Building record 1160/0/84 - Cannon Cinema, Abington Square

Cinema, 1936 by William R Glen for Associated British Cinemas

{1} Cinema, 1936 by William R Glen for Associated British Cinemas. Rendered concrete and brick; roof not visible behind high parapets. Corner site with double-height entrance hall, leading to principal auditorium, Screen 1, with stalls and balcony. Secondary screens installed under balcony.

Facade a stepped back composition with moderne curves set back behind complimentary curves of adjoining shops (not of special architectural or historic interest), with five bays divided by projecting fins. Five double doors lead to foyer. Late C20 canopy not of special interest.

Interior: Screen one retains original proscenium, ribbed like a wireless set in the German moderne style, into which decorative vents are cut at right angles. Stage with orchestra pit. Front stalls survive with seating, but out of use; area under stalls now subdivided into smaller screens behind dropped wall, but this does not affect the architectural composition. Ceiling over balcony an elaborate sequence of steps and coves, containing lighting.

Included as one of only two largely surviving examples of the work of W R Glen, Britain's most prolific cinema architect. Rendered concrete and brick; roof not visible behind high parapets. Corner site with double-height entrance hall, leading to principal auditorium, Screen 1, with stalls and balcony. Secondary screens installed under balcony.

Facade a stepped back composition with moderne curves set back behind complimentary curves of adjoining shops (not of special architectural or historic interest), with five bays divided by projecting fins. Five double doors lead to foyer. Late C20 canopy not of special interest.

Interior: Screen one retains original proscenium, ribbed like a wireless set in the German moderne style, into which decorative vents are cut at right angles. Stage with orchestra pit. Front stalls survive with seating, but out of use; area under stalls now subdivided into smaller screens behind dropped wall, but this does not affect the architectural composition. Ceiling over balcony an elaborate sequence of steps and coves, containing lighting.

Included as one of only two largely surviving examples of the work of W R Glen, Britain's most prolific cinema architect.

{10} In 1986 a cinema organ was re-introduced to replace the original Compton instrument which had been destroyed by Cliff Richard fans in 1960. Named in ABC, EMI and Cannon, it is now known as The Old Savoy and is a theatre and community hub.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/1009 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14, addenda (checked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Buckley R.; Addison H., 2001, An Historic Building Record of The Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton (SP7592 6079), (part checked) (Report). SNN102147.

<4> BYLES A., 1993, The Cinemas of ABC, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN57732.

<5> Addison H., 2005, An Archaeological Watching Brief for The Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105331.

<6> University of Leicester Archaeological Services, 2001, The Former Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton: Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN106877.

<7> Barson, S., 1998, Cannon Cinema, Abington Square, Northampton: A Report on the Intrinsic and Relative Interest of a Cinema Built in 1936, for Public Inquiry (Report). SNN111419.

<8> Sheffield, R, 1993, Cannon Cinema, Abington Square (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN111502.

<9> Chronicle & Echo and Mercury, 1995-1998, Cannon Cinema, Abington Square (Newspaper cuttings). SNN111501.

<10> Perkins, P, Whittaker, R and Denton, A, 2022, A Guide to the Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire, p. 59/Site 255 (Book). SNN113793.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 12:42PM