The Many Faces of the Rothbury: Portslade’s "Vertical Village" on Franklin Road
Intro:
The Rothbury is a building that refused to vanish. While other cinemas were demolished, this Franklin Road landmark simply changed its clothes—from a glamorous "picture palace" to a bustling Bingo hall, and eventually the voice of the South Coast as a radio station. But behind the brickwork lies a history of social clubs, wartime schoolrooms, and a very famous floor.
The "Then and Now" of Rothbury House
To understand why locals called it a "Vertical Village," we have to look at how the space was used over the decades:
| Era | Primary Use | The "Next Door" Neighbour |
| 1934 – 1964 | The Rothbury Cinema: Opened by Oscar Deutsch (of Odeon fame). 600+ seats. | The CVA/K&T Club: Social hub located to the left of the main house. |
| 1964 – 1978 | Mecca Bingo Hall: "Eyes down" replaced the silver screen. | The social clubs remained a vital part of the evening out. |
| 1983 – 2019 | Southern Sound / Heart FM: Converted into high-tech radio studios. | The building became a landmark for the "media age." |
| Today | Residential/Office: A mix of modern use while keeping the historic facade. | The spirit of Franklin Road commerce continues. |
Key Facts
1. The Northumberland Connection Did you know the builder, A.L. Middleton, named the cinema after his birthplace? He was from Rothbury in Northumberland. Though he worked with the men who started the Odeon chain, he kept ownership of this one himself.
2. The Mystery of the Springy Floor Many people confuse the Rothbury floor with the famous ballroom floor at the Regent in Brighton. However, the Rothbury was originally intended to be an Assembly Hall before it was a cinema. This meant the floor was built for dancing and community gatherings—giving it that legendary "springy" feel that Bingo players loved decades later!
3. The Wartime "Schoolhouse" During WWII, the Rothbury wasn't just for films. When local schools like St Nicolas became overcrowded or unsafe, the cinema was used as a makeshift classroom. Imagine doing your sums in the stalls!
4. The CVA/K&T Club You can't talk about the Rothbury without mentioning the CVA/K&T club next door. It was the "left wing" of the building’s social life. If you were a member there, or remember the walk from the club to the cinema entrance, please leave a comment!
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