Building Name

Pavilion Extension Lytham Pier

Date
1900 - 1901
District/Town
Lytham
County/Country
Lancashire, England
Architect
Work
Extension

PIER PAVILION IMPROVEMENTS: THE COMPANY'S ENTERPRISE - Visitors to the Lytham Pier Pavilion will be agreeably surprised at the wonderful improvements which have taken place since the theatre closed its doors last September. Previously theatrical companies have been under very great disadvantages. They were unable to use their own scenery owing to the stage being too small, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they were able to stage the whole of the Company. But all those disadvantages have now vanished. At the last annual meeting of the shareholders, it was decided, on the recommendation of the directors, to undergo extensive alterations to the Pavilion, and since Christmas workmen have been every busily engaged in this direction. Attention was first directed to the raising of the roof so that companies visiting the town could use their own scenery instead of leaving it at the Railway station. Instead of taking 14 or 15 feet scenery as formerly, the stage will now take 18 or 20 feet very, which is the size used by all large theatres. This alone is an improvement which will be appreciated by all who delight in witnessing a well-staged play.

The inconvenience of staging the large companies was next taken into consideration and it was decided to do away with the passage round the east side of the Pavilion and add the available space to the stage. This has been done at considerable expense, but the improvements will be ample compensation. Instead of a stage 35 feet by 23 feet it is now enlarged to 40 feet by 30 feet. Then again, the opening to the stage has been improved, the present opening being 24 feet 6 inches against 19 feet formerly. To make the alterations to the stage complete, the management have also had the scenery re-painted.

The improvements have not been directed solely to the stage. Both the ladies' and gentlemen's dressing-rooms have proved utterly inadequate in the past, especially to large companies. A large room has been added on the south side, capable of holding 20, for the men, and one on the north side for the ladies. The manager's office has also been given up as a ladies dressing-room, so that they will now have three first-rate rooms. Two large refreshment rooms have been erected, one on the south side 25 feet by 15 feet, and another on the north side 33 feet by 15 feet. The old refreshment room at the west end of the Pavilion has been converted into a spacious entrance for the balcony, whilst the tea-room upstairs has been added to the balcony, thus giving accommodation for an extra hundred.

There is no doubt that the improvements, which are expected to be complete to-morrow (Saturday), will surpass even the expectations of the directors, and the greatest praise is due to Mr. F. Harrison (Messrs. Harrison and Haywood, architects, Accrington and Lytham) for the manner in which he has executed the plans. Now that the public have got a first-rate theatre with a spacious stage, it is to be hoped that they will reward the directors’ efforts to provide better amusements by increased patronage. [Blackpool Gazette May 1901].

Reference           Blackpool Gazette, May 1901