Builders Uncover Forgotten Cinema History Beneath The Exchange in Blackburn

Introduction

A new piece of Blackburn’s cinematic past has come to light during the ongoing £1.5 million renovation project at The Exchange.

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While restoring the historic venue, builders working on The Exchange’s transformation have unearthed features believed to date back to the building’s time as a cinema in the 1920s — including a hidden entrance thought to have once led to the cheap front-row seats.

One of the most intriguing discoveries was found behind 5c Town Hall Street — now known as the “Bat Cave” — where pressed steel tiles identical to those in The Exchange were revealed on the walls and ceiling. The sloped floor, long-forgotten stairs, and a bricked-up entrance are now believed to be part of the original access route from Town Hall Street to the cinema stalls above.

Dr Alastair Murdoch, a trustee of The Exchange, explains:

“The floor slopes gently up, and on the right at the end are steps that would have led to the ticket office. On the left, at the back of the shop, there’s a wall — the bricked-up entrance to the stalls and the tunnel that would have continued to the old stairs. It all fits with historic descriptions we’ve come across.”

In addition, the renovation team discovered a beautifully hand-painted display panel listing ticket prices for the front and back circle. The artwork is thought to have adorned the reverse side of the original ticket office.

Chris Walton, co-author of The Exchange: The Foundation Years and lead archivist for the venue, called the find an exciting moment in the building’s restoration:

“The research we’ve completed so far has uncovered so much forgotten history—the stories and events that help us piece together the story of The Exchange. This discovery adds yet another piece to the puzzle. We’re thrilled to see the past quite literally emerging from behind the walls.”

📧 Have memories or photos of The Exchange’s past? The team welcomes contributions to their growing archive. Please email: archives@exchangeblackburn.org.uk

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Jamie Holman
Jamie Holman
25 minutes ago

This is amazing – well done

MIKE
MIKE
10 minutes ago

Please conserve and please don’t demolish

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