Newburn, Station Road, Imperial Electric Theatre

HER Number:
12843

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Newburn, Station Road, Imperial Electric Theatre

Place:
Newburn

Map Sheet:
NZ16NE

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:

Site Type: Specific:
Cinema

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Extant Building

Description:
Opened 18 October 1911. Designed by Thomas R. Eltringham of Throckley Colliery for Towyn Thomas. Seating was for 550. William B. Saul took the cinema over in August 1912. In July 1913 he added a 131 seat gallery and replaced some of the tip-up stalls with forms. In January 1919 Thomas Maughan, a locomotive driver from Blaydon took over the Imperial. The exterior of the cinema was faced with vitrolite glass panels. The sweet shop next door provided refreshments during the intervals. In March 1936 Maurice Cohen took over. In February 1939 the Imperial closed for renovation and partial rebuilding. Seating was reduced back to 550. A.J. Lamb designed a façade in cement render with a neon display. There was a fire around September 1940. Architect Robert Burke redesigned the proscenium arch. The Imperial reopened on 23 December 1940. It closed on 13 May 1961 and was converted into a bingo hall. It is now used by a firm of industrial designers.

Easting:
1654

Northing:
6531

Grid Reference:
NZ16546531

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Frank Manders, 1991, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 85-86; Frank Manders, 2005, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 131, 135, 159