History
The 'Old Fellows Hall' a concert venue and meeting room was constructed in 1885. After 35 years of use and with the recent popularity of film the venue was converted in 1921 into a cinema showing silent moves of the period.
Renovations were extensive and included a new facade in the art deco style and many interior alterations which remain in place to this day.
The new cinema, with a capacity of 700 was named 'The Rivoli'. In the late 1920's the equipment was updated to show 'talkies' and continued in operation until the 1950's when the venue became a bingo hall. In the 1990's the building was used as a costume workshop for theatrical productions and closed in 2012.
Despite public appeals planning permission has been granted for complete demolition and the site is currently on the market.
The Explore
This was a solo explore. Access wasn't the easiest, but a bit of rooftop scrambling led to a way in.. When the building was converted to be used as a costume workshop much of the cinema's features were removed. A mezzanine floor was constructed splitting the auditorium and screen area but still, artifacts from the buildings various uses remain.
The Pictures
The upper mezzanine looking from the screen towards the projection room (window at the back)
Original sign showing 1920's film poster
Art deco doorway
Ground floor looking towards the screen
Sign from later use as a costume workshop
The stairway
Pictures from Victorian period showing the 'Old Fellows Hall'
The 'Old Fellows Hall' a concert venue and meeting room was constructed in 1885. After 35 years of use and with the recent popularity of film the venue was converted in 1921 into a cinema showing silent moves of the period.
Renovations were extensive and included a new facade in the art deco style and many interior alterations which remain in place to this day.
The new cinema, with a capacity of 700 was named 'The Rivoli'. In the late 1920's the equipment was updated to show 'talkies' and continued in operation until the 1950's when the venue became a bingo hall. In the 1990's the building was used as a costume workshop for theatrical productions and closed in 2012.
Despite public appeals planning permission has been granted for complete demolition and the site is currently on the market.
The Explore
This was a solo explore. Access wasn't the easiest, but a bit of rooftop scrambling led to a way in.. When the building was converted to be used as a costume workshop much of the cinema's features were removed. A mezzanine floor was constructed splitting the auditorium and screen area but still, artifacts from the buildings various uses remain.
The Pictures
The upper mezzanine looking from the screen towards the projection room (window at the back)
Original sign showing 1920's film poster
Art deco doorway
Ground floor looking towards the screen
Sign from later use as a costume workshop
The stairway
Pictures from Victorian period showing the 'Old Fellows Hall'
Last edited:
