Grand Cinema

The Clitheroe Public Hall was erected in 1874 by a local syndicate. In the early years, the hall was home to entertainment and to grand balls, making use of the fine dance floor. In 1920 Ignatius Cullen formed the Grand Cinema Company and introduced raked fixed seating and projection facilities, reopening as the Grand Cinema. He accompanied some of the films himself on the Collard & Collard piano (still in situ) and granted continued live use to local companies for shows and pantomimes. After his death the business was continued by his daughters and descendents and remains an independent cinema with live use. Emergency lighting is still by gas.

Solid, stone building with slate roof entered through entrance block containing foyer. The auditorium lies sideways to the entrance. This has open timber truss roof of rather thin hammerbeam form; concert stage with small apron. The walls have false timber framing to give a mock-Tudor finish, together with complementary chandeliers introduced in the 1920s. Projection facilities approached by stairs at the other end. An unusual survival.