Leeds lost cinemas

drapesy · Post by **drapesy** » Sat 08 Nov, 2008 10:13 pm

fred1935 wrote: Thank you Blakey, Drapesy for putting me right about those Armley cinama's. For some reason though I lived in Armley during my growing up years, as a youngster exploring every alley as you do, 1941 to 53, I still don't recall the Carr Crofts cinama, all the others yes as plain as day but not that one. Very good reading anyway. Its worth bearing in mind that;1. the Carr Croft Cinema never looked much like a cinema, being a converted chapel and2. it was a long time ago that it was a cinema - 1912 to 1931. I would suppose it never even had a sound system, as the time it closed was the era when they just were being installed

johnnyg · Post by **johnnyg** » Mon 10 Nov, 2008 11:04 am

I'm really glad you cleared that up Drapesy. I was taking some photos around Armley in late August and asked about this building, thinking it may hve been a cinema. The simialrity to a chapel never crossed my mind, but I suppose I wasn't looking for a chapel.I asked a few locals that I got talking to and they all said it had never been a cinema, understandable now that I know it was so long ago. Cheers.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Mon 24 Nov, 2008 11:55 pm

Much to my surprise I've just found out my mum has the original doors to the Lounge cinema. My dad bought them when the Arc development took place. Unfortunately he died soon after and she's still got them. I've no idea what he wanted to do with them.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Tue 25 Nov, 2008 12:05 am

Cardiarms wrote: Much to my surprise I've just found out my mum has the original doors to the Lounge cinema. My dad bought them when the Arc development took place. Unfortunately he died soon after and she's still got them. I've no idea what he wanted to do with them. That is quite amazing and I'm sure they will be of some value in the local history connection. Its a shame that, after the reasonably sympathetic Arc refurbishment, the cinema should close down so soon - they must have seriously misjudged the future demand. Having said that though, I think the opening of the Multiplex on Kirkstall Road at around the same time probably scuppered any hope of lasting success. I may be wrong but I believe that some of the lovely almost new Lounge seats were sold to the Hyde Park Cinema which is still a fabulous little place.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 25 Nov, 2008 2:26 pm

It has been said that the owner of the lounge was more interested in bars and property development than cinemas. Cinema = nightclub sort of thing, until the council said no and then strangely the cinema closes and the site is for redevlopement. During the 90's ATC cinemas developed into a property development company hat happened to have some cinemas and there has been some disquiet over the way it's owners operate and develop.

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Mon 01 Dec, 2008 10:46 am

At the public meeting concerning the closure of the Lounge, the receptionist who had worked there for decaded commented that there were people there making a case for it remaining open that she had never seen walk thorughg the door. To quote Paul Weller, "the public gets what the public wants". If you choose to not use a facilty, expect it to close. Could Headingly really expect to sustain two boutique cinemas? Business are not charities, it had it's chance and it was not supported by the public.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Mon 01 Dec, 2008 12:20 pm

Three, if you count the Hyde Park. It's does seem suprising that the Loung'e central headingley location couldn't pay but the cottage Road and the Hyde Park can keep going. Mind you both might be basket cases for all I know. I see that ATC are developing the "the former cinema car park site" on Cottage Road. I bet that's a boost to the cinema's bsuiness.

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Mon 01 Dec, 2008 4:49 pm

Quite. I find the criticism of ATC pretty unfair. Maybe they could be accused of not giving it a fair crack of the whip but if it was full and making money then I'm sure it would still be there. People expect too much of private business, they are not charities nor are they historical societies. They did it up, reopened it and the public were indifferent to it. Hence it closed.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Mon 01 Dec, 2008 5:12 pm

Don't know if you know, was the Arc developed by ATC? Do they operate the bar or was it leased/sold on completion. I always thought that the bar/restaurant/cinema business would be a good idea but as far as i know they were independent ventures. Cheers

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Mon 01 Dec, 2008 5:44 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Don't know if you know, was the Arc developed by ATC? Do they operate the bar or was it leased/sold on completion. I always thought that the bar/restaurant/cinema business would be a good idea but as far as i know they were independent ventures. Cheers Pretty sure they owned / operated the whole caboodle. Plus other bars in Headingly like The Box.