A Brief History of Bohemia – part 5 – Pubs & Cinemas

Posted by admin on 27/1/10 • Categorised as History, No. 61 Jul 2008

The Tower Hotel, on the corner of London Road and Tower Road [Photo loaned by Ken Brooks)

By Edward Preston, (Jul 2008)

Part 5 – Pubs & Cinemas
Public houses were in profusion. Ye Olde Wheatsheaf Inn was first licensed in 1835, being the longest established in the area. The North Star, the Dripping Spring and the Tower Hotel all continue to operate, but three have ceased. These were the Prince of Wales Hotel at number 84 Bohemia Road, the Hearts of Oak Inn at no. 116 and the Bohemia Arms at no. 76.

For a brief period – 1912 to 1913 – Bohemia could boast three cinemas. The Bohemia Electric Theatre occupied the upper part of what was Lullabuys at no.70 Bohemia Road. It claimed to be the smallest public cinema in Europe, with bench seating for an audience of no more than 25 patrons. In Lower South Road, there were the Bohemian Palace and the Bohemia Picturedrome, the latter being housed in what has become known as the Tower Buildings.

Edward Preston

Bohemia Electric Theatre one of three local cinemas [photo loaned by Ken Brooks]