Former Cannon Cinema
Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1249275
- Date first listed:
- 19-Oct-1994
- List Entry Name:
- Former Cannon Cinema
- Statutory Address:
- Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2007-02-25
- Reference:
- IOE01/15751/34
- Rights:
- © Mr Arthur Hanley. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1249275
- Date first listed:
- 19-Oct-1994
- List Entry Name:
- Former Cannon Cinema
- Statutory Address 1:
- Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
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:
- Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- West Northamptonshire (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Northampton
- National Grid Reference:
- SP 75925 60796
Details
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 18 November 2022 to amend the name and address, and reformat the text to current standards
TQ 7660
6/10009
NORTHAMPTON
ABINGTON SQUARE
Former Cannon Cinema
(Formerly listed as Cinema Cannon Cinema)
GV
II
Cinema, 1936 by William R Glen for Associated British Cinemas. Rendered concrete and brick; roof not visible behind high parapets. Corner site with double-height entrance hall, leading to principal auditorium, Screen 1, with stalls and balcony. Secondary screens installed under balcony.
Facade a stepped back composition with moderne curves set back behind complimentary curves of adjoining shops (not of special architectural or historic interest), with five bays divided by projecting fins. Five double doors lead to foyer. Late C20 canopy not of special interest.
Interior: Screen one retains original proscenium, ribbed like a wireless set in the German moderne style, into which decorative vents are cut at right angles. Stage with orchestra pit. Front stalls survive with seating, but out of use; area under stalls now subdivided into smaller screens behind dropped wall, but this does not affect the architectural composition. Ceiling over balcony an elaborate sequence of steps and coves, containing lighting.
Included as one of only two largely surviving examples of the work of W R Glen, Britain's most prolific cinema architect.
Source: Allen Byles, The Cinemas of ABC, 1993.
Listing NGR: SP7592560796
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 431362
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Eyles, A, ABC. The First Name in Entertainment, (1993)
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 09-Jun-2026 at 22:03:40.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.