Work on 1950s cinema at Beamish Museum begins

The new additions, which will be pride of place at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, is recreating The Grand Cinema from Ryhope in Sunderland, where visitors will be able to enjoy a 1950s cinema experience.

A toy shop named after the popular Romer Parrish store in Middlesbrough, and an electrical shop and repair workshop, A Reece Ltd, are also being built on The 1950s Town’s Front Street terrace.

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Construction work is now underway on the exhibits, which are part of the Remaking Beamish project, the biggest development in the museum’s history.

This comes as work nears completion on 1950s semi-detached houses, police houses and office, bowling pavilion and green, and aged miners’ homes, which are due to open this summer. The cinema and shops are due to be open to visitors next year.

Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re very excited to be starting work on The Grand Cinema, Romer Parrish toy shop and A Reece Ltd electrical shop and workshop, in our wonderful 1950s Town.

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors to experience a trip to the cinema, and discover popular toys and the latest in 1950s technology in the shops.

“Our Remaking Beamish exhibits that have already opened are proving very popular with visitors. There is so much to look forward to at the museum, with the completion of our 1950s Town, and work on the expansion of our Georgian area, including self-catering cottages and a tavern, which will be starting soon.

“This is a very exciting time for the museum and we are extremely grateful to our visitors, staff, volunteers, funders and partners for their support.”

Among those who visited Beamish to see work getting underway was Bill Mather, who was born in Ryhope and was a trainee projectionist at The Grand cinema between 1950 and 1955.

Work has begun on a 1950s cinema, toy shop and electrical shop at Beamish Museum’s 1950s Town, as part of the Remaking Beamish project (Image: BEAMISH)

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the cinema being completed.

“You’re going to have thousands of people who have never seen a cinema of the 50s, who are going to be coming just to see what it’s like.

“They’re going to feel as if they are in magic land in my opinion.”

The cinema will be a recreation of The Grand cinema, from Ryhope in Sunderland, which was donated by Angela and Gary Hepple. The Grand will incorporate as many elements and features of the original building as possible.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a 1950s cinema experience, such as short features and films, and some feature-length film opportunities.

A Reece Ltd, Radio and Electrical Services, will include a showroom featuring the latest 1950s technology and domestic appliances. 

The toy shop will be named after the popular Romer Parrish toy shop and newsagent in Middlesbrough, after a vote by people on Teesside for the museum to recreate a toy shop in The 1950s Town.

Visitors will be able to discover popular toys from the decade and also see repairs underway in the dolls’ hospital.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “It is fantastic to think our investment will help to showcase the unique retail and cinema heritage of the North East, by providing visitors with captivating, immersive experiences, which will also inspire young people through the dedicated learning activities.”