An urban explorer has discovered an abandoned 1930s cinema filled with smashed film screens, hanging wires and empty popcorn boxes.
Sean Piper was stunned when he stumbled across the derelict theatre in Canterbury, Kent.
Not only was the building completely ransacked, with broken signs and litter strewn across the floor, but it was easy to access.
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Popular TikToker Sean is known for sharing his adventures on the social media site.
And footage of this particular venture has already racked up over 11,000 views.
“It looked like a massive party had gone on but also one that gave the old ‘end of the world’ vibe,” Sean, from Kent, told What’s The Jam.
“One of the screens was clean and others were really messy and vandalised.
“There were old Pepsi cups and popcorn boxes on the floor all crushed.”
Sean found the building in March and decided to visit with friends for the day after hearing it had closed down through local news sources.
He said: “I visited with a small group of friends for the day.
“Access to the cinema was easy.
“Us urban explorers don’t break in, so if there is no entry we walk away.
“Luckily a fire escape door had been left unlocked so we simply pulled it open and had access to the whole building.
“We were shocked to find there was no alarms.”
The cinema originally opened in 1933.
It closed in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
Sean explained: “It never reopened due to only having two large screens and wasn’t as busy as other cinemas nearby.
“The cinema was built in 1933 and has had no other usage.”
The historic building suffered an alleged arson fire on March 10 – a mere 10 days after Sean scoped out the place.
Kent Police released a statement in which it said: “Kent Police was called shortly after 6pm on Sunday 10 March 2024 following a report of a small fire in an empty building in St George’s Place, Canterbury.
“The fire was extinguished by Kent Fire and Rescue Service with no reported injuries.
“Officers later arrested a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of arson.
“The two boys have since been released without charge and the investigation has been filed pending further information coming to light.”
Sean added: “This happens when the wrong people get inside the building.”
Viewers were left shocked at the footage.
One wrote: “Haunted. Was an old theatre.”
Another shocked viewer: “Hate to see this.”
Someone else questioned: “Why do people feel the need to vandalise things, sheer bloody mindedness, pure Neanderthals, god knows how much their brains are messed up.”
Sapphire said: “I remember that.”
Ryan added: “Thats sick bro. Icl. Great find.”
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