Picture House, Stafford (Wetherspoons)

Extract from the full history of the pub, displayed inside. Built for the local independent exhibitor Goodalls Pictures, the Picture House opened on 23 February 1914. There is a decorative wrought-iron canopy, which has stained-glass letters spelling out the name Picture House to the front of the building. The original ticket office remained in use throughout its life and is still there today. Inside the auditorium, seating was arranged on a stadium plan, with a raised stepped section at the rear. There is a barrel-vaulted ceiling, which has decorative bands of plaster. In July 1930, the Everston family purchased the Picture House, and operated it for the remainder of its cinematic life. It had a new proscenium opening installed in June 1955, when Cinemascope was fitted. Otherwise, the building retained it character through the years. In 1989, the Picture House was designated a Grade II listed building. It closed on 30 March 1955 after a three-week run of Disclosure, starring Michael Douglas. There were 78 attending the final performance. The building was purchased by JD Wetherspoon and was converted into The Picture House public house, which opened 6 March 1997.