The former cinema above a pub that could be brought back to life

A campaign is gathering momentum to help bring back to life a hidden cinema above a Wetherspoon pub.

Remarkably, much of the cinema survives largely intact, including some 130 seats that make up the balcony and an art deco frieze still surrounding the former screen which runs across the ceiling.

But the pub is closing in a few days’ time and the site possibly turned into flats, which means that the local community are in a race against time and developers to save the cinema.

The former cinema’s original entrance can still be seen on Victoria Parade – photo: Martin Booth

Almost 2,000 people have now signed a petition calling on Bristol City Council to make St George’s Hall on Church Road in Redfield an Asset of Community Value.

More than 1,500 people are also now members of the Save Redfield Cinema group on Facebook, with many sharing memories of the building which was turned into a bingo hall in the 1960s after closing as a cinema.

https://www.facebook.com/poburke/videos/1403171526750837/

The Electric Palace opened in 1912 at 2 Victoria Road (now Victoria Parade), with the first films accompanied by a pianist who also played during the interval.

The Pugsley family purchased the cinema in the 1920s as well as the house next door and the Victoria Road Mission Hall which was upstairs. They added 203 Church Road and joined the buildings together, with the entrance to the cinema moved to Church Road.

What is now the Wetherspoon pub was once the foyer of the cinema, which reopened on Boxing Day 1927 with seating for 750 people and space for a full orchestra. It was bad timing for the musicians, however, with the arrival of the ‘talkies’ just two years later.

The cinema was renamed the Granada in the late 1930s and lasted until 1961 when the building became a bingo hall, and later the St George’s Hall pub, which is due to pull its last pint on Sunday.

Wetherspoons has confirmed that September 19 will be the final day of trading at St George’s Hall – photo: Martin Booth

The entrance to the Granada on Church Road is part of the pub – photo: Wetherspoons

Paul Burke, 45, a film producer who lives in St George, has been instrumental in leading the campaign to bring the cinema back to life.

“This is an unmissable opportunity for our community to create a new and inclusive cultural space in a part of the city that is undergoing rapid development and change,” Paul told Bristol24/7.

“We accelerated action last week amid unconfirmed reports in the local press of the site being sold, possibly for development into flats.”

The roof of the former cinema seen from the beer garden of the pub – photo: Martin Booth

Paul added: “We think of grandparents opening their door to the grandkids on a weekend: wouldn’t it be great if they could walk to their local cinema together?

“We picture young families for whom it’s too expensive to drive to a multiplex, walking or catching the bus to their local cinema: popping in for some Wallace and Gromit on a rainy day.

“We want to see films with friendly tea and a chat afterwards: helping to address the loneliness that so many in our community face.

“We imagine international film evenings that reflect the amazing diversity of this community.

“We wonder what opportunities and careers we could mobilise, working with local organisations, including City Academy Bristol and Bristol Futures Academy – both just a few streets away.”

Inside the cinema during its heyday – photo: Wetherspoons

Paul wants the cinema to “show everything from Aardman to Cary Grant, Eastern European avant-garde, indie Bristol-made films, Bollywood films, young people’s school projects, new films, old films, comedies and art house”.

“Let’s link up with the churches and temples up and down Church Road, with the schools and community organisations like Redfest.

“Let’s have competitions and festivals and explore options for the large open space in front of the screen – perhaps live music, theatre, indoor weekly markets or local artist residencies.

“These are all suggestions made so far by the people of Redfield and St George. But none of this will be possible if the cinema is lost.

“Our city and its people do face a housing crisis. But a liveable city needs more than just flats. It needs homes. It needs homes in thriving neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods that include spaces for people to come together and share experiences. And after the events of the last 18 months we feel the importance of this more than ever before.

“We need spaces that bring together past, present and future experiences. Let’s make this a thriving space for our local community.”

Looking down Victoria Parade from the former cinema – photo: Martin Booth

James Harrison from South West Silents, celebrating the history of cinema, has lent his support to the campaign.

He said: “Bristol has an incredibly strong film history and with the possibility of the Redfield cinema maybe returning in the future, that can only boost the cities film heritage even more so.

“A cinema there could also be an important lifeline to business in the area as well. Look at the success of the Everyman Cinema on Whiteladies Road. The same can be done on Church Road.

“It’s not often you get a chance like this to renovate a large cinema which dates back over 100 years ago. We really do hope the local community as well as the rest of the city gets behind this project.”

The St George’s Hall pub is located within the cinema’s former foyer – photo: Martin Booth

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said that all current staff at St George’s Hall are being offered jobs at other Wetherspoon pubs in Bristol.

He said: “We thank our loyal staff and customers for their service and custom over the years. On occasion the company sells pubs and this is the case here.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: 15 places in Bristol that once were cinemas

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