Royal Cinema

MARKET PLACE TR 0161 SE 3/311 Royal Cinema II G.V.

Bingo hall, formerly Odeon cinema. Built in 1936. Architect A Mather in a Tudor style specifically to blend in with traditional buildings in the historic centre of Faversham. Front elevation of stone with handmade tiled roof, the rest of stock brick with hipped corrugated asbestos roof. Front elevation built of local stone ashlar with projecting turret-like ends with crenellated parapet and recessed centre with 7 light 3 tier bay window with oak frame and leaded lights with coloured glass. This is flanked by plaster-work panels with masks and strapwork. Lead guttering above with foliated motifs. Ground floor has projecting canopy supported by grotesque plastered female brackets (a reference to the genuine late C16 ones in the house next door.) The fascia has diamond shaped projections and this theme is echoed by the divisions of the illuminated panel beneath the canopy. Entrance has carved panel above with Tudor roses, foliage and sea monsters. Three double wooded doors with decorative iron handles. Tiled roof has central lead fliche surmounted by an iron weather vane with motifs showing a camera-man shooting a film. The square foyer has a Tudor style plank door, cornice with Tudor roses and walls plastered with a raised chevron pattern. There are 2 square shaped Tudor style light fittings with corner pendants and St Andrew's Cross design. The auditorium has a 4 centred proscenium arch and a curved roof containing original lantern-shaped light fittings. The lower part of the walls are timber-framed, to continue the Tudor theme with raised plaster animals and flowers. Original octagonal-shaped clock above exit with helmet visor above, foliage designs to side and motto below.

Listing NGR: TR0162261362