IT was one of Blackburn’s most distinctive town centre buildings.

Originally built as a variety theatre which opened in 1899 with a capacity of 2,500, the Palace played host to likes of Harry Houdini and Gracie Fields.

By 1936 it had reopened as a cinema showing movies until 1957 when owners the MacNaughten Vaudeville Circuit closed down its operation.

It re-opened in 1960 owned by the Burnley-based Hutchinson Group who introduced screenings of continental films and even some live shows.

In 1964 the ornate facade, replicated on other buildings around Blackburn’s Boulevard was replaced by ‘modern’ metal cladding.

The Palace continued as both a bingo hall and cinema with just the stalls in use until the circle was reopened for the cinema in 1975.

Nine years later the Palace closed and was demolished in 1988 with the land becoming a car park for the telephone exchange.