This is sad (one of the cinemas I actually like is closing)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4201818.stm

My mate lives near here and I went once, I really liked the place as it was small and freindly, not like this huge modern multiplexes where you have to go up millions of floors and find the damn screen.

I bet its going to be sold so they can build more flats on the land

 

Hi AT,

It can be a shame that this type of cinema disappears. In a lot of ways it's hardly surprising. Most of the money is made by big blockbusters which the multiplex cinemas do well. Small cinemas show more specialist and cult films but need a steady audience.

The downside for the Roxy is that it seemed to be on prime land. It's on the "gateway to Oldham". It may be more flats.

In recent times, the numbers have been going up for cinema attendences. The advantage of a multiplex cinema is choice of films, many screens and start times. Many have better access plus have a range of other entertainment leasure activities nearby.

From the website, the Roxy looks like a nice venue.

SCIDB

 

bedford used to have an old 2 screen cinema - the main screen was at one point the largest in europe i believe. i was privelaged enough to see all 3 original star wars films on it at an age when they were still magical. unfortunately it became unprofitable and first became a bingo hall and was then demolished to become the local aldi. the smell of butterkist still reminds me of the place. it's a real shame when these places go under.
cheers


julian

 

Woops its supposed to say Sad

All the cinemas in my area closed down decades ago, in the 60's and 70's I don't think any of them survived to the 80's.

There was one in Withington which survived till about 2000 but it had been closed and then rebought. Thats a right mess now. The one in Gatley (a suburb of Stockport) has also closed down. Even the Odeon in the city centre has gone

The problem with these multiplexes is they may have better screens, a better sound system but they have no romance, no charector at all. I hate the Print Works in Manchester for example becuase I find too big.

As for flats thats another thing I hate, I live in an area which has a lot of southern imagration so the demand for luxery flats is huge. The problem is these flats are getting bigger all the time, investment companies come in buy flash offices and then sod off back to London once they have made millions on a building which should never have got planning permision.

Why people pay £200k+ for this badly wired plasterboard shells with ill fitting floors and skirton boards is beyond me.

I guess am lucky that my area has still retained its shopping area and all the local butchers are booming etc Tesco can't compete with the quality and friendly service these shops offers

A lot of the old pubs are closing down to become flats as well, I can understand it though as many people prefer bars which are also much cheaper to run.

 

yeah,m the odeon in newcastle closed - but surprisingly the warner brother multiplex also closed down....not that I was bothered about that one like...

 

The Multiplex in Salford Quays has closed I think, that was one of the first ones to built in Manchester in the mid 80's. I think they are might be a newer one nearer the centre of the quays though.

Why am sad about the Roxy is I am not really a cinema fan and I really liked that place. I enjoyed the film as well (which probably helped).

 

The Roxy was my local cinema as a kid. First film I saw there was Star Wars . The place had character but the people even more so.

There used to be an old guy employed to keep the hoards of queuing kids in check. He looked like a cross between Boris Karlof and Lurch from the Addams Family, and he used his walking stick like a baton on any wayward unaccompanied child. Matinees were murder.

The concession counter sold Poppets, Raisenettes (remember those?) and the little cartons of Kia Ora that were impossible to drink from quietly. They even had a girls with trays selling ice cream at the intermission. Priceless.

The last two films I saw there were The Full Monty and East Is East along with my wife and the InLaws. It was a full house both times. The atmosphere was brilliant. Sad to see the old place go.

This made me laugh...

...prime land and gateway to Oldham in the same sentance; surely some mistake.

 

My local cinema.

Real comfy seats, an intermision (!) and an organ that rises from the stage! Multiplex? No thanks!

 

I think thats part of the problem like Stockport Oldham is now cashing in on the regeneration of Manchester and both these towns are reinventing them selves as a cheaper alternative to Manchester.

 

You could always support the Curzon in Urmston, about 10 minutes away from you and one of the very few family owned cinemas still around. It's got that big old cinema atmosphere too.

 

Is that still there? I am not even sure where it is exactly, I used to work breifly in Urmston as well I can picture the building but I can't think of where it is.

Just checked the website and its on Princess Road, I am not sure where that part of Urmston is? Is it near the centre? I wonder how long it will before it becomes flats? If a propertly developer offers them £1m for it I bet it will.