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{{Userspace draft|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name = Longford Cinema
| name = Longford Cinema
| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| logo =
| logo =
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⚫
| image = LongfordCinema2007640.jpg
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⚫
| image = LongfordCinema2007640.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt = Longford Cinema, May 2007<!-- or | alt = -->
| image_alt = Longford Cinema, May 2007<!-- or | alt = -->
| image_caption = Longford Cinema, May 2007<!-- or | caption = -->
⚫
| map_type = Greater Manchester
| image_caption = Longford Cinema, May 2007<!-- or | caption = -->
⚫
| map_alt = Location within Trafford
⚫
| map_type = Greater Manchester
| map_alt = Location within Trafford
| map_caption = Location within Trafford
| map_size =
⚫
| map_caption = Location within Trafford
| map_size =
| map_dot_label =
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| relief =
⚫
| former_names = Lucky 7, The Top Rank Club, The Essoldo Cinema
| relief =
⚫
| alternate_names = Rank Bingo
⚫
| former_names = Lucky 7, The Top Rank Club, The Essoldo Cinema
⚫
| etymology =
⚫
| alternate_names = Rank Bingo
| status = Closed
⚫
| etymology =
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| architectural_style = Art Deco
| architectural_style = Art Deco
| classification =
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| location =
| address =
| address = 1122A Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0HA
| location_town = Stretford
| location_town = Stretford
| location_country = Great Britain
| location_country = Great Britain
| coordinates = {{coord|53|26|46.7|N|2|18|21.9|W}}
| coordinates = {{coord|53|26|46.7|N|2|18|21.9|W}}
| altitude = {{convert|29.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| altitude = {{convert|29.1|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
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| opened_date = 1936
| opened_date = {{Start date and age|12 October 1936|df=yes}}
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| closing_date = c. December 1995
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| architect = Henry Elder
| grounds_area =
| architect = Henry Elder
| architecture_firm = Roberts, Wood and Elder
| architecture_firm = Roberts, Wood and Elder
| developer = Jackson and Newport
⚫
| engineer =
| developer = Jackson and Newport
⚫
| engineer =
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| main_contractor = Normantons Ltd
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| rooms = <!-- or | unit_count = -->
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| url = {{URL|longfordcinema.co.uk}}
| website = {{URL|longfordcinema.co.uk}}
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}}
}}


'''Longford Cinema''' is a former [[Movie theater|cinema]] in [[Stretford]], Manchester. It is also known as '''The Longford Essoldo, The Top Rank Club''', and '''"The Cash Register"'''.
'''Longford Cinema''', opposite Stretford Mall, on the eastern side of the [[A56 road|A56 Chester Road]], is perhaps the most visually striking building in the town.


Designed by the architect Henry Elder, it was the height of [[Art Deco]] fashion when it was opened by the Mayor of Stretford in 1936. The unusual "cash register" shaped frontage was intended to symbolise the business aspect of show business.{{sfnp|Rendell|1998|p=55|ps=}} The Longford's debut feature was [[Tudor Rose (film)|''Tudor Rose'']] starring [[Nova Pilbeam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://longfordcinema.co.uk/history/|title=History|date=2010-03-21|newspaper=Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Longford (Essoldo) Cinema, Stretford.|url=https://www.chestercinemas.co.uk/longford-cinema/|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Chester Cinemas|language=en-GB}}</ref> The unusual "cash register" shaped frontage was intended to symbolise the business aspect of show business.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Cinemas of Trafford|last=Rendell|first=Douglas|publisher=Jarvis Print Group|year=1988|isbn=0-9512560-1-7|location=|pages=55|quote=|via=}}</ref> The Longford's debut feature was [[Tudor Rose (film)|''Tudor Rose'']] starring [[Nova Pilbeam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://longfordcinema.co.uk/history/|title=History|date=2010-03-21|newspaper=Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref>


The building incorporated many modern features, such as sound-proofing and under-seat heating,<ref name="LongfordCinema" /> 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.{{sfnp|Rendell|1998|p=55|ps=}} The foyer featured large murals by Frederick Harry Baines depicting contemporary cinema scenes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1240376|title=THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA) - 1240376{{!}} Historic England|last=England|first=Historic|website=historicengland.org.uk|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-harry-baines-1577533.html|title=OBITUARY : Harry Baines|date=1995-10-14|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref> When built, the cinema had a short pedestrian approach to the facade, but this was removed when the A56 was widened.
The building incorporated many modern features, such as sound-proofing and under-seat heating,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://longfordcinema.co.uk/|title=Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford|website=Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /> The foyer featured large murals by Frederick Harry Baines depicting contemporary cinema scenes.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1240376|desc=THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA) |accessdate=2017-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-harry-baines-1577533.html|title=OBITUARY : Harry Baines|date=1995-10-14|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-26}}</ref> 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]].{{r|LongfordCinema}} 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 [[John Barbirolli|Barbirolli]] the following season.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Hallé, 1858-1983: A History of the Orchestra|last=Kennedy|first=Michael|publisher=Manchester University Press|year=1982|isbn=0719009219|location=|pages=32|quote=|via=}}</ref>
During the Second World War the building was used for concerts, including one given by a young [[Julie Andrews]].<ref name=":1" /> 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 [[John Barbirolli|Barbirolli]] the following season.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Hallé, 1858-1983: A History of the Orchestra|last=Kennedy|first=Michael|publisher=Manchester University Press|year=1982|isbn=0719009219|location=|pages=32|quote=|via=}}</ref>


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 (UK)|bingo]] hall, which it remained until its closure in 1995.{{r|LongfordCinema}} The building has been unused since then. It was designated a [[Listed building|Grade II listed]] building in 1994.{{r|LongfordCinemaIOE}}
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 (UK)|bingo]] hall, which it remained until its closure in 1995.<ref name=":1" /> The building was purchased by a new owner in January 1997 but has remained unused since then.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-03-21|title=History|url=https://longfordcinema.co.uk/history/|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford|language=en}}</ref> It was designated a [[Listed building|Grade II listed]] building in 1994.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1240376 |accessdate=2017-01-27}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*

==External links==


[[Category:]]
[[Category:Stretford]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford]]
[[Category:Culture in Trafford]]

Latest revision as of 21:35, 7 November 2024

Longford Cinema
Longford Cinema, May 2007
Longford Cinema, May 2007
Location within Trafford
Location within Trafford
Location within Trafford
Former namesLucky 7, The Top Rank Club, The Essoldo Cinema
Alternative namesRank Bingo
General information
StatusClosed
Architectural styleArt Deco
Address1122A Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0HA
Town or cityStretford
CountryGreat Britain
Coordinates53°26′46.7″N 2°18′21.9″W / 53.446306°N 2.306083°W / 53.446306; -2.306083
Elevation29.1 m (95 ft)
Opened12 October 1936; 88 years ago (12 October 1936)
Closedc. December 1995
Design and construction
Architect(s)Henry Elder
Architecture firmRoberts, Wood and Elder
DeveloperJackson and Newport
Main contractorNormantons Ltd
Website
longfordcinema.co.uk

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

[edit]
  1. ^ "Longford (Essoldo) Cinema, Stretford". Chester Cinemas. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b Rendell, Douglas (1988). Cinemas of Trafford. Jarvis Print Group. p. 55. ISBN 0-9512560-1-7.
  3. ^ "History". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  5. ^ Historic England. "THE TOP RANK CLUB (FORMER ESSOLDO CINEMA) (1240376)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  6. ^ "OBITUARY : Harry Baines". The Independent. 14 October 1995. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  7. ^ Kennedy, Michael (1982). The Hallé, 1858-1983: A History of the Orchestra. Manchester University Press. p. 32. ISBN 0719009219.
  8. ^ "History". Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  9. ^ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1240376)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
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