It’s open……. After a long wait and almost fifty years since Marlborough’s former Cinema shut its doors to all for the last time, the silver screen returned to Marlborough with the opening of The Parade Cinema in the former Chapel in the Parade.
From the outside it still resembles the wonderful old Georgian building. On the inside, very thankfully, it doesn’t. Although the original shape with the upstairs gallery is still there it’s more like a select, intimate and private London ‘Wardour St Preview Cinema’ than it is a multiplex, or even a single large screened auditorium.
With just over 100 (106 very comfortable) seats, plenty of legroom and tables for drinks, The Parade Cinema is a very different proposition to the former ‘flea pit’ sited above where Waitrose is now on the High Street. Maybe however, some of the films – the classics – may be screened there as well decades after their first outing to the Marlborough community. Apparently the last film screened there was ‘Dad’s Army’, but this author’s last visit was to see, what still is to many a sixties classic film – ‘Easy Rider’.
The Cinema will be open all day, most – if not every – day from 09:30 until ‘late’. The bar and cafe/restaurant will be available to all whether coming to view a film or not. There is a paved, almost mediterranean area to the front where – weather permitting – guests can enjoy a drink, snack or meal.
Click here to find what’s on and to book tickets. Or to just find out more click here for the home page of the Parade Cinema website.
First screenings were on Saturday, preceded on Friday evening by a launch for shareholders and those in and around Marlborough who had made this possible.
It’s been a long time coming, but The Parade Cinema is a welcome addition to the entertainment and cultural scene of Marlborough.
Bond arrives in Marlborough on 30 September……..
Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan – your opportunity to comment on draft plan
