Globe Cinema, Gosforth

Gosforth

Last Updated:

14 Apr 2025

Gosforth

This is a

Cinema

55.007513, -1.621161

https://sitelines.newcastle.gov.uk/SMR/12838

Founded in

1910

Current status is

Extant

Designer (if known):

John James Hill

Now a Chinese restaurant

Possibly the most whimsical of Gosforth's architectural offerings is the former Globe Cinema - a building I've always found quite fitting to its current use as a Chinese restaurant thanks to its design.

This is Gosforth's first ever picture house, and yet stands longer than the rest. It was opened independently in 1910by a group led by Joseph R Collins, who previously ran the Kings Hall on Marlborough Crescent (more on that place below!). The offering was moving pictures and "vaudeville", which was effectively a variety performance with comedians, singers, magicians etc and had a billiards room in the basement. It went on to be ran by Mr Chas. E. Linney, who previously managed the Grand Theatre in Byker as well as the Tynemouth Palace and the Coatsworth Hall at Gateshead.

Gosforth was the scene of a couple protests in favour of women gaining the vote. The Gosforth & Coxlodge Liberal Association hired out the venue for a meeting hosted by Alexander Ure MP. During the meeting, the head of a hammer was thrown into the cinema through a window. It had a label attached stating "Let fresh air into policits by votes for women". It was never discovered who did this.

The Globe remained in use for the next half century, topping a capacity of 883 seats by the eve of WWII though was later reduced. Talking pictures were introduced in 1930, and fives years after this it was owned by E J Hinge who also operated the Royalty not far away from here. Like most cinemas the catchment area declined with the growth of private TV sets and the motorcar. It closed in 1961, and like many became a bingo hall as seen below. This in turn closed in the 1990s, and eventually saw the use we find today.

It was designed by Mr John James Hill, who worked on a whole host of buildings in the area including the Tivoli Picture Hall at Walker, the Benwell Cemetery chapels as well as copious commercial buildings in and around the city centre.

Listing Description (if available)

"Built by a syndicate led by Joseph R. Collins of the King's Cinema, Marlborough Crescent, Newcastle. The architect was J.J. Hill. It has several private boxes at the rear of the stalls. Original plans of April 1910 show a billiard room in the basement with 8 tables. These were eliminated in the final plans. The cinema was licensed for 883 people. The manager was fined for overcrowding in 1912 and again in 1913. On 24 February 1913 the cinema was let for a political gathering by the Gosforth and Coxlodge Liberal Association. During the gathering a hammer-head was thrown through a window in the foyer. A label was attached to the hammer-head which read 'Let fresh air into politics by votes for women'. In February 1915 the Globe was taken over by Sidney Bamford. Talkies were introduced in April 1930. In December 1928 the Globe was taken over by General Theatres Corporation (shortly to merge with Gaumont British). In 1935 it was sold to E.J. Hinge, who co-owned the Royalty Cinema on Gosforth High Street. In 1958 Hinge redecorated the Globe. The cinema closed on 25 November 1961 and became a bingo hall. This closed in 1990. This is the oldest surviving cinema building in Newcastle." - Sitelines

These Ordnance Survey maps shown depict the Globe from its inception to the middle of the 20th century - just before repurposing into a bingo hall. In the 1910s It was only a few decades after the area "rebranded" from Bulman Village to Gosforth High Street, but we can see developments were still ongoing claiming the fields and pasture for housing. The Globe was fixed between all this activity on the crossroads in every direction, so was really the most opportune location for a business opportunity.

Church Avenue and further housing west was in the process of being realised post-war, and you'll also see the Globe's closest neighbour - The Royalty, which had the same owner for a period.

It's worth taking the clocks back just slightly to the 1890s, right at the time it was burgeoning as Gosforth High Street. This was some 15 years before the picture theatre opened and you can see its vacant space on Salters Road. The streets were in the process of being laid, though plenty of the infrastructure was built. The tram depot and a number of the churches were in situ.

The Globe in March 2025 - Reputedly Newcastle's oldest surviving cinema.

A grainy image of the glove perhaps in the 20s or 30s. Unknown photographer.

The Globe in use as a bingo hall with the old Wesleyan Chapel next door. Unknown photographer.