ABC Cinema

This ones been on my list ever since I started urban exploring. After many failed attempts the opportunity arose and I couldn’t resist.

I’ll touch on some brief history because it's been done so many times you probably already know it.

The grade two listed ABC designed by William R. Glen and Alfred Ernest Shennan was built and opened in 1931 for £200,000 as the “Forum Cinema”.

Right clearly I’m no good at this history shit here is some info I’ve pulled from. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6521v

The auditorium, in a semi-Atmospheric style, depicted Venetian scenes, contains an amazing proscenium treatment consisting of a vast curved canopy over the arch and the side boxes. Indirect light light was a feature, except for a huge ‘sunburst’ light fitting above the balcony.

A shallow stage was provided together with a Compton 3Manual/12Ranks organ on a lift in front of the stage, which was opened by organist Reginald Foort.

Because of the relatively small width of the site the 1,835 capacity was achieved by having a huge circle containing 750 of the seats.

It was re-named ABC from 17th February 1971 and due to its opulence and excellent location the cinema survived intact until 1982 when it was converted to a three screen operation by installing two mini-cinemas under the balcony seating 272 and 217 seats.