Westgate Road/Clayton Street, The Picture House

HER Number:
12836

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Westgate Road/Clayton Street, The Picture House

Place:
Newcastle

Map Sheet:
NZ26SW

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:
Cinema

Site Type: Specific:
Cinema

General Period:
20TH CENTURY

Specific Period:
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932

Form of Evidence:
Demolished Building

Description:
Built as the Picture House, costing £4500. It was owned by the Newcastle Cinematograph Company. The architect was Arthur Stockwell and the builder Stephen Easten Ltd. There were 850 seats. The Picture House opened with a charity performance for the benefit of the Home for Destitute Cippled Children at Gosforth (Sanderson Hospital). In February 1913 the cinema was extended to the rear increasing the number of seats to 1021 and adding a tea room and smokers' lounge. The décor was opulent. In 1914 the orchestra was said to be Viennese, led by Herr Franz Csavojacz. The cinema was renamed the Westgate Road Picture House. In 1919 the cinema was taken over by the Consolidated Cinematograph Theatres circuit. In February 1920 a marble entrance was added. The cinema closed on 5 March 1927 and was demolished. It was rebuilt as the New Westgate (HER 12837).

Easting:
424520

Northing:
564040

Grid Reference:
NZ424520564040

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Frank Manders, 1991, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 55-58; Frank Manders, 2005, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 44-46, 160, 64, 92, 101, 110, 147, 159