Chequers Cinema – St Albans

Chequers Cinema History:

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The 20th century shined well upon St Albans in terms of technology, transportation, and entertainment. After the previous Cinemas in Hertfordshire, the history of Chequers Cinema St Albans begun from 20th January (Saturday), 1912. It was built by the famous Ezra Dunham, who was a renowned builder and mayor of the St Albans. At first, St Albans Chequers Cinema consisted of a single cement floor, the walls were made of bricks, however, it had a wide and long hall (36 ft and 90ft).

Facts About Chequers Cinema:

Did you know?

Chequers Cinema was the only low-cost cinema ever built in St Albans with basic affordable construction things, and it was also water and fireproof

Safest Cinema in St Albans – Chequers Cinema:

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St Albans’ Chequers Cinema was also enlisted as the safest cinema in Hertfordshire. Despite the low-cost construction, Chequers Cinema St Albans was water and fireproof, which seemed impossible to critics at first. Chequers Cinema was decorated in Tudor-style, it was situated in the midst of two shops which later became a plus point. Chequers Cinemas could easily facilitate 799 people (650, according to a book – Cinemas of Hertfordshire).

Chequers Cinema Facts:

Did you know?

The name Chequers was never the first name of the St Albans Cinema, no one’s quite sure about the original institutional name

From Nothing to Everything – Chequers Cinema:

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Captain Frederick A. Webb bought the ownership rights of the Chequers Cinema in January 1927, he was the one who renamed the St Albans Cinema to Chequers Cinema in St Albans. After 6 six years (1933), Chequers Cinema underwent constructional changes, the auditorium was expanded, more seats were added that could accommodate 1000+ people.

Chequers Cinema St Albans has also been given recognition in the book ‘Cinemas of Hertfordshire’ published in 2002, written by Allen Kyles and Keith Skone. Chequers Cinema flourished St Albans by the name of ‘Cinema at the corner of Bedford Street’.

Ups and Downs – Chequers Cinema:

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Fast Forward to the 50s and 60s, Chequers Cinema showcased movies in 1950s after when CinemaScope altered the cinema. The cinema later faced a competitor (shopping malls, markets), which attracted the investors to the Chequers Cinema. In 1962, the cinema was bought to be replaced with supermarket, but the Chequer Cinema owners were granted a year lease extension. Therefore, Chequers Cinema was re-opened on December 1st, 1962 with a movie ‘The 300 Spartans’.

After a year, Chequers Cinema faced financial instability, lack of food, and few quality issues which led to its permanent disbandment. Chequers Cinema was permanently closed for public on July 18th (Sunday), 1965.