Yes, the two buildings are much older than the cinema.
You can see where the one facing London Road was cut short to allow for the entrance to the cinema.
Ma Egerton’s was originally on the site where the Forum was built in Lime Street, so it would have moved after June 1929.
(I’ve got a copy of a press cutting from June 1929).
That story you heard must have been from somebody who got their facts wrong.
Hi, Laura.
It was Ian – being rather premature – who says: “Demolition of the Odeon began in November 2010, and was completed in March 2011."
If I didn’t know the truth, a statement like that would have prevented me from visiting the site to take photos, thinking that there’s nothing left.
The demolition will continue, but will take a while.
Apart from the fact it’s a huge building, there are also buildings at two corners which will remain.
Philip.
It’s incorrect to say that demolition has been completed.
At the time of writing (March 20), only the centre of the building is part-demolished.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities for quite a while yet.
The present building was opened (or reopened) on 28 February 1938.
Architect: George Coles.
750 seats.
There had been a cinema on the site at least as far back as 1929 – whether it was completely demolished for the 1938 version is unknown.
Said to have closed in the 1980s, when it had 530 seats.
Hi, Eric. Your link doesn’t work for me. I live in Liverpool and know what you mean. It looks in a very sorry state, approaching its Centenary.
1934 photo:
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1986 photo:
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Yes, the two buildings are much older than the cinema.
You can see where the one facing London Road was cut short to allow for the entrance to the cinema.
Ma Egerton’s was originally on the site where the Forum was built in Lime Street, so it would have moved after June 1929.
(I’ve got a copy of a press cutting from June 1929).
That story you heard must have been from somebody who got their facts wrong.
17 March 2011 photo:
View link
Sorry, Ian.
Your name is the only one that appears.
Who is CT?
Hi, Laura.
It was Ian – being rather premature – who says: “Demolition of the Odeon began in November 2010, and was completed in March 2011."
If I didn’t know the truth, a statement like that would have prevented me from visiting the site to take photos, thinking that there’s nothing left.
The demolition will continue, but will take a while.
Apart from the fact it’s a huge building, there are also buildings at two corners which will remain.
Philip.
It’s incorrect to say that demolition has been completed.
At the time of writing (March 20), only the centre of the building is part-demolished.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities for quite a while yet.
The present building was opened (or reopened) on 28 February 1938.
Architect: George Coles.
750 seats.
There had been a cinema on the site at least as far back as 1929 – whether it was completely demolished for the 1938 version is unknown.
Said to have closed in the 1980s, when it had 530 seats.
1986 photo:
View link
1986 photo:
View link
1986 photo:
View link
In my notes I have that it was open by 5 July 1909.
Unfortunately, I didn’t note my source.
D J Hindle says the Palladium was Preston’s first purpose-built cinema.
Closed c1926.
It was known as the New Empress by May 1956.
Surewin Bingo at some stage.
2006 photo:
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1998 photo:
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The day after the final film:
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The waiting room was added in 1924, and was designed by A E Shennan, responsible for numerous cinemas in Merseyside.
The original name has just been revealed following the removal of the neon Futurist sign:
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Cabbages were grown in the neighbourhood.
This was Warner’s first UK Multiplex, and the ninth multiplex in the UK.
It was advertised as “The Largest Cinema Complex in Europe”.
Feb 1996 photo here:
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From the back:
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