Oak Cinema

Oak Cinema was a former cinema at the junction of Chapel Lane and Bristol Road in Selly Oak, Birmingham. Designed in the Art Deco style by architect Harold Seymore Scott, it opened on 26 March 1923 with seating for 1,111 customers. The venue was part of the development of purpose-built British cinemas in the interwar period, offering a dedicated setting for motion-picture exhibition rather than functioning as a multipurpose theatre. The cinema became part of the ABC Cinemas estate in March 1935. Under ABC ownership, the building underwent a substantial refurbishment and its capacity was expanded to 1,506 seats. The improvements included a heating and air-conditioning installation designed to circulate more than one million cubic feet of air per hour. The system was also intended to maintain internal air pressure and reduce draughts when entrance doors were opened, reflecting the period's emphasis on comfort and technical modernisation as part of the cinema-going experience. The refurbished building reopened on 16 December 1935, supported by a staff of 18. Oak Cinema remained associated with ABC for more than four decades. Its operating history also included recognition for standards of cleanliness: in July 1951, it was voted the second-cleanest cinema in the country. Manager Roy Fielder received a silver medal from A. H. Sayer, chairman of the Birmingham Public Entertainments Committee, in connection with the award. Surviving references also identify John Radcliff as chief projectionist in 1966 and Mr Harris as manager at that time, illustrating the operational roles involved in maintaining the venue. ABC's ownership ended in April 1978, when the building was sold to an independent concern. The independent operation was short-lived. Oak Cinema closed on 3 November 1979, with The Spaceman and King Arthur and Disney's Dumbo reported as its final films. The building then stood empty and deteriorated for several years before being demolished in December 1984. A Sainsbury's supermarket was subsequently constructed on the site, although that later use has also closed. Oak Cinema is therefore best understood as a historic local cinema venue rather than a continuing commercial cinema chain or active consumer brand. Its significance rests on its long presence in Selly Oak, its Art Deco architecture, its expansion under ABC Cinemas, and the documented technical and operational features of its 1930s refurbishment.

Oak Cinema opened in Selly Oak, Birmingham, on 26 March 1923. The building stood at the junction of Chapel Lane and Bristol Road and was designed by Harold Seymore Scott in the Art Deco style. Its original auditorium accommodated 1,111 people, making it a substantial local entertainment venue for the period. In March 1935, ABC Cinemas took control of the cinema. ABC undertook a major refurbishment that increased capacity to 1,506 seats. The work included heating and air-conditioning equipment capable of moving more than one million cubic feet of air per hour. The installation was designed to preserve a comfortable internal environment and limit draughts caused by the opening of entrance doors. The enlarged and modernised cinema reopened on 16 December 1935 with a staff of 18. The venue continued operating under ABC for the following decades. In July 1951, it received public recognition when it was voted the second-cleanest cinema in the country. Its manager, Roy Fielder, was presented with a silver medal by A. H. Sayer, chairman of the Birmingham Public Entertainments Committee. In 1966, records identify John Radcliff as chief projectionist and Mr Harris as manager. ABC Cinemas sold the building in April 1978 to an independent operator. That ownership did not last long, and the cinema closed on 3 November 1979. The last reported programme consisted of The Spaceman and King Arthur together with the Disney film Dumbo. After closure, the former cinema remained derelict. It was demolished in December 1984, ending the physical history of the Oak Cinema. A Sainsbury's supermarket was later built on the site, though that subsequent store has also closed.

• 1984

  Building demolished

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The derelict cinema building was demolished in December.

• 1979

  Cinema closes

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The venue closed on 3 November after its short independent operating period.

• 1978

  ABC sells the building

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  ABC Cinemas sold Oak Cinema to an independent concern in April.

• 1951

  Cleanliness award

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  Oak Cinema was voted the second-cleanest cinema in the country, and manager Roy Fielder received a silver medal associated with the recognition.

• 1935

  ABC Cinemas takes over

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  ABC Cinemas acquired the cinema in March and began a refurbishment that expanded the auditorium and modernised its environmental systems.

• 1935

  Refurbished cinema reopens

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The enlarged venue reopened on 16 December with capacity increased to 1,506 seats and a staff of 18.

• 1923

  Oak Cinema opens

  [1]Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org

  The Art Deco cinema opened on 26 March at the Chapel Lane and Bristol Road junction in Selly Oak, with seating for 1,111 people.

A local, purpose-built picture house serving Selly Oak and the surrounding Birmingham area, with an Art Deco design and a refurbished large-capacity auditorium under ABC Cinemas.

• Cinema venue · 1923

  Oak Cinema auditorium

  The principal offering was a purpose-built auditorium for feature-film screenings. It opened with 1,111 seats in 1923 and was expanded to 1,506 seats during ABC Cinemas' 1935 refurbishment. The venue's Art Deco architecture and upgraded climate-control systems were central features of the customer experience.

• 1978

  Sale to an independent operatorM&A

  Background

  After more than four decades under ABC Cinemas, the building was transferred out of the ABC estate.

  Action taken

  ABC Cinemas sold the building to an independent concern in April 1978.

  Aftermath

  The independent operation was brief and the cinema closed in November 1979.

  Source

• 1935

  ABC refurbishment and capacity expansionGeneration change

  Background

  After taking over Oak Cinema, ABC Cinemas modernised the building and sought to improve both audience capacity and comfort.

  Action taken

  The auditorium was expanded from 1,111 to 1,506 seats, and heating and air-conditioning equipment was installed. The refurbished cinema reopened in December 1935.

  Aftermath

  The work established the cinema as a larger and more technically modern local venue for the following decades.

  Source

1. 1Oak Cinemaen.wikipedia.org