Report - The Royalty Cinema - Harborne - Birmingham - May 2013

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Been a while coming this one but well worth the wait and effort of repeated trips and upsettings of the cannabis farming polish men who once resided inside! I think the place closed about a year ago, maybe a bit longer. It had been running under both Mecca and Gala bingo guises since the 60s but still retains a mass of original features and is in really good condition too, not a false ceiling in sight! Last year police discovered a large cannabis farm in the loft which went a long way to explaining the 'negative attitude' of the buildings former guardians..

Unfortunately not much in the way of projection room epic or other hidden paraphernalia to report. I'm not saying its not there but over two evening trips we didn't really have time for a good look! The under stage area is unfortunately flooded and the projection room gutted to route ventilation ducts. Still a great explore tho and good to be back in the game!

Located in the Harborne district of southwest Birmingham, at the corner of High Street and Greenfield Road. The Royalty Cinema was opened on 20th October 1930 with Maurice Chevalier in "The Love Parade". It was built for and operated by the local independent Selly Oak Pictures Ltd.

The Royalty Cinema was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in March 1935. ABC closed the cinema on 2nd November 1963 with Cliff Robertson in "P.T.109". It was converted into a Mecca Bingo Club, and in 2010 it is operating as a Gala Bingo Club.

In the summer of 2011, the Royalty Cinema was designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage.

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