Former names Carling Academy Type Cinema/Concert Hall Opened 26 December 1932 Architectural style Art Deco | Status Complete Seating capacity 2,500 Owner Academy Music Group | |
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Location Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland Similar O2 Academy Glasgow, O2 ABC Glasgow, Gallery of Modern Art, University of Glasgow Memorial, Sharmanka Kinetic Gallery | ||
The New Bedford Cinema was a Scottish cinema on Eglinton Street in the Gorbals (Laurieston) area of Glasgow. The building now houses the O2 Academy Glasgow.
Contents
Map of New Bedford Cinema, Glasgow, UK
It is a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the city.
History
The building was originally erected as the Eglinton Street United Secession Church in 1825. The church closed in 1920 and the building was converted into a cinema in 1921. The original Bedford Cinema was destroyed by a fire in March 1932. The cinema's owner, Bernard Frutin, immediately commissioned a replacement.
The New Bedford was designed by Lennox and McMath and was built by Mr A.B. King. The newly built cinema was opened on December 26 (Boxing Day) 1932.
Bernard Frutin sold the cinema to George Green in 1936.
The New Bedford Cinema screened its final film, a double bill of Dirty Harry and Klute, on July 8, 1973 and reopened on October 12, 1973 as a Mecca bingo hall.
The building was bought by the McKenzie Group in November 2002 and underwent a massive £3 million restoration to be turned into the Carling Academy, Glasgow which opened on March 26, 2003 with a concert by Deacon Blue.
The building is a Category B listed building.