LEEDS ABC CINEMA
We are currently completing a challenging inner city project in Leeds demolishing a redundant cinema to make way for an apartment complex working for the main contractor MJGleeson Building. Once a popular venue in Leeds it was opened as the Ritz Cinema on 19th November 1934 with Will Hay in "Those Were the Days" and Warren Williams in "Upper World". It was designed by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) house architect William R. Glen and seating was provided for 1,100 in the stalls and 850 in the circle.
The decorative scheme was mainly Art Deco but there were touches of a semi-atmospheric design via painted panels on the side-walls that showed vistas of cypress trees and temples. The Ritz was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/10Ranks organ, the console had an illuminated surround and was on a lift. It was opened by Lewis Gerard.
In 1959 the facade was 'modernised' by a covering of sheets of metal cladding and a light-box sign was installed to display the film titles. The Ritz was re-named ABC from 25th May 1959.
THE CINEMA IN THE 1970's FOLLOWING REFURBISHMENT
In July 1969 it was closed for twinning, re-opening in April 1970 as ABC 1 & 2 with 620 seats in the former stalls and 867 in the former circle. In March 1974 ABC 2 in the former stalls was sub-divided into two screens with 474 and 236 seats.
In 1986 the ABC was taken over by Cannon Cinemas and re-named, they in turn were taken over by MGM and it became the MGM from May 1993.
In 1998 it had become the ABC again but it was reported to be up for sale. The ABC closed on 17th February 2000 with ABC screen 1 in the former circle showing "American Beauty", screen 2 "Double Jeopardy" and Bollywood film "Shaheed Uddham Singh" in screen 3.
CINEMA PRIOR TO DEMOLITION
The project has presented particular problems with all material having to be removed via the Vicar Lane elevation and specialist propping design utilised to support the external walls as work proceeds.
The propping was provided specifically for this project and designed by the Thompsons team and is an excellent example of our commitment to specialist works and designing out potential difficulties.
We are able to supply advice on specialist projects from implementation to completion to meet client requirements
We are contracted to complete full demolition prior to the construction of the apartment complex.
