Pub history

The Chiltern

The first film shown at the 500-seat Picture House was a silent war film – Mare Nostrum, soon after which ‘talkies’ were introduced. In the mid 1950s, the cinema’s capacity was reduced to accommodate a new wide screen. In 1961, it was purchased by the local council and ‘extensively modernised’ soon afterwards. It was also renamed The Chiltern. The cinema closed its doors on 29 September 1989 for the last time, with the site sold five years later.