Hyde Park Picture House

Workmen have uncovered a small slice of social history during restoration work on the cinema. Cigarette packs and film boxes from the 1930 and 40s have been found alongside old coins and ‘reserved’ signs. The cinema is being restored after securing a £2.3m lottery grant. More here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-59161953

The Guardian reports that planning permission has now been granted for refurbishment of the cinema plus the addition of an additional screen in the basement.

The link can be found via the Cinema Theatre Association Facebook page.

Hyde Park Picture House play’s a big part in the Leeds International Film Festival (www.leedsfilm.com) in-which it host’s, too, the “Night Of The Dead”; a horror film marathon of film’s from around the world throughout the night.

More photos taken on a Cinema Theatre Association visit to the Hyde Park on 7th June 2010 here:–

Exterior:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687653346/

Auditorium:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687019053/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687653162/

Details in the cinema:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687018903/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4687652604/

The Hyde Park Picture House is located on the corner of Brudenell Road and Queens Road in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Here is a Google Maps link using the longitude/latitude of the location: View link

and one of the Screen curtains and modernised (1960’s!) proscenium:–

http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/371013990/

The official histories of this theatre state that it was converted from a 1908 hotel in 1914, which I find hard to believe. The structure in 2007 presents NO evidence that it was ever anything but a cinema. I would have expected to see blocked up windows and doors, but there is no trace of this in the external walls of the auditorium. If it was a hotel before, then it must have largely been demolished. Internally too, there is no evidence that this was ever anything but a purpose built cinema.