Your chance to vote for final screening at closing celebration
The ABC cinema on Bournemouth’s Westover Road is set for its final curtain call on Wednesday January 4 – and the Bournemouth Daily Echo has teamed up with the cinema to give Echo readers the opportunity to decide what iconic film will make history as the last movie ever shown at an ABC cinema.
Bournemouth Daily Echo readers have until Thursday December 22 at 12pm to vote for their favourite film from a list of much loved favourites throughout the ages:
Lawrence of Arabia
Some Like It Hot
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Top Gun
Mamma Mia!
Notting Hill
Back to the Future
The Wizard of Oz
To vote, email the film choice to louise@lizleanpr.co.uk.
The ABC first opened its doors to the public in the town centre in June 1937, and is the last remaining cinema bearing the ABC name in the country. Rebranded the ODEON in 1986, the cinema was converted into a five-screen multiplex in 1989, with a sixth screen added in 1995.
Spencer Clark, General Manager of the ABC cinema, said: “There is so much wonderful nostalgia associated with the ABC brand and we would like to give the final cinema the send-off it deserves. It’s the end of an era and we want local people to have the opportunity to be part of history and watch the final screening.
“We’d also love for people to take a trip down memory lane and to share with us any special stories or photographs from past visits for us to display in the reception area. You could be part of a couple who had their first date at the ABC and are now married and return for anniversaries, or you might have fond memories of schools trips there years ago – whatever your recollection, we’d love to hear about it.”
Tickets for the final screening are available at a celebratory price of £5.00 with all the proceeds going to Dorset Mind, a local charity which works across Dorset to support those facing a mental health problem and their carers.
To purchase a ticket to the final screening please visit odeon.co.uk/abcfinalscreening
Following the closure of the ABC, the Westover Road ODEON will continue to stay open until The brand new, state-of-the-art flagship ODEON cinema at the BH2 leisure complex opens early next year.
Andy Edge, Commercial Director UK and Ireland, added: “Making happy memories for millions of people over the past seven decades, there is no doubt that the ABC Cinema has been an integral part of Bournemouth’s leisure heritage. We are looking forward to creating an experience for all the senses that movie-goers today won’t forget when we introduce the latest in cinematic technology with the launch of our new flagship ODEON at the BH2 leisure complex.
“Set to be one of our most advanced cinemas yet, ODEON Bournemouth boasts 10 screens, a gigantic floor to ceiling and wall to wall ultra-high definition ISENSE screen, the opportunity to choose reclining seats in most of the auditoria, a unique Kids screen with fun soft decor, and a new hot food range of pizzas and planks.”