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Hippodrome Theatre, Shildon
Cinema Address:
Byerley Road, Shildon
Period of Thompson Ownership:
1929-1961
How Acquired by Thompson:
Possibly leased from Gaumont
Architect/Design:
Unknown but fairly straightforward design
Other Info:
Originally opened in around 1911 for variety shows and film performances.

Fate of the Cinema:
Closed in 1961 and converted into a bingo club which continued until 1993, when the building was put up ‘For Sale’. It then became empty and derelict and was damaged by fire. It was finally demolished in 1994. Now replaced by houses.
External Links/Sources:

Cinema Treasures

Location Accuracy: Accurate

Information below is taken from The Kinematograph Yearbooks. The Page reference is from the following year’s edition, when information appeared. Additional information is in italics

Year Ownership Population Seating Capacity Other cinemas in town Manager Shows per day Changes Weekly Prices Variety/ Screen Sound System Other cinemas with sound Kinematograph Year Book reference
1929 General Theatre Corporation Ltd. 18000 3 Continuous 3d - 11d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms 492
1930 T T Ltd. 18000 3 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Majestone 1 457
1931 T T Ltd. 18000 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Majestone All 471
1932 T T Ltd. 12690 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 502
1933 T T Ltd. 12690 3 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 532
1934 T T Ltd. 12690 3 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 555
1935 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 572
1936 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 625
1937 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms RCA All 649
1938 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft RCA All 634
1939 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 570
1940 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 4d - 1s Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 537
1941 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 5d - 1s 2d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 535
1942 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 5d - 1s 2d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 508
1943 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 6d - 1s 6d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 516
1944 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 475
1945 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 522
1946 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 1 + 2 Sa Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 358
1947 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1050 2 Mo - Fr at 7.00pm Sa Continuous from 5.30pm + Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 372
1948 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 12690 1020 2 Mo - Fr at 7.00pm Sa Continuous from 5.30pm + Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 385
1949 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Mo - Fr at 7.00pm Sa Continuous from 5.30pm + Su opening 7d - 1s 9d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 389
1950 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Mo - Fr at 7.00pm Sa Continuous from 5.30pm + Su opening 7d - 1s 10d Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 379
1951 Thompson's Enterprises Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Mo - Fr at 7.00pm Sa Continuous from 5.30pm + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA All 362
1952 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA 362
1953 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA 359
1954 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide RCA 341
1955 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide, CinemaScope Phillips 333
1956 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide, CinemaScope Phillips 332
1957
1958-59 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide, CinemaScope Phillips 331
1960 T T Ltd. 14510 1020 2 Tu - Fr at 7.00pm, Mon + Sat from 5.30pm, + Su opening Stage 35ft deep 7 dressing rooms Proscenium 30ft wide, CinemaScope Phillips 345
1961 T T Ltd. 14510 1 Phillips 317