LONGFORD CINEMA - THE LATEST WORD!

2009-09-06T16:18:00.003Z

It's great to see repair work well underway on the crumbling side wall. It looks like crumbling brick work has been replaced, the wall repointed and air vents put into the wall which is fantastic.

(Before)

Heritage Open Day 2009 (not Longford sadly!)

2009-08-15T19:20:00.002Z

Sadly the building won't be open this year as part of the National Heritage week programme, but I can recommend visiting the Theatre Royal Hyde for a real step back in time. Click though to get the details. Well worth a visit.

Theatres Trust

2009-06-24T22:34:00.001Z

This may not be entirely relevant but if you're on this site then it might be of interest. Click here.

Odeon

2009-05-16T13:38:00.001Z

Now I wouldn't normally read the Daily Mail, but click this link to see some interesting facts about Odeon buildings.

Channel M news video now online.

2009-05-05T07:01:00.001Z

Click HERE to view the Channel M piece on the building. No new footage but still worth a look.

Big News - hope it comes true soon!

2009-04-25T16:30:00.000Z

Manchester Evening News Monday 20 April 2009 Features Page 9.

The disused Essoldo cinema is an art deco landmark which intrigues passing commuters. Paul Taylor asks can there be a happy ending for the old movie house?

Some still recall how the crowd at the Longford Cinema cheered the newsreel of Neville Chamberlin returning from his meeting with Hitler in 1938, declaring “peace in our time”. They also remember how Longford hosted the Halle Orchestra when it was bombed out of the Free Trade Hall in 1940 after the promise of peace had yielded to war. Generations go misty eyed about how they found romance at the movies.

But these days, the Longford later Essoldo cinema, evokes mainly curiosity in the thousands who drive past it on Chester Road, Stretford. What is the history of this strange, grand art deco picture palace? And 14 years after the doors closed, what is to become of it?

“Apart from the fact that it’s pretty special architecturally, it’s one of the few buildings like this still standing”, says Matthew White, who set up a website devoted to the cinema. “A lot of the response is from people who sneaked in as a kid, or met their future husband and wife there and sat on the back row in the kissing seats”. Those responses come as from as far afield as the USA. Verna Nelson in Modesto, California, recalls how her mum had such fun working at the Longford. Christine Hartley, in Italy, remembers how her brother, now living in Mew Zealand, was one a projectionist at the Longford. “Whenever I visit Stretford I take photos of the old Longford and post them to him”, she writes. “He says it breaks his heart to look at them”.

But the owner, a businessman from Sale has a message for the doomsayers who believe the building is being left to rot. “There have been rumours that it’s going to be demolished or turned into flats – all sorts of things”, he says. “It’s still destined to be a family entertainment centre. That was the idea and that’s what we want to follow through with. We’re looking at a couple of groups – both theatre groups – to use the building”. To concerns that the building is looking shabby, he says “Don’t be confused by what you see outside. The auditorium has a complete re paint and is looking very nice”.

The cinema opened in 1936, the curvy design intended to contour the design of a cash register. There was an expansive concourse leading to the front entrance, a foyer of Venetian marble, and the auditorium was decorated in tangerine and silver-blue art deco designs. The Longford was the first building in Britain illuminated by neon tube lighting, there was under seat heating, a cafe with seating for 146 and space in the auditorium for 2000 film goers. The first film shown was Tudor Rose, starring Nova Pillbeam, and patrons would pay 6d for a seat in the stalls, and 3s in the circle. A young Julie Andrews performed at Sunday concerts on the stage. “It was quite a big deal when it opened”, says White. “It was meant to be a luxurious experience”.

In 1950, the Longford was bought by the Essoldo group and renamed. But TV eroded the cinemas’ clientele and the last picture show at the Essoldo was in 1965, and Ladbrokes turned it into a bingo hall. In 1979, the widening of Chester Road meant it lost its grand concourse, and the building closed in 1995.

“My early memories were of seeing Ben Hur and Dr No there with my parents”, says John Ryan, 55, from Sale who took video footage of the Essoldo interior when it was thrown open to potential buyers in 1995. “It’s a huge accommodation. It was known as a ‘super cinema’, and all the super cinemas, like the Plaza at Stockport, had large cafes. I made a video and was selling it on eBay. I had people e-mailing me saying they often wondered what it looked like inside. There’s a huge curiosity about the place”.

Local councillor Steve Adshead, 50, says fears about the building’s future ‘are the bane of our lives’. “It’s a question everyone in Stretford talks about”, he adds. “They see it going to waste - a big building which could be a fantastic resource for the community. It is a listed building and he’s required to maintain it in a reasonable condition, and as long as he does that, the council have no powers”.

The owner is a lover of art deco architecture who insists that work goes on to bring the Essoldo back to life. “I’m hopeful that by the end of the year it’s going to be looking a lot different”, he says. “We’ve spent and awful lot of money. Now it’s a case of finding the correct partnerships”.

2009-03-16T17:57:00.006Z

The website is intended as a questioning tool as to the buildings future and also as an archive tool for memories and history. The intent of the website has always been to generate peaceful discussion on the subject and to ask questions in the hope that one day there will be answers - nothing more! We do not endorse aggressive or accusatory behaviour towards the owners of the building, who we trust have the buildings best interests at the centre of their plans.

Derby Hippodrome

2009-02-07T14:21:00.003Z

(Taken form this weeks The Stage)

Derby Hippodrome set to make way for car park
Published Thursday 5 February 2009 at 11:15 by Lalayn Baluch
Plans are being laid to partially flatten the beleaguered Derby Hippodrome to make way for a multi-storey car park, office and retail complex.
The owner of the disused Grade II-listed theatre Christopher Anthony has submitted a pre-planning application to Derby City Council, which will allow for a 14-day consultation period before his proposals are submitted officially.
The document outlines plans to create a 346-space car park behind the existing frontage of the theatre, as well as a block of flats and offices. The ground floor of the site will house a coffee shop, newsagent and toilets.
Internal decorative plaster work will be retained and restored “as far as practicable” and a modern steel canopy will be removed.
Huge parts of the venue were demolished by the owner last March. The building suffered additional minor damage from a fire two weeks ago - the second blaze at the site in less than a year.
The design outline for the redevelopment states: “The proposals seek to retain those parts of the building that have not been irretrievably lost, retain those elevations of the building which are still structurally sound and contribute to the local street scene. Find a use for the main part of the building that will allow the retained elements to be sympathetically retained in as unaltered form as possible, remove opportunities for antisocial behaviour and contribute to the regeneration of the immediate area.”
The plans have been criticised by the Derby New Theatre Association, which represents amateur theatre in the city. DNTA chairman Tony Jaggers said: “I am appalled. It was listed because of its internal features and structure.
“I would like the council to put a preservation order on Anthony and if he failed to [repair it] then they should compulsorily purchase it. Then seek ways to set up some sort of trust to eventually get the whole building back into use.”
Meanwhile, Theatres Trust director Mhora Samuel said that the loss of the building would be a “total tragedy”. She added: “How will a multi-storey car park bring Derby Hippodrome back to life as a theatre or provide any cultural benefit to the City? The Theatres Trust would object strongly to any application that proposes this.”
A council spokesman said that the authority would consider changing the building’s use from a bingo hall to a car park. He added: “Mr Anthony owns the Hippodrome building, not the council, therefore we cannot force him to bring the building back into use as a theatre. We are, however, trying to facilitate a realistic and practical use for the building.”
He said that the council is still considering prosecuting Anthony in relation to the demolition of the venue last year.

Hunt criticises government’s ‘lack of commitment’ to historic buildings

2008-12-05T17:13:00.000Z

Published Friday 5 December 2008 at 13:15 by Lalayn Baluch www.thestage.co.uk

Shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is calling on the government to reconsider its decision to drop the Heritage Bill, which would have seen the Theatres Trust gain more clout in protecting historic buildings.

The legislation was one of five axed from the Queen’s speech earlier this week, which included only 13 of the 18 bills originally mooted in a draft of the presentation in May. Instead, the speech prioritised laws which would have a greater impact on tackling the economic downturn.
Hunt said: “However the government tries to dress it up, the absence of a Heritage Bill in the Queen’s Speech speaks volumes about their continued lack of commitment to our historic buildings.

“Whilst we may want to debate some of the details, we would be more than happy to work with the government to ensure it got through parliament quickly and efficiently. For the sake of the entire heritage sector, we should not wait another year for the chance to make much needed improvements to the way we protect and preserve our heritage for the future.”

In November it was announced that under an amendment to the Heritage Bill, the Theatres Trust could be made a statutory consultee for any councils and venues wanting to make changes to listed buildings. This would have given the trust the power to prevent incidents such as the partial destruction to the Derby Hippodrome.

Following the Queen’s speech, Theatres Trust director Mhora Samuel expressed disappointment at the bill not being laid out as a priority for next year. However, she said that the organisation would work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to find other ways to secure greater influence in protecting historic buildings.

S&U Messenger update 2008

2008-04-03T13:49:00.005Z

From the Stretford and Urmston Messenger. Here is the article in full. Let us know what you think.

THE future of one of Stretford's most famous landmarks is safe according to it's owner.
The Essoldo Theatre on the east side of Chester Road has been at the centre of much speculation since it closed in 1995.

The building was sold to a Sale business man in 1997 and he spoke to SUM to explain his plans. He said: "The building is in safe hands, it will not be demolished. There are plans to create a family orientated leisure centre that will be embraced by the whole community.
"Progress will be made by the end of the year on the visual appearance of the outside of the theatre."

The news was welcomed by Matthew White founder of www.longfordcinema.co.uk, who has been campaigning to get the building back in working order. He said: "This is very good news, it is very encouraging, it would be interesting to know more about the time scale. "But it is still great the owner has said out loud that the building is not at risk, which was really our number one concern. We would like to say if there is anything we can do to help achieve the objective, then we are more than willing to speak to him, in the meantime we will continue to monitor the situation."

A council spokesperson said: "We would welcome the Essoldo building being brought back into active public use, and would welcome an approach from its owner to discuss future plans.
"The Council considers that the best way of securing the upkeep of listed buildings is to keep them in use, which is in line with advice from the government and English Heritage."

What are your thoughts on this. Do you think this will happen, is it the best use, would you use the facility? You can let us know by clicking on the comments link below.

Back to the 80s

2008-03-09T14:27:00.003Z

Check out the history section for updates, inclding a new video taken in the 1980s which you can also see by clicking here.

Rising damp - not the sitcom variety

2008-01-27T22:07:00.001Z

Risen damp

2007-07-08T21:26:00.000Z

Took this picture yesterday, showing how vunerable the side wall of the front section of the building is.

Another sucess story ...

2007-04-11T22:15:00.000Z

Read here about the latest milestone reached by the Stockport Plaza!

Reprieve for Savoy in Heaton Moor, Stockport

2007-04-05T19:48:00.000Z

Click here to read about another old cinema saved from the brink of becoming a chain pub!

FYI - Another article hopefully featuring in the Messenger next week about Longford Cinema.