New apartments could be built on land next to one of Nottingham’s most historic cinemas in Mapperley
Land near the former Majestic Cinema building could be given a new lease of life after plans were submitted for seven apartments across three blocks in Woodborough Road
Thew cinema, which was opened in 1929, is one of the only buildings of its kind by architect Alfred John Thraves which has survived.
The plans propose to retain the landmark Grade II listed building and build one apartment block next to it and two more behind it, without damaging the cinema’s “image nor its integrity”.
The cinema closed in 1953 and was later taken over by the Haunted Museum and Oddities in 2018.
But the museum moved to the city centre in 2021 and the building has not been used since.
In 2019 a developer applied to demolish the building and replace it with apartments, but there was uproar from the local community who started a campaign to save it.
After the campaign, Nottingham City Council added the former cinema to their list of Buildings of Historic Interest and it has since been granted Grade II listing status.
Now, applicant RAAM Properties Ltd has applied to Nottingham City Council to build the one and two-bedroom apartments around the vacant cinema site.
Planing documents stated: “The significance of this building as a piece of our heritage has been considered throughout the design phase.
“The proposed new buildings will not compromise its image nor its integrity. In fact, the investment in the site will be of significant benefit to the area in general and the listed building consequently.
“We believe that the requalification of this brownfield site, which has been vacant for a few years and is in a dilapidated state, will overall contribute to the conservation of the heritage asset for the foreseeable future.”
The plans will now be considered by Nottingham City Council.
History of the Majestic Cinema by Bob Massey
The Majestic Cinema in Mapperley was opened at 6pm on June 10, 1929 by the local councillor and ex-Sheriff of Nottingham Mr John Farr.
During the opening ceremony Mr Farr said that “the new cinema has provided the area with one of its finest buildings. The people of Mapperley could not until that time be charged with too much cinema going as this was the first building of this type to be built in the area”.
He also stated that “the new cinema would provide for the social and recreational sides of life with its program of educational values and healthy interest.”
The site for the cinema had been well chosen at the top of the hill near the Methodist Church. Being built into the hillside it allowed the entrance to be at street level with steps leading towards the screen, thus making it natural auditorium. This arrangement gave easy access to both the stalls and balcony.
The building was designed by Alfred J Thraves who also designed many of the arteas cinemas including the Regent at Kirby and the Plaza in Mansfield.
This cinema was built by the firm of Coleman and Blackburn of East Kirby who had constructed several other cinemas.
It had a total seating capacity of 721 all with a good view of the 20’(6m) by 15’(4.5m) screen.
It was for its time splendidly equipped and decorated and was described as “the Elite of the Suburbs”. This was a reference to the Elite Cinema in Nottingham which was one of the finest cinema buildings then in existence.
The opening film was Sorrell and Son, the story of an ex-army officer’s struggles after the First World War, and starred Mary Nolan, Nils Asther and H B Warner.
The cinema was owned by the Severn family who operated the building themselves, They carried out many of the jobs, managed the venue and took the tickets – it was a real family operation.
The program operated Monday to Wednesday when there was then a change of film. This new film then continued until the Saturday. There were of course no films on a Sundays in those days. Saturday afternoon was the kids’ time when from 2pm Westerns, action films, comedy, cartoons and of course the serial, were shown.
The Majestic continued to provide the people of Mapperley with good entertainment throughout the following decades but like many cinemas succumbed to the effects of the cinema tax and the start of television. It finally closed its doors for the last time, with the film Carry on Admiral, on Saturday, December 7, 1957.
After it closed it was occupied by electrical contractors. The electrical contractors eventually moved on and were followed later by a golf store who occupied the premises for a number of years.
The building then stood empty for a number of years until taken over by the last tenants who opened The Haunted Museum. All the users, especially the most recent ones, have respected the decor. The building is substantially unchanged except for a floor being added in the auditorium to provide a level surface.
