The preparation
Friday wasn't just the last day of the school week, it was prep day for you and your mates to figure out times and, of course, which film was to be the one your hard-earnt money was to be spent on. Can't remember clearly, but I'm sure tickets would only set you back around a fiver; those were the days...
The pre-munch
This wasn't just a cinema trip, this was a day out with your mates, so a pre-cinema McDonalds was on the cards. Remember, these were the days before Nandos, the mass choice of Dockside restaurants and the larger budget. A McD's was the option before a snuck-in Woolworths Pick N Mix or some trademark ABC popcorn. Hunger wasn't an option.
Queue time
Forget your fancy multiplexes, your big foyers and pre-booked tickets, come rain or shine queuing outside was the only option. The only drawback being the sense of dread when that queue was heading further up that hill after you decided that an extra five minutes in McDonalds would be fine.
Three screens a charm
It's incredible to think of the multiple screens available in cinema's of today when back in the day our cinema of choice offered up three. Not that it was a problem mind; screen 1 was the palace of blockbuster movies as you head up those lit stairs, while 2 and 3 served up plenty of those rom-coms we couldn't help but love at a tender age. Anyone else remember seeing Get Over It in screen 3 and falling in love with Kirsten Dunst?...
The little details
The fresh smell of popcorn as you walked in, those tiny little ticket stubs you used to find in all sorts of pockets and drawers, the minimal cinema staff and the more limited ticket booths, ABC Chatham was one-of-a-kind and still holds great memories.
I'm sure you all have great memories of the place so please share them in the comments or via Facebook, Twitter and beyond!
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