London, Granada Harrow

Opened as the Granada on October 25, 1937 with Harry Farmer at the Wurlitzer organ, the theatre contains the last survivor of the second batch of Granada Wurlitzers with the ‘Mark 2’ Granada specification. It was visited by all the star Granada organists and featured on the air. As with many, it fell into disuse after the team of organists was dismissed during the late 1950s, but was ‘newly restored’ by Dennis Hunt in time for a 1968 BBC broadcast by Keith Beckingham. The Wurlitzer was featured throughout 1970-1974 as part of the film programme by Len Rawle, Frank Fowler and veteran Granada organist Nelson Elms, even after tripling of the theatre in 1973.

In 1983 it was reported that the Granada was to be demolished for re-development, however it survived and was listed by the Department of the Environment in 1988. The Granada was sold to the Cannon group in 1989 and subsequently renamed, remaining as a cinema. The Wurlitzer continued to be used for concerts and the occasional film show such as a two week Disney programme during Christmas 1976 when John Abson was at the console.

By 1996 the theatre had become an ABC and was closed at very short notice on November 7 of that year, the final film being, appropriately ‘Brassed Off’. The theatre was being boarded up as the last patrons left. Once again the fate of the organ seemed to be hanging by a thread. By 2002 the cinema had changed hands yet again, this time becoming a gymnasium. The owners of Gold’s Gym contacted Len Rawle with a view to refurbishing the organ, having done the same to the theatre’s interior, and in due course the Harrow Wurlitzer once again received a new lease of life thanks to Len’s expertise. The listing of the building ensures it still looks very much like the Granada Harrow.

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