Building Name

West End Super Cinema Whalley Range Manchester

Date
1929 - 1930
Street
Withington Road
District/Town
Whalley Range, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Architect
Client
T Royle
Work
New Build
Contractor
Direct labour

Cinema and Café at the junction of Withington Road and Dudley Road, Whalley Range. Car park for 150 cars. Opened Monday 8 December 1930. Taken over by the Odeon chain in 1940. New equipment installed in 1949. Converted to a bingo hall in 1963 and demolished in 1986

T Royle of the York Cinema Hulme and S W Wells are to erect cinema at Withington Road and Dudley Road, Whalley Range. [Builder 16 August 1929 page 277]

WEST END CINEMA. WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER -  It is generally recognised that the architecture of entertainment has found no better exponent than Mr John Knight FRIBA, who has a unique record in the designing of British super-cinemas. In the West End Cinema, Whalley Range, which opens to the public shortly, we see another of his interesting creations. The West End Cinema is an imposing structure occupying the large site at the junction of Withington Road and Dudley Road. The architect has given us nothing bizarre or crude; on the contrary, the elevations of both facades are characterised by modern simplicity and strength. A feature has been made of the main entrance. This, together with the portions of the building which flank it on either side has been executed throughout in cream glazed terra-cotta, relieved by interesting and refined detail.  When seen at night floodlighted the subject is one of considerable beauty and attractiveness. This is further enhanced by the electric standards and trellis archways which enclose the site and provide adequate parking space for the motor-cars of patrons visiting the cinema. Access to the main entrance is gained by marble steps on the corner of the building, while at the opposite end of the building in Dudley Road is a secondary entrance for patrons to the cheaper seats. An ornamental canopy extending the full length of the building provides protection in inclement weather for patrons waiting to enter the cinema at the latter entrance.

The main entrance hall is octagonal in shape, and is adorned by marble flooring in black and white, with wall tiling of delicate hues relieved by touches of gold, presenting an ensemble of beauty. In the centre stands the pay kiosk, while archways to the rear and on one side lead to the balcony and the auditorium lounge respectively. The auditorium lounge is a great convenience for patrons waiting to enter the auditorium.  It is tastefully furnished, and the walls are panelled to dado height in quartered walnut. In the auditorium itself, the floor is entirely covered with thick patterned carpets on which a red ground predominates. The seats, every one of which is of a comfortable and tip-up type, are executed in inlaid mahogany, upholstered in flame coloured plush. The general decorations manifest an individuality which does not follow any given style. They are a complete break-away from both the formal and the atmospheric. Attention is immediately focussed upon the proscenium, the arch of which is coved, whilst the surface is reeded. Concealed lighting in both the inner and outer extremities of the cove make possible numerous effective combinations of colour. On each side of the proscenium are large decorative panels, relieved by ornamental grilles finished in gold, and balconets. The colour scheme is provided by an artistic use of the warmer tints, an attractive contrast being made by the judicious use of turquoise blue and gold leaf.  Amongst other features of the West End Cinema can be noted the following: There are ample exits, also special fire protection is afforded. The ehating is on the low pressure hot water system. The ventilating is a combination of natural and mechanical, to give not less than six changes of atmosphere per hour. The main lighting is by large ceiling units, supplemented by concealed cornice lighting.  The striking front of the new cinema is a fine example of the use of glazed terra-cotta which is becoming very popular for cinema facades. The material employed is ivory "Hathernware" glazed terra cotta and by its use the architect=s design has been realised to the very best advantage. The distinctive colour makes it particularly attractive, whilst the fact that it can easily be kept clean by occasional washing down renders terra-cotta especially desirable for this class of building.  It also presents an excellent reflecting surface, making floodlighting most effective, this alone being a valuable asset to the modern cinema. The whole appearance is one of inviting freshness, and the Hathern Station Brick and Terra-cotta Company Ltd of Loughborough, which has manufactured the terra-cotta for the front, is to be commended upon the successful manner in which it has executed the work.

The 200 feet long metal veranda or canopy which is fixed round two sides of the West End Cinema has been constructed and erected by Messrs Brookes & Company (1925) Ltd of Princess-street, Manchester. It is one of the longest cinema verandas in Manchester. Messrs. Brookes are one of the oldest art metal firms in the North, founded in 1769, and only recently the have added an extension to their premises and completely modernised their machinery, which is now all electrically driven.  Among the many remarkable cinema decoration schemes carried out in all parts of the country by Messrs G F Holding Ltd, Brookes Bar Manchester, none has received more artful planning and more masterly execution than the scheme at the West End Cinema. Orange and gold are the predominant tones in the building ...., real English gold being employed to an extent which must be unique in cinema decoration. The ceiling of the entrance hall is carried out in finely textured plastic paint, the new medium in whch Holdings have won fame, their achievement at the Hammersmith Icedrome, London, is the most notable example in the country, whilst locally they have shown the possibilities of plastic paint at the Regal and Kingsway Lido. [The Manchester City News Saturday 22 November 1930 Page 9].

Reference    Builder 16 August 1929 page 277 - proposed cinema
Reference    Builder 25 October 1929 page 705 - plans by John Knight
Reference    Builder 21 February 1930 Page 412 - plans passed by Town Council
Reference    Manchester City News 22 November 1930 Page 9
Reference    Maryann Gomes The Picture House Manchester 1986 Page 61