The Capitol Cinema / pub in Forest Hill

Following on from the comments posted by Law Siak Hong on my blog about David Bowie and the Ritzy cinema in Brixton, here is a blog about another old cinema in south London. It is actually a pub nowadays and one I have visited many times.

The Capitol on London Road in Forest Hill opened as a cinema in 1929. The first screening was 'Man, Woman and Sin'. The cinema was renamed the ABC in 1968 and the last picture show was in October 1973. There were plans to convert and even demolish the building. However, The Capitol opened as a bingo hall in February 1978, this lasted until  the December 1996. It opened as the JD Wetherspoon pub in 2001. Wetherspoon have taken over a few old buildings around the country to convert into their pubs.

The Art Deco building is quite elaborate but it is the inside that is rather stunning. As you enter the lobby, there is a hatched area on the right that was probably the old ticket office.

Steps lead up to the upper stalls which is now occupied with tables and chairs, and banquette booths against the walls. There are old photos on the walls.  The kitchen and toilets are located in this area.

Steps lead down into the main bar area which would have been the lower stalls. The bar is at the back, this would have been the old stage or screen area. Above the bar is an elaborate 'frieze' of what looks like little boy angels and Neptune. There is a proscenium arch over the bar. On each side of the bar are decorative arches. The room is filled with tables and chairs and more of the leather banquettes and there are a few game machines.

Running along the front of the upper circle is a series of heads of Ceres, a Roman goddess of agriculture, grain crops and fertility.

There are old pictures on the walls of the local area scenes from old movies. Quite a fascinating place!!

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission