Quote Originally Posted by PhilipG View Post
The Astoria was on the corner of Furness Street, close to Fountains Road.
It's hard to believe that it was one of seven cinemas, all close together.
The Grosvenor, Doric (Westminster Hall), Garrick, Lyric, Astoria, Victory and Queens were all close by.
The Astoria was called the ABC Walton before it closed, although it wasn't really in Walton.



Walton Baths, as well as Garston and Lodge Lane were used as cinemas a couple of years before purpose-built cinemas opened.
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The Grosvenor,Garrick,Astoria,Victory and Queens were the ones I frequented
most as a youngster. The first 3 were easily bunked into without paying.
The Garrick had two entrances the main one was very grand, up a flight of steps and used by the better off patrons. The other was opposite Sandhey street were we poor people entered. The difference was in the seating.
them that used the front entrance had plush upholstered seats while we had
benches to sit on. Needless to say when lights went out for the start of the film there was a mass exodus on our bellies to the posh seats.
There was also the Popular on Netherfield Rd which we visited on our school
holidays for the afternoon shows it only cost 4d to get in,if you had no money
you could give 6 empty jam jars in lieu as there was money paid on empty jars
and lemonade bottles in those days.
Who thinks recycling is new?