Theatre Royal, Winchester

The Theatre Royal in Manchester, England, opened in 1845. Situated next to the Free Trade Hall, it is the oldest surviving theatre in Manchester. It was commissioned by Mancunian businessman John Knowles who wanted a theatre venue in the city, and it is the oldest theatre building in Manchester city centre. The Theatre Royal operated as a theatre from 1845 until 1921, when it closed in the face of growing competition from the Palace Theatre and Opera House. The building has since been converted numerous times for use as a cinema, bingo hall and nightclub. It has been unoccupied since 2011, with the nightclub hosting its last night on 31 December 2010. In 2012, the building was purchased by Edwardian Hotels, owner of the neighbouring Radisson Edwardian. Edwardian Hotels have no intention of re-developing the Grade II listed building and it was placed on the Theatres Trust's "At Risk" register in 2013. Recent infractions include an order in 2019 for making alterations without listed consent and in 2024 for leaks into the interior.