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Aug 21, 2023

Inside eerie abandoned 1930s cinema slowly being destroyed by mould growing on screens

Urban explorer Urbanexboi visited an old art deco cinema which was built in the

Urban explorer Urbanexboi visited an old art deco cinema which was built in the 1930s and closed in 2019 and now is in a state of disrepair, with mould growing on its old screens

An urban explorer rediscovered an old art deco cinema which once delighted and amazed thousands of people for more than 70 years.

Youtuber Urbanexboi managed to gain access to the former art deco cinema which closed in 2019.

Sadly the abandoned cinema is fallen into a state of disrepair as mould and damp can be seen growing on the walls and the old screens.

In the years since it closed it has also been attacked by vandals.

The explorer said: "I would describe the old cinema as the heart of Plymouth and not just another "cinema" where so many buildings like this get torn down or are left to be destroyed by nature or by local councils.

"We had heard this former 1930's art deco cinema was in disrepair due to pumps being switched off in the basement which has led to mould growing on the screens. It has also been trashed by vandals.

"I think buildings like this should be preserved for future generations because underneath the false ceilings are the original features from when it was first built, including original art deco features.

"After numerous requests to reel for access into the building so that we could see what damage was done, we didn't get a reply and ended up heading up onto the roof as we heard a fire door was wide open from another exploration group.

"We took some videos inside and pictures to highlight how bad this building has got and also to show people that these buildings just get left behind with no maintenance.

"It's always a rush to explore buildings that are off-limits to the general public and just seeing once busy buildings empty and silent is always kinda eerie.

"It's always something which has interested me and you tend to find inner beauty in most run-down buildings which not everyone gets to see or appreciate."

It comes as it was reported a cottage abandoned by an artist a decade ago still has the remnants of his inspiring collection of paintings.

The 17th-century grade 2 listed farmhouse sits on 25-acres of land around 35-miles outside of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, and has been left to ruin since its owner was forced to leave.

The property is full of old notes and reminders, as well as stunning pieces of art presumed to have been hand crafted by the owner.

Images of the cottage were captured by urban explorer Zoe Urbex from Brighton, Sussex, who explained how the owner eventually had to leave to live out his remaining time in a care home.

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