LIVELY reaction following my piece about long-lost cinemas in and around St Helens, a number of readers pointing out that the old Sutton Bug (Empire) and Thatto Heath Empire had not been mentioned.

Now Stephen Wainwright from Sutton has sent me a knowledgable letter listing the opening, and most closing dates, of a host of cinemas in the district, including the St Helens Co-op, apparently very popular in the silent era. Here’s his timeline: 1903: Hippodrome, Corporation Street, St Helens. Began screening short films in between the music-hall acts. Closed 1963.

1907: Co-op, Baldwin Street. Weisker Brothers initially screened shorts. Often referred to as Glover’s cinema, after the lesseee, R. Glover. Cinema on top floor. Closed 1930.

1910: Town Hall and YMCA screened films. Closed 1915.

1911: Scala Cinema, Ormskirk Street, built on the site of a former blacksmiths. Originally called the Electric Theatre and nicknamed ‘Griffins’ after the owner, Alfred Griffin, who also owned a nearby furnishers and photographers. It was the first purpose-built cinema in St Helens. Closed 1957.

1912: Thatto Heath Empire. Closed 1963.

1913: Sutton Empire. Mr Bates was manager, with Tommy Wareing fireman. All red seats costing one penny, apart from three blue rows at the rear, costing twopence. Closed 1957.

1914: Picturedrome, Bridge Street. Became the new Savoy in 1920 and seated 520. Closed in 1934 and demolished.

1914: Parrvilion, Jackson Street (known as the Parr Dog). First local cinema to be upgraded for talkies. Last film (appropriately) End Of The Affair. Closed 1958.

1915: Palladium, Boundary Road. No closure date.

1915: Oxford Picturedrome, Duke Street, where Edie Parr was projectionist for 15 years. Closed 1956.

1929: Rivoli, on corner of Corporation Street and Hall Street. Organist the legendary Horace Finch. Capacity 1,350. Jack Frost manager. Closed 1965.

1929: Capitol on corner of Duke Street and North Road. Largest cinema in St Helens with a capacity of 1,550 and had a nine-piece orchestra when opened. Closed 1978.

1935: ‘New’ Savoy, Bridge Street, which took 1,467 people. Became ABC Savoy then Cannon. Upgraded to three screens in 1978, but closed in 1993.

At Haydock there were two cinemas (neither with final closure dates).

1913: Electraceum.

1920: Picturedrome, originally run by the Bracegirdle family.

THANKS a million, Stephen.