On this Day 1973: Beaufort Cinema

ATV Today reports on how the Beaufort Cinema could be retained as ‘a monument to ‘early film making’. It may come as no surprise however that this silver screen jewel in the crown was ultimately not saved by West Midland planners. The site in Ward End, Birmingham, was demolished five years after this news item.

Cinema Treasures note of the building: “The Beaufort Cinema was opened on 3rd August 1929 with Matheson Lang in “The Triumph of the Scarlet Pimpernel” and a seating capacity for 1,200. It had a magnificent Tudor style interior. There was a real Oak wood staircase up to the balcony seating area, and many beautiful stained glass windows in the foyer which depicted Kings & Queens of England. It was equipped with a Compton 2Manual/8Ranks organ, which was opened by organist J.I. Taylor. The projection box was located in the rear stalls, under the balcony.”

The Beaufort Cinema closed on 19th August 1978 and was replaced with a retail unit, such is progress.