The Forum was built as an art deco cinema in Bath, Somerset, England, in 1934, and was designated as a Grade II* listed building on 28 May 1986.[1] The building closed as a cinema in 1969, and has subsequently been used as a dancing school, a bingo hall, a church and a large event space for concerts and stand-up comedy. Its main auditorium has 1,600 seats, making it Bath's largest event venue.
| The Forum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Bath, Somerset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°22′43″N 2°21′38″W / 51.37861°N 2.36056°W |
| Built | 1934 |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Designated | 28 May 1986[1] |
| Reference no. | 1394832 |
  Location of The Forum in Somerset | |
Building edit
The Forum was built by William Henry Watkins and E Morgan Willmott, assisted by A Stuart Gray,[1] at the cost of £80,000 (equivalent to £6,042,259 in 2021)[2] with a steel frame covered by Bath Stone cladding in a combination of art deco and neo-classical style. Inside the walls are brick with concrete floors, with large art deco candelabra lighting. Above the auditorium is a ballroom with a sprung floor and below it on the exterior of the building are shops.[1] The building was heated by radiators, but also by washed air, a novelty in the 1930s.[2]
History edit
The Forum initially sat 2,000 people and was opened on 19 May 1934 by the Marquis of Bath. It was used as a cinema until 1969, when it became a dancing school and bingo hall. The building is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council, and from 1988 has been let on a 700-year term lease to Bath Christian Trust as the home of Life Church Bath, formerly known as Bath City Church.[3][4] It currently has 1600 seats, making it Bath's largest venue for events[5] and so is also used for concerts, performances and presentations.[6]
The Forum has undergone a programme of extensive renovations under the supervision of Stubbs Rich Architects.[3][6] In 2014, the Bath Christian Trust put together plans to convert part of The Forum's ground floor into a café which is now open.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "The Forum". Images of England. English Heritage. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Bath Forum cinema: Opening by Lord Bath this afternoon". Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette. 19 May 1934. p. 3. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Facelift for The Forum". ThisIsBath. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012.
The building is owned by B&NES Council and let on a long term lease to the church ... Our understanding is that the council owns the freehold and Bath Christian Trust - the official name of the church - has a 700-year lease.
- ^ "Home". lifechurchbath.com.
- ^ a b Gillespie, L. J. (4 February 2014). "Bath City Church to open new cafe at The Forum". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b "History". The Forum. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
External links edit
- The Forum website
- Life Church Bath
- The Forum, Bath in the Theatres Trust database