With the closure of the Electric Cinema, we’ve taken a nostalgic journey back to the numerous Odeons and cinemas across our region that have shut their doors over time. The cinema on Station Street, reputedly the UK’s oldest operational cinema, reopened in 2022 under new management following the pandemic.
Over the years, we’ve seen many ‘Picture houses’ disappear from our landscape. They were once a common sight in every town and district, lining major routes like the Stratford Road.
Cinemas used to be dotted every mile or so. These included Sparkhill’s Springfield Picture Playhouse, the Rialto in Hall Green, and another further down the road where Waitrose now stands.
Continuing towards Shirley, there was the Odeon, which is currently an unused Morrison’s awaiting transformation into senior housing.
In times before mobile phones and even television, every area had a cinema, and just about everyone frequented them.
Many of these establishments no longer exist, leaving barely a trace of their former presence, perhaps marked by a supermarket or car park where the grand building once stood. The occasional bingo hall also serves as a reminder of days gone by.