Longford Cinema is a former cinema in Stretford, Manchester. It is also known as The Longford Essoldo, The Top Rank Club, and "The Cash Register".
Designed by the architect Henry Elder, it was the height of Art Deco fashion when it was opened by the Mayor of Stretford on 12 October 1936.[1] The unusual "cash register" shaped frontage was intended to symbolise the business aspect of show business.[2] The Longford's debut feature was Tudor Rose starring Nova Pilbeam.[3]
The building incorporated many modern features, such as sound-proofing and under-seat heating,[4] and it was also the first cinema in Britain to make use of concealed neon lighting. It had a seating capacity of 1,400 in the stalls and 600 in the circle, with a further 146 seats in the café area.[2] The foyer featured large murals by Frederick Harry Baines depicting contemporary cinema scenes.[5][6] When built, the cinema had a short pedestrian approach to the facade, but this was removed when the A56 was widened.
During the Second World War the building was used for concerts, including one given by a young Julie Andrews.[4] It also played host to the Hallé Orchestra after the orchestra's own home, the Free Trade Hall, was bombed and severely damaged during the Manchester Blitz of 1940. The orchestra performed twelve concerts at the cinema in the 1942–3 season and more under Barbirolli the following season.[7]
After a change of ownership in 1950, the cinema was renamed the Stretford Essoldo. It continued to operate as a cinema until 1965, when it was converted into a bingo hall, which it remained until its closure in 1995.[4] The building was purchased by a new owner in January 1997 but has remained unused since then.[8] It was designated a Grade II listed building in 1994.[9]
References
- ^ "Longford (Essoldo) Cinema, Stretford". Chester Cinemas. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ a b Rendell, Douglas (1988). Cinemas of Trafford. Jarvis Print Group. p. 55. ISBN 0-9512560-1-7.
- ^ "History". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA) (1240376)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "OBITUARY : Harry Baines". The Independent. 14 October 1995. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ Kennedy, Michael (1982). The Hallé, 1858-1983: A History of the Orchestra. Manchester University Press. p. 32. ISBN 0719009219.
- ^ "History". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1240376)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 January 2017.