Demolition of the Grand Cinema, Market Street Nelson

Demolition of the Grand Cinema, Market Street Nelson
Demolition of the Grand Cinema, Market Street Nelson
Demolition of the Grand Cinema, Market Street Nelson
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Demolition of the Grand Cinema, Market Street Nelson
Nelson
Located in Market Street, the Grand Theatre was opened in 1888. It was designed by architect Thomas Bell in a Gothic/Neo-Classical style. Seating was provided in orchestra stalls, dress circle and gallery levels. The proscenium was 31 feet wide.
In 1923/4, the owner, Herbert Hartley had the Grand renovated and re-modeled, the dress circle and gallery were removed, and replaced by a single balcony. By 1934, it was in cinema use, although some live show use continued into the late-1940's.
The Grand Cinema was taken over by the Leeds based Star Cinemas chain in June 1960, together with the towns' Majestic Theatre and Palace Cinema, and they operated the Grand Cinema until May 1974. Initially,it was taken over by independent management, but soon transferred to the Unit Four Cinemas chain based in Burnley. They struggled to make it a success and closed it in 1974. The empty building was bought by a property company and converted into a nightclub, Equinox. Following a major facelift in 1999 it was re-opened under the name Auditorium. It was destroyed by a fire in 2000, and has since been demolished. The site is now occupied by Number 1 Market Street which incorporates Council Offices, retail units and office space.

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Stanley Bracewell Collection Box 16 slide 384
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