The Tower Cinema.. into the 21st Century.
Did you know, The Tower Cinema is a Grade II Listed building?
Opened on June 1st, 1914, was designed by H. Percival Binks and seated 1,200 in the stalls and a single balcony.
The tower was one of the city's earliest and most luxurious cinemas.
The opening night back in 1914 consisted of an orchestra who entertained guests before they settled down to watch a black and white silent film. Sound equipment was introduced in 1929.
Sadly, in September 1978 the Tower closed as a cinema and was used for different ventures. By 1983 The Tower began its life as a busy nightclub and fun pub - both uses taking its toll on the once lush, extravagant interior.
Many people in Hull will remember those 80’s years of “Tower for an Hour”! “Grab a Granny Night”! and all the wacky outfits and ear bashingly overloud music!
Now in 2009, The Tower (renamed-Club Rio), has become a nightclub again, with dancing Brazilian-style carnival queens, palm trees and a 25ft waterfall cascading down behind one of the bars.
It is great to see “The Tower” is still entertaining the people, different time, different style but entertainment all the same. I have good memories of this building, spent time there, it was a wild place…male or female the place was, and I guess still is… a great place to go. As I have got older, I seem to be able to appreciate other things about this magnificent imposing building. There are some beautiful features worth mentioning.
At either end, there are large windows above exit doors. Perched on the roof are beautifully decorated domes of green and cream mosaics with bands of gold glass. They have not always been there. The twin domes were removed around 2005 as part of the Anlaby Road facelift. Hull City Council launched legal action against the owners of the listed building and the domes were replaced and restored to their original glory.
Also to catch the eye, looking out from the top parapet, a bare breasted female can be seen watching the passing traffic.
Do you have fond memories of “Tower”? I would love to hear them.
Thanks for reading.
Sue Raphael's Mum
Posts
