Mayfair Cinema Bury Old Road Besses o’ th' Barn Whitefield

WHITEFIELD - Mr Alistair G McDonald ARIBA 13 Queen Anne’s-gate Westminster SW1 is preparing plans for the erection of a cinema at Bury Old-road, Besses o’ th’ Barn, for the directors of the Palace Picture House. Accommodation for about 1,450 will be provided

WHITEFIELD - Esson Cinema Limited has been formed to erect a cinema on a site adjoining the “Palace” Whitefield near Manchester. The cinema, the “Mayfair,” will seat 1,500 persons and will cost £22,000. Plans are in course of preparation by Mr Alistair G McDonald ARIBA 13 Queen Anne’s Gate, SW1. [Builder 1 February 1935 Page 240 - new cinemas]

WHITEFIELD - A contract for the erection of the Mayfair cinema to seat 1450 persons at Bury Old Road, Besses o’ th’ Barn for Red Rose Cinema Company Limited (Mr Alistair G McDonald ARIBA 13 Queen Anne's Gate London SW1, architect) has been placed with Messrs P Hamer Limited, 15 Park Road, Swinton, Manchester. The estimated cost is £22,000. [Builder 22 March 1935 Page 573 - new cinemas].

The first Mayfair opened alongside the earlier Palace Cinema which closed immediately before the new building opened on January 6, 1936. However, the Mayfair was totally destroyed by fire in April 1941 and the Palace was hurriedly reopened until a replacement could be built. This duly opened in 1947, designed by Drury & Gomersall.

Reference    Builder 27 October 1933 Page 679 - new cinemas
Reference    Builder 1 February 1935 Page 240 - new cinemas
Reference    Builder 22 March 1935 Page 573 - new cinemas.