Display 8 of 19

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Gloucester – Westgate Street: Photograph of the frontage of the Booth Hall

GPS/154/467

From the mid-1500s, the Booth Hall was also used by visiting companies of players and concerts and performances by travelling showmen were regular events until the early 1800s.  In 1607 the building was enlarged and given separate courtrooms so that the city and county assize courts could sit at the same time.  In 1742, the building was refaced in brick although soon afterwards the city courts and offices moved to the Tolsey due to concerns over space.  In 1868, the entire site was sold by the borough being taken over by the Boothall Hotel, which used the space as a coach house and stables. Subsequently it was used as an entertainment venue, becoming the Alhambra Music Hall in 1869 and, from 1876, the Royal Albert Hall when it was often used as for circuses and even as a skating rink.  From 1907 it was a cinema.  It survived until 1957 when it was demolished and incorporated into the new Shire Hall.  This photograph was taken just prior to demolition.