10 former Edinburgh cinemas that have been given a new lease of life
There have been in excess of one hundred picture houses in Edinburgh down the decades, but only a select few stand today and barely a handful have retained their original use.
By David McLean
Published 14th Jan 2021, 00:58 BST
From the art deco former Roxy at Gorgie Road to the cavernous Playhouse at Greenside, we take a look at 10 former Edinburgh cinemas that have taken on a new lease of life in recent years.
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5. Caley Cinema, Lothian Road
Opening in 1923, the Caley Cinema on Lothian Road managed to survive a picture house until 1984 when it was converted into a night club. Latterly a gig venue, the former Caley cinema became a Wetherspoon pub in 2017. Photo: esme allen
The Jacey was just one of several cinemas that occupied Edinburgh's main thoroughfare once upon a time. The cinema specialised in art house cinema and also showed cartoons and newsreels. It is now a retail unit. Photo: George Smith
The former Poole's Roxy Cinema on Gorgie Road was said to be a favourite haunt of a young pre-Beatles John Lennon while on trips north to Edinburgh to stay with his auntie. The cinema building still stands, but is now used for retail. Currently home to a cake shop called Kaspa's Desserts. Photo: Ian Georgeson
Originally called the Picturedrome, this Easter Road picture house became the Eastway in 1943. It closed on August 26 1961 and has since become an Iceland supermarket. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
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