Music Hall, Claughton Road and Atherton Street. Birkenhead

The opening of the splendid new Music Hall erected at the corner of Claughton-road and Atherton-street, Birkenhead, took place last evening, under most auspicious circumstances. The event was celebrated by a ball, the proceeds of which, through the liberality and laudable spirit of the directors, were appropriated to the funds of the Birkenhead Hospital. The new Music Hall has a frontage to Claughton road of 52 feet, and to Atherton-street of 112 feet, and, from its elevated and commanding situation, has a very imposing appearance. There are four principal entrances - two to Claughton-road, one to Atherton street, and one for the musicians, officials, etc., - communicating with the different parts of the building. A covered porch, approached by a bold flight of steps, leads to a vestibule on either side communicating with the entrance hall and grand staircase, the latter consisting of a double flight, moat elaborately got up, the banisters being of iron, of a beautiful pattern, with the monogram “B.M.H." Interlaced in the foliage. These lead to the upper hall or ante-room leading to the great hall, which is approached by two magnificent doors, of a great height, richly worked. The great hall, which is decorated in an exceedingly chaste and elegant manner, and is lighted by three sun burners of 63 lights each, is 75 feet long (exclusive of the orchestra) 48 feet wide, and 40 feet in height. The orchestra is raised, and will accommodate 50 of a chorus and 35 musicians, in addition to the pianist and principal singers in front. Midway in the entrance hall is a lofty and wide corridor leading to the supper room, which is 48 feet by 30 feet, and of proportionate height. On either side of the corridor are cloakrooms, each supplied with lavatories, &c. There are four rooms for the accommodation of performers, each being fitted up with every convenience.  The exterior of the building is bold, and richly interspersed with carvings in medallions and on the keystones. One appropriate feature is that the medallions, &c., are cut with busts of some of the most eminent musical composers - Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Donizetti being amongst the number. The building is warmed by an apparatus on Dr. Arnott's principle, supplied by Mr. Gibbs, of Lime-street, and the decorations are the work of Mr. Dawson, of this town. The furnishings and upholstery, which are all of a very superior description, were supplied by Messrs. George Woods and Co„ of Bold-street. We may state that the design of the new building was selected out of 16 competitors, and that the architect was restricted to the sum of £4000, which included the lighting and heating, the decorations, &c. Mr. Walter Scott, of Liverpool and Birkenhead, was the architect, and Mr. John Hogarth, of Rock Ferry, the builder, both of whom deserve the highest credit for producing such an exceedingly handsome structure. The company, also, cannot be too highly praised for their public spirit and enterprise in providing what has been long wanted in Birkenhead - a commodious and elegant music hall. [Liverpool Mercury, 16 January 1862]

Opened on 15 January 1862, the Claughton Music Hall operated as such until 1912 when it was converted to cinema use with seating for 800 persons. In 1952 the cinema was taken over by Woodhill Entertainment and renamed the Astor Cinema. Following refurbishment, the cinema reopened  as the Continental Cinema in 1957, but closed shortly thereafter. Between 1957 and 1981 it ran as Astor Tombola Club, Birkenhead’s first Bingo Hall, but was demolished in 1982.

Reference    Musical World, February 1861, page 78
Reference    Liverpool Mercury 16 January 1862
Reference    Information from Beryl Patten