Astoria (ABC) 77 Walton Road, Liverpool,

• Date opened     21 July 1930.
• Date Closed      23 February 1974.

Some little time ago the announcement was made that a ballroom then being built in one of the northern suburbs of Liverpool might be converted into a picture theatre. As only one ballroom was being built in the city at the time, exhibitors must have identified this as the Astoria, Walton Road, Liverpool. When the constructional work was nearly complete operations were suddenly suspended. The directors have now decided to make an application to the Liverpool licensing bench for the approval of plans to carry out the conversion scheme. It is proposed to provide a picture house to seat 1415. Gray & Evans, of North John Street, the designers of many South-West Lancashire picture theatres, are the architects. Provision will be made for the installation of sound picture equipment, if plans are passed. The battery room and synchroniser room will adjoin the operating box. The distance of the throw is 97 feet. The Astoria building will include a billiard room with eighteen tables. [Bioscope 29 June 1929 page 37]

THE ASTORIA, LIVERPOOL'S NEW HALL - The Astoria Walton Road. which opened on Monday. July 21. is described as "Liverpool's ultra-modern talkie theatre." It has accommodation for 1,600. and it will fill a long-felt want in a densely-populated district. The proprietors are the Astoria Entertainments (Liverpool), Ltd.. and the directors are: J. A. Appleton (chairman), J. Iles (vice-chairman). E. C. W. Sykes. I. Epstein. A. E. Fortman and D. B. Davies, A Ellison. of Bryce, Hanmer and Co., 1 and 3. Stanley Street, is secretary. and architects were Gray and Evans, North John Street. Liverpool. Stage lighting has been installed by the Holophane, Ltd; seats by Wm. Turner and Co. Ltd; projection equipment by Kershaws and Western Electric sound system. [Kinematograph Weekly 24 July 1930 page 29]

Reference           Bioscope 29 June 1929 page 37
Reference           Kinematograph Weekly 24 July 1930 page 29