Picturedrome
102 Chestergate,
Macclesfield,
SK11 6DU
102 Chestergate,
Macclesfield,
SK11 6DU
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: Captain Fred Campbell
Firms: Campbell & Fairhurst
Functions: Bar, Restaurant, Retail
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The Picturedrome in Chestergate, Macclesfield, Cheshire, opened on 21st October 1911 and was located at the side of the Theatre Royal (now demolished and became the Picturedrome car-park), and was the first purpose built cinema in the town. Seating was provided for 700, all on one floor. It was taken over by the owners of the Majestic Cinema in the early-1930’s and by the 1950’s was playing second-run films to the Majestic Cinema.
The Picturedrome was converted into a bingo club in the 1970’s by the Wild Bingo group, who were followed by Stratton Bingo Clubs and closed as the Cascade Bingo Club in Spring 1999.
It was converted into offices in 2000. However much of the building survives intact including the bands of plasterwork on the barrel vaulted ceiling (velux windows have been inserted in the panels between the scrollwork). On 29th October 2019 it opened as a combined retail, bar & restaurant complex.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Exterior photo (June 2008) here:–
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Shaun Green took this photograph of the Picturedrome, Macclesfield when it was still operating as a bingo hall.
this cinema brings back many memories for me.Two films Monday.tuesday,wednesday/And two Thursday,friday.saturday.The current owners have renovated the outside to look as I remember it.A big thank you to Cotterils. only wish the council would give it some sort of plaque outside to award this piece of Macclesfield history which has so many memories for local people.
The names of two companies in occupation are now as of October, 2016 on the frontage – Hetabel and Nimogen and a man locking up described the building as offices. It is floodlit at night.
There was also the ‘Cinema’ cinema located at the bottom of Buxton Road which closed in the 1950’s. I can’t find any reference to it.
On 29th October 2019 the Picturedrome re-opened as the latest venture from Nick Johnson, the developer behind Altrincham Market and Manchester’s Mackie Mayor. The market includes some familiar traders including craft beer offer Jack In The Box and wine bar Reserve. There are nine food operators, with pasta company Terroni making its debut at the Picturedrome.
Ex-Urban Splash man Johnson secured planning permission to convert the Picturedrome, which was owned by local businessman Karl Massey, in 2018.
A post on social media said: “Picturedrome is the third spiritual sister in the Market Operations family. Home to over seven outstanding kitchens, a coffee shop, chocolatier, craft beer bar, and wine bar and merchant, Picturedrome is an attempt to enrich lives by providing high-quality, everyday food in a social setting – where families, friends, and strangers get together around shared tables.” See photograph sourced from CheshireLive.
Initial conversion to bingo was as part of the Wild Bingo group, then passing to Stratton and finally Cascade Bingo before conversion to the eatery.
The architects were Campbell & Fairhurst of Southport.