Load mobile navigation

When Batman fans queued to see 1989 classic at lost Coventry cinema

The Theatre One Cinema in Ford Street, Hillfields, was once a popular spot for film fans

Theatre One cinema in Ford Street, Hillfields, Coventry. A queue for tickets to watch movie blockbuster Batman. The cinema was originally called The Alexandra Theatre when it opened in 1917 and was renamed Theatre One in 1974. It saw a rise in popularity when it was taken over by Welondale Ltd, which bought the cinema for £65,000 from Orr Enterprises in 1979. 11th August 1989

Comic book heroes have captured the imagination for decades - particularly when the central character is a mysterious and complex figure. In nostalgia this week we took a look at the year 1989 when hordes of people queued to see the new Batman film.

And it brought back another memory, that of the Theatre One Cinema in Ford Street, which has now been consigned to history.

The 1989 Batman film spawned a popular series and was directed by Tim Burton, starring the likes of Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton.

The story focuses on the rise of the Batman and his battles with arch-enemy the Joker. Three sequels were subsequently released: Batman Returns in 1992; Batman Forever in 1995; and Batman & Robin in 1997.

As for Theatre One, the building is long gone, having been demolished in 2014 to make way for student flats. It was a sad end to a once-celebrated entertainment spot. According to website cinematreasures.org Theatre One beat major cinema chains in Coventry to be the first to play Star Wars in the city in 1978.

It started life as the Alexandra Picturedome in 1917, undergoing modernisation and a name change in 1969 to become Theatre One Cinema. It closed in 1997 and later became the Mustard Nightclub until 2012.

Check out more nostalgia content here and don't forget to share your memories of Theatre One Cinema in the comments.