Bournemouth is a seaside resort in Devon on the South West coast of England, which has been popular since Victorian times. In 1935 a very modern (for the times!) Art Deco building was constructed in Winton, Bournemouth, by a local architect, Edward G. de Wilde Holding. It was designed as a Cinema and boasted seating for one and a half thousand patrons, a café and an ice cream parlour. There was even space for a large theatre organ, although one was never installed.

It was called "The Moderne" and opened on 11th October 1935 with John Boles in "Music in the Air" and Denis O'Neil in the comedy "Barnacle Bill" (who attended the premiere there in person). These were big films in their time I am told!

Like many cinemas, it went into a decline as more and more people turned to the television. It gained local notoriety when, with the advent of skiffle and rock n roll, unruly elements (probably teddy boys, or mods & rockers) were banned. Once 250 of them! At least they didn't rip up the seats and smash the place like they did when a film in London played Rock around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets!

bingo had its chance in 1963 when the cinema was closed and building was acquired by a local consortium.

It became a Bingo Hall later in 1963 and was initially run by a consortium who in turn sold it to Granada.  It was opened by Pat Phoenix, the actress of Coronation Street fame. In those days Granada had a wide repertoire on entertainments to draw on, and groups such as Freddie and the Dreamers, the Bachelors and Gerry and the Pacemakers appeared on stage there in the 1960's.

The Bingo operation was taken over by Gala in 1997. Just as it began to thrive and it seemed a secure future had been attained, it (and every other Bingo Hall) was hit by a triple whammy. It wasn't the re-rise of the cinema, or wide screen TVs at home, but three crippling blows: the Internet and social networking, online gambling, and the indoor smoking ban. But it had lasted over thirty years as a Bingo hall!

An attempt was made to avoid serious reconstruction of the building by applying for Listed building status, but despite the foyer still retaining a lot of its original features, the application was turned down, due to the fact the building had lost the original stencilling scheme in the auditorium. The building was purchased by Bournemouth Community Church, and plans are mow well underway for a community resource. There will be children's clubs, community events, and as well as facilities for youth. Eventually films may be on the agenda again - but what about Bingo? One can but hope!