Settle Victoria Hall is a Grade II listed[1] concert hall in Kirkgate, Settle, North Yorkshire, England. It is the UK's oldest surviving music hall.[2]

Settle Victoria Hall
Settle Victoria Hall
Settle Victoria Hall is located in North Yorkshire
Settle Victoria Hall
General information
TypeConcert hall
AddressKirkgate, Settle, North Yorkshire
CountryEngland
Coordinates54°04′07″N 2°16′44″W / 54.0687°N 2.2790°W / 54.0687; -2.2790
Current tenantsSettle Victoria Hall
Completed1853
Inaugurated11 October 1853
Renovated2000
OwnerCraven District Council
Design and construction
Architect(s)Edward Graham Paley
Architecture firmSharpe and Paley
Website
Settle Victoria Hall
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameThe Victoria Hall
Designated20 November 2001
Reference no.1389509

Built in about 1852,[1] and designed by Sharpe and Paley, it opened as Settle Music Hall on 11 October 1853.[3] It was the brainchild of local philanthropist Rev. James Robinson, an active member of Settle Choral Society, who proposed that "the building should be such as to answer all the purposes of public instruction and entertainment".[4] Early shows at Settle Music Hall included recitals of classical music, educational lectures and classes, and popular entertainments. It was renamed "The Victoria Hall" around November 1892. From 1919 until 1939, Victoria Hall also operated as a cinema, initially as "The Picturedrome" and later as the "Kirkgate Kinema".[5] In 1921, the building was bequeathed by the Robinson family to Craven District Council.

Programme from the opening of The Music Hall, Settle, 11 October 1853

Settle Victoria Hall was restored in 2000, under the management of the newly formed Settle Victoria Hall Ltd,[1][6] a charity, which was established in 1999 and presents a wide programme of drama,[7] comedy, film, and music[8][9] as well as community events, workshops, and indoor markets.[10] The building is owned by Craven District Council.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Historic England (20 November 2001). "The Victoria Hall (1389509)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Settle". Travel About Britain. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  3. ^ Smith, Ian (2009). "A History of Settle's Victoria Hall". North Craven Heritage Trust. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  4. ^ Opening of the Music Hall, Settle, Leeds Intelligencer, 22 October 1853. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ^ On Foot Round Settle, Volume 2, Part 7, Brayshaw Collection, Yorkshire Dales Community Archive. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Cash boost for hall restoration". The Argus. 24 June 2000. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Settle Storytelling Festival 2013". 30 September 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  8. ^ Verrico, Lisa (8 October 2013). "John Newman at Victoria Hall, Settle". The Times. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  9. ^ O'Dell, Daniel (4 October 2013). "Gig review John Newman at Victoria Hall, Settle". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Welcome to Settle Victoria Hall". Settle Victoria Hall. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
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