Palace (Aldershot)

• Theatre ID
  1349
• Built / Converted
  1912
• Dates of use
  • 1912 - 1914
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  converted to other use (Club Continued as a cinema until 1970s)
• Address
  Station Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, England

Details

The Palace, built in the grounds of the Aldershot Institute, is a prime example of early twentieth century cinéariety architecture dating from 1912 with later minor additions. It is an interesting example of Matcham & Co’s early cinema work. The façe is of two storeys: the upper part in stucco, of five bays with balustered parapet, central segmental gable feature having a circular light; cornice, frieze, rusticated pilasters, first floor band, and coupled windows separated by thin mullions. The ground floor has smaller windows and segmental-headed door openings. Iron canopy over central entrance. The main feature of the building is its interior, containing a foyer with projecting kiosk (masked by later woodwork), a staircase, elliptical barrel-vaulted ceiling in the auditorium. The balcony is bow-fronted with moulded front panels on two cast-iron colonettes, and plaster proscenium decorations which date from the mid-1940s. Other items of interest include five 1930s style ceiling lights, Edwardian glazed ceramic tiles in the toilets and oak framed panelling and banisters at first floor. After being unoccupied for some time, permission was granted for change of use to club and restaurant. Original features were restored. The external appearance (1995) suggests some dilapidation.

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• Events
  • Owner/Management: ?: Aldershot Picture Palace Ltd, lessees
  • 1912 - 1914 Use:
  • 1912 Design/Construction: built as ciné-variety, becoming cinema exclusively in the First World War(?)
    • Matcham & Co (? F G M Chancellor) - Architect
  • 1912 Owner/Management: Local Council, owners (or Aldershot Institute, owners, continuing as Local Council)
  • 1989 Owner/Management: Mr C Wellington (Wellington Developments), lessee
  • 1991 Alteration: restoration, modifications for club/restaurant use - extension for catering facilities
    • P & B Ansell Evans (for Messrs Innplan) - Architect
  • 1991 Owner/Management: Limelight Entertainment, lessees
• Listings
  • Grade II - Spot listed in 1979