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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Robyn Vinter North of England correspondent

Last surviving gaslit cinema in world to reopen in Leeds

Outside of Hyde Park cinema
Hyde Park Picture House, a Grade II-listed building in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

When Hyde Park Picture House first opened its doors to the public shortly before the first world war, women were at the mercy of groping men, who used the darkness as a cover to carry out attacks.

It was such a problem that the owner of the Leeds cinema installed gas lamps in the auditorium in the hope of deterring would-be assailants.

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