free hit counter
The Locarno Dance Hall Swindon visited 2014 | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

Post a thread

Post a thread in one of the forums

Browse the forums

Browse threads and contribute to reports

Contact Staff

Contact the team

The Locarno Dance Hall Swindon visited 2014

klempner69

OS Member
OS Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
462
Reaction score
89
Points
43
Age
66
I have been kinda retired for some time now but after taking the wife into town shopping,I suggested taking a look round The Corn Exchange aka The Locarno in Old Town Swindon.I have wanted to do this one for years but due to it having set on fire twice in 03/04,I have never bothered,however today was thee opportunity I needed..only had the S4 so the pics arent all that but they show the state of the place.

History:Built in the 1800`s for use for civic and agriculture,then in 1910 it was used for roller skating.In 1919,it became the Rink cinema until after WW2 when it was converted over to a dance hall.Over the next decades,the venue was used for wrestling,pop concerts and finally a bingo hall.At this moment in time,I dont know when it closed because for me,it has been derelict for what seems like 30 years!!If I find out,I will edit this ok...

This pic is from way back when there was an electric tram system running from Old Town down into the bottom of the lower part of town

Corn_Exchange_vintage_pic-M.jpg


Todays effort

20140118_140546-M.jpg


Inside the perimeter

20140118_143933-M.jpg


Main ball room totally wrecked

20140118_140924-M.jpg


Crappy pano shot

20140118_142211-M.jpg


Bottom of the clock tower

20140118_142523-M.jpg


Near the cloak rooms,but what was this machinery for?

20140118_143111-M.jpg


These stairs led up to what I reckon was the projection room

20140118_141454-M.jpg


Oddly,there were lots of coat hangers stored here

20140118_141532-M.jpg


We found this old book among the hangers

20140118_141654-M.jpg


Blessed Be The Lord Who Daily Loadeth Us With Benefits

20140118_143312-M.jpg


Well,as you can see,this really is a complete derp but one I have wanted to see for years

20140118_143519-M.jpg


Hope you havent fallen asleep looking at these...

 

Lara

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
2,157
Reaction score
43
Points
48
It does look an epic building in its day, and you can tell that some of the character remains. Nice shots Klemps :)

:comp

 

skeleton key

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
4,213
Reaction score
31
Points
48
Thats cool Klemps and you will never retire as this jaunt has proven as cant keep away.

Nice work bud pics and write up are spot on.

Thanks for the share Dad lol (y)

 
S

seaside_rambler

Guest
What a waste of a lovely building, sounds like a place of many memories for some. Nice interesting report cheers :)

 

Silent Night

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2012
Messages
648
Reaction score
2
Points
18
corrr I bet that was something in it's day,great shots mate thanks for sharing :cool:

 

Nelly

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
1,653
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Yeah!! retired my arse!!!

Nice report fella!!!

 

Timster1973

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Messages
424
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Nice photos Stu

Remember, you do not retire from Urbex....Urbex retires you!! ;)

 
Top