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Bingo Hall History - The Shrewsbury Granada - Part 1

Cinema architecture fan and photographer Ian Grundy turns his attention to the Gala Bingo in Shrewsbury, to give us an in depth look at its changes in use and special features.

Author: Ian Grundy

Lavish Decoration And Design

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In Shrewsbury town centre, there is a magnificent grade II listed building, now known as the Gala Bingo Club, but which opened in 1934 as the Granada Cinema. The Granada circuit was famous for its lavishly decorated interiors created by a Russian émigré called Theodore Komisarjevsky, the most famous examples of which are at Woolwich and Tooting (both now operate as bingo halls). The Shrewsbury Granada was the by far the best cinema in the area, and in addition to Komisjarevsky, the scheme was designed by Cecil Massey, with some work being carried by a local architect called Arthur Williams. The architecture of the Shrewsbury hall is often referred to as being a "standard" Granada, and the interior was very similar to the Granadas at Bedford (demolished) and Maidstone (destroyed by sub-division). There were less than 20 theatres built for the circuit, of which Shrewsbury was number five, although many existing cinemas were taken over and renamed, making the Granada Theatres an important group, although in numbers they were far behind Odeon and ABC.

The entrance to Shrewsbury's Gala Bingo - The Granada

The theatre at Shrewsbury is entered through a small lobby area leading directly to a double height baronial entrance hall from which, due to the hillside on which the theatre was built, there are only a few steps to access the circle and two sets of stairs which descend to the stalls. To the right was a spacious and elegant café, on the first floor above a row of shops, sadly this part of the building is no longer in use.

The entrance lobby of Shrewsbury's Gala Bingo

The 593 seat circle has seen very little alteration with the gently undulating rows of cinema seats retained. The rear part of the circle has been taken out of use because of fire regulations, but remains intact – the barrier only being about six feet high.

A view of the circle in the Granada

All of the former seating in the stalls (which originally accommodated 932 patrons) has been replaced with tables and chairs, but again the architecture has seen little alteration, the decorative grills in the three arches in the walls next to the stage, the circular design in the ceiling above the front stalls and the proscenium arch itself, with the delightful frieze of figures in the centre, all remain intact. For reasons unknown, the Shrewsbury Granada was the only one of the circuit built by Granada to have lacked an organ.

The exterior of Southport Mecca Bingo - The Garrick
The proscenium arch frieze in the Granada

Lighting levels have been increased, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of the original fittings, and the colour scheme is brighter than the original would have been, but otherwise Komisarjevsky would recognise his design, and no doubt be proud that it has been so well maintained for 75 years!

Lighting design in the Granada

Part 2: From Theatre And Cinema To Bingo >>

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Bingo Hall History - The Shrewsbury Granada - Part 1

Lavish Decoration And Design

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