The listed cinema was opened in 1938 as one of the most modern of its kind.
It seated 2,200 people and the opening film was “The Hurricane.”
The construction cost £100,000 and 20 houses had to be demolished. The cinema had air conditioning and a lighted Compton organ.
There was also the appropriate facilities to use it as a theater.
In the 1970s the cinema was about to close. The owner then invested £20,000 to modernize it. In 1982 the old organ was restored and several Sunday afternoon concerts were held. Since the cinema was still equipped like 138 and people were flocking to the modern multiplex cinemas, the cinema was closed in 1988. In the final screening, in September, the film that opened the cinema was shown again. The building was actually supposed to be demolished. Due to the protests of the citizens, it was then placed under monument protection.
In 1989 it was renamed and organ concerts were held again and some films were also shown. Since the business model was not viable, the cinema was closed relatively quickly.
The building was reopened in 1991. This time as a wine bar and nightclub “Charleston”.
There were a number of live music events, some variety and film shows and several boxing matches. The organ concerts were also reintroduced. In 1998 this chapter was over and the building was unused again.
In 2000 the monument status was increased and a supermarket bought the parking spaces to build there. Combined with the promise to take care of the preservation of the building, maintain it and restore it. However, only the roof was slightly sealed to prevent water damage.
In 2003, further damage to the roof, some of which was massive, was discovered. In 2006 the supermarket chain sold the building again and a leisure center was to be built there.
The gutters were then replaced and it was discovered that there was massive damage to the roof. The owner later explained that he had worked with the monument authority to repair the roof.
In 2008 it was discovered that this claim was false. In 2015 the building was sold again and was to be converted into a pub. 4 years later, small work was started but was never completed.
The famous Campton organ, of which there were more than 500 in Great Britain, was almost completely stolen in a break-in in 2011.
Only a few remains were left behind, which were then secured by a club.
Today the building is unfortunately in very poor condition. The roof is partially missing and there is massive water damage.
It seated 2,200 people and the opening film was “The Hurricane.”
The construction cost £100,000 and 20 houses had to be demolished. The cinema had air conditioning and a lighted Compton organ.
There was also the appropriate facilities to use it as a theater.
In the 1970s the cinema was about to close. The owner then invested £20,000 to modernize it. In 1982 the old organ was restored and several Sunday afternoon concerts were held. Since the cinema was still equipped like 138 and people were flocking to the modern multiplex cinemas, the cinema was closed in 1988. In the final screening, in September, the film that opened the cinema was shown again. The building was actually supposed to be demolished. Due to the protests of the citizens, it was then placed under monument protection.
In 1989 it was renamed and organ concerts were held again and some films were also shown. Since the business model was not viable, the cinema was closed relatively quickly.
The building was reopened in 1991. This time as a wine bar and nightclub “Charleston”.
There were a number of live music events, some variety and film shows and several boxing matches. The organ concerts were also reintroduced. In 1998 this chapter was over and the building was unused again.
In 2000 the monument status was increased and a supermarket bought the parking spaces to build there. Combined with the promise to take care of the preservation of the building, maintain it and restore it. However, only the roof was slightly sealed to prevent water damage.
In 2003, further damage to the roof, some of which was massive, was discovered. In 2006 the supermarket chain sold the building again and a leisure center was to be built there.
The gutters were then replaced and it was discovered that there was massive damage to the roof. The owner later explained that he had worked with the monument authority to repair the roof.
In 2008 it was discovered that this claim was false. In 2015 the building was sold again and was to be converted into a pub. 4 years later, small work was started but was never completed.
The famous Campton organ, of which there were more than 500 in Great Britain, was almost completely stolen in a break-in in 2011.
Only a few remains were left behind, which were then secured by a club.
Today the building is unfortunately in very poor condition. The roof is partially missing and there is massive water damage.
