Celebrate With Us

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 its centenary year with an extra special programme of films which takes inspiration from each decade of the past century, commemorating this massive milestone. 

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. 

Talk and Tour

Selections of photographs and memorabilia will once again be on display at the unique boutique Abbeygate Cinema on Hatter Street, along with behind-the-scenes tours and a talk by the cinema’s very own Pat Church.  Having worked at the cinema for more than 55 years, Pat knows the fabric of the building like no other and has many a story to tell. The tours will include the chance to see the projection rooms, and the proposed development work of the planned Screen 4, still to come. Detailing the cinema’s unique history and the part it has played in the market town of Bury St Edmunds, visitors will be able to find out about the wider cinema history of Bury St Edmunds and more specifically the history of the Abbeygate Cinema which has been a picture house since the 1920s – and give people the chance to ask Pat any questions they have about the cinema’s history, or how things work in the world of cinema!

Wednesday 8th October

An Evening With Pat

Join Pat Church, the Heritage and Engagement Manager, for a walk through the history of Abbeygate Cinema and film on Hatter Street. Having joined Abbeygate Cinema in 1966, there isn’t much Pat hasn’t seen and this intimate evening of storytelling and anecdotes gives you an insight into life at an Independent Cinema.

There will be a short intermission in the middle. Please arrive for the event to start at 18:30

Wednesday 18th September 6:30-8:30