The original building of what was the Palladium Cinema still stands today and has been part of the community for 100 years, having several changes of use. It is currently used as a gymnasium.

The images below show original architectural plans for the Palladium Cinema photographed courtesy of Liverpool Records Office

The Palladium was built in 1913 and opened to the public on Christmas day. It was a popular cinema for many years until increased opposition from the building of other local cinemas.

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The Palladium was one of the last cinemas in the area to be installed for sound films ‘talkies’ in December 1930 and had musical accompanying the films and the words on screen to help tell the narrative of the story.

the image below shows a newspaper advertisement from 1957 showing the attractions at some of the local picture houses

Over the years additional attractions such as talent shows and variety acts were implemented in the hopes of increasing cinema attendance.

By the late 1950’s admissions had declined and The Palladium was closed as a cinema in 1959.

image below shows staff of the Palladium Cinema

The buildings later uses included a tobacco store and second hand furniture shop. The building is now a gymnasium called Fitness First and still retains several of its original features both inside and outside.

The image above shows what was the old Palladium Cinema building as it stands today.
The building has been a part of the community in Seaforth for almost 100 years and has had several uses, it is now used as a gymnasium and is still sporting many original features.

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The Picture Palace of Bootle / Empire Picture Theatre was on Knowsley Road Bootle and as other picture houses we have looked at through the project was not built as a purpose built cinema. The building was built as Bootle Institute in 1882 and the buildings date plate can be seen engraved at the top of the building still today.

It began showing moving images from 1908 when it was converted into a small stadium like cinema with seats for about 300. When it was opened on November 18th 1908 adverts in the local newspapers described it as showing “45 miles of film nightly!” Admission prices were 1/-, 6d and 3d with reduced prices for early doors of 8d and 4d.

The Picture Palace held film show matinees for children on Saturdays at 1pm and 3pm with prices of 1d and 2 d.

The name was changed in 1912 to The Empire Picture Theatre and was a popular venue despite local competition from other nearby picture houses. It wasn’t until The Gainsborough Cinema was opened almost directly opposite that the decline of The Empire came about.

Following closure as a cinema it was converted into a dance hall in 1922 and named The Palais de Dance. Over the years it has had several further changes of use including Bootle trades and Labour club and Knowsley Social Club.

Today the building still stands and is currently trading as Bootle Labour Club.

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This image shows the interior of the old Palladium Cinema in Seaforth. The ornate decorative features have lasted for almost a century within this building which has had many uses including the cinema, a warehouse and now a gymnasium.