Tower Cinema pictured in 1970 which was opened as the Tower Picture House on April 12, 1920, in the old Grand Arcade on New Briggate. It closed as a cinema in 1985 and became a nightclub from 1986.placeholder image
Tower Cinema pictured in 1970 which was opened as the Tower Picture House on April 12, 1920, in the old Grand Arcade on New Briggate. It closed as a cinema in 1985 and became a nightclub from 1986. | Mr. K. S. Wheelan

Memories of loved and lost Leeds city centre cinemas

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson

Specialist Reporter

Published 6th Mar 2026, 04:45 GMT

These photos are sure to evoke wonderful memories for generations of city centre cinema goers.

They focus on the cinemas loved and lost in the heart of Leeds. They each welcomed thousands of movie fans down the decades before they closed and became bingo halls and shops or were demolished. Which did you visit back in the day? READ MORE: Unseen photos chart of a golden age of Leeds pub culture LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia

The News Theatre on City Square pictured in June 1953.

7. News Theatre

The News Theatre on City Square pictured in June 1953. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Customers queue to get in to the Tower Picture House, part of the Grand Arcades at 52 New Briggate in the 1920s. The cinema closed in 1985 and later became a nightclub.

8. Tower Picture House

Customers queue to get in to the Tower Picture House, part of the Grand Arcades at 52 New Briggate in the 1920s. The cinema closed in 1985 and later became a nightclub. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Odeon Cinema on the junction of the Lower Headrow with New Briggate. The cinema was opened as the Paramount in 1932 and the name was changed to the Odeon on Monday April15, 1940. The Odeon opened as a twin cinema on May 15, 1969. It closed in 2001.

9. Odeon Cinema

Odeon Cinema on the junction of the Lower Headrow with New Briggate. The cinema was opened as the Paramount in 1932 and the name was changed to the Odeon on Monday April15, 1940. The Odeon opened as a twin cinema on May 15, 1969. It closed in 2001. | Mr. K. S. Wheelan Photo: Mr. K. S. Wheelan

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Plaza Cinema at 32 New Briggate pictured in 1970. It opened as the Assembly Rooms Concert Hall in 1898. It became a cinema on Monday, April 15, 1907 advertising "new century talking and singing pictures". It became The Plaza (Star Cinemas) in August 1958 and closed on February 14, 1985.

10. Plaza Cinema

Plaza Cinema at 32 New Briggate pictured in 1970. It opened as the Assembly Rooms Concert Hall in 1898. It became a cinema on Monday, April 15, 1907 advertising "new century talking and singing pictures". It became The Plaza (Star Cinemas) in August 1958 and closed on February 14, 1985. | Mr. K. S. Wheelan Photo: Mr. K. S. Wheelan

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ABC Cinema on Vicar Lane. The photo dates from when the ABC was re-opened as a twin cinema, on April 5, 1970, with showings of 'Paint Your Wagon' and 'Spring and Port Wine'. It then became the first triple cinema in Leeds when the former stalls area of ABC 2 was divided. Closed on February 17, 2000.

11. ABC Cinema

ABC Cinema on Vicar Lane. The photo dates from when the ABC was re-opened as a twin cinema, on April 5, 1970, with showings of 'Paint Your Wagon' and 'Spring and Port Wine'. It then became the first triple cinema in Leeds when the former stalls area of ABC 2 was divided. Closed on February 17, 2000. | Mr. K. S. Wheelan Photo: Mr. K. S. Wheelan

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The 1,692 seater Scala Cinema on Albion Place pictured in 1928. It was advertised as 'Yorkshire's Wonder Cinema' when it opened on Monday, June 24, 1922. It closed on August 31, 1957, becoming a furniture showroom.

12. Scala Cinema

The 1,692 seater Scala Cinema on Albion Place pictured in 1928. It was advertised as 'Yorkshire's Wonder Cinema' when it opened on Monday, June 24, 1922. It closed on August 31, 1957, becoming a furniture showroom. | Mr. K. S. Wheelan Photo: Mr. K. S. Wheelan

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