Art Picture House

The Bury Art Picture House is on Knowsley Street. The first theatre here was in a converted warehouse that had formerly been a Baptist chapel. This was demolished in 1922 and replaced by the present building, to the baroque design of Albert Winstanley, which was completed in 1923. It seated 1,136 divided between stalls and pit and a 12 row balcony with 2 bow fronted boxes each side. In the 1940s it was operated by the Bury Cinematograph Co., Ltd. There was an L-shaped cafe, originally known as the Oriental or Indian Lounge. The cinema closed in 1964 and it has since been used for Bingo, Pool and now as licensed premises. The white terracotta faience still looks good with the descriptive lettering. It is listed Grade II.