Abbeygate Cinema to mark its centenary with celebration night

Since 1924, Hatter Street in Bury St Edmunds has been a home for moving images, from the very early days of cinema, right through to the current digital landscape.

Abbeygate Cinema is now celebrating the culmination of its centenary year with an extra special event on Friday, December 6.

The celebrations culminate with a special screening of “No Time To Die” – which was originally planned to be the film which opened the Premier Screen in 2020, before the world had other plans – there will even be a few surprises on stage and screen.

Guests are asked to arrive for the start time of the performance to join our celebrations.

From its humble beginnings as a music hall, showing short snippets of moving images, to now holding the biggest screen in town, Abbeygate has been a home for entertainment to the Bury St Edmunds community and holds a special place in the hearts of many residents.

The building has seen generations pass through its doors, with life-long patrons now introducing their families, welcoming in a new wave of film lovers.

Much has changed in the past 100 years: projection equipment was digitised in 2010 and expansions to the premise have allowed for three auditoriums and an adjoining restaurant and bar.

However, the heart of Abbeygate Cinema remains the same, bringing film and the arts to its local community whilst providing them with a safe and welcoming home away from home. 

“We are looking forward to our celebration evening to commemorate 100 years of film on Hatter Street,” said Gareth Boggis, the general manager of Abbeygate Cinema.

“Abbeygate is a special place that has had many people pass through its doors over the years to watch films, new and old, as well as theatre, opera and ballet. We are looking forward to welcoming many of our members, patrons and friends of Abbeygate Cinema to celebrate on Friday evening.”

Tickets for the Abbeygate Centenary Celebration Evening are on sale from https://www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk/programme/no-time-to-die/ or alternatively from the Abbeygate Cinema box office.