real time web analytics
Report - - The Gaiety - Cardiff - May 2011 | Theatres and Cinemas | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - The Gaiety - Cardiff - May 2011

Hide this ad by donating or subscribing !

pixman

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
The Gaiety, Cardiff

The Gaieey first opened in 1912 with a single screen and an audotiruim for 800 people. The buidling was designed by William S. Wort, with the most notable feature been the 2 small domes either side of the entrance, which can be seen in the original picture, and also remain today.

Back in 1912
spinold.jpg


And taken about 19.00 tonight. You can see how the building has been extended upwards rather than outwards during future redevelopments.
IMG_4440.jpg


IMG_4439.jpg


The cinema was enlarged to take an audiance of 1518 during 1934, by the same architect. The building was last operated as a cinema by the Jackson Withers Circuit, who closed the building in 1961. Since then it has been used by Top Rank as a bingo hall upto 1998.

A guy called David Lloyd did a photo project on the place back in 1991, and the following picture shows the venue with the seating still in place for Bingo.

This is one of his:
Spinbingo.jpg

Theres more pictures on his website here:http://playingbingo.co.uk/lost-bing...iety/01-lost-hall-gallery.shtml#axzz1Nfym0VGI

The last tenant renamed the venue SPIN. By installing a false floor they were able to operate as a 10 lane UV bowling alley and sports bar with DJ's - but you wouldn't have guessed it. It is clear this this conversion is responsible for for removing and destroying the original features of the cinema. The building is bare, but in very good condition. Its an odd place to walk around, as the place feels like a very modern building, but empty. Literally nothing remains from the theatre / Bingo or bowling days apart from a lonely sign inside that said the the venue would be closing the public on the 12th Feburary, but I'm not sure what year this venue actually closed it. Oh, and a couple of dead pigeons.

Starting at the ground floor, the Bar Area
IMG_4480.jpg


Assume one of the bowling Lanes
IMG_4479.jpg


Some dodgy Light painting.... I wasn't expecting an explore so ran to Maplins and bought a five quid touch.
IMG_4453.jpg


Shoe Hire, sadly none left :-(
IMG_4449.jpg


The basement, used for Beers.
IMG_4450.jpg


Going to the First floor the orignal circle dome still exsits, if a bit stripped, and the projector Windows are still visable.
IMG_4465.jpg


Inside the original projector room.
IMG_4457.jpg


A view looking towards the orginal screen. The building upstairs is pitch black, so I'm fairly impressed with new cheap torch!
IMG_4459.jpg


The building always had three doors, and exteria front of the building remained pretty much unchanged. Its only the inside that has been hacked to pieces.
IMG_4472.jpg


The Main stairs, with the only fitted feature left in the whole building... (The railings...)
IMG_4469.jpg


Top Floor (Hidden stairs right at the back of the building) where the safety mechanics for the safety curtain would have been just takes you to a small space with heaters and electrical components for air conditioning now.

I have found a published diary on the net, dating 26/02/1941 and the person is talking about been in the cinema when the air-raid syrens went, and having to leave and go the big air-raid shelter next door. Not sure if this still exits maybe blocked in.

Explore: Very easy access, I was simply passing after walking my girlfriend to work and saw access... explored by myself about about an hour ago. When I was in the basement I heard voices in the main hall - which is the only way out of the building. Been by myself there wasn't a lot I could do, So I chose the option of making much noise and walking confidently out. Result, some hoodies who weren't in the slightest interested in what I was up to, so after a quick nod, I just carried on. The building is located on a main road, but access isn't visable and the chances of been spotted are minimal. There were a couple of mattresses so maybe people sleep there at night. To conclude: A dead easy explore.

The Future for the building: Its for rent, not bad either at only £85,000 for a large building in a heavily populated student area.
 
Last edited:

caleb1988

28DL Member
28DL Member
Hi pixman, I'm a reporter at BBC Wales News. Unfortunately the Gaiety is to be demolished next year. I am writing a piece on the history of the place and wondered if I could use some of your pictures if we credit you? Many thanks, Caleb
 

EJ9

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Mad, stumbled across this post while looking at reports for in and around Cardiff
This was one of my many first explores in Cardiff being so close to home
Did the explore 4 years ago? Maybe 3, I've lost track of time since i started, mad to think how different it looks in these photos to when i went! But i guess that's what 5-6 years does to a building!
 

pixman

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
I remember it been a really easy explore - walking straight in. Sad it was already fairly stripped. Iconic architecture for an otherwise boring road...!
 

EJ9

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
I remember it been a really easy explore - walking straight in. Sad it was already fairly stripped. Iconic architecture for an otherwise boring road...!

Nothing like that now!
Back when i went in, the first time we had to climb through a hole in the wall on the side one story up, climb into the stairwell where they have removed the stairs, scale up the remainder of the steel staircase framework, then through another tiny hole in a board into one of the main rooms..

Second visit, We had to climb up the scaffolding up the front, through a tiny little window into the "Pigeon room" as we called it which was actually the projector room (Full of pigeons and poo!) the room which has the ladder leading to the roof.. and then we were in, but because of the amount of poo the floor its pretty much rotten!

Rough explore all in all...
 

Who has read this thread (Total: 150) View details

Top