News
Hyde Park Picture House uncover incredible treasure from generations ago during renovations
Pieces of hidden history are being uncovered by the week.
Sophie Smith -
24th March 2022 
The renovations has uncovered old memorabilia from the 1930s- present day.
Hyde Park Picture House is currently undergoing mass renovations to restore the Grade II listed building to introduce modern amenities that bring the building into the 21st century whilst preserving and protecting its history for generations to come to appreciate.
One year has now passed since work began on the building, thanks to a successful £285,600 Capital Kickstart Fund award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the government’s Culture Recovery Fun.
In this time, the builders have discovered far more than peeled paint and old pipes during the restoration- the building has uncovered nostalgic ticket stubs, sweets, even cigarettes from over 60 years ago.
As part of the #TreasureTrashTuesday segment on the Picture Houses' Instagram page, the company shares hidden treasures uncovered during the renovations.
Hyde Park Picture House said: "As work continues on the #PictureHouseProject, we’ve been uncovering all sorts of wonderful rubbish from the cinema’s past – trash that had fallen through the cracks long ago and has only now been found.
"As well as keeping hold of everything we find, we also wanted to share our discoveries with you, as we think they provide a really unique window into what was audiences were up to in the cinema all those decades ago."
Sharing their first find, they shared a packet of Wild Woodbine Cigarettes noted: "For our first #TreasureTrashTuesday we wanted to share this packet of Wild Woodbine Cigarettes. Hugely popular throughout the 20th century, particularly among the working-class and soldiers during both the First and Second World Wars, we think this packet was likely dropped in the 1930s/40s."
The page has since shared everything from old bingo tickets to Fruit Pastel sweets, each with an explanation as to why they would have been in the building, from what era and even some original adverts dating back decades.
The exciting finds have attracted users of all ages to reminisce or imagine the exciting finds in their former life at the Picture House.
The renovations continue to excite followers each week whilst the multi-million-pound scheme to safeguard the cinema’s nationally significant heritage is taking place.
On site, the repair and conservation of its unique gas-lamps, iconic Burmantofts tiled façade, original terrazzo flooring and Grade II listed exterior lamppost are all being considered.
The renovation plans also hope to introduce a new ramped entrance, accessible toilets, an expanded foyer and new 52 seat basement screen. This also means the cinema’s capacity and accessibility will be greatly improved.
The renovations aren't expected to be completed until Autumn 2022, so the Picture House is currently 'On The Road' and offering viewings at the likes of Leeds University Union as an alternative cinema space whilst the work is underway.
Currently donning a blue and yellow scaffolding in support of Ukraine, the cinema will be donating ticket sales of a range of movies to the UNHCR Refugee Agency Emergency Appeal, which aids Ukrainians that are forced to flee their homes in search of shelter and safety.
Read More: Hyde Park Picture House is showing Ukrainian and 60s Soviet movies to raise money for refugees
To keep up to date with the project, you can watch the progress on The Picture House Project website, where more details of the Heritage Lottery Fund can be found.
Alternatively if you're more interested in pondering over the incredible gems being uncovered each week, make sure to follow the Hyde Park Picture House Instagram page.
Feature Image- Hyde Park Picture House (HPPH)
