Lost Picture Palaces of Lord Street – a guided walk by Stephen Fenerty
Ribble Buildings, Garrick Parade, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RN
Remember the ABC, Classic and Odeon cinemas? How about the Picturedrome, Scala, Trocadero and Coliseum?
Imagine a tram ride along Lord Street in 1938 - your route takes you past a succession of dazzling cinemas, their glowing tiles and queues of picturegoers illuminated by hundreds of sparkling electric lamps. Southport once boasted eight magnificent picture palaces on or close to Lord Street - some of the earliest purpose-built cinemas, art deco wonders, 1930s super cinemas.
What connects these cinemas apart from their location? Many were the work of Southport-based architect George E. Tonge, who had a hand in picture houses across the north. And that’s not all! Southport was also the birthplace for a network of film pioneers that reaches down to today, starting with the amazing and largely forgotten G B 'Bertie' Samuelson.
Travel back to 1938 with Stephen to revisit these lost gems in a fascinating illustrated walk. You’ll hear about the time Southport sands and Birkdale dunes doubled for the Utah desert in a Sherlock Holmes movie. You’ll discover why a cinema roof was raised 17 feet by hand in a remarkable feat of engineering. And you’ll wonder why historic listed architecture was being demolished as recently as 2006.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 08 September:
- 1030-1230
- Monday 09 September:
- 1030-1230
Location & directions
Ribble Buildings, Garrick Parade, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 1RN
- Directions:
- Meet near the clock tower of the former Cheshire Lines / Ribble buses station and current Travelodge hotel / passage to Morrisons.
- Contact on day:
- Sue Latimer
- Telephone number:
- +447816114885
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Book via Southport Townscape Heritage Project's Eventbrite - booking opens two weeks before the events.
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/southport-townscape-heritage-project-34068500753
- Booking opens:
- 25 Aug 2024 09:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 09 Sep 2024 09:00 AM
Accessibility details
The walk is not circular, it starts and ends three-quarters of a mile apart on Lord Street, and while short in actual distance – only 1 mile - it lasts 1h 45m–2h. We will pause along the way where there is seating (e.g. benches) where possible, but spaces cannot be guaranteed. There are public conveniences on the route about half-way through. The route is along pavements and uses crossing points - it should therefore be fully wheelchair accessible but cannot be guaranteed.
Additional information
We will be crossing roads and walking along busy pavements in the centre of town, so please take care whilst walking and be aware of traffic and other pedestrians. Comfortable footwear and suitable clothing for the weather on the day recommended. This tour is not suitable for children under 14. There are plenty of places to eat, drink and park in the town centre.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 20
- Est. tour duration:
- 2 hour(s)
