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.
9.
Inside the projector room (note the 1940s pin-up girl photographs to the right). Photo: Jon Coupland
10.
The Boston coat of arms above the stage, and what appears to be the sock and buskin comedy and tragedy masks either side of it. Photo: Jon Coupland
11.
Plasterwork fallen from one of the walls. Photo: Jon Coupland
12.
A shot of the auditorium thought to have been taken upon completion – "note the decor is slightly different as it was updated to art deco after this," said Jon. Photo: Believed to be the Addy family.