Capitol, Scarborough

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The building, in 2016 Capitol Cinema (former) (28459699895).jpg
The building, in 2016

The Capitol is a historic building in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, a town in England.

The building was designed by Edwin Sheridan Evans and constructed between 1928 and 1929. It opened as a variety theatre with a fly tower, orchestra pit, dressing rooms and 2,100 seats, but was principally used as a cinema. In the 1970s, it was renamed as the "Classic Cinema", but this closed in 1977, and it was converted into a Mecca Bingo hall. [1] [2] The building was grade II listed in 2000. [3] Closure of the club was announced in November 2025. [4]

The building has a steel frame, the front is in white faience, on a plinth, and the other walls are in brick. Above the central entrance is a canopy and there are four more entrances with moulded surrounds and keystones. Above the main entrance are three tall round-headed windows, over which is a pediment with a coved cornice and a cartouche. At the top is a decorated frieze with central lettering. The interior retains much of its original decoration, including the proscenium arch with ornamental ironwork either side and a Classical frieze above. There is a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The original organ has been removed, and the former cafe at balcony level has been converted into an additional foyer. [3] [5]

See also

References

  1. "Capitol". Theatres Trust. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  2. "Capitol Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 Historic England. "Mecca Bingo Club, Scarborough (1384984)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  4. "Mecca Bingo's Scarborough clubs to close this month". International Coinslot. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  5. Grenville, Jane; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2023) [1966]. Yorkshire: The North Riding. The Buildings of England. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. ISBN   978-0-300-25903-2.

54°16′54″N0°24′13″W / 54.2816°N 0.4036°W / 54.2816; -0.4036