County Cinema, 14, Bath Street, Portobello

Art Deco, 3-storey, rectangular-plan former cinema, now bingo hall. Harled painted side elevations, rendered and lined to principal elevation. Coping at wallhead; vertical strips to parapet.

A prominent building within the locality, by an important Scottish Architect of the Inter-War period, who was Edinburgh s leading cinema designer. On the plans the centre bays, flanking the tower are seen to be taller than outer bays but not as tall as the tower. "The original facing block (currently brilliant white) was in two shades of light blue, and the 33 high advertising tower was entirely glazed, and illuminated at night from inside by means of cyclo troughing, giving constantly changing pastel hues. The top of the building was outlined by a thin line of neon tubing, and the remainder of the facade was floodlit by lights hidden behind the canopy." C McKean, (1987), p 67-68. The cinema opened in 1939; it was refurbished and renamed the George in 1954; it has been closed as a cinema since 1974 and has run as a bingo hall since then. The original facade has been reduced in height and the central tower removed, (CTA, 2008). References and notes updated as part of the Cinemas Thematic Study 2007-08. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

November 2016: Nominated for the Register by a member of the public as disused, suffering from water ingress. Recently subject to a refused Listed Building Consent for demolition. For Investigation.

26 April 2019: A community group called Friends of the George has been promoting the redevelopment of the building into an independent cinema and multi purpose event space. The Herald reports on committee hearing to debate future of the cinema (21/02/2018). A number of planning applications for demolition or partial demolition of the former cinema were refused in 2016, ref: 16/02052/LBC; 16/02052/FUL; 16/06499/LBC; 16/06447/FUL.

26 October 2020: External inspection finds this former cinema disused and in overall poor condition. The building is secured by security fencing and the front entrance is boarded over. The exterior render is cracking and there are areas where render has completely come away, namely the chimney and parts of the blue-painted render at front entrance. Downpipes are damaged, with some showing signs of corrosion. Roof appears to be corrugated asbestos cement. An appeal against the previously noted refusal of permission to demolish was dismissed (PPA-230-2226) Oct 2018. Moved to At Risk.

3 August 2021: Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent (20/05800/FUL & 20/05799/LBC) are being sought for demolition of the auditorium and retention and partial restoration of the principal external elements of the facade, to create a development of 21 residential flats.

8 December 2021: Edinburgh Live reports (05/12/2021) that plans for part demolition of the building and conversion into 20 flats are set to be denied due to impact on the Conservation Area and possible unintended damage to the building during works.

10 March 2022: Listed building consent (20/05799/LBC) and planning permission (20/05800/FUL) refused and appeals (22/00022/REF and 22/00021/REF) have been lodged.

31 March 2023: The Edinburgh Evening News on 31st March 2023 reports that a campaign to save the cinema has been launched.

17 April 2023: Currently marketed for sale by Annan Solicitors and Estate Agents. Notes of Interest are invited and price is available upon application.

7 July 2023: Property continues to be marketed for sale by Annan Solicitors and Estate Agents. Notes of Interest are invited and price is available upon application.

21 November 2023: Edinburgh News reports that an offer from Friends of The George to purchase the former George cinema has been rejected. The property continues to be marketed for sale by Annan Solicitors and Estate Agents with Notes of Interest invited.
An application to delist the building was rejected in October 2023.

5 February 2024: Property remains under marketing for sale.