Forum Cinema, Bath
The huge Art Deco auditorium was built by J. Long and Sons Ltd. for the Avon Cinema Co. Ltd. and opened on May 19th 1934. A shallow stage was used for variety and the building containes a large cafe and a dance hall at first floor level, and shops and a spacious foyer at ground level.
Down each side of the auditorium is a celebrated frieze of Roman figures. A huge richly plastered ‘sunburst’ feature dominates the ceiling and decorative grills are placed either side of the stage which has recently been extended into the auditorium to facilitate the live concerts/Bath Festival usage.
The Forum Cinema closed in 1969 and was converted to bingo usage. This too closed and following aborted development plans the Bath City Church took over in 1988 and instigated a renovation of the building which now acts as a church & concert hall in the auditorium, and dance school and various community rooms in the former cafe and dance hall areas. It is also a major venue for the annual Bath Festival.
The Forum Cinema is Grade II* Listed building.
Forum Cinema, Bath
The huge Art Deco auditorium was built by J. Long and Sons Ltd. for the Avon Cinema Co. Ltd. and opened on May 19th 1934. A shallow stage was used for variety and the building containes a large cafe and a dance hall at first floor level, and shops and a spacious foyer at ground level.
Down each side of the auditorium is a celebrated frieze of Roman figures. A huge richly plastered ‘sunburst’ feature dominates the ceiling and decorative grills are placed either side of the stage which has recently been extended into the auditorium to facilitate the live concerts/Bath Festival usage.
The Forum Cinema closed in 1969 and was converted to bingo usage. This too closed and following aborted development plans the Bath City Church took over in 1988 and instigated a renovation of the building which now acts as a church & concert hall in the auditorium, and dance school and various community rooms in the former cafe and dance hall areas. It is also a major venue for the annual Bath Festival.
The Forum Cinema is Grade II* Listed building.