Palace Cinema, Garden Street, St. Annes-on- Sea

St Annes Public Hall and Assembly Rooms was built in 1900 for the St. Anne’s Public Hall Company at a cost of £11,000. Built to the designs of John Dent Harker, it had a seating capacity of 800 with a stage, and dressing rooms and was licensed for dramatics and musical events. In 1922 it was renamed The Palace Cinema and Cafes. It had a seating capacity of 1050 people, cafes, shops and a Masonic Hall on the ground floor. The restaurant had seating for 450 and a concert hall with accommodation for 600 on the first floor. In 1925 the St. Anne’s Palace Building was sold to the Blackpool Tower Co. for £40,000. The Tower Company continued to operate the cinema until the 1957 when the building was sold to Lytham St. Annes Masons who converted the upper floor to a Masonic suite and the ground floor to retailing.

NEW ST. ANNES KINEMA - The new Palace Cinema, at St. Annes-on-Sea opened on Monday, July 24, and this rising resort has now a modern kinema challenging comparison with the best to be found on the Lancashire coast. The block of buildings which formerly comprised the Public Hall has been remodelled by the architect, William Thornley, and the new cinema is the last word in comfort, convenience and beauty. The old flat floor has been taken up and raked the walls and roof replastered and panelled, the balcony brought forward, the proscenium remodelled, and the operating box removed downstairs. New lighting, heating and ventilating schemes have been installed, and the seating is on luxurious and comfortable lines. The contractors were J. Heap and Sons. and the unholstering and carpets have been supplied by Kendal Milne and Co. Manchester. …. The fine café, which is part of the scheme is expected to be opened in about a month. The café will overlook the Ashton Gardens and will be easy of access from all parts of the kinema. Other features, a ballroom, with lounges, roof gardens, etc. will be opened as they are completed. Kinematograph Weekly 5 August 1922 page 55