films continuing at the Crescent Cinema. However when the Alexandra Cinema was sold off for redevelopment in 1971 Star sub-divided the Crescent Cinema forming a bingo hall in the former stalls and a new 412 cinema in the balcony that, like many of their cinemas, was renamed Studio 1.
Further changes in ownership to the Cannon Group took place, bingo was superseded by snooker and the Cannon Cinema closed in 1993. It has not been used since although the snooker continues and a school of dance occupies the former ballroom.
I have always wanted to have a look around this place even from a young age, I can remember going to the dingy smoke filled snooker centre below with my dad and being told of a disused cinema above my head. I've been curious as to what the place looked like ever since.
It wasn't the amazing art deco cinema I had hoped for but it still had some nice bits and bobs in there, a real time capsule in parts. I spent most of my time looking through all the old stuff and rummaging about in the attic
Pic heavy, sorry
Boxes full of old lenses worth some serious $$$$
Cheers for looking
It opened on 2nd November 1926 and within the complex was the 1,190 seat cinema which had a fully equipped stage with associated dressing rooms, a cafe and a substantial dance hall.
It was taken over by the Leeds based Star Cinemas chain in 1944, (as was the Alexandra Cinema in town) and as the popularity of cinemas waned the Alexandra Cinema was the property turned over to bingo in 1961 with films continuing at the Crescent Cinema. However when the Alexandra Cinema was sold off for redevelopment in 1971 Star sub-divided the Crescent Cinema forming a bingo hall in the former stalls and a new 412 cinema in the balcony that, like many of their cinemas, was renamed Studio 1.
Further changes in ownership to the Cannon Group took place, bingo was superseded by snooker and the Cannon Cinema closed in 1993. It has not been used since although the snooker continues and a school of dance occupies the former ballroom.
I have always wanted to have a look around this place even from a young age, I can remember going to the dingy smoke filled snooker centre below with my dad and being told of a disused cinema above my head. I've been curious as to what the place looked like ever since.
It wasn't the amazing art deco cinema I had hoped for but it still had some nice bits and bobs in there, a real time capsule in parts. I spent most of my time looking through all the old stuff and rummaging about in the attic
Pic heavy, sorry
Boxes full of old lenses worth some serious $$$$
Cheers for looking
Last edited:
I would suggest going for a look if your local!
