Picture Playhouse
Market Place,
Beverley,
HU17 8BB
Market Place,
Beverley,
HU17 8BB
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The Picture Playhouse opened its doors to the public as a cinema in 1911 by Ernest Symonds, a local entrepeneur and film maker. It was converted from Beverley’s Corn Exchange which was built in 1865 and is situated in Market Place. Originally seating 425 on a flat floor it now seats considerable less but has had raked seating introduced, apart from that, it is basically unaltered.
The Picture Playhouse was also a major venue for live music in East Yorkshire. It closed in September 1963 but was re-opened in April 1982. It was the only surviving cinema in the town, the 1916 Marble Arch Cinema and the 1935 Regal Cinema have both been demolished.
In 2002 it began to suffer from competition from Hull’s multiplex cinemas and closed in 2003.
The Picture Playhouse is a Grade II Listed building.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
The Picture Playhouse closed in 2003 and is very likely to be stripped out and converted into retail space. At present (October 2004) the stage, screen and front stalls seats have been removed, and a planning application is almost certain to approve the removal of the balcony and change of use to retail.
Following 111 objections the planning application to turn the Picture Playhouse into retail use was refused. The owner is to appeal against the decision.
Recent pictures of the interior can be viewed at
http://www.byphotos.com/album/1346990
there was no electricity in the derelict and partially stripped out building so the quality is not great – but the unique balcony, the screen frame and some idea of the decor can be gained.
This is a December 2007 article that claims the Picture Playhouse is going to be converted into a Browns department store.
“Beverley’s empty former Picture Playhouse – once a corn exchange – whose last film was screened in 2002, is to be converted in an investment worth more than £1 million. It will add about 45 staff to 250 already on the Browns payroll”.
Three photos taken during the building works in the former Picture Playhouse, September 2008.
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A couple of vintage photos showing the interior of the Picture Playhouse whilst it was still operating. They are scanned images from the late 1980’s
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3509920860/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3509920638/
Placement on map is in wrong town – miles away! Street View adjusted to 53°50.586'N, 0°25.858'W and photo uploaded. It is now Browns Department Store [with a good cafe].