How many cinemas did Bradford Fire Brigade have to inspect in 1950?

BACK in 1950 Bradfordians were spoiled for choice over which films they could watch.

There was a cinema on almost every street, as well as other venues showing films.

Regular Telegraph & Argus reader Ray Banyard has provided a City of Bradford Fire Brigade Annual Report for that year, as well as a copy from 1959.

The 1950 report lists the annual licences that have been issued for 42 premises:

Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street; Arcadian Cinema, Legrams Lane; The Astra, Bridge Street (formerly The Picturedrome); Birch Lane Cinema, West Bowling; Bradford Civic Playhouse, Chapel Street; Carlton Cinema, Manchester Road; Coliseum Cinema, Toller Lane; Coronet Cinema, Otley Road; Cosy Cinema, Fair Road, Wibsey; Coventry Cinema, Wakefield Road; Eastbrook Hall, Leeds Road; Elite Cinema, Toller Lane; Elysian Cinema, Wheater Road, Lidget Green; Empire Cinema, Great Horton Road; Empress Cinema, Legrams Lane; Essoldo Cinema, Manningham Lane (formerly Regent Cinema); Grange Picture Theatre, Great Horton Road; Greengates Cinema, New Line, Greengates; Hippodrome Cinema, Barkerend Road; Lyceum Cinema, Bradford Lane, Thornbury; Marlboro’ Cinema, Carlisle Road, Manningham; Morley Street Picture House, Morley Street; New Victoria Cinema, New Victoria Street; Odeon Cinema, Manchester Road; Oriental Cinema, Oak Lane; Oxford Cinema, Dudley Hill Road; The Picture House, the Green, Idle; The Picture House, Huddersfield Road, Low Moor; The Picture House, Tong Street, Dudley Hill; Plaza Cinema, Cross Lane, Great Horton; Queen’s Hall, Laisterdyke; Regal Cinema, Norman Lane, Eccleshill; Rialto Cinema, Station Road, Clayton; Ritz Cinema, Broadway; Star Cinema, Garden Field, Wyke (formerly The Hippodrome); Tennyson Cinema, North Wing; Theatre Royal Cinema, Manningham Lane; Thornton Cinema, Market Street, Thornton; Tivoli Hall Cinema, Leeds Road; Towers Hall, Manchester Road; Victoria Palace, Thornton Road, Girlington; Western Cinema, Park Road.

The 1950 report says that ‘during the year the Coliseum Cinema and the Marlboro’ Cinema have reopened after extensive alterations which have been carried out in connection with the safety Regulations and with the cooperation of the managements concerned various minor improvements have been effected at a number of other cinemas.’

It goes on: ‘At present the Hippodrome Cinema is closed for the purpose of re-construction of the projection suite, the erection of a new proscenium and repairs to the floor and seating.’

Plans have also been submitted, says the report, in connection with proposed alterations to the projection suite at the Queen’s Hall Cinema.

The 1959 report lists 31 cinemas and other premises showing films in Bradford. Inspections could vary, from a full survey to a specific inspection, routine inspection and goodwill inspection.

In 1950 annual licences were also granted for ‘the performance of stage plays’ at the Alhambra, Bradford Civic Playhouse, the Empire Cinema (restricted licence), the New Victoria Cinema and the Princes Theatre, Little Horton Lane.

‘In addition 392 occasional licences have been issued for various halls, schools and institutes, etc’ says the report. ‘Inspections of these premises have revealed that in some cases all the conditions attached to licences have not been complied with and it has been necessary to point out such matters to the licensees concerned and have them attended to.’