Building Name

Premier Super Cinema Cheetham Hill Manchester

Date
1924 - 1925
Street
Cheetham Hill Road
District/Town
Cheetham Hill, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Architect
Work
New Build
Status
Demolished
Contractor
J Gerrard and Sons

A striking profession of faith in the cinema’s future is embodied in the new Premier Cinema situated on Cheetham Hill Road which has been opened this week. Obviously, it needed a great deal of optimism and confidence on the part of the proprietors to build even in a large suburb, a picture theatre equal in many ways to the best that Manchester possesses- a structure whose artistry is defined by the name of its architect, Mr John Knight, and the designer of its interior decoration, Mr J Lenegan; and in whose equipment no expense has been spared.  The Premier Cinema is planned in the Neo-Grec style, executed in Christie stone and rustic facing bricks, and is without question an architectural gem. A large entrance hall is provided with a fine main staircase leading to the balcony, both being lighted by a stained glass dome. The theatre itself seats nearly 2000 people and has ample space between each row of seats to allow late-comers to pass through without disturbing anyone. The decorative scheme is really beautiful; its basic colour is matt-white, the lower portion of the wall being panelled in mahogany, whilst higher are isolated panels including decorative designing and plaster reliefs picked out in blue and gold. The dainty café, situated between the entrances to the circle is decorated in Chinese fashion, the furnishings being of cane. Notable features of the theatre's equipment are its fine ventilation and heating systems, its patent "Marks" screen and its admirable proscenium. A symphony orchestra of some dozen players has been engaged under Mr Arthur Ward's direction and a bold policy of production intended to include the best and newest films of the day has been decided upon, so that in no respect will the premier prove inferior to the city cinemas. [Manchester City News 8 August 1925 Page 6 Column 4]

COTTONOPOLIS GOES ONE BETTER - SOME INTERESTING DETAILS OF THE PREMIER, CHEETHAM HILL -  In the new Premier Cinema, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, the architect, Mr John Knight, FRIBA, has created a theatre eminently suited to the locality in which it is placed. Solid, but not by any means sombre in external aspect, the impression created is that without loss of those essential characteristics of a place of amusement, the architect has provided an exterior well calculated to resist the ravages of time and the atmospheric peculiarities of Cottonopolis. Many things may happen to the Premier as the years roll on; but this much may safely be predicted: its outward appearance will not suffer to the extent that so many places of less substantial and more fanciful design have done in thickly populated industrial areas.  The architectural note is that of Greek renaissance, well-proportioned and unaggressive. The dressing is a pleasing combination of Christie patent stone and facing brickwork. The main entrance takes the angle of the frontage, and four Doric columns support the curved superstructure.     

 THE VESTIBULE   The capacity of this new theatre is only a shade under the 2,000 mark; so that one can imagine the necessity for a sufficiently commodious vestibule. A very attractive effect has here been secured by the raising of a stained-glass dome, which not only affords adequate illumination, but materially enhances the decorative aspect. The flooring is of thick rubber tile work,- ensuring pleasing quietness to the tread as well as wear-resisting qualities.   

 THE AUDITORIUM. The auditorium is made up of a well-raked main floor, above the rearward portion of which a spacious balcony is supported sans pillars. The seating, although nearly two thousand spectators are accommodated, is perfectly planned, and from every chair a clear sight-line  to the screen is obtained. The interior decoration is ornamental plaster, the scheme being an effective lay-out of insulated panels, with suitable enrichment in blue and gold. the white matt surface finds ample and  effective contrast in the panelling of the lower walls in  mahogany-finished woodwork.   The back of the auditorium is protected by a handsome glazed screen; while the lighting is by adminM.  arranged electric light fittings, providing soft, restful,  but ample illumination.

 HEATING AND VENTILATION - The heating is by means of recessed hot water radiators, serving the numerous offices as well as the main building. The supply is from an "Ideal" boiler, the  circulation being ensured by the use of an electrically-riven " Efco" accelerator. The ventilation is of the  plenum type; a powerful fan being employed to draw in air, which is then warmed and conditioned, after  which it is delivered into the auditorium along air-ducts  terminating in gratings placed at proper parts of the  auditorium to ensure perfect distribution. The withdrawal of the vitiated and smoke-laden air is facilitated by the provision of eight ceiling grids provided with ducts to a pair of powerful extractor fans. The under-balcony air pocket is separately dealt with by a specially arranged fan. On the balcony level a small but well-equipped cafe-lounge is decorated in Chinese style, and furnished with appropriate cane-ware. Here it is intended to maintain an efficient light refreshment service for the convenience of patrons who wish to meet friends or await their  seats in special comfort.   One may judge from the excellent photographic illustrations here shown, the salient characteristics of this fine modern cinema; and for permission to reproduce these we are indebted to our well-informed and interesting contemporary, "The British Builder."

 The contractors include :  J. Gerrard and Sons,  Limited, Swindon (building) ; Edgar Felton, Limited,  Manchester (heating and ventilation); Lambourne and  Co., Limited, Manchester (steelwork); J. H. Pattison, Manchester (marble) ; J. Leni^-an, Manchester (fibrous plaster work); Conway and Co., Manchester (metal  casements) ; and Alex. Lees, Manchester (doors and gates).

Reference    Builder 17 October 1924 page 628
Reference    Manchester City News 8 August 1925 Page 6 Column 4
Reference    Supplement to The Cinema News and Property Gazette. 26 November 1925
Reference    Lancashire Life March 1973 Page 88