Ashton Lane, Hillhead

Opened: May 3rd 1921
Re-opened in Ashton Lane December 5th 1980

Designed by: Albert V Gardner and William R Glen

Number of screens (1980-2003) :2

Number of seats (1980)
Ashton: 265
Kelvin: 276

Number of seats (2003)
Screen 1: 98 and 3 two seater sofas
Screen 2: 98 and 3 two seater sofas

The Grosvenor's second incarnation began in December 1980 when CAC Leisure opened the twin screen Grosvenor in Ashton Lane, the first films were Heart Beat and Breaker Morant with late shows of The Deerhunter and Caddyshack/Monty Python and the Holy Grail. By now the original entrance in Byres Road had been converted into Bonham's wine bar and the Ashton and Kelvin cinemas created out of the stalls area with the balcony unused.

A few years later, the MGM motto, Ars Gratia Artis was rendered in gold lettering above the three doors with their art deco style fins. Inside was a small foyer containing box office, kiosk and manager's

office. Corridors, later decorated with posters of Gable, Monroe and Bogart, led to the Kelvin and Ashton where warm red seats, curtains and drapes greeted patrons.

The decor of the cinema and the location, together with its proximity to Glasgow University and a movie literate local population helped The Grosvenor to be an immediate success, showing mainstream films, Saturday matinees and popular late shows, where cult films like Betty Blue, Blade Runner and Alien frequently sold out, and a favourite with Grosvenor audiences was The Rocky Horror Picture Show with audience participation orchestrated by Dr.Scott's Extra Forks!

In addition to its location much of The Grosvenor's success was due to the friendliness of the staff and the professionalism of its managers, principally John Wright and Lennox McNeil, such was the regard for John that on his death staff and friends of the cinema dedicated a seat at the GFT to him.

The Grosvenor also played a major part in the annual West End Festival, with special screenings of classic films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Casablanca and The Ladykillers.

In 2001 The Grosvenor was bought by the G1 group and closed for refurbishment on June 30th 2002 after a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.