194 Byres Road, Hillhead

Opened: May 3rd 1921
Rebuilt in Ashton Lane: December 5th 1980

Designed by: Albert V Gardner and William R Glen

Number of screens: 1

Number of seats (1921): 1337
Number of seats (1976): 1035

mapdetailgrosvenor

The Grosvenor was designed by Gardner and Glen opened in Byres Road in May 1921 and fitted into a long, narrow space in one of the busiest parts of the road, very close to Hillhead subway and in the heart of the University area, not surprisingly it became popular with students like its modern incarnation in Ashton Lane.

Press advertising of the day described it as "the most up-to-date picture theatre in Glasgow and in addition to showing "excellent pictures with delightful musical accompaniments"

The Grosvenor featured a cafe with an American soda fountain situated above the foyer.

The Grosvenor became part of the ABC circuit in 1929 and in addition to continuous performances, the Saturday children's club the ABC Minors was introduced all of which helped to make it one of the most popular cinemas in the west end for over fifty years.

ABC Grosvenor
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Along with Charing Cross, Riddrie, Bridgeton and numerous other cinemas in the circuit, The Grosvenor was part of the disposal of cinemas by ABC in the mid 70s.

Unlike the others, The Grosvenor was given a new lease of life by CAC who in 1980, after four years of running it on a care and maintenance basis virtually rebuilt it moving the entrance to the rear in Ashton Lane, creating two halls The Kelvin and The Ashton and opening a wine bar, Bonhams in the former foyer area in Byres Road.

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