A FORMER ABC cinema projectionist has been giving an insight into the history of Mr Smith's before it was a night club.

The art deco building opened on August 23, 1937 as the Ritz Cinema, which was part of the Union Cinema Circuit, and was renamed ABC during 1960.

John Forster, who now lives in Bournemouth, worked for ABC between 1964 and 68 and was part of a team of five.

He added: "In those days you had the film and Pathé News making up a nice three hour programme.

"The cinema was filled most Saturday evenings and during the intervals there would be staff selling ice creams.

"I can remember the weekly double features, Pathe News, Pathe Pictorial and of course the Pearl and Dean adverts.

"Continuous performances were a feature of all cinemas and one could go in during the afternoon and could still be there as the National Anthem played at the end of the day."

The cinema closed for development on August 19, 1972 for conversion to Cine/Bingo.

The bingo hall was built into the area of the old stalls and the new cinema was installed in the old circle.

The new complex reopened on December 7, 1972 and during November 1980 a second cinema was installed in the old restaurant area and was named ABC 2 with 90 seats.

John added: "As this was video presentation it wasn’t a success and closure was therefore imminent with both cinemas closing on October 23, 1982."

But new life was soon breathed into the Bridge Foot building as Mr Smith's night club was born and quickly became one of the top venues in the north west thanks to popular ITV programme Hitman and Her.

A reader has also suggested the venue was used for wedding receptions around 1958 for five years in the restaurant.