Savoy Theatre

The site has had a splendidly varied history. The Flannel Exchange and Assembly Rooms were built at the old Bell Inn in the 1830s (a granary still standing at the rear bears the date 1751). J F Rogers opened the New Theatre in this building in 1851, by which time it was known as the Bell Assembly Rooms. The Assembly Rooms were converted into a skating rink in 1875. In 1910, the much altered building was converted to a picture house. It served briefly as a place of worship in 1911, then, after various changes of cinema ownership, it was totally rebuilt as a ciné-variety house in 1927 by Albany Ward.

The 1927 building is still entered through an altered late Georgian three-storey three-bay building which has a plain rendered façade with a shop front to the left of the cinema entrance. It is a fine and complete example of a richly detailed ciné-variety house with a single balcony. Segmental vaulted ceiling with enriched ribs and grilles. Plaster-panelled walls with garlanded figure medallions. Stage is 5.4m (18ft) deep. Flying height is limited and cloths need to be rolled or tumbled. A few items of old scenery are stacked in a corner of the stage. The orchestra pit would probably accommodate twelve musicians.