Grosvenor Cinema

The Grosvenor Picture Palace lies just outside Manchester city center in the All Saints/University area of the city, and has dominated the corner of Oxford Road and Grosvenor Street since opening on 19th May 1915 with Blanche Forsythe in “Jane Shore”(The Eternal Strife). It was designed by Prestwich based architect Percy Hothersall in a Neo-Classical style, with seating in stalls and circle levels.

Operated for many years by the H.D. Moorehouse chain, it survived unaltered and without major incident until it was acquired by Star Cinemas Group in the early-1960’s joining their nearby Regal Twins (now Dancehouse Theatre).

Star introduced Bingo and, for a time, the building operated as a dual cine-bingo operation until the last film show came on May 18th, 1968 with Margrete Robsahm in “The Passionate Demons” (aka “Line”) & Richard Garland in “Attack of the Crab Monsters”. Bingo took over completely, the Grosvenor Cinema had still not been altered from opening.

Bingo, too, failed and it became a Riley’s Snooker Club for several years. After a few years of being boarded up the first major changes were made to the building when it was converted to the Footage and Firkin public house (Bar). It was taken over by new operators in 2013 and given a £360,000 renovation and renamed The Footage a craft beer and sports bar. However much of the interior, including the balcony, vaulted ceiling and much plasterwork survives today. The Footage, was suddenly closed on 25th May 2024. It was taken over by Blind Tiger Inns and following a refurbishment it reopened as a bar on 2nd November 2024.

Since the 1990’s, the Grosvenor Cinema has been designated by English Heritage a Grade II Listed building.

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