NHER 34350 (Building record) - Majestic Cinema, 1 to 2 Sedgeford Lane

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Summary

A cinema and shops opened in 1928, this is an example of an almost unaltered 1920s cinema complex. In Jacobean Baroque style, and of brick and reconstituted stone, it forms a curved corner site with a clock tower. Inside, the former ballroom contains architectural fragments rescued from the Empire Theatre in London's Leicester square, which was being demolished at the same time as the Majestic was being built. The first film to be shown here was the silent movie Ben Hur, and a choir sang hymns in the intervals.

Protected Status/Designation

Listed Building (II) 1271798: MAJESTIC CINEMA

Location

Map sheet	TF61NW
Civil Parish	KING’S LYNN, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

March 1999. Listed, Grade II.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Cinema and shops, 1 to 2 Sedgeford Lane.
1928 by J.L. Carnell and W.D. White for East Anglian Entertainments Ltd. Curved corner site with tower, double height foyer; former ballroom; auditorium and balcony divided into two. Jacobean-Baroque style in brick and reconstituted stone."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
Amended by P. Beers (HES), 21 April 2020.

An example of an almost unaltered 1920s cinema complex.
Press cutting (S2), architect's plans (S3), correspondence (S4) and proposals for redevelopment (S5) in file.
Report arguing for demolition (S5) and response by E. Rodatela in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 15 April 1999.

In 1991 the auditorium was floored to provide two screens, and at the same time the ballroom was converted to a third cinema screen. The tea room on the first floor still survives intact.
Information from (S5).
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 21 November 2018.

Associated Sources (9)

--- SNF99427 Designation: English Heritage. 1990-2013. English Heritage Listing Notification. Notification. DNF4514.
--- SNF98278 Newspaper Article: Lynn News. 1992. Clock has made a Majestic return. 11 February.
--- SNF98279 Newspaper Article: Lynn News. 1998. New look, now showing. 9 October.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF48662 Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1271798.
<S2> SNF65201 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1999. Government acts to protect Lynn cinema. 18 March.
<S3> SNF49212 Drawing: Various. Various. Architectural plans.
<S4> SNF65200 Correspondence: 2000. Various.
<S5> SNF65202 Unpublished Document: Wilson Compton Associates. 2000. Majestic Cinema, Tower Street, King's Lynn. Consultation Document Outlining the Proposals for the Redevelopment of the Site.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (3)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

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King's Lynn (Parish Summary)

Record last edited

Apr 21 2020 4:01PM