Picturedrome

The Picturedrome on Market Walk was built in 1912-13 and opened as a full-time cinema on 5 July 1918 with a screening of the Cecil Hepworth silent film Boundary House, having previously run as an occasional picture house under other names. For most of its life it was operated by independent exhibitors and small circuits rather than national chains. The Edwardian building is now run by owner Peter Carr as a live music venue with a capacity of around 650, retaining a built-in stage, a sizeable dance floor and two bars across two floors, plus roughly 100 unfixed seats on a first-come basis. It hosts touring bands, tribute acts and comedy nights, and screens televised sport between gigs. Tickets are collected on the night rather than in advance. The building's cinema-era character, including its balcony, survives behind the sound and lighting rig installed for live performance.