Royal Cinema - A Sutton Coldfield Gem!

Royal Cinema in Sutton Coldfield, was originally an Odeon, opening in 1936. An Art Deco building designed by Harry Weedon.  Was Empire Cinemas from 2006 to 2023, but closed in 2020.


Where is Royal Cinema?

Royal Cinema is at Maney Corner, Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QL

 

In brief

Opened in 1936 as an Odeon, it was the 42nd to be built for the circuit.  An Art Deco style cinema. It was taken over by Empire Cinemas in 2006. It closed in 2020 during the pandemic and never reopened. In 2024 it's getting a new owner who will fully refurbish the cinema and reopen it as Royal Cinema.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Empire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield - history

A cinema built during 1935-36 by Cecil Clavering of Harry Weedon and Partners for Oscar Deutsch and the Odeon group of companies.

The Odeon Theatre in Sutton Coldfield was in the similar style as other Odeon's built around the country at the time in the Odeon house style, and is a remarkable survival.

It was the 42nd theatre to be built as part of the Odeon Theatres Ltd chain.

It opened on the 18th April 1936 with Jessie Matthews in "First a Girl".

The cinema is located just outside of Sutton Coldfield Town Centre on the Birmingham Road at Maney Corner and Holland Road, Maney.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (August 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was considred to be one of the best designed Odeon Theatre's in the country.

The low corner entrance was dominated by a high 'fin' tower on the left which originally had the word 'Cinema' on top.

In a sleek Art Deco style of decoration.

It was one of the first Odeon's to be tripled and became a three screen cinema from April 1972.

A fourth screen was added in 1987.

The Odeon Sutton Coldfield became a Grade II listed building in November 1998.

Odeon Sutton Coldfield was one of several Odeon's to be taken over by Irish-based Ward-Anderson Cinemas in March 2006, trading under the Empire Cinemas name.

It now trades under the name Empire Cinema.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (August 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Like with other cinemas in the country, they closed down in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But unlike other cinemas, they didn't reopen when restrictions were eased later in 2020 and 2021.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In September 2021 operators Empire Cinemas reported that the cinema would remain closed for at least another 9 months while funds were obtained to carry out a refurbishment.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As of April 2022, the Empire Cinema Sutton Coldfield is still closed to the public.

The other Empire Cinema in Birmingham at Great Park (near Rubery and Longbridge) is open though.

Empire CinemasEmpire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Empire never reopened, and the building was sold to new owners in late 2023, once refurbished, it could reopen in 2024 as the Royal Cinema.

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

For 10 weeks starting from July 2017, there was a trail of painted bears, under the title of The Big Sleuth, all over Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell. There was quite a few bears to see around Sutton Coldfield at the time. When the trail ended, the bears were sold at auction for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

Outside of Empire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield was The Big Sleuth bear called Tiger Lily by the artist Sarah Jane Richards. The sponsor was SuttonCard supported by Sutton Coldfield Town Centre BID Ltd.

The Big Sleuth

The Big Sleuth

The Big SleuthTiger Lily - The Big Sleuth by artist Sarah Jane Richards outside Empire Cinemas Sutton Coldfield (August 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

TBA - new owners

Project dates

25 Apr 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Travel & tourism, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com