Granada, Tooting

Granada, Tooting stands in the London Borough of Wandsworth as a Grade I listed Art Deco cinema built in the 1930s. It was designed by Cecil A. Massey for Sidney Bernstein’s Granada cinema chain, with interiors by Theodore Komisarjevsky. The opening night in 1931 drew over 2,000 patrons, though more had to be turned away. A Wurlitzer organ and performances by The Life Guards marked the event, alongside films like *Monte Carlo* and *Two Crowded Hours*. Double-features and variety shows formed the core of its early programming. The cinema became a major venue, hosting stars such as Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, who played two sold-out sets in 1965. By the 1970s, declining attendance led to its closure in 1973, though it reopened as a bingo club in 1976. The building gained Grade I status in 2000, recognising its architectural significance. A rare Wurlitzer organ concert in 2007 drew over a thousand people, reviving interest in its musical heritage. Visitors find a grand auditorium with original Art Deco detailing and a restored Wurlitzer organ. The bingo hall occupies the former stalls, while the circle retains its cinematic character. Storms in 2007 damaged the organ chamber, prompting community efforts to preserve it. The building remains a landmark of 1930s design and a testament to Tooting’s cultural history.