Picturedrome

In Torquay, Devon, moving pictures appear to have been shown for the first time in a part of the Market Hall that, in September 1909, William Mellor converted into the Market Hall Cinema. The space was first used as a skating rink, and this use might have alternated with the film shows in the early years, as Mr Mellor was presented with an inkstand on 30th May 1912 as a token of appreciation at the end of the skating season. He had also applied for a Music and Dancing licence, so it appears to have been quite the ‘multi-purpose’ space! The seating capacity for the Market Hall Cinema was 1,000.

Updates and improvements were undertaken in 1913, including the installation of red plush tip-up seats, and it then appears to have become a full-time cinema, now named the Picturedrome. This led to a drastic reduction in seating capacity, to just 400.

The Picturedrome closed in 1936. The historic Market Hall continues to be home to a number of retailers and other businesses.

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