Chequered history
135-137 Cheltenham Road, Stokes Croft, Bristol.
Opened in October 1914, the Cheltenham Cinema has a facade that was described as being in a 'Mock Renaissance' style. It was always operated as an independent cinema, or by local circuits, never by major chains.
In 1933 it was renamed Plaza Cinema, and by the early 1940s it was renamed Academy Cinema and continued until its closure in 1955.
The building was purchased by the Christadelphians and converted to a Christadelphian Hall for religious worship.
In 1998 it had been purchased by the Wetherspoon pub chain and opened as the Magic Box, in honour of William Friese Greene, who was Bristol-born. He pioneered cinematography and was the subject of the film "The Magic Box" starring Robert Donat.
The Magic Box closed in December 2006 and the building opened as Jesters Comedy Club in January 2008. The club had closed by 2012, and the building is now boarded up.
A Grade II listed building.
Oh, and the building next door is the so-called Telepathic Heights, once a squat (still might be) and adorned by Burning Candy Crew.
Chequered history
135-137 Cheltenham Road, Stokes Croft, Bristol.
Opened in October 1914, the Cheltenham Cinema has a facade that was described as being in a 'Mock Renaissance' style. It was always operated as an independent cinema, or by local circuits, never by major chains.
In 1933 it was renamed Plaza Cinema, and by the early 1940s it was renamed Academy Cinema and continued until its closure in 1955.
The building was purchased by the Christadelphians and converted to a Christadelphian Hall for religious worship.
In 1998 it had been purchased by the Wetherspoon pub chain and opened as the Magic Box, in honour of William Friese Greene, who was Bristol-born. He pioneered cinematography and was the subject of the film "The Magic Box" starring Robert Donat.
The Magic Box closed in December 2006 and the building opened as Jesters Comedy Club in January 2008. The club had closed by 2012, and the building is now boarded up.
A Grade II listed building.
Oh, and the building next door is the so-called Telepathic Heights, once a squat (still might be) and adorned by Burning Candy Crew.