Prince of Wales Music Hall / Tivoli / Pavilion, Belgrave Gate, Leicester

The Prince of Wales Theatre of Varieties, built on the site of Paul’s Concert Hall in Belgrave Gate Leicester was opened on 4 August 1890. On 10 March 1863 Mr. Paul had commenced a "free and easy" on the site of what was known as the "Old Cheese.” public house. Some years later the building was altered and a change to a concert room made. On 6 June 1888 Paul’s theatre was put up for sale and bought for £6,100 by A F Lovejoy, the proprietor of the Peckham Music Hall, London (qv). A few months later, on 28 February 1889 the theatre was totally destroyed by fire. [Leicester Chronicle 2 March 1889 page 6] A F Lovejoy immediately set about its replacement, employing Harry Percival as architect. On New Year’s Day, 1 January 1890, Mrs Lovejoy laid the foundation stone for the “New Prince of Wales Theatre of Variety”'. The new theatre opened on Bank Holiday Monday, the 4th of August 1890, being designed by Mr Harry Percival in the renaissance style, in red brick with stone dressings, and built by local builder George Duxbury & Son at a cost of £10,000. 

A F Lovejoy subsequently sold the theatre, returning to his business at Peckham. In May 1893 the Theatre was purchased by Captain Orr Gray and renamed the 'New Tivoli Theatre of Varieties'. Captain Orr Gray bankrupt and new company formed in 1895 to take over the running of the theatre. By October 1900 the Theatre was in the hands of the Macnaughton circuit and re-named 'The Pavilion.'..

TIVOLI THEATRE OF VARIETIES, LEICESTER - Particulars of the Property. The property, which is fully licensed, is situated in the centre the town, in a densely populated area and has frontages to two important thoroughfares, viz., Belgrave Gate (where trams and omnibuses pass the door) and Wilton-street. was rebuilt about six years ago in a most substantial and effective manner, of attractive elevation, and constructed of red brick and stone, with fireproof staircases and all the latest improvements. The interior is handsomely decorated and furnished throughout and holds about 1,600 persons. There are eight private boxes, extensive dressing-rooms, large circular gallery, and balcony, three promenades and refreshment bars, all which are luxuriously fitted and equipped. A special feature the undertaking that the building has a full seven days’ refreshment licence, the principal bar being open to the general public all day. Consequently, a large additional revenue earned over above the usual receipts from entertainments and refreshments supplied the rest. The electric light is laid on all over the building, both inside and out, add the hall possesses its engine and dynamo for producing this. No expense has been spared making the Tivoli, Leicester, of the most substantial and attractive halls in the provinces, and the great popularity which it has attained sufficient evidence of the appreciation of the public. [Western Morning News 5 November 1895 page 8 - prospectus]

Reference    Leicester Daily Mercury 31 July 1890 page 3 – extensive description
Reference    Western Morning News 5 November 1895 page 8 – prospectus
Reference    Leicester Daily Post 16 June 1896 page 5 – films
Reference    Era 27 June 1896 page 27 - films
Reference    Midland Mail 29 September 1900 page 8 – new proprietorship
Reference    Leicester Chronicle Saturday 25 April 1931 page 18 – demolitions