54°36′04″N 5°52′48″W / 54.601°N 5.880°W / 54.601; -5.880

The Strand Arts Centre

The Strand Arts Centre, also known as Strand Cinema is an independent four-screen cinema on Holywood Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is one of the two remaining independent cinemas in Belfast, alongside the Queen's Film Theatre. It is the only operational picture house in Northern Ireland down from a total of 40 during the genre's peak popularity.[1][2]

History

The Strand originally built for an English Unions Cinema chain, and consisted of a single screen. The cinema's streamlined moderne design, it is said, was influenced by its proximity to the nearby shipyard of Harland & Wolff, featuring curved walls and portholed foyer.[3] The first film to be shown in the theatre when it opened in 1935 was Bright Eyes featuring Shirley Temple.[4][5] From 1984 to 1987, The Strand was re-opened as a live concert venue by local businessman, Ronnie Rutherford.[4] In 1999, the original red brickwork of the building was rendered and painted and Art Deco flourishes added over its entrance. The original steel windows were replaced in aluminum framed windows at that time. Following its remodeling, the Strand won a RIBA Architecture Award.[4] The building is landmark in east Belfast due to its prominent location at a busy junction.

The Strand is one of the venues for the Belfast Film Festival, during which it screens classic films.[6] During the 2005 festival the cinema celebrated its 70th birthday by screening A Night to Remember, the 1958 film about the sinking of RMS Titanic, built by Harland & Wolff.

In 2012, The Strand once again offered live theatre as it did in the past, beginning with The Strand Star search, a talent show to find new acts for its new variety nights. After several years of an uncertain future due to maintenance costs,[7] a restoration and expansion to include a museum was announced in November 2023 with funding provided by a UK lottery for the preservation of historic buildings.[1][8]

It was featured prominently in the first episode of the 2020 BBC Three comedy My Left Nut.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Leebody, Christopher (2 November 2023). "Iconic Belfast cinema building set to undergo £6.5m redevelopment". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ↑ Sherwood, Harriet (26 September 2023). "Ice house and art deco cinema among buildings to get £12.2m in lottery grants". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Strand: NI's oldest cinema celebrates 85th birthday". 7 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "History | Strand Cinema Belfast". www.strandartscentre.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  5. ↑ Sloan, Matthew (2 November 2023). "Northern Ireland's oldest cinema set for £6.5 million refurbishment". Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ↑ "Fears over future of Northern Ireland's oldest cinema". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 11 May 2018. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "National Lottery Heritage Fund provides cash injection for east Belfast Strand Arts Centre". 26 September 2003.
  9. ↑ Meredith, Robbie (23 August 2019). "Belfast teen has star role in men's health film". BBC News.


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