Theatre Royal Manchester

Today we travelled into Manchester for our annual "Aviva Pensioners winter lunch" get together. Hub is treasurer and since it's chairman retired a couple of years ago, no one has stepped forward to take over, so he agreed he would keep the winter and summer get togethers ticking over. It's always nice to see old friends who we used to work with. There are over 500 retirees in the Manchester group, but it's the same 50 or so that support the events. We had a lovely 2 course lunch and a couple of drinks, lots of chat. I stood in as photographer! Hub will write a short resume and submit a photo for inclusion in the company magazine.

I remembered that it was Derelict Thursday and had in mind this building, so took a few shots en route to our watering hole.

Can you believe that such a beautiful old neoclassical sandstone building, complete with portico and Corinthian columns has been allowed to fall into such disrepair, that to all intents and purposes, it is considered derelict!

It was built in1845 and was considered Manchesters' main theatre only until 1921 surprisingly enough, when it's status was challenged by both the Opera House and the Palace Theatre, both these are still going strong!

The Royal has changed hands several times over the years and been used as a Cinema, a Disco, a Bingo Hall and most recently a nightclub called The Royale. Sadly it has been empty since 2012........although it is now owned by the same group who own the Rennaisance Hotel nearby, but as three years have passed without any progress it's not looking good for the old Royal :-(