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| Sadly no pictures exist of the foyer before the cinema was twinned in 1971
when a cash desk and sales kiosk were built in front of the original pay desk and the
two end doors were shut off. A new managers office further reduced the
size of the foyer.
We have a description from the November 1938 edition of Cinema & Theatre Construction "The simple colour scheme of cream and green is maintained in the entrance foyer, where the mauve carpet has a design which is in keeping not only with the name of the cinema, but with the period furniture and fireplace." Patrons speak of large glass chandeliers gracing the entrance and even a Rembrandt oil painting!
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 This picture, taken from above the kiosk ceiling, (note the security grill on the left) shows the original ceiling. Note the outline of an ABC Triangle logo on the wall. This would have been in the middle of the two entrances to the stalls as shown in the plans The original plans show the foyer as it was as the cinema opened (subject to a few minor alterations) and photographs show details of the original ceiling that was above the false ceiling. The paintwork is from the 1960s or earlier.
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These pictures from 1988 show the foyer after it was slightly refurbished around 1983. The stairs lead to what was then "Cannon One". Formerly this would have been the circle. A door to the left at the landing used to lead to the cafe. In later years, an equipment store, the staff room and regional offices. |
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I never worked in the cash desk but I remember seeing this
particular form being filled out hundreds of times. Was is every hour? I hope Tim doesn't mind me posting up this picture of him beavering away. No computers yet, so note the Automat machine for dishing out the tickets. Kerchunk! The calendar gives away the date - April 1986
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