Curzon Cinema

The Curzon Cinema opened in 1921 as the Picture Playhouse. The Playhouse was operated by the Randolph Richards Kinema Playhouse circuit until 1966 when the circuit was sold to Classic Cinemas. In 1974 it changed ownership, was renamed the Curzon and was subdivided horizontally (bringing the balcony forward) with the stalls becoming a bingo club and the circle becoming a cinema. In 1988 it changed ownership again. The cinema was retained upstairs, but downstairs became a shop and antique market. Its final period of trading was 2006 to 2008 as the Redstack Playhouse, a multi-purpose venue for theatre and cinema seating 350 people. The front elevation is three storeys with a large central projecting canted bay. It is constructed of brick and is rendered with decorative cartouche and swag ornamentation being the key feature. The central gabled bay projects forward into the footpath, which adds to the building’s impact within the Western Road streetscape. The small foyer has stairs on either side going up to the original balcony with two central doors accessing the auditorium and a small box office. The auditorium features its original octagonal domed roof (now infilled) and retains panelled plasterwork, cornice and pilasters to the sides. The auditorium is raked and at one end is a small stage and dressing rooms. The theatre is unlisted, but in a conservation area and an 'Asset of Community Value'. Bexhill Community Playhouse Ltd had hoped to purchase the building, but in December 2014 it was sold to pub chain J. D. Wetherspoon. Wetherspoon's plans to convert the former cinema were approved in May 2015.