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Academy Cinema, Bristol

Cinemas in BristolFormer cinemas in EnglandGrade II listed buildings in BristolTheatres completed in 1914Use British English from February 2023
Academy Cinema Bristol
Academy Cinema Bristol

The Academy Cinema (grid reference ST590744) is a historic building on Cheltenham Road in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol, England. Since its construction in 1914, it has been used for many purposes. It is a Grade II listed building.The cinema was built by William Watkins in 1914 in an Edwardian Baroque style (also called ‘Mock Renaissance’ style). The open plan brick building has a symmetrical front with doors in a recessed central bay approached by steps from the street. This is surmounted by a lunette and voussoir above which is an oculus as an attic window.It opened as the Cheltenham Cinema, which was owned by Ralph Pringle. It was renamed as The Plaza and then became the Academy Cinema which was used as the name until its closure in 1955.In 1955, it became a Christadelphian Hall or chapel. The Wetherspoons pub chain purchased it in 1998 it was adapted for use as a bar under the name The Magic Box. The name was chosen in honour of William Friese-Greene a Bristolian founder of cinematography. The pub closed in 2006 and was refurbished as a new venue for Jesters Comedy Club, which opened in 2008 with the venue known as The Metropolis. The Metropolis was used as a music venue hosting a variety of local and national bands. Jesters moved to another venue in 2012 and the building was placed on the market for £350,000.In 2014, plans were approved by Bristol City Council for the building to be converted into a mosque, despite objections from the English Defence League.

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Academy Cinema, Bristol
Cheltenham Road, Bristol St Paul's

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Wikipedia: Academy Cinema, BristolContinue reading on Wikipedia

Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 51.4646 ° E -2.5903 °
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Address

Metropolis

Cheltenham Road 135-137
BS6 5RR Bristol, St Paul's
England, United Kingdom
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Academy Cinema Bristol
Academy Cinema Bristol
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Lakota (club)
Lakota (club)

Lakota is a nightclub situated off Stokes Croft, Bristol. The building is the only remaining part of the Stokes Croft Brewery, and is part of the Stokes Croft Conservation Area. It is considered to be a local landmark by the Bristol City Council, and was "once deemed in the early nineties as one of the most famous clubs in the country outside London".Lakota was originally set up by George Leonards and Martin Woolford aka Merv who also owned the Moon Club which had been on part of the site since 1986. The Burgess family owned the Tropic Club which was situated on Stokes Croft. The club opened in 1989 and was immediately critically acclaimed. In 1990 the bank decided to call in receivers to sell the club as the mortgage rate rose at that time to 15% and the club couldn't meet the repayments. Bentleigh and Marti Burgess decided to raise the money to purchase the clubs from the receivers. After a fierce bidding war between them and Piers Adams (of Mahiki - celebrity hangout) and Christian Arden (of Po-na-na) they eventually purchased the club using money they had raised from venture capitalists. In 1992 Lakota started a night called 1 Love on a Sat night which immediately took off as a huge club night in the UK. 1 Love hosted big name Dj's as well as their Bristol residents: James Savage, Ian Wilkie and Mike Shawe During the late nineties Lakota became one of the most famous clubs in the country and the Burgess family were able to expand the empire to include a record company, merchandise shop and DJ agency. Lakota firmly put Bristol on the clubbing map as a thriving centre for club culture and helped move the city on from its reputation as laidback city of 'mellow vibes'. Lakota played host to all the Superstar DJs such as Carl Cox, Danny Rampling, Sasha, John Digweed, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, Paul Oakenfold, Judge Jules and LTJ Bukem. At the turn of the century Lakota like all of the other superclubs suffered from a huge drop in trade and over the next few years it seemed to lose its way as it tried to stick to its house roots as well as dabble with new and other underground music such as garage, reggae and two-step. Since 2006 the club has regained ground by collaborating with young promoters to put on a series of drum and bass, hardcore, dub-step, psy-trance and techno nights. A new generation of Bristol clubbers seem to have fallen in love with it again. Lakota once again gained national publicity in March 2008 when plans were announced to demolish the club and nearby Clockwork. A Facebook campaign (https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27618960205) was launched to save it and over 7,000 clubbers joined this campaign and put up an heroic appeal. Despite their efforts planning permission was granted (http://e2eweb.bristol-city.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?keyval=JUQD6YDN0NR00&searchtype=PROPERTY&module=P3) by Bristol City Council. Lakota was set to be demolished in early 2011 and in its place a small bar and restaurant was planned as part of the development that was planned. However, due to negative public reaction and petitions it was decided it would carry on running as a nightclub venue.

Montpelier railway station
Montpelier railway station

Montpelier railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Montpelier in Bristol, England. It is 2.85 miles (4.59 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is MTP. The station has a single platform, serving trains in both directions. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every 30 minutes in each direction. The station was opened on 1 October 1874 as Montpellier (two 'L's) by the Great Western and Midland Railways as part of the Clifton Extension Railway, designed to connect the port of Avonmouth to the national rail network. In February 1888 the station's name changed to Montpelier (one 'L'). The station had two platforms, with the main structures on the southern platform and smaller waiting rooms on the northern platform. In 1903 the station employed 19 staff. Much of the main station building was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. The Severn Beach Line declined over the latter half of the twentieth century, with passenger numbers falling significantly. Goods services at Montpelier ended in 1965, and all staff were withdrawn in 1967. The line was largely reduced to single track in 1970, with the northern platform abandoned and all trains using the remaining platform. The station building is no longer in railway use. Services had decreased to ten per day each direction by 2005, but have since increased to a train every 30 minutes in each direction.