The EMD Cinema
Walthamstow's last cinema, now closed and invaded by squatters.
Location: Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London, E17 4QR
Description: The Walthamstow EMD Cinema here was designed by Cecil Masey with fine Art Deco interiors in the Moorish style by Russian stage designer and director Theodore Komisarjevsky and a Christie organ.
It is built on the site of the Victoria Hall which opened in May 1887 or provide a venue for dances, concerts, meetings and plays. In 1907 it was converted into the area's first full cinema.
In 1930 Cecil Bernstein of Granada Theatres bought it, demolished it, and built a Super Cinema - The Walthamstow Granada. It once had a capacity of 2,697.
It closed in January 2003 after being bought by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), which intended transforming it into a church and conference centre. However, their planning application was dismissed in 2003 and since then it has been derelict and squatters have moved in.
Some great names have played live here including Duke Ellington, James Brown, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Little Richard.
The cinema became Grade II* listed when English Heritage put the cinema on its Buildings At Risk Register, and has described the overall condition of the cinema as poor.
It's future remains uncertain.
Tours: Historic Walthamstow Tour
Tours: 5/09
Themes: Cinema Architecture Music
Walthamstow's last cinema, now closed and invaded by squatters. |
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