Former site of famed Birmingham cinema now listed

The Futurist Cinema was built in 1919 and survived two world wars

The site of a "pioneering" former cinema has been granted listed status.

The Futurist, on John Bright Street in Birmingham, survived two world wars and was the first in the city to show "talkies", according to Historic England, these were films with recorded dialogue played in sync with pictures, as opposed to the silent films played without sound.

Heritage chiefs said the building, which is now a Caribbean restaurant, gave an early example of cinema architecture with brick, stone and terracotta dressings.

"Given its age, The Futurist still looks fantastic," said Historic England's Midlands director Louise Brennan.

"It has an imposing presence befitting of its pioneering role.

"It survived attack from the Luftwaffe [in World War Two] and the redevelopment of Birmingham."

The building, pictured in February 2010, was turned into an adult bar

The Futurist was designed in 1914 and eventually opened five years later as construction was delayed by World War One.

It was then damaged in an air raid in the Birmingham Blitz of November 1940, before reopening again three years later.

Later, the building was known as the Cannon Cinema, before it eventually closed in September 1991.

In subsequent years, the building has been converted into an adult club and then a bar and restaurant.

The building is now a Caribbean restaurant

Listed buildings are those of special architectural or historical interest.

The Futurist has been granted Grade II status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

Catherine Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society which campaigns to save outstanding buildings, said it had been a "real survivor".

"Since closing as a cinema it's been an adult nightclub, shisha lounge, and a seafood restaurant," she said.

"But no matter the times, the value and versatility of 20th Century heritage endures.

"It's wonderful to see this handsome old gent of a building now recognised with national listing."