I am grateful to Maurice Rowe who has sent me this image with the question, “where is this building in Salisbury?”

In fact the image shows the Primitive Methodist Chapel which stood in Fisherton Street for over 40 years. However, the building suffered from extensive damage, mainly due to flooding, and it proved too expensive to keep it in good repair. The Methodists decided to relocate to a new location in Dews Road. The last service in the chapel took place on Sunday, October 25th, 1915.

Shortly afterwards the building was acquired by Messrs Albany Ward Theatres Ltd., who practically reconstructed it for use as a cinema. It continued in this role until September, 1937, when the New Picture House (now the Salisbury City Hall) was opened.

The Old Picture House was then reconditioned by the Southern Commend for use as a theatre. It became known as the Garrison Theatre (to accommodate around 500 people), and the opening night was Sunday, October 10th 1943, where it advertised various artists on the bill including Fay Compton, John Clements, Constance Cummings and others. Performances were open to members of the services and to civilians if accompanied by members of the services.

Several well-known plays were also advertised in the newly opened theatre, among them “Night Must Fall,” with Emlyn Williams, and “Stars in Battledress,” by a War Office Pool Company.

When the war ended in 1945, The Arts Council agreed to take over the running of the building and created an arts theatre with a resident repertory company. Under the astute management of Reggie Salberg, the Playhouse grew into a theatre with a national reputation.

However, by 1979 the building had become rather tired and it was also deemed to be unsafe. Despite a petition signed by over 300 local people to save the old building, it was demolished.