Central Cinema / Cambridge Automobile and Engineering Co, 21 Hobson Street

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Central Cinema, Hobson Street

Central Cinema / Cambridge Automobile and Engineering Co, 21 Hobson Street

History of Cambridge Automobile and Engineering Co

1861: 21 Hobson Street

Charles Cowles, 34, groom, b Cambridge

Betsey, 35, b Shelford

William, 14, French polisher, b Ireland

Selina, 11, b Cambridge

Charles, 8, b Cambridge

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1871: ?

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1881: 21 Hobson Street

Joseph Gelby, 43, groom, b West Wratting

Emma, 43, b West Wratting

Mary E, 16, b West Wratting

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1891: 21 Hobson St

Jesse Butler, 27, groom, b Swaffham Bulbeck

Amelia, 27, b Swaffham Bulbeck

William E, 3 mos, b Cambridge

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1901: 21 Hobson Street

William Blackwell, 32, coachman, b Cambridge

Emma, 27, b Hunts

Louisa E, 3, b Cambridge

William A Blackwell, 7 mos,

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1911: The Cambridge Automobile & Engineering Co Ltd

Harry Smith, 26, garage man (in charge), b Trumpington

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1913:

Cambridge Automobile and Engineering Co Ltd

R de la Rue & Cuthbert Foster, managing directors

H Oswin Mills, secretary

Cambridge Automobile Ltd Hobson Street

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1916:

Women window cleaners Cambridge Automobile and Engineering Co, Hobson Street, 1916 (Cambridgeshire Collection)

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1921:

Central Cinema opened and was rebuilt in 1930.

Hobson Street 1921. Cambridge Automobile Engineering (photo J Johnson) (Cambridgeshire Collection)

1928:

Central Cinema, Hobson Street c.1928 (Cambridgeshire Collection)

1930:

Central Cinema built

Cambridge Historic Core Appraisal report notes the tiled glazed facade and its Egyptienne style.

1939:

Fire at Central Cinema spread to Cambridge Motor Service Company causing £2,000 damage.

1962:

Central Cinema

2021:

Building of Local Interest. Planning proposals for the site were published in 2021. A commentary on these can be found here:

Save Cambridge’s Art Deco cinema!

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