Carlton Cinema, Islington

The Carlton Cinema, Islington, is a landmark Art Deco building at 161–169 Essex Road, Islington, London. Completed in 1930 as a cine-variety theatre with 2,226 seats, it was designed by architect George Coles in an early example of the Art Deco style that would make him famous, with Egyptian-influenced decoration reflecting the 'Egyptomania' that followed the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. The façade is clad in black, white and coloured faience with a stylized lotus-flower frieze, while the interior mixes Empire, Egyptian and French Renaissance motifs. The cinema opened in 1930 with a screening of Welcome Danger. In February 1935 it was taken over by Associated British Cinemas Ltd. (ABC) and became known for its 'ABC Minors' Saturday-morning screenings. In 1972 the building was converted into the Mecca Bingo Club, which operated for almost 35 years until March 2007. It was purchased in 2007 by the evangelical Christian church Resurrection Manifestations and reopened in 2015 as Gracepoint, a 900-capacity venue available for hire and an active church. The building is Grade II* listed and appeared as the Roxy Cinema in an episode of Endeavour. In 2024 it was listed among Islington buildings considered 'at risk', but benefited from a renovation in 2025.

The Carlton Cinema was completed in 1930 at 161–169 Essex Road, Islington, London, as a cine-variety theatre with a capacity of 2,226 seats. It was designed by architect George Coles, who is now famous for the many Art Deco cinemas he designed, including the Troxy in Stepney (1933), the Odeon, Muswell Hill (1936) and the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn (1937). The Carlton was an early foray into his signature style, with an Egyptian influence. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in November 1922 had contributed to a brief 'Egyptomania' that influenced the Art Deco style and the buildings erected in that period, particularly cinemas and theatres. The building's façade is covered in black, white and coloured faience, with other walls in yellow brick, and features a stylized frieze of lotus flowers in coloured faience running around the ground and upper floors. Inside, the building is mainly Empire style, with Egyptian decorations in the foyer, while the auditorium has a French Renaissance style. The cinema opened in 1930 with a screening of Welcome Danger. It was taken over by Associated British Cinemas Ltd. (ABC) in February 1935 and became famous for 'ABC Minors' Saturday-morning screenings. In 1972 the building was converted into the Mecca Bingo Club, a bingo hall which operated for almost 35 years until March 2007. It was purchased by an evangelical Christian church, Resurrection Manifestations, in 2007, and reopened in 2015 as Gracepoint, a 900-capacity venue available for hire and an active church. The façade and foyer of the building appear as the Roxy Cinema in episode 2 series 5 of Endeavour, titled Cartouche. In 2024, the building was one of many in Islington that was considered 'at risk', but benefited from a renovation in 2025.

• 2025

  Benefited from a renovation.

• 2024

  Listed among Islington buildings considered 'at risk'.

• 2015

  Reopened as Gracepoint, a 900-capacity venue and active church.

• 2007

  Mecca Bingo Club closed in March; building purchased by Resurrection Manifestations.

• 1972

  Converted into the Mecca Bingo Club.

• 1935

  Taken over by Associated British Cinemas Ltd. (ABC) in February.

• 1930

  Carlton Cinema completed and opened with a screening of Welcome Danger.

A heritage Art Deco landmark repurposed from cinema to bingo hall to church and community events venue.

Product categories. cinema screenings · cine-variety theatre · bingo hall · church and events venue

1. 1Carlton Cinema, Islingtonwikidata.org
2. 2Carlton Cinema, Essex Roaden.wikipedia.org