Exactly 100 years after it first opened its doors to the public, The Grosvenor is getting ready for curtains up again following a significant refurbishment.
Glasgow’s oldest cinema is set to swing its doors open again tomorrow (May 27) following extensive restoration work - and we popped along for an exclusive first look inside.
Tucked inside Glasgow’s Ashton Lane in the west end, the cinema was originally run by the Glasgow Grosvenor Ltd. and consisted of a single auditorium, seating 1337 people, accessed from a foyer on Byres Road.
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The site also boasted a small cafe and a soda fountain - with film fans digging into popcorn and fizzy juice ahead of screenings of their favourite movies.
The original foyer was abandoned - and later demolished - in favour of a newly created entrance on Ashton Lane following the extension of Hillhead subway station in 1980.
That same year, the balcony area was blocked off and replaced with two small luxury cinemas, the Ashton which boasts 276 seats and the Kelvin, with 253 seats.
The building was sold in 2001 to Glasgow based G1 Group who turned it into the boutique cinema we know and love today.
The latest renovation means film buffs can expect sumptuous claret leather armchair seats, tucked between individual tables and classic empire lamps. True film fans can even go all out and opt for one of their sofas, and enjoy an elevated view and a larger table - with extra room for popcorn.
Are you excited about the Grosvenor cinema reopening? Have your say in the comments below.
While the cinema retains few of its original features today, visitors can still look up and enjoy elaborate ceiling and cornice detail inspired by Glasgow’s old Art Deco cinemas.
Cinema bosses believe film-lovers will keep flocking to The Grovsenor following the pandemic as people return to a more normal way of life.
The Grosvenor is located on 24 Ashton Lane and is now taking bookings ahead of its reopening on May 27. For more information, visit: www.grosvenorwestend.co.uk
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