Pitsea, The Broadway c.1955
Photo ref: P145027
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Photo ref: P145027
Photo of Pitsea, The Broadway c.1955

More about this scene

Harold George Howard's first row of shops appeared in 1929. It included the cinema, still known as the Broadway here, but later renamed the Century. It boasted a café serving 'luncheons, teas, suppers'. The cinema closed in 1969 (the year that also saw the closure of Pitsea's original market—another fondly-remembered institution).

Memories of Pitsea, the Broadway c1955

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Pitsea, The Broadway c.1955

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I worked at the cinema (Then The Century) for 14 years as the chief projectionist. First in 1956 then when I came out of the forces in 1960 till it closed as a cinema. Pitsea had its own power house for electricity. It stood between the cinema and Tudor chambers and powered all of Pitsea including the war memorial the street light all the lights on the canopy around the shops all quite visible in the photo. ...see more
What memories this picture brings back to life again!! I had just been discharged from the Fever Hospital having spent six weeks there with Scarlet Fever. Nothing was going to stop me from taking part in the Victory Parade especially as I had been picked as one of the colour party carrying the Guide Flag. It was a beautiful hot sunny day, perfect for the occasion. The Parade had started at ...see more