Bury Wetherspoon Art Picture House to undergo refurbishment

The Grade II-listed Art Picture House, opposite Bury transport interchange, has been a JD Wetherspoon outlet since 2010.

It's due to receive an extensive "refresh of the internal area", which includes removing the central bar, after Bury Council backed a huge revamp.

The pub chain submitted plans in August to improve the venue, with papers attached to the application saying the changes will reinstate its Art Deco elements.

The papers said: "A full refurbishment to the ground floor of The Art Picture House is proposed with the intention of highlighting the historic elements of the interior.

“The main objective is to reinstate Art Deco style elements, which feature on the exterior front façade of the building, throughout the customer areas.

The view from the original balconies (Harrison Ince Architects).

“By enlarging the bar underneath the proscenium arch, customers attention will be drawn to the original use of the building as a cinema.

“Additional decorative curtains will be added to the existing theatrical style curtain to emphasise the original cinema screen location.

“Timber wall panelling through the main entrance, which formed part of the original ticket booth, will be refurbished and enhanced with artworks depicting the previous use of the building.

“An Art Deco style flooring will be laid within this space and additional signs included to entice customers into the main interior space.”

The building, designed by Albert Winstanley, was originally built in 1922.

The site continued as a theatre and cinema until 1964, when it became a theatre only.

Sometime after this, the site became a bingo hall and then a Chicago Rock restaurant before JD Wetherspoon took over the premises.

Among other changes proposed for the pub are the female toilets to be relocated to the opposite side, half-height partition walls removed and new stairs and a ramp.

A heritage report with the plans describes the building as one of the most "elaborate and complete examples of an early 1920s cinema, still exceptionally theatrical in its plan and decoration".

In its decision, published on Friday, March 27, the council said: "The internal alterations proposed would change the layout and function of the customer-facing and serving areas within the auditorium, stage house and related areas of the Public House.

"Currently, there are two bars on the ground floor of the building, with a main one within the auditorium area and a secondary one in the location of the stage within the proscenium.

"The central bar being removed would provide some additional seating. The stage bar would become the single point of service and would be enlarged.

"The existing female WCs which are currently located stage left are to be relocated to the rear of the auditorium into what is currently storage and staff areas, along with an accessible WC.

"These elements are more modern interventions associated with conversion to pub use, overall, however, there is some heritage benefit because the new layout is considered to be more reflective of the original plan form, with more of the stalls level within the auditorium being open and accessible.

"This aspect of the works would be acceptable. This proposal also includes the general refurbishment of this area and restoration and the reinstatement of historic light fittings, with installation of more sensitive lighting replacing modern fittings.

"The proposed alterations are considered to outweigh the low level of harm that would occur as the refurbishment works.

"The internal alterations proposed would ensure the continued occupation and viable use of the building, consistent with its conservation and continued contribution of the pub's use to sustainable communities."