Fakenham's Corn Exchange and Cinemas |
We have in Fakenham what is believed to be the best example In Norfolk of a mid nineteenth century Corn Exchange. This beautiful listed Victorian building was built in 1855 on a site once occupied by the old market cross; a sessions house built in 1649, which was described as having an 'upper room with space for stalls beneath'. In 1768, the upper room was in use as a school which continued until 1781 when concerts are recorded as being given there. The old building was finally demolished in 1801.
In the mid 1800s, a company was formed for the purpose of building a new public hall, at a cost of £4,000, raised in shares. The architect was John Brown, of Norwich, who was best known for his churches and was the surveyor for Norwich Cathedral. As the largest and most important building in the town the corn hall provided a venue for dances, concerts and other gatherings while also serving as a magistrates' court and a library, and we believe there may have been first floor living accommodation for the hall-keeper too.
The building was converted into a 700-seat cinema in 1932 and was re-named as the Central Cinema seven years later. After closing in 1976 it became a bingo club until the 1990s and lay empty and unused for a couple of years. Extensive repair works were undertaken by architects Nicholas Hills, to restore it visually as closely as possible to the original design and paintwork, and it was reopened in July 2000 as the Hollywood Cinema. Today it’s known once more as the Central Cinema after becoming independent in 2017..
In the mid 1800s, a company was formed for the purpose of building a new public hall, at a cost of £4,000, raised in shares. The architect was John Brown, of Norwich, who was best known for his churches and was the surveyor for Norwich Cathedral. As the largest and most important building in the town the corn hall provided a venue for dances, concerts and other gatherings while also serving as a magistrates' court and a library, and we believe there may have been first floor living accommodation for the hall-keeper too.
The building was converted into a 700-seat cinema in 1932 and was re-named as the Central Cinema seven years later. After closing in 1976 it became a bingo club until the 1990s and lay empty and unused for a couple of years. Extensive repair works were undertaken by architects Nicholas Hills, to restore it visually as closely as possible to the original design and paintwork, and it was reopened in July 2000 as the Hollywood Cinema. Today it’s known once more as the Central Cinema after becoming independent in 2017..
© 2011 Fakenham & District Community Archive.
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive