The Top Rank Club (Former Essoldo Cinema)
THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA), CHESTER ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1240376
- Date first listed:
- 28-Mar-1994
- List Entry Name:
- The Top Rank Club (Former Essoldo Cinema)
- Statutory Address:
- THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA), CHESTER ROAD
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-08-14
- Reference:
- IOE01/08718/21
- Rights:
- © Mr F. Bryan Basketter. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1240376
- Date first listed:
- 28-Mar-1994
- List Entry Name:
- The Top Rank Club (Former Essoldo Cinema)
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA), CHESTER ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA), CHESTER ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Trafford (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SJ 79797 94420
Details
SJ 79 SE
1482-/5/10004
STRETFORD
CHESTER ROAD
The Top Rank Club (former Essoldo Cinema)
II
Cinema, now club. 1936, by Henry Elder,of Roberts, Wood and Elder of Manchester, for the Jackson and Newport cinema circuit, with late C20 alterations. Of narrow red brick, with faience tiled facade, with roofs concealed by tall brick walling. Art Deco style. Set-back auditorium, with long foyer passage to Chester Road entrance, and shorter link to side entrance on Edge Road, set amidst contemporary buildings. The Chester Road entrance was designed to resemble a cash register, with stepped convex surfaces curving upwards and backwards, and an attached but advanced rib rising with less curvature designed to carry the vertically-displayed name of the cinema, now bearing the name 'Top Rank.' A projecting band, carved across the face of both curve and rib is the sole horizontal element above the rectangular entrance canopy, which has a modern fascia. This sits above 3 evenly-spaced double doorways, with tile covered flanking walls. Side entrance on Edge Road with tall convex brick wall above a semi-circular canopy, the two components forming a circular entrance area above which rises a substantial tall, grooved concrete column. Directly beneath, supporting the canopy is a curved pier which divides the side entrance area, each part with a pair of original glazed double doors. To the right, a tall recessed panel set between tall brick piers stands above exit doors for the auditorium.
Interior; stalls area altered to form a bingo hall, but plan little disturbed, with circle, projection room, upper floor bar, lighting rotunda and a cafe area above the foyer (now with a suspended ceiling) all surviving. Foyer murals, designed by Frederick H. Baines, depicting contemporary cinema scenes, and each 10 x 6 feet are thought to survive behind removable coverings.
This was amongst the first, and is the only survivor of Elder's cinemas, a building in which the striking and explicit frontage motifs are held to represent his belief that the film industry of the day was primarily concerned with money and sex. The design represents a dramatic departure from theatre-influenced cinema planning, and acknowledged the different spatial and technical requirements of wide screen cinematography.
Listing NGR: SJ7979794420
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 438795
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 05-Jun-2026 at 11:19:03.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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