The former Cliff Reynolds garage in Whitby St. On the left of the picture is the outline of the rounded roof of the Lex Cinema which had just been demolished when the picture was taken in 1966. The street on the right is Exeter Street.
On the site of the garage is a newer garage and where the Lex stood is now The Corporation Club often known as 'The Clippie Club' by local people.
HHTN 120
Date (of image) : 6/10/1966
Part of the "Library collection" collection
Location
The Lex Cinema was originally built as the Royal Roller Rink by George Geipel in 1909 in Whitby St . In 1910, it was leased to Robert Everton and became the Royal Electric Cinema. In 1937 it became the Lex Cinema, closing in 1960 and finally being demolished in 1966.
The cinema was leased to Robert Everton and a family member related that it had gold seats at the front and wooden benches at the back. Cliff Reynolds who later owned a garage next door was manager from the early 1930s.
When closed as a cinema, it was for a few years in the early 1960s, used as a venue for a Christmas Toy Fair for nearby Blackett's Department Store and will be remembered by many youngsters of that time.
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