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Victoria Picture Palace / Victoria Thornton Road, Girlington, Bradford.
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 Location The Building Auditorium The proscenium opening was quite wide, for a suburban cinema, at 40 feet and a shallow depth stage complete with curtains and a small orchestra pit. The ceiling was vaulted with decorated cross ribs and typical of other halls of the period. The side walls had curved topped recessed panels at each side. Proprietors The Opening The Rendezvous of the District.For the remainder of the week from Thursday to Saturday . . . "The Right of Way" - 1914 USA B/W Silent(By coincidence these two films were also shown at the opening on Thursday 22nd October 1914 of the Empress Picture Palace less than a mile away in Legrams Lane.) The following day, Tuesday 20 October 1914, the Bradford Daily Argus commented . . . "The inhabitants of the Girlington district are quite proud of their new picture palace. It is a very pretty place and a series of interesting pictures were shown before a large audience last night. The principal picture "The Red Spider" is a thrilling description of life in New York. Belgian refugees in Bradford was also filmed, besides numerous other interesting subjects." The 1920's In March 1926, while some other picture halls still mixed silent films with variety acts on stage, the Victoria added to its advertising . . . "NB - Picture Fans - Our speciality is Pictures not music hall turns".In 1927, after a refurbishment, the cinema promoted itself as the New Victoria with its New Victoria Orchestra and musical director Charles E. Stephenson, the broadcasting violinist. 'Talkies' Arrive "The only Theatre in Bradford fitted with the full British Talking Pictures equipment presents . . .It was, in fact, the first Hollywood film made with an all-black cast and was very well received. Despite the claim about the sound equipment, Hibbert's Pictures had also installed the BTP system at their Towers Hall cinema in Manchester Road. By 1934 the Western Electric sound set had been fitted and prices were now 5d to 9d for continuous performances with twice weekly programme changes. In the late 1930's Trevor Blackwell was to take over a manager. Meanwhile the Billiard Hall was now known as the John Bedford Billiard Rooms. In the late 1940's, with Thomas Armitage in charge, the seating had been reduced to 953 and prices increased to 9d to 1/6d. By 1951 the seating had been further reduced to 892. Fire Damage The ceiling, seating and balcony flooring were seriously damaged and the fire brigade had to pour water through a ventilator on top of the roof to reach the flames. Extensive damage was also done to the adjoining ladies and childrens outfitters shop of Edwin Pearson Gudgeon. A notice was printed in the newspaper . . . "Will Patrons please note the the cinema will be closed until further notice owing to fire." Refurbishment and CinemaScope Grand Reopening "River of No Return" - 1954 USA Technicolor 91mins.Proprietors were now simply listed as Hibbert's Pictures Ltd with M.E.W. Armitage in control and run in conjunction with the Towers Hall cinema. Prices had now jumped to 1/6d to 2/6d for its continuous performances with three programme changes weekly. Closure "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" - 1961 USA 105 mins.The film title being somewhat prophetic as the Victoria had now 'sunk' for good after 47 years. Conversion to Supermarket The unique opening of Morrisons Victoria Supermarket on Thursday 1st November 1962 was performed by 'Bobo' one of the famous television chimpanzees (from the PG Tea adverts) who cut a white tape across the entrance to open the first self-service supermarket of William Morrison (Provisions) Ltd. Bobo was wearing a pink dress and yellow straw hat was handed a pair of scissors to cut the tape. Afterwards Bobo made her way to a tea display. See Morrisons plc website for their Company history. Later Use of Building Eventually in early 1982 the building was demolished to make way for extensions to Morrisons car park. Morrisons have since demolished the original late 1960's Victoria Shopping Centre and built a new and much larger Supermarket complex on the greatly enlarged site still carrying the name Victoria Shopping Centre. May not be copied or reproduced without permission.
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Following a short spell as a Bingo Hall, the former Victoria cinema building was purchased by Wm. Morrison's small company and stripped of its seats, screen and balcony and its floor levelled. The 5,000 square feet interior was fitted with a false ceiling, shelves and checkouts to become the very first Morrison's Supermarket.