Salford Cinema (Rex Cinema), Chapel Street, Salford

The Cinematographic Act of 1909, which came into operation on 1 January 1910, forced cinema owners to spend more on their buildings to improve standards of safety and sanitation. Cellulose nitrate film stock was highly flammable and had given rise to a number of cinema fires including one at Barnsley where 18 children had been killed in the panic when a film caught fire. After 1910 local halls previously used to exhibit movies were increasingly replaced with purpose-built cinema buildings.

One such, the Salford Cinema, built for Matthew Raymond, opened on 25 November 1912 with seating for 700. Originally constructed in 1846 as a Scottish Presbyterian Church, (architects: Travis and Mangnall). the building was granted a Cinematographic Licence in September 1912 and converted to a cinema. It was originally intended to call the cinema the "Electric Theatre" but it was known as "Raymond's New Home Cinema" for the first week and from the second week operated as the "Salford Cinema". The Chapel Street elevation was particularly ornate, with faience tiles featuring Baroque swags and garlands. Faience was also used for the main arches on the side elevations but here the infill was of brick. The entrance was formed at the corner of Chapel Street and St Stephen's Street, emphasised with a little dome supported on columns at roof level.

The Salford Reporter ran the standard enthusiastic description: “The decorations are most elaborate, and the building itself is certainly a credit and ornament to Chapel Street, and it is without doubt the handsomest picture palace in the Borough.” A further description of the new cinema appeared in the Bioscope of 27 February 1913:

SALFORD CINEMA - The patrons of this already popular rendezvous are of the highest class, being drawn from all districts by the excellence of the programmes and the courtesy of the management. Mr Matt Raymond is the proprietor, the resident management being in the capable hands of Mr. J. Patterson. The hall occupies a corner site. and is composed of cream pressed brick and pebble dashed. The vestibule is black and white tiled, the wall decorations being in cream and gold, which combined with the rich Turkey carpet give an immediate impression of luxury and comfort. The auditorium is almost on the square principle and is fitted throughout with tip ups in crimson plush. Heavy pile Turkey carpet covers the floors. The colour scheme is cream. The hall accommodates 700 people and the prices of admission are 3d, 4d and 6d., the latter being charged for the circle. A continuous performance is given from 6.30 to 11, and during this time it is quite a pleasure to listen to the very fine music rendered by the excellent bijou orchestra which has been drafted from Raymond's Lyceum, Egremont, Cheshire.

The cinema was sold as a going concern in 1925 and again in 1938 when it was acquired by the J.F Emery Circuit when its name was changed to the "Rex Cinema", A declining local population caused by slum clearances after the Second World War eventually affected its economic viability. In September 1958 it was closed, the last film shown being "Blue Murder at St Trinian’s.” Following its closure as a cinema, the building was used as a warehouse and store for a number of years but in August 1967 it was re-opened as a bingo hall, the opening ceremony being performed by Violet Carson. In 1985 the building became the Victory Chapel, a reversion to its original function for at the rear of the building, the outline of the gothic east window of the original church still remains visible. It continues in use as the New Harvest Church (2020).

Reference     Bioscope 5 December 1912 page 63 – opening
Reference    Kinematograph Weekly 12 December 1912 page 86-7 – opening
Reference    Bioscope 27 February 1913 page 77 - review
Reference    Ian Beesley, Peter De Figueiredo: Victorian Manchester and Salford 1988 No 68