Curtains for historic cinema

Jan 6 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

AN HISTORIC former cinema - the first ever purpose-built multiscreen cinema in the country - is set to be replaced by a clothing store.

The Kings Cinema, opened in West Bromwich in 1975, is to be taken over by clothing chain Peacocks.

Planning permission for a new shop frontage, fascia and signs has been allowed by Sandwell Council.

The Kings Square cinema, which was forced to close in 2002, will now host Peacocks as well as a 99p dicount store which was launched last year.

The cinema disappeared for good in November 2002 after disruptions caused by building work.

At one stage it was set to reopen, but owner Paul Jervis said he had no choice but to call it a day when Centro construction work overran completion deadlines.

Work had started on the West Bromwich Ringway 12 months earlier, which saw pavements dug up and stopped film fans and staff from getting to the building.

When the Kings Cinema first opened it was the first-ever multiplex in the UK and in 1989 it became the first independent picture house to introduce a computerised box office.

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