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Heritage at Risk(v1.0)

C Gerrow 18/07/2017 00:00:00

HB Ref No:
HB16/03/020

Address
Vogue Cinema 52 Newry Street Kilkeel Newry Co Down BT34 4DN

Townland:
Magheramurphy

Status:
Currently at Risk

Listing Grade:
B2

HARNI Number:
HARNI 16/03/001

Conservation Area:
No

Condition:
Poor

Industrial Archeology:
No

Occupancy:
Vacant

Vernacular:
No

Degree of Risk:
High

Thatched:
No

Availability:
Unavailable

Monument:
No

Current Building Use:
Entertainment Building

Derelict:
No

Description

'The Vogue Cinema in Kilkeel (also known as the Town Hall) was until recent times one of only two listed cinema buildings in Northern Ireland still performing its original function; the other being the Strand in east Belfast. It opened in 1940 and was designed by Ben Cowser, a Kilkeel native and partner in the Belfast firm of Cowser and Smyth who were also responsible for the reworking of the well known North Street Arcade. The cinema, which is painted bright blue externally, consists of a large auditorium, with entrance, services and office space; all in a streamlined Modern style. Of the few pre/WWII cinemas that survive, many have been changed virtually beyond recognition but the Vogue in Kilkeel retains much of its interior and detailing. However, it closed in September 2007 and the future use of the site remains uncertain. The condition of the building is slowly deteriorating and the building could benefit from regular maintenance. When reviewed in 2022, there had been no change to the structure, however there are plans for its reuse. Refs: Monuments and Buildings Record