|
Homepage History The Exterior Foyer Stalls/Main Hall Circle Stairs Circle Site Updates Links |
The Circle Click on the pictures for larger versions. The circle area of the building has been off-limits to customers since the installation of the false ceiling in the early 80s. this does however mean that many of the original fittings from this part of the building had survived to be recorded for posterity.Unfortunately, the lighting doesn't work up there, hence the graininess of some of the images on this page, but nevertheless, they provide fascinating contrast with the images of the main hall.  There are several light fittings like this in the circle-not sure if they're original or not though. Note the crumbling plasterwork in this part of the club.  at the top of the central aisle in the circle are the crudely blocked off projector windows. Not sure why there are six, although i'm sure someone could tell me! note the colours of paint too: Green, red, dark beige, brown and light beige, topped off with a purple ceiling. Very 1974...  Further down the central staircase, looking towards the projectors. The cable was either for the lighting in the main hall, or the CCTV system, installed only a few months before it was decided to close the club.  At the other end of the central aisle is was this very nice wrought iron barrier. Immediately in front of it are one of the florescent light fittings, followed by one of the aluminium ventilation tubes which ran down from holes knocked in the ceiling down to the public area in the stalls.  More wrought ironwork, and one of a pair at either end of the foot of the circle. All of these have now thankfully been saved from the bulldozers.  One of the exits from the circle. When built, turning left out of this door led to the now blocked up sun terrace. Turning right led through what had become the staff changing area and computer room.  Looking at the end of the rows of seats, which don't look like they've been changed since 1933. Notice the 'G' for Granada moulded into the end of them.  Looking across some of the seating in the circle-just look at how dusty it was up there! The yellow things are rodent bait I believe, but plently of bingo debris (including Granada Bingo books and polystyrene cups) and other junk litters the area too.  A View over the false ceiling, towards the proscenium arch. You can just make out the ventilation grilles corresponding to those in the main hall in the centre of the picture.  Again looking towards the proscenium arch, over the false ceiling, towards the centre of the hall. The fire curtain appeared to be in place, but I couldn't get a decent shot of it in the gloom.  The best overall shot that my camera could manage! Again, looking towards the proscenium. Note the ventilation tube in the foreground stretching all the way down.  I particularly liked these gents toilets (!) as they seemed to be pretty much unchanged since the building of the place! This looks towards the sole cubicle-none of us could figure out what the hatch in the wall was for though.  another remarkable survivor from the opening of the cinema in these toilets was this fantastic mirror, which I was very excited to find. The missing piece of blue glass was on the floor, and this was surely one of the few bits of the building left where you were reminded of how grand it must have once been. |
website, 2008.