Corner of Yorkshire: Theatre Royal, Halifax

Sadly The Grand (which stood on North Bridge) and the Palace-Hippodrome, on the corner of Ward’s End, have long since vanished. Opposite the Palace was the Theatre Royal, and that survives today. Its stone frontage, which is Grade II listed, rivals many similar buildings in London’s West End.

While now empty, there has been a theatre here since 1789, but this structure – it once had a grand cast-iron canopy over the entrance to protect patrons alighting from their carriages – dates back to 1905. When live stage entertainment finished it became a cinema, a bingo hall, Chinese restaurant and then a nightclub. Sold not so long ago, there have been rumours that the space behind the elegant frontage could become a hotel. At the moment though, The Royal is a sad reminder of past glories.