"The cinema wasn't just visually impressive, as it was also an early adopter of the talkies, and when it opened, it made a lot of fuss about how you could hear the actors at a time when most cinemas were still showing silent films."
"As with so many large cinemas, its fate was sealed by the combination of slum clearances that provided people with decent living conditions to stay at home in the evenings and the arrival of television."
"To their credit, they're slowly restoring the interior to its original grandeur. And occasionally, a local cinema tour guide, Nigel Smith, has permission to take people inside."
The former Carlton Cinema on Essex Road, once the largest cinema in the UK, is now offering occasional tours. Its interior features an Edwardian fantasy style, contrasting with the Egyptian frontage. The cinema was an early adopter of sound films, gaining attention for its ability to showcase talkies. Its decline was influenced by slum clearances and the rise of television. Currently owned by Gracepoint church, restoration efforts are underway. Tours led by local guide Nigel Smith provide a rare opportunity to explore the cinema's history and unrestored areas.
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