Restored neon sign lights way to cinema (From Keighley News)

Restored neon sign lights way to cinema

10:10am Friday 26th December 2008 in News

The heat is on as Keighley’s cinema is lighting up.

The Picture House’s neon “CINEMA” sign is back on the North Street building’s wall.

The sign was taken down last July as part of renovations to mark the cinema’s 95th birthday.

Cinema owner Charles Morris had to find a firm which could restore the metal sign.

Meanwhile, the Picture House hopes to warm up cinemagoers following several internal improvements.

New insulation in unused rooms is helping get heat to the public areas and doors have been modified to stop draughts.

Mr Morris said staff set about a general refurbishment of the cinema during the summer.

He said: “The canopy was renewed and the exterior decorated, giving prominence to the 1913 date motif at the top of the building.

“The only thing letting us down was the neon sign, which was still lit but the backboards had become somewhat dilapidated.

“Hopefully, it will soon look as good as new.”

Mr Morris said he spent a lot of time and effort on the heating system.

He said: “We have been concentrating our minds a bit with the current emphasis on energy conservation and took a close look at our heating system.

“We were amazed to discover how much energy we were wasting, much of it due to inadequate insulation.

“There were yards and yards of pipes which were simply warming unused parts of the building. Now that we have lagged them, the warmth is getting to the right places.

“The front doors used to open both ways and in windy weather they would blow open and let draughts in.

“We have modified them to stop this happening and now staff and customers are a lot more comfortable.”

Mr Morris said the Picture House was the first purpose-built cinema in Keighley and opened in May 1913.

He said: “The silent films of those days were accompanied by an orchestra under the direction of Mr E J Craven at the piano.

“Prices at that time were three old pence and six pence in the stalls, ninepence and one shilling in the circle.

“Children were allowed in for a penny, two pence and six pence at the matinees.”

The cinema passed to the Essoldo group in the 1950s and Classic Cinemas in 1972, then was closed due to structural defects in 1983. It was bought by Bradford Council, renovated and reopened, but closed again in 1991, then was reopened five years later by Mr. Morris.