New Bedford Cinema

The New Bedford Cinema was a Scottish cinema on Eglinton Street in the Gorbals (Laurieston) area of Glasgow. The building now houses the O2 Academy Glasgow.

New Bedford Cinema
O2 Academy Glasgow
The New Bedford Cinema pictured as the Carling Academy in 2003
Former namesCarling Academy
General information
StatusComplete
TypeCinema/Concert Hall
Architectural styleArt Deco
LocationGorbals, Glasgow, Scotland
Coordinates55°51′02″N 4°15′34″W
Opened1932 (1932)
OwnerAcademy Music Group
Design and construction
ArchitectLennox and McMath
Other information
Seating capacity2,500

It is a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the city.[1]

History

The building was originally erected as the Eglinton Street United Secession Church in 1825. The church closed in 1920 and the building was converted into a cinema in 1921. The original Bedford Cinema was destroyed by a fire in March 1932. The cinema's owner, Bernard Frutin, immediately commissioned a replacement.

The New Bedford was designed by Lennox and McMath[2] and was built by Mr A.B. King. The newly built cinema was opened on 26 December (Boxing Day) 1932.

Bernard Frutin sold the cinema to George Green in 1936.

The New Bedford Cinema screened its final film, a double bill of Dirty Harry and Klute, on 8 July 1973 and reopened on 12 October 1973 as a Mecca bingo hall.

It was designated as a category B listed building on 17 June 1986 by Historic Scotland.[3]

The building was bought by the McKenzie Group in November 2002 and underwent a massive £3 million restoration to be turned into the Carling Academy, Glasgow[4] which opened on 26 March 2003 with a concert by Deacon Blue.[5] The building was renamed in 2008 and is now known as the O2 Academy Glasgow.[6]

References
  1. Williamson, Elizabeth; Riches, Anne; Higgs, Malcolm (2005). The Buildings of Scotland: Glasgow. New Haven, Conn. [u.a.]: Yale Univ. Press. p. 82. ISBN 978-0-300-09674-3.
  2. "DSA Building/Design Report: New Bedford Picture House". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  3. "121 EGLINTON STREET AND BEDFORD STREET, NEW BEDFORD PICTURE HOUSE". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  4. "The Carling Academy (Glasgow)". www.glasgowguide.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  5. "We Love Glasgow - O2 Academy Glasgow". www.academymusicgroup.com. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  6. Sweney, Mark (6 November 2008). "O2 to sponsor Academy music venues". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
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