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Forum

667

With a 1930s Art Deco interior, and a classical stone exterior, the Forum was built as a theatre/cinema in 1934. Its architect, W H Watkins, was responsible for many ‘super’ cinemas such as those at Plymouth, Coventry and Exeter. It had no fly tower, and a fairly shallow stage, but was nevertheless used for live shows. In the 1960s the building was converted to bingo, but closed around 1966. Empty for some years, planning applications were submitted in 1986 for conversion to part dance hall and part retail. The exterior has been preserved, except at street level where there has been some change to accommodate retail outlets. The interior has been well restored, and stage and acoustics improved to form a performance venue, not only for evangelical use, but for stage/concert & festival productions. Other rooms allow the whole to be hired for seminars etc. A dancing school occupies rooms at the top of the building for classes.

Built / Converted
1934
Dates of use
  • 1934 - 1966
Current state
Extant
Current use
Religious centre (Evangelical services/festival productions & concerts)
Address
St James Parade, Bath, Avon, BA1 1UG, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1934 Design/Construction:
    W H Watkins (Bristol)
    - Architect
  • 1934 Owner/Management: Avon Cinema Co Ltd
  • 1934 - 1966 Use:
  • 1960 - 1969 Alteration: converted to bingo
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1986 Alteration: retail units created at street level
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1988 Alteration: interior restored and auditorium improved
    Nicholas Stubbs
    - Architect
  • 1988 Design/Construction:
    Nicholas Stubbs (Bath)
    - Consultant
    Heating lighting and acoustic improvements
  • 1988 Owner/Management: Bath City Church
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    2000
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    1600
Listings
  • Listing
    II*
Stage type
Flat Pros flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -