Theatre Royal and Opera House. Market Street, Bury

Opened on Boxing Night, 26 December 1889, the Theatre Royal was built as a drama theatre for F.W Purcell, and was built on an open area facing Market Street. Built at a cost of £8,000 to £10,000, it was considered one of the most complete of its size in the provinces, and was fireproof throughout, with special means of escape in case of panic or fire. Calculated to hold 2,000 persons, it covered an area of 9,000 square yards. As originally designed, the elevation to Market Street was a symmetrical composition of brick and stone dressings, ornamented with balustrades and urns. A pedemented three storey projection rose above the main entrance foyer while two storey quadrant wings containing shops linked back to the main wall of the auditorium.

THEATRE ROYAL BURY - The new theatre, built to the designs of Mr Frank Mitcham, opened on Boxing Night. The building, which is thoroughly convenient and up to the latest heights in theatrical construction, is handsome and imposing, and will be a welcome addition to the town, which is not blessed with many imposing buildings. [Manchester Guardian 10 January 1890 page 8]

In 1919 the auditorium was reconstructed by Longworth. It became a cinema in in 1933 and was again altered in 1937, 1971, and 1972 when it was divided into two cinemas.