Hello Local History Group 2 Members !

On Thursday 4 June 2026, we have arranged for  a unique, illustrated guided walking tour entitled 'The Lost Picture Palaces of Southport' led by   Southport born writer ,  knowledgeable guide and cinema fan and historian, Stephen Fenerty. 

Southport once boasted eight magnificent picture palaces on or very close to Lord Street, including some of the earliest purpose-built cinemas, art deco wonders, and 1930s super cinemas.

 

 

Many people will remember Southport's ABC, Classic and Odeon cinemas. But how about the Picturedrome, Scala, Trocadero and Coliseum? ( Even if you don't, this is a fascinating tour for every movie fan). 

So  join our tour with Stephen in the guise of a cinema projectionist, as we revisit the 1930s and explore the glory days of Lord Street's long-lost 'Cathedrals of the Movies'!

 

 

Revisit these lost gems and learn their secrets in this fascinating illustrated walk.

• You’ll hear about the time Southport sands and the Birkdale dunes doubled for the US desert in an early Sherlock Holmes movie.
• You’ll discover why a cinema roof was lifted 17 feet by hand in a remarkable feat of engineering.
• You'll meet  the remarkable,Southport-based  architect George E. Tonge and the amazing and largely forgotten British film pioneer G B 'Bertie' Samuelson.
• You’ll wonder why historic listed architecture was allowed to be destroyed as recently as 2006.

 TOUR START POINT AND TIME:  12.00 Noon. Meet under the clock tower on Garrick Parade off Lord Street(adjacent to Travelodge and entry way to Morrisons.  Tour lasts approximately  60- 90 minutes. This will be a gentle stroll with plenty of places to pause and sit. We end near 'The Grand' on Lord Street. 

What people have said about 'The Lost Picture Palaces of Lord Street' guided walk:  

"Fascinating and entertaining tour that brings the Lord Street of the 30s back to life. Highly recommended." - BM

"A great way to spend a morning in Southport. We thoroughly enjoyed the guided walk. Stephen proved himself to be an entertaining and knowledgeable guide and we learnt so much about our lost cinema heritage. So very pleased we decided to join this walk." - PC

"I joined this tour last year & had the best fun. It was such a lovely experience & highly recommended." - EF

"It was so lovely to be entertained by Stephen who was so knowledgeable and passionate about our lost cinema Heritage. We both learned so much today and were amazed. Looking forward to joining another guided walk very soon." - D&F

"Thank you so much Stephen for such an informative and friendly 2 hours. Trying to recall everything you said and relaying to my daughter." - LJH

COST OF TOUR: £10 pp.

TO BOOK: CLICK HERE (or if you prefer, navigate independently to the Southport U3A Website, log into the membership zone and on the  Local History Group 2 webpage, and click on the link under Events for 'Lost Picture Palaces of Southport - Guided Walking Tour'. 

To Pay:

• Payment is preferred online, if at all possible, via the payments link for this event. OR

• OR Pay by cash or cheque at our Local History Group 2 table at the May 2026 U3A monthly meeting at Christ Church. Cheques should be made payable to 'Southport U3A' (annotated on back of the cheque with your U3A Membership No, and with the words ‘Lost Picture Palaces Tour'). 

•  OR can be sent by post to Local History 2 co-leader Jessica Wright ( address on application to the trip Organiser).

Deadline for all payments:  No later than Thursday, 7 May 2026 (date of May U3A meeting at Christchurch, Southport).

 

Notes:

Members booking for this tour are advised to come prepared for the weather and with appropriate footwear.  Is the walk accessible/wheelchair friendly? Generally, yes.