Formerly - New Victoria / Gaumont / Odeon / Top Rank
Opening on the 17th September 1928 it had a capacity of over 2,000 in the traditional circle and Stalls format.
The building also contained a restaurant and a spacious entrance hall with an impressive dome measuring nearly 22ft which was surmounted by a small glass skylight with a chandelier suspended from it.
There was a much larger dome in the auditorium which had a system of sliding shutters that allowed daylight in.
Above the dome, on the roof is the projection room complete with rewinding room, staff room, Chief’s office and follow-spot ports.
By 1962 the cinema was renamed Odeon and in 1970 the old restaurant was converted to a second screen (Odeon 2).
The ballroom remained the same but became a discoteque called Clouds.
The former picture palace has been closed since 1992 but action group, The New Vic, are aiming to purchase, refurbish and restore the site as part of Preston’s heritage.
I originally went for a recce with The Lone Ranger a few months back, we had no chance as it was far too busy.
Welcome to stupid O'Clock, a time when I'm normally rolling in from stuff rather than heading out...
Front Entrance
Auditorium 1928
Odeon 1 - Present Day
Stage
Projector Room
Mooching
Stairwell
Original Ceiling
Odeon 2
Staff Area
Rectifiers
Follow Spot Ports - Looking Down
Above Old Auditorium
Original Dome 1928
..And now
Original Projector Ports
Streets
On Your ChimneyZ ;)
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.