Popular Picture Palace

When word got round that Mansfield was about to get its first full time cinema (the Palace Electric Theatre, on Leeming Street), local businessmen Hough and Oaksford quickly set about converting a somewhat unspectacular brick shed to overtake the Palace in becoming the first full time cinema.

The Popular Picture Palace opened on 4th July 1910 with two performances each night. Known amongst locals as the “Bug Hut” or - inexplicably - the “Pan Shine”, it had a good (if short) run until the Palace Electric Theatre opened and patrons gladly took to the more luxurious surroundings.

Advertisements in the press waned in the latter half of 1911, and the cinema ceased to operate in early-1912.

The building was taken over by W.H. Wilson, Architectural Plastery and Decorators in 1914 (later W.J. Wilson & Sons) until its demolition in 1998.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.