At the bottom of Alexandra Road, a very worn vestige of a former self; this rather unflattering view shows the remains of the Winter Gardens.
The Winter Gardens, Penzance
Opened in November 1926 by the Corporation.
In 1880, the site was simply a collection of eleven tiny cottages,
with a gap between them and the building which became the Alexandra Inn,
shown then as a private house, as it was not a pub until the 1970s.
In 1927 the building was described as being commodious and facing the sea.
Open to visitors at all times of the year at a nominal charge.
The large Concert Hall has a sloping floor, and is most comfortably seated.
Adjoining is a well-appointed cafe and there is ample cloak room accommodation.
Both Winter and Summer, first class variety entertainments, concerts and theatrical performances are given here.
A fine roof-garden and promenade crowns the building, from which a magnificent view of the full sweep of the Bay can be obtained.
The original building covered an area 150 x 95 feet.
Here in the picture is what remains today, The Restaurant and shops.
This section was converted into a builder's office for Venn Bros when the family came to Penzance in the 1950s.
Venn's Yard was around the back in what is now the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company carpark.
The yard was reduced when Harveys Builders Supplies took over the site, by Beachfield Court (later UBM, later Jewsons).
Drewitts were involved in the design of Beachfield Court, Harvey's and the Cooperative Stores and Petrol Station.
(In my personal view, all a blight on the townscape).
The restaurant section of The Winter Gardens is now a set of flats.
The Winter Gardens may well have included cinematic performances on occasion, but it was never a cinema,
nor would it have been possible to have used the restaurant for that purpose.
In 1927 it was stated that there were two Picture Palaces (cinemas) in Penzance;
The Cinema ( an imposing structure ) Causeway Head and The Picturedrome, South Parade.
You may know them under their later names The Savoy and The Regal.
The Winter Gardens became appropriated to other purposes from the 1960s.
Folk Club, Dance Hall, Music Venue (including Hawkwind !!).
The area is now in a series of uses, including Thai Restaurant, but the frontage is no longer the fine building it once was.
Raymond Forward
