Forum (Bath)

• Theatre ID
  667
• Built / Converted
  1934
• Dates of use
  • 1934 - 1966
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Religious centre (Evangelical services/festival productions & concerts)
• Address
  St James Parade, Bath, Avon, BA1 1UG, England

Details

With a 1930s Art Deco interior, and a classical stone exterior, the Forum was built as a theatre/cinema in 1934. Its architect, W H Watkins, was responsible for many ‘super’ cinemas such as those at Plymouth, Coventry and Exeter. It had no fly tower, and a fairly shallow stage, but was nevertheless used for live shows. In the 1960s the building was converted to bingo, but closed around 1966. Empty for some years, planning applications were submitted in 1986 for conversion to part dance hall and part retail. The exterior has been preserved, except at street level where there has been some change to accommodate retail outlets. The interior has been well restored, and stage and acoustics improved to form a performance venue, not only for evangelical use, but for stage/concert & festival productions. Other rooms allow the whole to be hired for seminars etc. A dancing school occupies rooms at the top of the building for classes.

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• Events
  • 1934 - 1966 Use:
  • 1934 Design/Construction:
    • W H Watkins (Bristol) - Architect
  • 1960 - 1969 Alteration: converted to bingo
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1986 Alteration: retail units created at street level
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1988 Alteration: interior restored and auditorium improved
    • Nicholas Stubbs - Architect
  • 1988 Design/Construction:
    • Nicholas Stubbs (Bath) - Consultant: Heating, Lighting And Acoustic Improvements
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Avon Cinema Co Ltd
  • 1988 Owner/Management: Bath City Church
• Capacities
  • Original: 2000
  • Current: 1600
• Listings
  • Grade II*
• Stage type
  • Flat Pros flat