Morecambe Winter Gardens -

The impressive Winter Gardens Theatre sits on the front pier of Morecambe and dates back to the 1870’s. Originally it was the local swimming baths, as it grew extensively it then became known as the People’s Palace. In 1896 the building was sold to Messrs T Baker and RB Abbott who were the directors of a west end pier company and after a huge transformation project the building was opened as the Victoria Pavillion and incorporated the most wonderful oriental ballroom designed by Messrs Magnel and Littlewood. It also housed the largest auditorium in the world.

The Theatre itself grew immensely popular. Its popularity brought with it a further 2,000 seats. However this did not last and by 1908 the company went into liquidation. When the company was purchased the following year by Broadhead & Sons they added new dimensions to the Theatre such as a funfair outside and a billiard room underneath the ballroom.

In 1953 the building was again sold and began its slow decline. The running of the Theatre was taken over at this point by Louis Benjamin who managed to turn things around for the Theatre and stopped the building from closure. He was able to use his foresight to ensure that the Theatre kept up with the times. It was leased out to Trust House Forte and the following year the ballroom was converted to the Dixieland Palace. However this did not improve the numbers attending the Theatre and in 1977 the Theatre was again closed. The ballroom was demolished to make way for an amusement arcade and lack of funds caused the permanent closure of the Theatre.

In 1986 the Friends of Winter Gardens managed to save the now run down building. Work has continued ever since to attempt to save the building.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY It has been said that the Theatre has 2 sides to it – a good side and a bad side, which side will you be on when activity happens?

There is a wealth of history attached to Morecambe Winter Gardens and numerous reports of strange and ghostly goings-on have been reported. It is reputed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Lancashire. Phantom footsteps have been heard, running along the stage and corridors when nobody is there, bangs, knocks and thumps have been heard throughout the building when nobody is present. People who have visited the building have been touched, shoved and pushed by unseen hands. Voices have been heard on many occasions including talking in people’s ears and only they can hear.