Jon began researching the attraction in 2012 after learning about it from a friend who worked at Poundstretcher – at that time, the tenants of the building. Over these pages, we present a number of Jon’s photographs from then, plus some older pictures that were given to Jon by the late Mervyn Gould, an ex-employee of the Scala Theatre’s owners, the Aspland Howden family; they are believed to have been taken by Boston’s Addy family. You can read more about the sale here.
.
The Scala Theatre auditorium, years apart. Photo: Midlands
.
The view from the upper circle towards the screen and stage. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
The top of the winter garden (the area outside the auditorium). This originally would have had glass panels in between the mouldings, says Jon. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
The remnants of the upper circle. The glass hatches on the back wall lead to the projection room. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
Another shot of the upper circle. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
Looking inside the ventilation dome and at its cleverly disguised pipe from the upper circle. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
Another view of the inside of the ventilation dome. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
The view of upper circle from the stage. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
The auditorium roof. Photo: Jon Coupland
.
Inside the projector room (note the 1940s pin-up girl photographs to the right). Photo: Jon Coupland
1.
The view from the upper circle towards the screen and stage. Photo: Jon Coupland
2.
The top of the winter garden (the area outside the auditorium). This originally would have had glass panels in between the mouldings, says Jon. Photo: Jon Coupland
3.
The remnants of the upper circle. The glass hatches on the back wall lead to the projection room. Photo: Jon Coupland
4.
Another shot of the upper circle. Photo: Jon Coupland