Also known as Art Picture Hall, Art Picture Palace
Art Cinema
Bury, Lancashire, England
Knowsley Street
,
Bury, Lancashire,
England,
United Kingdom BL9
(
map)
 Interior view of the Art Cinema when it was used as a pool hallPhoto courtesy of Ian Grundy
It is constructed of a brick clad steel frame under a slate and asphalt roof. There is a stage and full height flytower.
The exterior in white faience tiles is of three stories and nine symetrical bays. There is a round arched central window at 1st and 2nd floor level and the words 'Art Pictures' to the left and 'Art Cafe' to the right.
The center is crowned by stepped pedimental parapets. The ground floor level has been altered to allow greater access and light to the bar and originally the two outer bays had intricate arches with large keystones all done in faience.
Internally there is a very small foyer with marble stairs and a gilded metal balustrade with 1920's style Roman decoration leading to the balcony and doors leading to the ground floor of the theatre.
The ground floor was divided between stalls and the cheaper pit (under balcony area) whilst upstairs the single balcony of 12 rows was returned along the side walls to the proscenium by way of two bow fronted boxes on either side. Unusually the projection box was downstairs under the balcony.
The proscenium arch is unusually deeply arched and is supported on Ionic pilasters which were also used to frame the boxes.
A deep, richly decorated, barrel vault ceiling covered the front area with a raised and domed ceiling over the rear of the balcony. All is encrusted with Baroque motifs. There are three ventilation roundels.
The fronts of the boxes and circle also contain richly detailed plasterwork in post Edwardian Baroque style. Although opened in 1922 it has the feel of an older era.
There was a large 1st floor cafe utilizing the balcony void area which is now a lounge. This was sometimes advertised as the Indian Lounge Cafe on account of is decor!
Films ceased in the 1960's and building has survived use as a billiard hall, bingo casino, and now a pub. The balcony is open but unused at present.
The former Art Cinema is a Grade II Listed building.
Contributed by Ian Grundy
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