Palace

In 1914 the nineteenth century Corn Exchange was adapted into the Exchange Cinema. It was largely rebuilt, retaining the façade, in 1934 and reopened as the Palace Theatre - a ciné-variety house. Unusual design - the entrance foyer is on the street, then comes the stage (with full fly tower on which is emblazoned PALACE THEATRE) with the auditorium at the rear. The auditorium had a wide aisle at both stalls and circle level for access - the circle therefore had a U-shape with one of the legs missing as there was not a corresponding exit on the other side. The aisle in the stalls was also used for getting scenery to the stage as the high get-in doors were at the rear stalls! This is due to poor access in Yorkersgate and good quiet access at the rear. The mystery is why was the stage placed in the middle and not, more conventionally, at the rear of the building? Substantial remains in the cinema (circle area) and above shopping mall which can be seen from the still functional exit to the front of the Palace. A new cinema entrance and foyer has been constructed at the rear - the original foyer at the front is little altered and has three fine stained glass windows of 1934 at first floor level.