Description:The old Theatre Royal was in Pall Mall. The camera is looking northwest along Pall Mall towards Marsh Street. The large building is the YMCA on the corner of Marsh Street and Clough Street. This became the telephone exchange.
At the time of the photograph the old theatre had been sold to Mecca and had become a bingo hall. The original Theatre Royal had its entrance on neighbouring Brunswick Street. This changed in 1887 with the rebuilding and enlargement of the old theatre and the opening of the main entrance on Pall Mall. A fire in 1949 destroyed much of the theatre, which was rebuilt and reopened in 1951. The theatre struggled, was sold several times and then closed in 1996.
Much refurbishment saw Ken Dodd reopen the theatre in 1997. It became a nightclub and live music venue, despite objections that it should be kept as a live theatre.
Next door is a branch of A C Prall, wholesale ironmongers.This and the neighbouring houses and shops have been demolished. This side is a branch of Fleets furnishing store.