epw060529 ENGLAND (1939). The Parkinson Stove Co Ltd Works, Stechford, 1939

This line of buildings seems to mark where Flaxley Parkway now runs.

Wyndhurst Road

Flaxley Road

Station Road

The sign reads "Romance and Rhythm". This is The Atlas. The Atlas Cinema was opened on 6th March 1938 with Diana Wynyard in "Cavalcade". The proscenium was 40 feet wide. Several cinemas of the era also had additional entertainment facilities such as a ballroom. Closed as a cinema on 30th May 1959 with Laurence Harvey in "Room at the Top" and Donald Wolfit in "Mail Van Murder". It became a wrestling venue for a while. Then the circle was divided from the main auditorium and became a bingo club, with the stalls level being converted into a garage. It has now been demolished.

PARKINSON STOVE CO LTD 1919 the Parkinson Stove Co factory (later Thorne Electrics then Electrolux} was built. Made Parkinson Renown gas cookers and Pearl gas water heaters (geysers). Published cookery book "Perfect Cooking: A Comprehensive Guide to Success in the Kitchen" (revised 1947) Among the Company products were stoves, cookers, etc. The gas heaters were manufactured from 1920s. After long series of mergers, Parkinson Stoves became a part of modern Electrolux in 1987. 1995: Production of gas cookers ceased at the Stetchford, Birmingham factory. Gas cooking appliances marketed under the Parkinson Cowan brand are made at the Electrolux cooker factory in Spennymoor, County Durham.