The old Picture Playhouse had seating for over 500 and was rated as one of the best suburban picture houses of the period. It had an ornamental exterior and was well designed inside with hot water heating, artistic wallpaper, plush carpets and furnishings.

Admission prices were from 2d to 1/-. and in the silent film era picture goers were even offered free cups of tea for the afternoon performances. OAP’s were admitted free every Friday afternoon.

It never went over to sound and closed in 1929, the closing picture being Man, Woman and Sin starring John Gilbert. During the 16 years the cinema was open it had no less than 11 managers.