The Royston Town Hall, a historic cornerstone of the town, was built in 1855 on the site of the old turnpike tollgate
cottage. Originally serving as the Royston Institute, it housed an assembly room and smaller spaces dedicated to the education of ‘mechanics’—skilled workmen—long before the introduction of universal education acts.
In 1900, the newly formed Royston Urban District Council purchased the building for £600, repurposing it as the Town Hall. Over the years, it has undergone various extensions and improvements but has remained the seat of local government in Royston. Today, it also accommodates two public halls, including the upper hall, named in honour of the Earl of Hardwicke, then owner of Wimpole Hall, whose patronage made the Institute’s construction possible. His legacy is marked by a small bust on the façade, alongside the
Royston Coat of Arms.
A more recent transformation has seen the Town Hall evolve into the home of the Royston Picture Palace—a state-of-the-art digital community cinema, breathing new life into this historic venue. The Picture Palace carries forward Royston’s rich cinematic history, following in the footsteps of the much-loved Priory Cinema, which once stood prominently on the roundabout to the left. An iconic local landmark, the Priory Cinema was a treasured gathering place for generations of film lovers, and though it is now long gone, its spirit endures in Royston’s vibrant film culture.
The Priory Cinema Opened on 27th November 1933 with Diana Wynyard in “Cavalcade”, it had an original seating capacity of 600 in stalls and circle. Seats were priced from 9d to 2/4d. It replaced the earlier (1913) Cinema that was located at a different location at 1 Priory Lane, which was destroyed by fire in June 1933. The architect of the Priory Cinema was E.B. Parkinson of Cambridge. Picture & copy courtesy of Herts Memories:
www.hertsmemories.org.uk
