IT is hard to believe it was five years ago this month that the former Mr Smith’s building burned down.

But for many readers it was perhaps best known as a cinema.

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.

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

Warrington Guardian:

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.

However this was not a success wiht 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 a top venue in the north west thanks to popular ITV programme Hitman and Her.

The venue was also used for wedding receptions around 1958 for five years in the restaurant.

Warrington Guardian: Our Miss Fred was on at the ABC when this picture was taken in 1972