Skegness Magazine

The above photograph gives a last view of the old Tower Cinema before the front of the building is entirely re-built. Taken by Wrates Pier Snaps of Skegness, the picture shows the re-construction operations that were commenced a few weeks ago.

Unused since the balcony portion of the cinema suffered a direct hit during an enemy raid on the afternoon of Saturday, 18th January, 1941, it is hoped by the management that re-building operations will be commenced in time to open the cinema next July.

“In the alteraqtion and reconstruction of the Tower Cinema we are going to try and give Skegness one of the most up-to-date cinemas not only in this part of Lincolnshire but in the whole of the British Isles,” Mr J M Wright, Circuit Supervisor for Untited Entertainments Ltd, the proprietors of the theatre said.
“It will, of course, be the newest cinema in the country, as normal building regulations do not allow the construction of such buildings in the present day.
“We estimate that two-thirds of the old Tower will have to come down. It will be re-built on the same lines as most modern cinemas, in sompliance with Home Office regulations.”

Although the new building will primarily be used as a cinema, provision is also being made for the presentaion of stage shows.

The rear portion of the old Tower is being taken into the stage space, and there will be an approximate stage depth of between 26 and 28 feet. The actual policy of the cinema has not yet been decided, Mr Wright said.

The plans for the new building have been drawn up by Mr Lional Thraves, of Nottingham, who has designed all the Compay’s cinemas and theatres, including the Parade.

Indeed, the frontage of the new Topwere will be not inlike that of the Parade Cinema. It will be built of brick, similar to that used in the frontage of the Parade, but unlike the Parade, will have two pillars instead of one. There will be three complete sets of double swing doors, compared with only two previously.

The seating accommodation will be practically the same as before, but the old 19 inch seats are to be replaced by seats with a width of 22 inches. The interior decoration will be chiefly in autumn tints, and there will be flood lighting with colour-changing effects. The latest type of glass fireproof curtains will be installed throughout.

ENTIRELY FIREPROOF

The whol of the circle is to be built in the new style of re-inforced concrete and will be entirely fireproof. The theatre will be fitted with an emergency circle fire escape and, in direct contrast to the old Tower, will have a circle foyer. There will be two emergency exits from the stalls to the front of the cinema, and all the shrubbery is to be cleared away leaving a clear pavement outside. There are to be exits down one side and three down the other. The main foyer will contain two box offices of the glass “island” kiosk type.

Previsions are being made for all screen television, and the projection “sweep” will be the largest in the whole country, and will be fitted with the latest Westrex sound reproducing equipment. The designs and fittings for the projection room are being executed by the Company’s own engineers, under the supervision of Mr G M Wright (manager of the Arcadia Theatre), and the whole of the general lay-out was planned by Mr J M Wright himself. All electrical installations will be operated from the cinema’s own power plant, thus eliminating trouble from power cuts.

Heating apparatus will be of the pressure hot water type, and the ventilation system, which incorporates cooled-air inlets, will be electrically operated.

The work is being carried out by Messers Metcalf Bros. of Doncaster, the same firm that built the Parde Cinema.