History of the building

All of this is gathered from the internet, so could be completely wrong!

If anyone knows anything of the history, or has pictures, please could you comment here, or send them to me, or I’d love to meet anyone who remembers it as a cinema, and we could have a chat about it!

Either comment on the blog or email us on 

Cinema Treasures by Ken Roe - http://cinematreasures.org/theater/27444/

Located in Thorne, a small town to the north-east of Doncaster. The Kensington Palace Cinema was opened in 1927. It had a 20 feet wide proscenium and the cinema had a cafe.

Taken over by Star Cinemas of Leeds in 1967 and re-named Ritz Cinema, it was closed shortly afterwards in September 1967 and became a Star Bingo Club. Its last use was as a nightclub named ‘Merlin’s’, which had closed by 1998. Since then the building has been unused and empty, and is becoming increasingly derelict.

Bygone days in Thorne by John Lyne http://www.thornegazette.co.uk/news/local-news/bygone_days_in_thorne_1_620983

The old Picture House, showing Hitchcock films and the Jungle Book, Old Alfred's movies were so frightening, sometimes you dare not look.

Wilfred Middleton - http://www.thorne-moorends.gov.uk/memorial/extra_details1.html

Wilfred worked for his Father in the building trade, paring this with his work as a pianist at the Kensington Cinema in Thorne and the Temperance Institute where he played for dances.

Better Days... - http://www.flickr.com/photos/loose_grip_99/3184454174/

The Kensington Cinema on Fieldside has seen better days. It featured highly in my 1950s childhood and many a Flash Gordon or Cisco Kid film was enjoyed at the "Satdi Matni". It seemed a huge place to a small child.