What has happened to The Tivoli Cinema?

by John Powell

Known as the 'Tiv' . . .

it is fondly remembered by many of us, who patronised it in the 1940s and 1950s, as told in the article, 'Going to the Tiv' by Grafton Maggs.

The Tivoli

The Tivoli - Past and Future

In 1906, The The Kursaal Entertainments Hall was built and in 1922 the Mumbles Cinema (The New Cinema) was constructed on the same site. In 1939 the site was developed again and became the Tivoli Cinema.

In 2015, a major new development was begun on the site of what had become the Tivoli Amusments. It is now the new home of The Co-op Supermarket, with Restaurants on the upper floors.

The early days of Entertainment

The function room, known as The Kursaal, was a opened in August 1906. However, competition was stiff, consequently, the Kuraal had to close. On 9 February 1911.

Mumbles and The Kursell Entertainment Hall

The Mumbles Press, 17 April 1919

By 1912, the Kursaal was in business again, but now known as the Mumbles Cinema when it was showing the 'Latest and Best Pictures' such as Dick Turpin and A Real Bunny Comedy and the seats plus afternoon tea cost 3d, 6d and 1/- for the adults.

The New Cinema, Mumbles Road

In 1922, The 'New' Cinema, pictured above and built on the same site, opened to the public.

An aerial view of The 'New' Cinema and Bowling Green, as well as All Saints' Church, pre 1929

In 1939, The Tivoli opened on the same site

South Wales Evening Post

The village has changed over the years

At this time 1960s, the cinema had been converted into an Amusement Arcade. Opposite the Methodist Church is the entrance to The Dunns, widened in 1970, after the shops on the sea-side were demolished. This is now a garden and is next to Oystermouth Square car-park.