Heritage and memories

The Gaumont Palace was designed by W.H Watkins and was sponsored by Gaumont-British as a super cinema. Opened in 1931 was built on the site of Andrews Picture Palace that opened in 1910.

It closed in 1961 as shown in this film  and then became a Top Rank Cinema and then converted into a dance hall known as The Majestic and a new cinema reopening as the Odeon. 

Closing in 1980 the building was then converted into a roller disco and in 1987 the building was converted into a nightclubs including The Boulevard, Blondes, Warehouse, Oz, later renamed the Millennium Complex, which closed in August 2004. 

  • Back in the 1940s!

  • The Oz days

  • Inside the nightclub

  • The Gaumont Palace entrance

  • Cinema in the 1960s

  • Odeon Cinema days

We took inspiration from the colours used in the original cinema fit out and the gorgeous ceiling dome to develop the designs we are using as we bring the buildings back into use.

Extract from press coverage of the opening on 1931:

‘Upon entering the auditorium the observer's attention is immediately claimed by the massive, though dignified, proportions of the proscenium frame. Tones of primrose, jade green and tangerine form surfaces eminently suitable for the play of coloured lighting, the source of which is skilfully concealed.

Next in point of interest comes the massive dome, 65 feet in diameter, blended in tones of coral pink to vieux rose with a contrasting note of jade green and gold. Crowning this feature will be seen a magnificent and heavily modelled grille, through which vitiated air is extracted. The surface of the dome has been specially textured to make the auditorium acoustically correct, and the walls have been lined with a special fabric to assist in this most important feature.

The richly modelled grille features at the sides, whilst adding interest to the interior with the subtle tones of jade green, primrose and rose, together with the concealed lighting in harmony with the proscenium, do not detract from the function of the building but, together with the beautiful colourings of the tableaux curtains and rose coloured seating and carpets, assist in completing a luxurious environment.

On the mezzanine floor above the entrance vestibule is a very fine balcony lounge, 80 ft. long and 40ft. wide. Access is given to the front of the balcony by a colonnade and wide corridors, and to the back of the balcony by means of staircases at each side. The polished green panelling of the entrance vestibule has been carried up as a balustrade around the main staircases, and the result is very effective.’