The Picture House

The Picture House is a former cinema built in 1913, with alterations around 1930. Designed by Campbell and Fairhurst for Goodalls Pictures Ltd and constructed by W.C. Pemberton of Wolverhampton, the building features a brick structure with a stuccoed facade and applied timber-framing, topped by a half-hipped asbestos slate roof.

The exterior is two storeys high and has a symmetrical three-window arrangement. The central section is lower and set under a gable, with the first floor breaking back at canted angles between parapeted ends. The ground floor is clad in polished black granite up to sill height, with channelled rustication above. The first floor showcases relief stucco decoration, including cable moulds and panels, with the central area featuring applied timber-framing and enriched bargeboards. The entrance is framed by reeded timber and has two small-paned-glazed doors beside a glass panel. The ground floor windows have plain surrounds, while the first floor has a central five-light mullioned window flanked by smaller windows, all with small-paned glazing. A glazed canopy supported by scrolled cast-iron brackets is deeper in the center and features abstract stained glass that includes the name of the cinema. The auditorium is offset to the left and includes segmental-headed entrances with paired doors. The facade treatment continues for a short distance on the returns, while the remainder is brick with segmental-headed blind windows.

Inside, the foyer is panelled with Georgian style stucco treatment. The auditorium features pilasters on a high dado and a seven-bay segmental barrel vault with moulded bands between the bays, which are adorned with stucco enrichment including oval wreaths and light fitting surrounds. The proscenium arch is decorated with paired fluted pilasters and stucco enrichment.

The Picture House is a notable example of an early cinema that retains many of its original interior features.