by Vicky Halliday
The Savoy Cinema w as built in 1937 as a 1,911 seater theatre. In 1964 it was closed for renovation and reopened as The ABC Cinema.
In 1997 plans were submitted to redevelop the north of Portsmouth City centre, which included the ABC building, Sainsburys, The Tricorn and the gymnasium at Pitt Street. It was intended that shops and hotels be built. As a consequence, the ABC closed in 1999 and remained derelict for 3 years until it was finally demolished in 2002.
Unfortunately, the removal of buildings in this area was rather hasty! The Northern Quarter redevelopment has still not happened….despite the gymnasium, the cinema and The Tricorn being demolished. Residents await, with baited breath, the final chapter of the Northern Quarter saga!
