Cinemas

Cinemas are an important part of the nation’s cultural infrastructure, as well as our built heritage. They are often prominent buildings in our towns and cities, their elegant facades instantly recognisable within the streetscape. They are places intrinsically connected to growing up, where memories are made, friendships and relationships blossom, and where we fall in love with the magic of film. Many people have fond and vivid memories of the cinemas that served their communities, and desire to see them appreciated and conserved.

This guide aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to cinemas as a building type, from their beginnings through their boom years to their subsequent decline in numbers. Also included is a section on reuse, detailing how many former cinemas have been successfully adapted to alternative uses.

This document has been prepared by Richard Gray of the Cinema Theatre Association, assisted by Peter Wylde. Text on the reuse of cinemas as places of worship by Dr Kate Jordan at the University of Westminster.