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June 2025
Haddonstone adds the crowning glory to the historic Grade II* former Granada Cinema
Soho Theatre Walthamstow - photography courtesy ofDavid Levene
Architectural cast stone specialistHaddonstone,has restored key stonework features on the newly restored former Granada Cinema Building, recently reopened in May 2025 and operating asSoho Theatre Walthamstow. Since the opening of the original Victoria Music Hall in 1887, the site has been home to a variety of entertainment genres. In 1930, following a complete development, the Music Hall Granada Chain Cinema Variety opened as a cinema and performance venue which, during the 1950s and 1960s, hosted stars of the moment including Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Who and The Rolling Stones. The site was granted Grade II*-listed status by English Heritage in 1987 and added to the Theatres-at-Risk Register 2015.
Waltham Forest Council purchased the building in 2019,a legacy commitment as the Mayor ofLondon's first BoroughofCulture. The council led an originally budgeted £30mfor therestorationofthishistoricvenue inWalthamstow. Ithastransformedthebuildinginto a landmark cultural multi-use venue with four units, one of which is operated by SohoTheatre Walthamstow,avibrant960-seatliveperformancespace.Returning the building toitsformerglory whileintroducing modern culturalfeatures; it offers a variety of live performances, including comedy, theatre, andmusic,alongwithahostofcommunity-focusedevents.Thevenuealsofeaturesthree bars,arestaurant,and studio spaces, enriching the local community's cultural landscape. The collaboration led by Waltham Forest Council, with Historic England, conservation specialists, experts and Soho Theatre ensures thespaceservesasahubforbothlocalresidentsandvisitors.
With a Historic England's Building at Risk Repairs Grant in place, Haddonstone's expertise was called upon to preserve and restorekey architectural features; the experts suppliedbespokestring courses, cornices, andcoping totheDutch gableof the building. Anew motif was created to reflect the original scrolldetailofthegable and allthestoneworkwascraftedfromwet-castlimestoneinPortlandcolour,ensuringa seamless blend of new and historic materials. Theneedtopreservehistoricalaccuracywhileadaptingthe building for today, required careful consideration and collaboration. The use of cast stone was integral in overcoming these challenges, allowing Haddonstone to replicate the ornate detailing of the original architecture and blend it with new structural elements. The project's success was a testament to the skillful integration of traditional craftsmanship and modern restoration techniques, ensuring that this beloved heritage landmark will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
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Above:thenewscrollmotif aftercasting;andonceinstalledontheDutchgableofthebuilding
Cllr Rosalind Doré, Cabinet member for Libraries, Culture and Sports and Leisure said: "We are delighted to announce the revival of our iconic venue, which embodies our vision from Waltham Forest as a vibrant ‘cultural neighbourhood'. This investment not only enriches our community but also strengthens our commitment to creating an economy that benefits everyone. As part of the London Borough of Culture 2019 legacy, we are dedicated to placing culture at the heart of our borough, enhancing the local evening and night-time economy while supporting our businesses and residents."
For further information, call01604 770711or visitwww.haddonstone.com
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With Compliments:
Taylor Alden
media@tayloralden.co.uk
NOTE TO EDITOR:
Haddonstone is a trusted specialist in the design and manufacture of architectural and garden stonework. The ranges comprise cast stone architecture for residential and commercial projects, and beautiful formal and informal garden, home and landscape products.
All products are made to order in Northamptonshire and are available in both standard and bespoke designs. Stunning Show Gardens are located in East Haddon, near to the manufacturing facility.
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest successfully became the Mayor of London's first-ever London Borough of Culture in 2019. It is home to an abundance of culture, creativity, and enterprise - including the award-winning William Morris Gallery; the state-of-the-art fountains and gardens at Fellowship Square, home to The Arch sculpture by Henry Moore; the creative hub of Blackhorse Lane; the internationally recognised nature reserve, Walthamstow Wetlands and the Grade II* Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, now a museum. Waltham Forest offers an enviable 30% of green and outdoor spaces.
As part of the council's London Borough of Culture 2019 legacy commitment, to place culture at the heart of its communities, Waltham Forest Council invested in the restoration and revival of the Grade II* listed former Granada Cinema building. Soho Theatre Walthamstow will manage the transformed venue on a long-term partnership agreement, focusing on delivering on the promise of a local theatre with a national profile. The iconic venue is at the core of the council's vision for Waltham Forest to become a ‘cultural neighbourhood' in the wider London landscape and delivers on the council's missions to build an economy that works for everyone and to make the borough a great place to live.
The council worked closely with specialists from Historic England to ensure that the former Granada, one of the best surviving examples of Spanish-Arabic architecture in the country, would be restored to its full glory, sensitively and respectfully. Historic England's Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk scheme supported the restoration project. It successfully obtained loans from The Mayor's Energy Efficiency Fund to enable the upgrade and design of the venue into an energy efficient theatre. Together with a grant from the GLA's Carbon Offset Fund providing advanced lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to keep energy consumption low.