*Historical* It’s surprising how many entertainment venues were once in central Sutton, so to start here’s a look at one of the biggest…
This venue in Carshalton Road played host in person to Hollywood legends Laurel and Hardy (programme pictured from 1952), comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, Rod Stewart and The Faces (1973), Cliff Richard (1960s), Walker brothers, Wizard, Adam Faith and many more…
The building was situated on the corner of Throwley Way and Carshalton Road, almost directly across the road from the old police station that still stands in Sutton, and adjacent to Manor Park. In the aerial shot you can see the church that stood where the new police offices are and a small petrol pump kiosk above this.
The Plaza opened in September 1934 and became The Granada in 1942. It initially had 2,390 seats, and a large ballroom/cafe upstairs.
The programme adverts are from 1955 and offer a fascinating insight – with one for the much loved chocolate treat, Paynes Poppets, who had a factory in nearby Waddon.
As well as a live venue, it was a cinema. It had an impressive Wurlitzer organ which would play before shows. Here’s organist Andrew Gilbert sitting at the Compton in 1974.
The building was designed by celebrated architect Robert Cromie, who created many cinemas including the Hammersmith Apollo, the Prince of Wales Theatre in London, and the interiors of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Manor Park was situated directly to the right, before the park shrank to accommodate an extended Throwley Way. The Granada finally closed in 1975 and demolished in 1979. In its place is an office block.
Phew! Lots of info.
Image credits: © Arthur Lloyd, © Ms Andrea Easton Gilbert, © London Borough of Sutton Museum and Heritage Service. @suttonheritage.
Got any memories of this place? Please leave a comment below to help keep a public record.
Sutton’s long-lost 2,390 seat music venue demolished in 1979
Yes indeed, Sutton Grenadiers Saturday morning cinema, with it’s own song, Wurlitzzer, penny sweets and screeming happy children. Mum took me to tea in the restaurant upstairs once. Had to wear best clothes and be on best behaviour! A real treat.
Was it a large restaurant? Probably looked big to a child…
I was a Sutton Grenadier back in the 1960’s and regularly went to see films there in the 70’s and David Essex in concert. I remember the poster for Morecambe and Wise playing there too.
The popularity of hiring DVD’s in the 80’s made cinema going less popular for some years so only half the cinema was used, then there was a ‘fire’ caused by a spark? from the safety curtain?
But it wasn’t the fire that damaged the cinema it was the fire brigade soaking everything and then it was all just left that way for ages until the rot set in destroying all the wood, velvet, plaster etc and it was decided not to renovate it, in short probably an insurance job.
Huge shame in lots of ways, part of the boroughs history gone, and as a venue and cinema it was as good as the Hammersmith Odeon (as was) now the Hammersmith Apollo, it would have been marvellous to have it still to host concerts and gigs in the same way.
What a sad end…