Brighton’s Duke of York’s Picture House Opens

On 22 September 1910, the Duke of York’s Picture House opened its doors in Brighton, beginning a story that would span generations of filmgoers. Widely recognised as Britain’s oldest continuously operating purpose-built cinema, it remains a living link to the early days of the silver screen.

A New Home for Moving Pictures

The cinema was established by Violet Melnotte-Wyatt, an actress and theatre manager, at a cost of approximately £3,000. Built at Preston Circus on the site of the former Amber Ale Brewery, it incorporated brewery walls that still form the rear of the auditorium.

Its opening came during the silent-film era, when moving pictures were becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Dedicated cinemas offered audiences a permanent home for an experience previously associated with venues such as music halls and travelling shows. The Duke of York’s belonged to this emerging generation of picture houses.

From Edwardian Cinema to Brighton Landmark

Over the following decades, the Duke of York’s evolved alongside the medium it celebrated. Its history stretches from silent pictures to sound films and modern cinema, reflecting changes in both filmmaking and audience tastes.

By the early 1980s, it had developed into an arts cinema. Picturehouse acquired the venue in 1994 and invested in restoring the building, helping preserve its distinctive character for a new generation.

One of its most recognisable features arrived long after opening night: an enormous pair of can-can dancer’s legs. Acquired from an Oxford theatre in 1991, they were later moved to the roof, becoming a playful symbol of the cinema.

A History Still on Screen

Today, the Grade II-listed Duke of York’s Picturehouse continues to welcome audiences in Brighton. Its significance lies in the enduring connection between a historic building and the shared experience of watching films.

What began on a September day in 1910 has become a cherished part of Britain’s cinema heritage, with each new screening adding another chapter to its story.