The street elevation of the Central Cinema Playhouse and Cafe on Friar Street

Date:
8 Apr 1921
Location:
Central Cinema Playhouse And Cafe, 25 Friar Street, Reading
Show all locations
Central Picture Playhouse, 25 Friar Street, Reading
ABC Cinema, 25 Friar Street, Reading
MGM Cinema, 25 Friar Street, Reading
Reference:
BL25431
Type:
Photograph (Negative)
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Description

The Central Picture Playhouse, or Central Cinema Playhouse and Cafe, opened in 1921. It was taken over by ABC in around 1931, but was not renamed as the ABC until. In 1967 the building was converted into an ‘ABC Luxury Lounge’. After the conversion, initially only the circle remained in use as a cinema. A second screen (ABC2) opened in the former cafe area in 1971. The screen in the circle (ABC1) was subdivided into 2 screens in 1977. The cinema was taken over by Cannon Cinemas, and in 1993 was renamed MGM Cinema. The building closed as the ABC on 22nd March 1999. It was demolished in 2003 and an Ibis Hotel was built on the site. This photograph was taken for W Macfarlane & Company, architectural ironfounders.

Content

This is part of the Series: HBL01/01 Series of photographic negatives and prints; within the Collection: HBL01 The Bedford Lemere Collection

Rights

Source: Historic England Archive

People & Organisations

Client: Walter Macfarlane And Company Limited

Photographer: Jwc: Bedford Lemere And Company

Keywords

Early 20th Century Cinema