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The Crown Theatre, Eccles : 1899 – 2019
The Crown Theatre was engulfed in fierce flames on 1st December 2019. The Crown Theatre was one of my regularly frequented local spots. If I needed to test out a new piece of equipment (or my newest camera), this was the location I would turn to as a proving ground. This location was to be demolished soon, destined to be replaced by modern flats. A sad end, but “progress” marches on.
Fortuitously, I decided to visit the Crown Theatre in the days before it was lost. A new tripod needed a quick test, before a venture to the Christmas market. Having not visited since Spring, I was saddened by the decline she had undergone in a little over 6 months. Most of the roof timbers had collapsed in, the upper levels had even more rotten holes.
Here I present brief photographic documentation of the decline of the Crown Theatre over the years. From my first visit in 2016, to my final visit in the days before the fire. More photos spanning the years can be found in my location gallery for this location, Crown Theatre, England.
Comparison Photographs – May 2019 vs November 2019
History of the Crown Theatre, Eccles (formerly, The Lyceum Theatre)
The theatre opened on Monday 27th February 1899, under the name The Lyceum Theatre. Campbell & Horsley were the architects who designed this building. They also designed nearby the Theatre Royale in Hyde. The theatre was built in the Baroque style and could seat 2500 people. The theatre has been intended for theatre use, but in these early years was home to variety and music performances for the most part. A change in ownership om 1907 saw the theatre renamed as the Crown Theatre.
The theatre was heralded as one of the “prettiest in the north” by the media. The stage was large and able to comfortably house large-scale productions, measuring 67ft across. The seating arrangement was praised for offering unobstructed views of the stage to every occupant.
In 1932 the theatre was converted for cinema use, and renamed the Crown Cinema. After just over 3 decades, the cinema was converted to a bingo hall. Consequently, the stage was demolished at this time and only the auditorium and front of house areas were left standing.
Fire at the Crown Theatre: 1st December 2019
The Crown Theatre was abandoned since the 1980s. In 2013 a large fire destroyed most of the roof. In 2019 plans were announced to demolish the theatre, and for construction of a 7 storey apartment block with completion in 2020. These plans included retention of the original facade, but all other parts would to razed.
Firefighters were called to the Crown Theatre on 1st December 2019, arriving at 04.45am. Around 35 firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before finally gaining control of the flames. The fire ripped through all five floors, gutting the building. Assessments undertaken after sunrise determined total destruction of the interior; flooring, staircases and balconies. What little remained of the roof, had also collapsed. You can read more about the fire here; Manchester Evening News, BBC News.
Here are some photos of me enjoying the Crown Theatre on my final visit.
What do you think?
What photograph caught your eye the most? How did this location make you feel? Do you have a question? Let me know by leaving a comment!
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Parents made sure I attended the Saturday Matinee show every week from 1956 to 1963. Hated it, there were “hoopla-hoop contests” and “yo-yo” contests on stage. The three stooges, Laurel and Hardy, Mr Pastry, Arthur Askey etc, etc were the projected entertainment. At this Saturday show it was possible to sit in the stalls or the dress circle. However, I was always aware that some kids were in the upper circle. There was also another higher level set of seats which my mum forbade me from which were only accessed from a narrow staircase on the right hand side of the building. Projector room must have been on that level.
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Thanks for the info Gayle, it must be quite sad for you to see the state of the place. I must admit, that I never found my way to that upper level of seats. By the time I started visiting, a lot of the floors were rotting and I could not see a safe way up. Likewise, I never saw the projector room either as you are correct that it was on that uppermost level:(. I am about to upload photos from the Derby Hippodrome, perhaps you visited that one as well!
Yes it is very sad to have seen the demise of this building. My parents lived almost next door to it. I remember going to see “A Taste of Honey” towards the very end. We sat in the dress circle, yet still the gods were there, no-one up there, but the height and steepness still overwhelmed me. I do not have any photos of it as a theatre or cinema, you just didn’t take a camera on an evening out. Got some photos of it derelict and managed to get to projection room. Would really like to know what it looks like prior to demolition. Derby Hippodrome, Plymouth Dance Academy and the Victoria Theatre, Salford could have been saved, but will sadly only exist as memories.
Carry on with your explorations X