The Friends of the Scala today visited the site of the new cinema building to see just how far the work has come along, Sandra Pitt (Chair), Frank Bailey (vice chair), Daniel Graham (secretary), Fred Hobbs and Lillian Bailey had a sneak preview behind the closed gates and fences of the building site. Workmen very busy and carried on working as the tour was held. Building work has gone much further than expected with interior walls and rooms now being built, and we were all very surprised at the progress as the weather in Prestatyn hasn’t really helped much over the last few months. Dressing rooms and stores are beginning to take shape the lift shaft and upper floors are being worked on.
A photograph taken during the Friends of the Scala site visit (October 2007) (Credit: Friends of the Scala/Daniel Graham-Jones)
The busiest aspect of the work was being carried out at the original part of the building, being the middle of a matching terrace off the High Street, the old box office foyer area being taken back to its brick work and original level of access. But by far the most wonderful work is the original brick coving and architecture work on the frontage of the building, the arched windows from the old green room being replaced and taken to floor height, so that the new café bar area has windows to the floor for added light and feature.
The work on the coving and brick work at the front hasn’t started yet but you can still see how wonderful it will be again from what is left from behind the 60’s façade, having the middle terrace match its sister properties either side at the building society and the chemist.
It really was a great treat for the Friends of the Scala to have this preview of the work and we thank everyone involved in setting it up and the building contractors for putting up with us walking round asking questions.
I have taken pictures on my way round of parts of the new building which can be seen here in our Gallery.
