Extension: Picturedrome Theatre Market Street, Heywood

The Picturedrome (later the new Picturedrome,  then the Roxy) was built in around 1912 on the site of the stables & cab rooms of the Heywood Carriage Company. It seated 800 people and was managed by Mr Lord. The building may have been re-modelled as by 1917-1918 it was known as the New Picturedrome and was owned by Messrs Little and Evanson. By 1920 it was owned by Mr C. Little. As the capacity had been reduced to 700 it is probable that benches at the front had been removed. In 1928 furthe alterations were undertaken under the direction of H A Yearsley, including a new balcony. A Western Electric sound system was also fitted around this time, for the "Talkies."  In 1945, it was still known as the Picturedrome, but in 1956 or 1957  it was purchased  by the Savoy (Romiley) Ltd. Co., whose Directors, G. S. Smith and F. S. Eaton owned a number of other cinemas. They upgraded the cinema and re named it the Roxy. Like many other cinemas of its era it closed in the 1960's and was eventually demolished.

Contractor    James Berry Ltd, Heywood
Sub-contractors - Steelwork, Heenan and Froude Ltd, Manchester; fibrous plaster Battiscombe and Harris Ltd, London; concrete steps, Shap Granite Co, Shap.

Reference    Builder 23 March 1928 Page 512
Reference    Builder 6 April 1928 Page 598 - Passing of building plans
Reference    Builder 22 June 1928 Page 1090 - tenders
Reference    Architect and Building News 22 June 1928 page 910