Skip to content

The Strand: NI's oldest cinema celebrates 85th birthday

Strand Arts Centre The Strand cinemaStrand Arts Centre
The cinema's Art Deco design was heavily influenced by the nearby Harland and Wolff shipyard

Northern Ireland's oldest cinema is celebrating its 85th birthday.

The Strand, in east Belfast, a relic from the golden age of cinema in the city, was opened on 7 December 1935 by the Union Cinemas chain.

It was once among 40 similar picture palaces in Belfast but is now the last pre-World War Two example in operation.

While NI cinemas are closed due to coronavirus restrictions, the Strand is marking its anniversary by asking its patrons to share memories online.

Strand Arts Centre Black and white photo of the Strand cinema in 1935Strand Arts Centre
The Strand shortly after it was built in 1935

Its chief executive, Mimi Turtle, told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that many of the cinema's older patrons have migrated from Belfast picture houses no longer in existence.

"We do a lot of work with seniors and it's wonderful to hear their stories," she said.

"A lot of them have come from different picture houses which had all the same features and visiting the Strand brings all their memories flooding back."

Strand Arts Centre Strand interiorStrand Arts Centre
The ocean liner-inspired curved walls and porthole light fittings

The building's Art Deco design, with an exterior curved like the bow of a ship, was heavily influenced by the nearby Harland and Wolff shipyard.

Inside, backlit portholes and curved walls in the 1,170-seater auditorium gave audiences the impression of sitting in an ocean liner.

Strand Arts Centre Kiosk at cinemaStrand Arts Centre
The Strand's original 1930's foyer

Film critic Helen O'Hara says the cinema has always been central to the community in east Belfast.

"It's so important to have cinemas like this in the community, putting on fantastic films for such a long time and being a hub for people to come to again and again," she said.

"It's wonderful."

Strand Arts Centre Strand film poster for Bright EyesStrand Arts Centre
An advert for the first film to be shown at the Strand in 1935

The first film shown at the Strand in 1935 was the Shirley Temple film Bright Eyes.

The most popular was 1987 comedy Three Men and a Baby, which was screened for a total of 26 weeks.

Now operating as a not-for-profit charity, it is hoped a planned £4.6m renovation to improve facilities and disabled access will secure the historic building's future for generations to come.