Wallaw

An extremely attractive 1937 cinema/theatre in the Moderne style with excellent interior features, converted to a pub in 2013. The exterior is constructed in brick with cement or artificial stone dressings. The foyer extends forward from the auditorium block. Windows are typical metal framed 1930s style. The stage door was on Union Street, with the large scene dock doors in a minor road on the rear elevation. The double height foyer with two symmetrical flights to what was the circle foyer has original art deco styled handrails and a coved and scalloped ceiling. Prior to conversion to a pub the auditorium was tripled with two mini cinemas under the circle which did not protrude beyond the circle front. The main cinema seated approximately 500 in the circle and 300 in the front stalls. There was a shallow stage with no fly tower but reasonable forestage. All the lighting was indirect from the coves in the ceiling and walls. The front stalls were only used for small scale productions but local amateur groups would fill both areas for their main shows. In the nineties the circle steppings were altered to improve legroom and all seats replaced. It was a comfortable auditorium with good sightlines. After nearly a ten year period of standing empty, the former cinema and theatre was purchased by pub chain J D Wetherspoon and converted to a pub which opened in December 2013.