Hi,
As part of the forthcoming exhibition about Birmingham's cinema history (see: https://flatpackfestival.org.uk/projects/wonderland) I am trying to find out information about some firms that did the seating and furnishings for cinemas. There are the firms I have come across:
Any further information or if anyone had a connection to either firm, then please do get in touch.
Dave
As part of the forthcoming exhibition about Birmingham's cinema history (see: https://flatpackfestival.org.uk/projects/wonderland) I am trying to find out information about some firms that did the seating and furnishings for cinemas. There are the firms I have come across:
- A. R. Dean Ltd / Beck and Windibank Ltd - both these firms were based in Clement street, near the city centre, and both did theatre and cinema furnishings and decoration. I 'think' that Beck and Windibank were spun off from A. R. Dean to focus on furnishings. A. R. Dean was founded in 1874 I believe. In 1899, A. F. Windibank is listed as looking after the 'Theatre Furnishing Department' of A. R. Dean. In a clipping I have from 1926, Windibank is described as retired ("through ill-health, some year or so ago") and the firm is being run by L. R. and L. A. Beck (father and son). Although I have trade ads for these firms, what I don't know is when they finished trading. Beck and Windibank were still advertising in the late 1950s.
- W. W. Turner Ltd - I'm unsure when this firm started. They supplied theatre/cinema seats, based in York road Kings Heath and then Station road Northfield. They have been mentioned a few times on the forum so I have a little bit of background info from those posts. Again, I don't know when the company was dissolved. I have found an advert for its upholstery services as late as 1975. The pic is of the back of a playing card (a corporate gift maybe?) that I found for sale on ebay.
Any further information or if anyone had a connection to either firm, then please do get in touch.
Dave