Devon Cinema Gazetteer

Go to... Appledore Ashburton Axminster Bampton Barnstaple Bere_Alston Bideford Bovey_Tracey Bradninch Braunton Brayford Brixham Buckfastleigh Budleigh_Salterton Chagford Colyton Coombe_Martin Crediton Croyde Cullompton Dartmouth Dawlish Devonport Exeter Exmouth Georgeham Harrowbeer Hartland Hemyock Holsworthy Honiton Hope_Cove Ilfracombe Instow Ivybridge Kingsbridge Lynton Milltown Morchard_Bishop Moretonhampstead Newton_Abbot Okehampton Ottery_St_Mary Paignton Parracombe Plymouth Plympton Princetown Salcombe Seaton Sidmouth South_Molton Tavistock Teignmouth Tiverton Topsham Torquay Torrington Totness Uffcombe Woolacombe Woolfordisworthy(Woolsery)

LYNTON

BB Cinema

Major Joseph Henry Blackhurst, who ran a number of cinemas in the area known as BB converted this former Congregational Chapel at the far end of Queen Street known as Sinai Hill.  The name BB stands for Beresford Blackhurst.   Believed to have opened around 1930 the cinema had 198 seats and a proscenium 18' wide.  The original sound system was Morrison, later Imperial.  Mr Blackhurst died 9.9.1958 and for a couple of years the cinema was run by his widow Freda, the cinema closed 1961.  The projection box can clearly be seen today, the building is now a house.

Town Hall

This very impressive building Grade II* listed paid for by Sir George Newnes contained a library and council chamber on the ground floor and an auditorium on the first floor accessed by a grand wooden staircase.  Early film shows took place here.  However after the passing of Major Blackhurst part time film shows took place here from the 1960s through to the 1980s.

Market Hall

This building in Queen Street was a popular venue for touring mobile cinema operations, who would show films for a short time then move on to another town.  The building was also considered for conversion to a cinema before the Methodist Chapel became available.

Picture Palace

When the Grade II* listed Methodist Chapel next to the Town Hall on Lee Road, closed in 1999 it was purchased by the district council as an arts centre.   Opened in 1910, the building was designed by Latrose & Weston.  An area near the back of the building known as the Church Hall was chosen for a new cinema.  Volunteers worked hard to raise money and convert the building. The cinema opened with Bridget Jones Diary on 30th May 2001.  The cinema is equipped with 35mm projectors, Dolby Stereo and 100 seats.  The cinema has been so successful it is open all year round and also shows art house films.  the cinema is run by Gordon Potter who used to run the films at the town hall.

Gone but not forgotten: Forester's Hall ~ Picturedrome

Opened in the Forester's Hall, a first floor hall in Queens Street, the Picturedrome was run by H S Peters.  It was later run by Major J H Blackhurst until 1930 when he opened his new cinema.

com