Hi found this site by accident Sorry alex but I disagree somewhat with comments about former Picture House.I was a (trained) projectionist at the Palace from 1963-1968. This was kept as the name implies! the ‘box’ while equipped with rather dated Ross projectors was kept immaculate. We would be on our knees on Friday nights between reels polishing the floor for example.The entrance foyer & vestibule area was high clean well lit & with a feeling of space! The Picture House on the other hand was decidedly dreich!!. It was rather dark as it lay in the shadows of near buildings. The interior lacked a decent house lighting system when the house lights were ‘up’.The balcony was a similar dark place.The gents toilets at the rear of the hall (which had only one WC) stunk!!It is still in this general condition for the patrons (bingo) as I have just retired after 11 years working there with Gala bingo.I feel the only thing saving it fron the developers is the rather silly B historic listing.In the void-roof space area the bricks are crumbling and the vestibule area into the hall has been plagued with rain water leaks.Yes I know it was built in 1930 but many cinemas were thrown up in that era with an understanding that they had a finite life.I have always had an interest in old cinema having spent all my teen days and over, working in one but I feel there are comments made about old halls viewd through tinted glass.Yes I recall Hugh Cunningham the manager he lived in a house to the rear of the hall just along the road from me. He could be very bad tempered at times esp with kids that lined up on the rare occasion when a kids film was showing. He would stand outside keeping them in line with a large stick!!! I was born & brought up in view of the rear of the Picture House. An old mate of mine who was also a projectionist was there the same time as I was at the Palace. I dont want to down anyones views about old cinema but there is more under the surface than is sometimes seen ! Regards
Hi found this site by accident Sorry alex but I disagree somewhat with comments about former Picture House.I was a (trained) projectionist at the Palace from 1963-1968. This was kept as the name implies! the ‘box’ while equipped with rather dated Ross projectors was kept immaculate. We would be on our knees on Friday nights between reels polishing the floor for example.The entrance foyer & vestibule area was high clean well lit & with a feeling of space! The Picture House on the other hand was decidedly dreich!!. It was rather dark as it lay in the shadows of near buildings. The interior lacked a decent house lighting system when the house lights were ‘up’.The balcony was a similar dark place.The gents toilets at the rear of the hall (which had only one WC) stunk!!It is still in this general condition for the patrons (bingo) as I have just retired after 11 years working there with Gala bingo.I feel the only thing saving it fron the developers is the rather silly B historic listing.In the void-roof space area the bricks are crumbling and the vestibule area into the hall has been plagued with rain water leaks.Yes I know it was built in 1930 but many cinemas were thrown up in that era with an understanding that they had a finite life.I have always had an interest in old cinema having spent all my teen days and over, working in one but I feel there are comments made about old halls viewd through tinted glass.Yes I recall Hugh Cunningham the manager he lived in a house to the rear of the hall just along the road from me. He could be very bad tempered at times esp with kids that lined up on the rare occasion when a kids film was showing. He would stand outside keeping them in line with a large stick!!! I was born & brought up in view of the rear of the Picture House. An old mate of mine who was also a projectionist was there the same time as I was at the Palace. I dont want to down anyones views about old cinema but there is more under the surface than is sometimes seen ! Regards