I’d had my eye on this place for years. I’m from Prestwich so only up the road and I remember going past the Rialto further up where there is now a maccies and past this place on our way into town as a kid. I lived in Broughton briefly about 5 years ago and used to keep an eye on it, however it was always well sealed.
Visited with @EOA initially and @Host and @CameraShy joined us later.
History
Built in 1899 by the Broughton Theatres Syndicate Ltd, Victoria Theatre opened in December 1900. Less than a year after opening it was used as a cinema (although sadly there is no signs of cinema use left)
Seating was extended from 2,000 upto 3,000 in 1910 and between 1919 and 1919 it was used as a theatre again.
It was then used as a cinema again until it closed in 1958 when it was then used as a clothing/furniture store until 1973 when it was an unsuccessful bingo hall, which closed shortly after. It remained closed until the 80s when it opened up as Bingo hall, which it remained until its closure in 2008 under the Palace name.
Its Grade II listed and on the theatres at risk register.
More info can be found here
Pics
Ill start with some old pictures of the theatre taken from google image search or the above websites.
and now
not too sure on the date of this
Now, looking out from the stage
Looking down at the stage
bad lens flare
The upper circle seating area which has been boarded off
seating on the dress circle
looking down from the dress circle
spiderwebs and pigeon shit fill the upper levels. Looking up from the dress circle level to the awesome ceiling.
the stalls/stage level
more spider webby goodness above one of the boxes next to the stage
the back of the curved plaster ceiling above the stage
stripped seating in a back room
the upper circle boarded off
The stage level
cheap
Down into the basement and underneath eh stage
underneath the stage. The wooden levers you can see operated various trapdoors and other stage type thingamabobs. Which is pretty cool.
small workshop area
Nice tilling
Main entrance
bingo at its best!
