Lido (1932-1944)
Odeon, Hove (1944-1961)

Denmark Villas, Hove (next to Hove Station)

Lido exterior and auditorium at the time of its opening in 1932

1931 late Building adjacent to the railway line outside Hove station, housing a failed ice rink that opened in 1929, is acquired by County Cinemas. The site had formerly been occupied by Miles's market gardens, a jam factory and a well, sold to Brighton Corporation Waterworks in 1876 for £27,000. [There is no substance to the suggestion that it was built on part of the site of the Kinemacolor studios, which were more than two streets away.] Conversion to cinema use was completed to designs by Robert Cromie within 10 weeks.
1932 May 6 Opened by Mayor of Hove, Councillor E J J Thompson, with Donald Calthrop, star of Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail, as a guest.

Left: Donald Calthrop; right: Reginald Foort

During the interval of the opening show, Reginald Foort played the Wurlitzer Hope-James Unit Orchestra organ. 2,500 seats on one sloping level. Prices 7d-2s. Car park, cafe, social club, dance hall with live acts on Saturdays and the Lido School of Dancing. Open daily 11:00-22:00. Special offer of lunch and cinema ticket 2s.
1939 September Acquired by Odeon Theatres Ltd
1944 July 30 Renamed Odeon
1948 Prices 1s-2s 9d, continuous performances; Westrex sound system
1953 Prices 1s 6d-3s 1d. Dance floor
1957 Prices 1s 10d-3s 3d
1961 2,081 seats; prices 2s 3d-3s 9d
1961 February 18 Closed. Last film: The Singer not the Song, starring Dirk Bogarde
        Converted into a Top Rank bowling alley, which opened in July 1961 but was unable to survive against competition from the King Alfred bowling alley, which opened at the same time. The building was sold in 1969 and demolished in 1970. A block of flats with shops beneath (including a Tesco Express) and the Royal Mail delivery office now occupy the site.

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