how charming it is to dine amongst original artefacts in a 1920s art deco building.
The unique history of the Daffodil adds to the outstanding character and captivating atmosphere.
The Daffodil cinema opened on Thursday 5th of October 1922 with the continuous showing of the silent film 'Thunderclap', a silent black and white drama by Richard Stanton. Silent films were shown with an ambience enhancing orchestral accompaniment.
The Daffodil was purpose built by a local family named Simpson. The family also owned and ran a bakery located on Daffodil road.
As a cinema the Daffodil had space for 750 people. Perfume spritzers featured in the ladies powder room and double seats specifically suited for courting couples were located on the end of each isle. The luxury of the Daffodil offered escapism at a time of comparative hardship. During World War II the Daffodil showed reels of the latest news but only one news reel was provided for all six of the Cheltenham cinemas; with a boy on a bicycle being the only means of delivery between them all. The news reel was occasionally delayed due to a puncture!
In September 1963 the Daffodil cinema showed its last film 'Cape Fear' and in 1977 the cinema was converted into a bingo hall and then spent the remainder of its pre restaurant days as an antiques showroom.
The buildings daffodil gilded walls and daffodil art deco mosaics meant that it was still referred to by local people as The Daffodil throughout its life as a bingo hall and antiques showroom.
The owner of the antiques showroom Malcolm Blunt was so fond of the interior it took three months to convince him that the original features would be passionately restored before he agreed to sell the building.
A large amount of memorabilia was discovered in the basement and projectionist rooms; posters advertising contempory films, early vending machines, projectionist machinery, film reels and a visitor's book which featured the visitor's seat reservations were amongst the findings