History of Glasgow Cinema

Our leisure time today somewhat surrounds our life. You could go as far to say - it's what we work for! That drink at the end of a hard week, a catch up lunch with friends or indeed a visit to the cinema to see the latest chick flick!

It wasn't until the 1880s, however, that leisure activities became something of more enjoyment and less guilt at not working or staying home for some family time! From the development of football within local schools and Scottish clubs being formed, males were finding their feet in the way of entertainment! So what about the women during that time? This is when other forms of enjoyment came onto the scene with music halls and theatres being introduced! 

The first purpose built cinema was created in 1910 - The Electric Theatre in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. The cinema scene BOOMED with over 20 more cinemas built by 1914 and 114 cinemas across the city by 1939. By this time, Glasgow cinemas has a seating capacity of over 175,000 and officially had more cinema seats per head than any other city in the world!!!

[The Regal Cinema 1955]

Next blog : How has the cinema scene changed in Glasgow over time? 

Glasgow Cinema

Glasgow is one of the most bustling and exciting cities to live in and be a part of! The massive choice of entertainment and social events, restaurants and bars, nightclubs and venues available make it impossible to be bored on any night of the week - never mind the weekend! Cinema plays a massive part in this as well and by massive, I mean in size. Glasgow is the place of Europe's tallest cinema! Yes, at 203 feet tall with over 12 stories and 18 screens, Cineworld in Renfrew Street can seat more than 43,000 people!! Located smack bang in the middle of Glasgow - just a hop, skip and a jump away from Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, this cinema is positively impossible to miss! It is also the busiest customer based cinema in the UK - very impressive and most definitely a deserved place in the Guinness World Book of Records!

Since 1896 over 800 cinemas have operated within Glasgow. Once named the 'Cinema City' in its heyday, Glaswegians visited cinemas on a more regular basis than anyone else in the world! Although this has dramatically declined - with now only around 13 cinemas in Glasgow, the desire and demand for cinema is still going strong!