Steve Moore
When my Granddad showed me an advert in the YEP for a part time projectionist, back in early 1988, I never expected to still be working here all these years on; it was only meant to be short term to earn some pocket money whilst I studied for my A-Levels! The cinema bug hooked me immediately me and I can’t get it out of my system.
As one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the U.K, opening in July 1912 as the Headingley Picture House, the building has atmosphere and a lot of history. It was adapted into picture house from a motorcycle assembly shop by then owner Owen Brookes, who was also a pioneering film cameraman. The cinema has changed ownership several times over the years and has managed to outlive the large Super Cinemas of the 1930 and in 1937, during refurbishment, rebranded to Cottage Road Cinema.
Today the cinema offers varied programme of current releases, classic screenings and live satellite events such as opera and plays transmitted from around the world on the latest digital projection and sound equipment and our small team of dedicated staff love to welcome our patrons; be that our regulars that stop and chat to us or first time visitors who frequently comment that they didn’t know we existed or didn’t realise how large the cinema is inside!
I hope I can continue to enjoy being part of Cottage Road for many years to come, offering our local community a unique traditional cinema experience in our hidden historic corner of Leeds.
