Below are some selected extracts from the Company Minute Books for the period 1915 to 1934 and show the directors decisions for their Pavilion de Luxe theatre in Shipley during the crucial period from the First World War through into the 'talkies' era.
A unique insight into Boardroom priorities and costs involved in running a small town picture house. All costs are in Great Britain Pounds (GBP) Sterling.
 

Quick links to other sections on this page . . .

• First World War Period
  
• After the War
  
• William Lloyd Smith joins Board
  
• Considering 'Talkies'
  
• Into the 1930's
  

First World War Period
In 1915 and just three years after its opening, the directors proposed that "the General Manager attends to to repainting and decorating and necessary seating improvements in the hall". In those days smoking ruined decorations very quickly.

Despite the War, the directors also proposed "that four chairs be purchased for the office" and further "that a carpet be purchased for the office and linoleum for around the ends". The directors also agreed "that we advance the wages of the attendants employed in the hall". Rowdyism was sorted in the same way "that a man be employed to keep order during the performance and look after the boys".

In 1918, for example, with William Edgar 'Ted' Holland as manager, he was paid 3GBP per week and a commission of 5% on all net takings. When Ted Holland got married he was paid an extra 5GBP commission as a wedding present. The directors also needed to approve "that carbons to the value of 25GBP be ordered".

After the War
In 1919, with the war over, the directors agreed to "proceed with negotiations for enlarging the Theatre" and it was time to order a motor generator for the handsome sum of 180GBP.

In August 1919 the directors sanctioned that George Frederick Lund (Chairman) to "proceed at once with the erection of a balcony at approximate cost 1000-1100GBP". Three months later in November 1919 the Chairman was "instructed to hurry on the erection of balcony".

A new ventilation system was to considered similar to a Halifax cinema run by the same directors. The motor generator mentioned earlier was now to be purchased. Obviously business was doing well and the directors awarded themselves an increase in their fees to 150GBP per annum with a further 21 shillings (ie. one guinea) for each directors meeting attended.

Ted Holland was the rising star of a manager and was "to be paid 5GBP per week when the new balcony opens and 5 percent commission on all net takings". George F. Lund transferred some of his shareholding to his wife, Lena Lund, who then became a director. Subsequently he purchased the shares previously held by four of the other directors.

Meeting which previously had been held at the Pavilion were now held at the Lund's home in Huddersfield where Lund was also proprietor of the original Electric Picturedrome in Holmfirth. By the March 1922 Annual General Meeting, a new set of six directors were appointed with Lund as chairman, managing director and secretary of the company.

In October 1922 the board accepted the resignation of W.E "Ted " Holland, the Pavilion's manager who was moving up the road to the new Saltaire Picture House and later ending up with Oscar Deutsch at his new (and very first) Odeon in Perry Barr. One T.P Jennings was appointed as his replacement at the Pavilion.

Bearing in mind that the rival Saltaire Picture House was doing well and attracting good audiences the directors discussed in May 1924 "the question of reducing prices of seats" whereupon it was left to George Lund and William Lloyd Smith to "do what is considered best in line with what other houses in Shipley were doing".

George F. Lund was the dominant figure throughout until his untimely death in 1927. The board meeting in October 1927 records that "The Directors of the Pavilion de Luxe wish to express to you (his wife, Lena) as a token of respect, our deep sorrow and regret at the decease of our old friend and colleague who has been taken away so suddenly from us, and to offer to his widow their deepest sympathy at this time of bereavement. Signed George Brook on behalf of the Directors".

William Lloyd Smith joins Board
Also in October 1927 the manager, William Lloyd Smith, was appointed to the Board and later to acquire the shareholding previously held by Lena Lund. Will Smith had previously been a resident manager for Yorkshire Enterprises Ltd at their Theatre de Luxe picture house in Northgate, Halifax.

By November 1927 the directors recommend Smith to "purchase a suitable piano as soon as possible". Smith had performed so well both a Manager and Director that he was granted "26GBP as a bonus for the past half year".

In February 1928 discussions started regarding the suggested sale of the Pavilion. By May 1928 several firms were interested in the sale with a price tag of 13,000GBP.

Generosity was the theme in October 1928 when it was recommended "that a bonus of 5GBP be given to Mrs Swallow, the cashier, to cover the present financial year". There was more to come in December 1928 when it was proposed that "the usual Xmas boxes be given to the Staff . . . also that the bill poster be given 10/6d (half a guinea)".

Considering Talkies
In June 1929 and the price for a sale of the Pavilion had still not been finalised. Installation of a Panotrope and refurbishment was discussed. October 1929 and Will Lloyd Smith was "deputed to go to London to get fullest and latest information re 'Talkie' installation". Also 88 new chairs at 10/9d each were approved.

For refurbishment the directors selected "the mothed Axminster carpet as per sample at 5/3d per yard with underfelt and white linen step tips for the balcony; approx cost 32 GBP and also the necessary runners at 7GBP". It was also agreed "that we proceed at once with painting and decorations at an estimated cost of 60GBP".

In the following June 1930 and Frederick Hobson Threppleton of Huddersfield was elected Chairman of the Company and he was to remain such for several successive years. At the same meeting Will Lloyd Smith suggested "that we adopt the talkies" with Threppleton proposing the British Thompson Houston (BTH) system. Some structural alterations were also needed.

Into The 1930's
In January 1931 with sound and new Kalee projectors (from Kershaw's of Leeds) installed, the directors "felt the expenses had been particularly heavy", noting that the new talkie films cost too much. All this was at a time of "the general trade depression and a strike in the district".

April 1932 - after two years of discussion about the possibility of selling the theatre, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of Will Lloyd Smith to deal with prospective buyers with a new price of 8,000GBP proposed in September 1932. The Company Minutes record that "a small orchestra also agreed to" as some silent and cheaper films were still in circulation.

The Minutes also record that "the competition house", that is the Glenroyal all-sound super-cinema had opened in September 1932 and only a few hundred yards away along the road and was soon to have an effect on the takings at the Pavilion de Luxe.

By February 1934 business had improved and at the AGM the shareholders "wished to congratulate Mr William Lloyd Smith on his astuteness in booking films".

On the subject of decorating, this was left to Mr Smith and the Chairman Fred Threppleton adding "but the cost not to exceed 12GBP"; though by June 1934 a tender was accepted "and the work be let to Mr Colgan for 19GBP" whilst suggesting a better (wall)paper be employed.