Lauren Waine, who starred as Bella Reay in the fantastic Wor Bella 2022 tour, pictured outside what was the Wallaw Cinema (now a J.D. Wetherspoon pub) in Blyth.

 

The cinema opened on 16 November 1937, with seating for 1,441 people. However, before that, it was the site of the Blyth Hippodrome, built in 1902 by William Tudour. The circus proprietor is credited as the man who brought ‘moving pictures’ to the town. There is no doubt the munitionettes, their families and friends would have regularly visited the Hippodrome before its closure in 1920.

 

Built for the Wallaw Pictures Ltd. chain of Ashington, Northumberland, the Wallaw was designed by the cinema architecture firm Percy Lindsay Browne, Son & Harding (the most eminent firm in their capacity in the region). The company designed many cinemas in the North East, but this grade II listed, Art Deco building is regarded as the firm's best-surviving work. The architect responsible is thought to have been Charles Alfred Harding. 

 

On 24 March 1955, the building was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain, which operated there for 15 years until 1970, when an independent operator took it over. Then, on 2 January 1972, the London-based Classic Cinemas chain took over. This lasted five years until another independent took over on 24 June 1977.

 

A half-decade on, the now single-screen cinema closed on 11 December 1982. But, just 16 days later on 27 December 1982, it re-opened under another operator. It also served as a theatre, with Ant and Dec making their stage début in the 1980s.

 

In July 1987, the auditorium was subdivided, with the two small screens hidden beneath the balcony. These are reported to have been "comfortable but undistinguished".

 

The main screen, however, maintained all its original fittings, with covered lighting in full working order, and decorative plasterwork and wood facings to walls intact.

 

After being refurbished and redecorated in 1998, the building was designated Grade II Listed by English Heritage.

 

Sadly, as the credits and final soundtrack notes of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ sounded, the landmark Wallaw Cinema closed in 2004. The building stood empty and unused for nine years until it was purchased by the J.D. Wetherspoon chain of pubs. After renovation, the new-look pub opened on December 10, 2013, as The Wallaw.

 

The impressive Art Moderne foyer contains original fittings, including metal handrails, balustrades and inlaid doors. The projector on display in the foyer was found in the building after purchase. It had been left in the projection room, still bolted to the floor, pointing at the main screen.

 

The beautiful, impressive Wallow is well worth a visit, even from a historical perspective.