Alhambra Theatre
Ashton Old Road and Old Lane,
Manchester,
M11
Ashton Old Road and Old Lane,
Manchester,
M11
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: H.D. Moorhouse Circuit
Architects: H.A. Turner
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News About This Theater
- Nov 10, 2009 — Alhambra Theatre demolished
Located in the east Manchester district of Higher Openshaw. The Alhambra Theatre was opened in 1908 with 2,000 seats. Films were screened from 1914 and in 1928 it became the first cinema in what would become the H.D. Moorehouse circuit. It was equipped with a British Talking Pictures(BTP) sound system. In later years the seating capacity was reduced to 1,572 with the closure of the upper circle. The Alhambra Theatre was closed on 6th April 1960 with Leslie Phillips in “This Other Eden” and Danny Kaye in “Up in Arms”.
The stage and dressing rooms were demolished, and the auditorium was gutted to become a restaurant. Due for demolition in 2004, after the closure of restaurant which had been using the building was due to be closed. The auditorium was blocked off from the entrance and the restaurant used the side entrance units. I have been in to the front end and taken pictures, but the rest of the building is inaccessible.
Following a fire in the empty building in late-October 2009, demolition was begun in early-November 2009.
Contributed by
Andy Dixon
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Thats excellent Ken, thanks very much. I pass it every day going to work and had always wondered what its history was.
Thanks again
Andy
I remember walking into the nice looking cinema in the early 60s
I still recall the plush carpets, and a thick curtain leading to the auditorium, as well as the ice-cream ladies in the interval, when it closed I recall entering the dark building and somebody has placed a thick rope, on which from the screen area you could swing from the front to the rear of the cinema in total darkness, it was the scariest ride of my life..but all in all my memories of that building are nice, didnt it end up as a Bingo hall in the late 60s-early 70s?..possibly the star?…..hmm maybe somebody can confirm this, I seem to recall my friend mother being a caller there, a mrs Phythian.
Hi I’m a film location manager, looking to use a place like this for a forthcoming comedy drama. Does anybody have any idea whats happening to this location?
I’d appreciate all your comments
Thanks
Dan Connolly
The Alhambra Cinema closed in April 1960.
Hi
It is being demolished now. Started last week after someone set fire to it.
Someone needs to get some pictures of inside if possible. I would but am working.
Regards
Andy