Brighton's Duke of York's cinema marks centenary
- Published
The picturehouse first opened its doors to cinema-goers in 1910
A cinema that is believed to be the oldest purpose-built picture house still in operation in the UK has marked its centenary.
The Duke of York's Cinema, Preston Circus, Brighton, cost £3,000 to build and first opened to the public on 22 September 1910.
The grade II-listed building has gone from Edwardian palace to arthouse cinema over that period.
Its owners screened films from 1910 on Wednesday to mark its 100th birthday.
Manager Jon Barrenechea said when the cinema opened feature films did not exist.
"People came to see short films, short comedy, drama, plays poetry and also their news," he said.
"The Pathe newsreel would have played. This is the time before TV and radio and people will have gotten a lot of their information from here.
"The cinema was always packed with people, you always had queues out the doors and continuous performances."