Skegness Cinemas History
ONCE upon a time Skegness was the proud possessor of three large cinemas, but the first one closed about 1964.
That was the Central, on Roman Bank, which had previously been a live theatre. After the last film was shown there it became known as the Central Casino and later (c1979) as the Regent Social Club.
Next to close was the Parade Cinema, which began life in December 1933 with Mr Walter Fearn as manager. Considered the last word in luxury, it was owned by a company headed by Mr Reginald L. Kemp of Nottingham, and opened by Coun Walter Hudson, chairman of Skegness Urban Council. By the 1970’s it was opening summers only and showing two alternating films throughout each season. But even installing stereo sound failed to save it and by 1974 it was up for sale. The frontage was converted into an amusement arcade and opened as the Penny Parade by Mr Joe Sales in 1976. This was opposed by the planning authority and won on appeal.
Night club plan
R. L. Kemp Cinemas Ltd leased the arcade, hoping to turn the back part into a night club.
Now the Tower Cinema has gone, at least for the time being. 11 was built as the Tower Theatre by Mr Fred Clements in 1920 and opened in the summer of 1921 as a cinema to complement his Arcadia Theatre.
Mr Kemp bought it from him in the late 1930’s, Then came the war and on 18th January, 1941, one of several bombs dropped on the town hit the cinema during a children’s matinee. Luckily no one was killed or seriously injured though a number were treated for severe shock.
The explosion brought down the southwest corner, putting the whole building out of use until it was rebuilt by Metcalf Bros. of Doncaster, who also built the Parade, and the same architect, Mr Alfred Thraves, of Nottingham was employed.
He was faced with the difficuity of creating a design which would incorporate every modern feature and comfort while respecting the urgent national need for economy in building materials.
There were the limitations of the existing site and the re-use of damaged parts of the building to be taken into consideration.
It was to make full use of reinforced concrete construction and rely on simple forms of planning and careful choice of materials to present “a pleasingly restrained architectural design, giving a dignified elevation to Lumley Road.”
This carried in golden and russet bricks in patterns, using a cream – coloured coloured faience (glazed clay similar to porcelain) to surround windows and provide relieving features.
The projection suite and equipment were claimed to be the most up-to-date in the country. Two of the Western Electric Company’s latest Westrex projectors were installed.
The stage was enlarged to a depth of 26ft and width of 32ft and the screen with loudspeakers behind formed a unit which could be wheeled into the wings when stage shows were put on. It was, in fact, still known as the Tower
Theatre, and had its own organ
Telegram
On 1 July, 1951, the restored cinema was opened by Mrs R. L. Kemp and Radio Pictures Ltd presented a pre release screening of Payment on Demand” starring Bette Davis, ” the first lady of the screen,” who sent a telegram of congratulations.
A pre-release of Betty Grable’s “Call Me Mister” followed and some of the other first films included Ray Milland in “Circle of Danger” and Walt Disney’s ” Treasure Island.”
The manager was Mr G. M. (Nip) Wright, whose father, Mr J. M. Wright, the circuit supervisor, was MC at the opening. At the organ was Edwin Furniss. Mr Nip Wright had started as a page boy in the old Tower Theatre under Fred
when only nine. On his demob from the Army in 1947, he took over the management of the Majestic Theatre, Swadlincote, and was later appointed general manager of the Arcadia. taking charge of the electrical installations during the Tower’s restoration. By 1966, Mr Wright was responsible for the Tower and Parade Cinemas and the Central Casino and had just taken over as general manager of Hemp’s Midland circuit.
He had plans to turn the Tower into a triple cinema but these were abandoned in early 1979 when the Tower and Central were sold to the Regent Leisure Group of Peterborough, and Mr E Morgan became manager of the cinema. Regent, in turn, sold the Tower to Softsands Ltd, of Skegness, in October.
In 1951, even Wainfleet had a cinema — the Regent — and Skegness holidaymakers were thrilling to a circus on ice at the Winter Gardens.
Today the entertainment scene presents a sorry contrast with no Pier Pier Theatre, a smaller Arcadia Theatre and the nearest cinema at Spilsby.
(1979 article)
Photos:
(top) Central Cinema, Roman Bank, Skegness, which closed around 1964.
(second) The Parade Cinema, Grand Parade, Skegness.
(third) The Penny Parade Amusement Arcade, Grand Parade, Skegness.
(fourth) Tower Cinema, Lumley Road, Skegness.
Skegness very nearly had a Lumley Cinema, the details of which we will be revealing soon!
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