Skating Rink, Ashton Lane, Sale (later Public Hall, Palace Cinema)

 SALE AND ASHTON SKATING RINK LIMITED - Capital £5,000 in shares of £5 each. Directors: Mr. Councillor Nicholas Kilvert, Chairman; Mr. Nathaniel Dodd, Woodfield House, Ashton-on-Mersey; Mr. C. L. Mason, Claremont Villas, Ashton-on-Mersey; Mr. Josiah Tookey, Irwell View, Old Trafford. Bankers: Parr's Banking Company, Limited. Sale. Solicitor: T. T. Bellhouse. Engineer: Mr J H Lynde.

The object of this Company is to construct within a convenient distance from Sale station a large and handsome skating rink, with an extensive lawn for croquet. badminton, lawn tennis, and archery. Two thirds of the shares have been already taken up. Prospectuses with full details may be obtained from the secretary, and the plans may be seen at the office of the engineer, 17. Cooper Street, Manchester. H. M. BRIDDOW, Secretary. 4. Temple Chambers, St. James's Square, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 6 January 1876 page 1]

 Situated on Ashton Lane, opposite Park Road, the Public Hall was described as: “formerly a skating rink, but now the property of a limited company, is a large structure of white brick, capable of seating 1,000 persons.” A photograph of 1877 in Trafford Local Studies indicates that the roof was of metal sheeting. The Cheshire Directory of 1878 lists the skating rink. However, the fad for roller skating waned rapidly and the rink was not included in the directory of 1883. The building reopened as Sale Public Hall about this time. Films were shown from 1909, and in 1910 it became the Public Hall Picture Palace. In 1912 it was re-named the Palace Cinema. Warwick Cinemas acquired the cinema in 1947 and rebuilt the frontage in 1949. In 1954 the cinema closed and was then used as a repertory theatre.  The building was destroyed by fire on 16th February 1962.

Reference           Manchester Guardian 6 January 1876 page 1