Grand Theatre Westbourne

Built as a cinema theatre, the "out of town" building was luxurious. It opened with a stage production. The large orchestra which used to play there were famous for broadcasts - many of the players were founder members of the Westbourne Orchestra.

The theatre was constructed with a sliding roof for hot weather and high on the roof was a revolving globe which was illuminated at night. Carter's Architectural tiles (from Carter's pottery at Poole) were used on the front of the building, and to decorate the screen of the pit inside. The large glass canopy is still in place, and the building remains almost unaltered, with original stage and foyer, although it has been superficially adapted to bingo in the 1970s; (the original interior was red plush).

The building is very pretty, and well appointed. A principal point of interest today is the set of murals which adorn the entire auditorium (reminiscent of George Biles's at the Palace Bridport but believed to be by a different artist). A private house at the rear seems to have been built as part of the development.