Following last week's announcement that Multiyork has gone into administration, local residents have taken to social media to call for the Rex building to be turned back into a cinema.
The Rex building, one of our few Art Deco buildings in Wilmslow, was originally built as a cinema in 1936. It later diversified and was used for both professional and amateur theatre productions, as well as movies.
Alan Cooper of Wilmslow History Society told wilmslow.co.uk "It was actually often a testing ground for productions before they went to the West End. Stars like Susannah York, Denholm Elliot, Peter O'Toole, David Jason were on stage here.
"Interestingly it was the scene of some controversy when Oswald Mosley held a rally there on 5th November 1939 leading to some disturbances outside the cinema!"
Below are a selection of some of the comments posted on our Facebook page:
"Get it back as a Cinema, The Cinemac in the Heritage centre in Macclesfield does a roaring trade, nearly 1200 saw Paddington there on last Sunday alone over 4 showings. Hope the staff get alternative employment asap."
"Turn the building back into an amazing cinema."
"My thoughts exactly. The Savoy in Heaton Moor would be a good example to follow."
"Sad for the staff but I'd love to see a cinema back in wilmslow. As the poster above said, Cinemac have got it right, I was at Cinemac on Sunday to see large numbers turned away as it was full. Surely a cinema could be viable in our town !"
"Pleeeeeease turn it back into a cinema it would be so lovely to have it returned to its original use."
"Bring the cinema back to Wilmslow at the Rex, bring back some of the old character that it used to have! Still sad however for those who will lose their jobs!"
"Sorry for the shop staff, but another vote for cinema from me. Need a good independent company like Curzon to run it."
"Never been in since the Rex closed unfortunately.... would LOVE the old cinema back like they have in Knutsford."
"A great opportunity to bring back Wilmslow's long lost cinema!!!"
"It would be wonderful to have the Rex Cinema back! I'm sure there would be local support for it."
Brian Donohue, Chairman of the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan Group said, "In responding to our surveys a lot of people said they would like a cinema in Wilmslow. In the Neighbourhood Plan we have linked this to other ideas such as a town centre theatre, arts, library and community facility and included an 'Arts facility for Wilmslow' as an aspiration (A9) in our Emerging Policies Document. We are drawing up the policies and aspirations in more detail at the moment."
Councillor Martin Watkins, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council said "The Town Council is aware of the feedback received during the Neighbourhood Plan consultation with regards to a space in Wilmslow for film and arts and also of the fond regard that the public have for the Rex Building.
"The current situation is that the building is occupied and we wouldn't wish to add to the concerns of the employees that may be at risk by adding to speculation. Should the situation change then the Town Council would need to determine if and how it may get involved and if that opportunity was realistic."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Go Rex!!!
Hilary P
It’s my belief that the best way forward with this iconic building is to convert it back to a combined cinema/theatre which would satisfy most folks entertainment needs and bring a great deal of pleasure as well as additional business for many of our retailers.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take this opportunity to provide some much needed local theatre and movies?
So, it is great to see such unanimous support in responses so far - let's hope this encourages someone appropriate to take a series look at this... fingers crossed
Those days ladies wear hats and so you always wish that the person in front has no hat!!
I am positive that a Cinema will be very welcome in Wilmslow. It does not have to be multiplex but like the Curzon in Knutsford.
I am sure the company who owns the Curzon will be very interested if approached.
This is where instead of just suggesting and coming up with ideas.. the Community of Wilmslow must act more positively.
So come on Wilmslow and let's all work towards have a Cinema in Town.
We have Alderley Edge, Styal & Handforth at our doorstep.
So, can I suggest all of the people who think "It would be a great idea", get together and form a company.
In my honest opinion, it would be the only way that they'd realise that as a commercial venture, it would not stand up in today’s competitive entertainment industry.
A very nice idea but times have changed.
If you do go ahead with this idea, and it's a roaring success, then I am quite prepared to come and eat a raw onion at the tenth anniversary celebrations. Pease do keep me to my word. I still expect to be a resident of this lovely town in ten years.
As the neighbourhood plan consultation process has shown, There is a desire for a cinema, and arts centre in Wilmslow. We already have a permanent theatre at the Green Room on Chapel Lane. But is a cinema and arts centre commercially viable?
Obviously nothing can happen until the situation with Multiyork has been clarified however this is an opportunity not to be missed.
It would be fantastic if the town could organise a group of people to work towards making this a reality.
If it happens then we need to grasp the silver lining and get our cinema and arts space reestablished.
Look further afield for wonderful potential business. The Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle appears to have found the way to preserve a great building and a very interesting approach to a fantastic range of cinematic experiences.
It would be fantastic to have this facility in our village.
The original 1936 cinema had about 900 seats in the stalls and circle. In 1985 a screen was installed in the circle which had about 330 seats. The seats and screen may still be there.
The Evans Theatre was created in the leisure centre in the mid eighties using money bequeathed by a Mr and Mrs Evans. The original idea was to use it for a purpose built theatre.
As I understand it, that is still there as is the old projection suite and the bar area.
For many reasons (not least the point that the old stage is part of revs!) resurrecting the theatre is probably a none starter but a cinema with performance/exhibition space feels like it might be possible.
Let’s hope this gains momentum and who knows, you could sinking into a comfy Pullman chair sometime in the next couple of years...