Grand Electric Palace

The 550-seat Midland Electric Theatre was opened on 30th July 1910 by Midland Electric Theatres Ltd. It was the first purpose-built cinema to open in Leicester following the introduction of the 1909 Cinematograph Act. In 1913 the balcony was enlarged, and the auditorium was extended into adjacent premises with the seating capacity increased to 1,000. By 1925 it had been re-named Grand Electric Palace and was managed by Edward W. Wallace for Midland Electric Cinemas Ltd. It was closed in 1930 as a silent cinema.

The building then began use as an amusement arcade with dodgem cars and other fairground attractions. In January 1943 it was badly damaged by fire. Repairs were carried out and it reopened as the Queen’s Hall. It later became the Astoria Ballroom which closed in 1957. In 1960 it became Il Rondo Dancehall which closed in 1979 and the building was soon demolished, together with the adjacent Antelope pub, and shops now occupy the site. In 2020 a shop named Health Route occupies where the entrance to the cinema once stood.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Recent comments (view all 1 comments)

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.