Coliseum Buildings (Gaumont Palace & Odeon, Jokers Corner)

I was taken to the dance studio (just the once, I think) by a girlfriend in the early '60's for a modern ballroom dance lesson. I wonder what happened to Pat!

Regarding the F.H.T. initials on the plaque, I have just checked Kelly's directory of Warwickshire 1924, it states: Francis H Turner, Coliseum Buildings, Whitefriars Street. Still in the directory in 1928. I checked the 1911 census, he was 28 years old, single, a builder and living with his parents at 25 Moor Street, Earlsdon. Loads of other information in the directory as to who leased or rented the shops underneath as well. Someone in this thread had already had a hunch that it could well be Frank Turner and she was correct.

If he was living or working from there it still begs the question of why his initials were carved above what was then the entrance to the dance hall? I can only suppose he owned the whole building before selling it to British Gaumont in 1931?

Ah, I am under the impression that the original neo-classical Coliseum Buildings complex ran along Whitefriars Street, the ballroom was above and included restaurant and cafe, underneath on the ground floor were rental units. Adrian referred to the potential builder with a link to 'Coventry Picture Palaces' a book, there is a paragraph concerning 'The Gaumont' being built. It states that it is where Frank Turner had run out of money before being able to complete the Coliseum. I have presumed that he was the builder and he put the plaque up above the entrance. Maybe my imagination has run away with me

I have just checked Kelly's 1928, Turner was still there, Coliseum Buildings but Kelly's 1932, Hinckley Watts Bros, Gaumont Buildings, Jordan Well. Does Hinckley Watts mean anything to you?

Nothing at all, I'm afraid?

I have just had another look at the directory, I can only access snippets of the directory for free and I think the 'Hinckley' ran on from the last address, I have found that it was 'Watts Bros, Confectioners', they were there in 1928 when it was still called the Coliseum and still there in the 1932 'Gaumont'. I am going to have to purchase the trade directories on CD 'cos they are really a great source of knowledge, seeing as the Dutchman provides us with such detailed maps and his knowledge of the properties in Coventry, it'll be great to attempt to pinpoint the occupiers of the buildings, it's the only way really, 'cos there's no access to the census after 1911 and lots of people on this forum are more interested in more recent memories. Some gals like to buy new frocks and I am going to have trade-directories as a treat, how boring am I

1934 Telephone Directory : Watts Bros, Tbcnsts, Coliseum buildings - Coventry 2481 Survived WWII Last entry in 1947 Directory

Good innit I just find it so interesting. Thanks.

Oh Midland Red, you have set me off now. I was inspired by you to look in the phone books and wish I hadn't 1927 to at least 1930, F.H. Turner, Palladium Picture House, King William Street, and house address, 86 Spencer Avenue, Cinema Proprietor. I did look up the Palladium on the 'Cinema Treasures' site, he wasn't mentioned but lots of details on the history of the cinema.

It looks to me as if he was a showman as well as a builder? He would never have owned the cinema in Jordan Well though as it was originally built as a theatre and only converted into a cinema at the last moment. The Palladium was eventually acquired by Orr Enterprises along with almost every other place of entertainment in Coventry.

Yes, you are right of course, the building costs would have been enormous for the Coliseum complex wouldn't it. Do you think a Coventry Architect was used to design it? I have a list of them in the 1912 Trade Directory.

It's possible but I have no idea who it might have been.

Hi all. I work in the Ellen Terry building as it stands today, working for Coventry Uni. The building is in a class of its own but I'm afraid, from what pics I have seen, it has lost all its class after the Uni took over the building, and completely gutted it from head to toe. There are two cellars, one that they have changed to computer rooms, the other untouched, still with a spooky feeling to it. Some say its haunted, you can feel rather on edge when you're alone at night in parts of the building so it just might be? At the back of the rear basement there is a door that takes you to under the building where there is an old wall that has now been pulled down but parts are still there, and some guards say its the old Coventry wall running underneath??? I'm told it's not the Coventry wall but something to do with the old building by the side of the John Laing building at the back of the Ellen Terry??? One thing I'm trying to find out about is a story I was told by an old policeman who said the owner of the Odeon killed his wife and hid her in the building - as it had so many back rooms and basement they could not find her?? Does anyone know who the owner was of the Odeon? I cannot seem to find out anywhere.

Plus there is more to the building than what you can see from the outside. Yes, it goes over the shops and up the side. The building is a classic.