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Report - - Mechanics Institute, Swindon - June 2020 | Theatres and Cinemas | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Mechanics Institute, Swindon - June 2020

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soulfly

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Built in 1855 in a Tudor gothic style for the local community. A fine example of it's kind. Contained the UKs first lending library, lecture rooms and refreshment bars, aswell as a market hall and shops. The building also incorporated baths, but these were removed in 1864. It had an extension in 1930, which included a reading room, smoking room, billiards room, a first floor theatre with an enlarged stage, an elaborate proscenium and unusually a fly tower. It was closed in 1986. It was saved from demolition by the council, with it's grade 2 listing, currently has secured funding to be fully renovated. Loved this explore, Its a huge place and will be soo happy to see it in use again after 24 years derelict

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Last edited by a moderator:

soulfly

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
I was trying to remove the entire post tbh but couldn’t find the delete button,
 

Seffy

SWC
Staff member
Moderator
I wouldn't be questioning whether it's good enough mate - this is a decent report of a place that doesn't have much coverage on here so good work! Must be one of the better things in Swindon lol
 

Speed

Got Epic?
Regular User
Only thing in Swindon lol! I might have to have another look. Its a bit shit with the scaffold inside now but there was alot more too it than the theatre iirc
 

Lehtz

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
WOW! This is another one of those 'I can't believe this place is STILL sitting derelict' moments. I had a squiz around here many moons ago and completely loved the place. The hall and the reading room were especially pretty and the front stairs very photogenic. A few pics from, I guess, 2005? Ish.

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P9073122.JPG
 

soulfly

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
The upstairs theatre sadly now is gone but the stage remains, it is an impressive huge building with some lovely features, complete with a dead dog and two dead foxes inside!
 

soulfly

28DL Full Member
28DL Full Member
Yes, it is listed so not going anywhere, but cannot tell you if access is still available as this post was a while back now
 

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