Palace

Opened as Pavilion Music Hall on the site of the old Hay and Straw Market. Renamed Lyric in 1895 and Palace in 1903. The 1895 facade survives. It was an unusual music hall front being one wide bay only, recessed at first floor level behind a balustraded balcony, flanked on each side by single giant Corinthian pilasters carrying a bracketed cornice and pyramidal roof. It had an ornate auditorium with double-arched boxes at balcony level on either side, all completely altered with one straight-fronted balcony in 1930s. Further alteration in 1955 when the stage and boxes were removed and opened up into the volume of the auditorium on conversion to a ballroom. The balcony was then continued round the room. In 1968, the auditorium was styled for bingo. The saloon bar was converted to a pub, with a small cinema in the circle bar above, the main entrance being halved. The bingo hall closed in September 2014. A major redevelopment of the site comprising a casino, hotel and two restaurants opens in 2017. Some listed buildings which will be partially demolished but the Lyric’s facade will be maintained and the casino will be housed in the old theatre.