A local music group has launched a campaign to restore Salford Victoria Theatre following the building going up for auction.
The community group Salford Symphony Orchestra have set up the campaign with the intention of restoring the venue back to its original glory.
The theatre itself was built in 1899, and has seen a variety of changes since its construction – however despite the Salford Victoria Theatre ageing over the years it has not stopped the community from caring.
The Grade II listed venue has previously been dubbed as ‘Salford’s sleeping beauty’ and there is anticipation as to what will become of the building after it ‘wakes up’.
One group, Salford Symphony Orchestra, has been particularly vocal about the former theatre becoming a music venue or theatre once more.
The group was founded in 1947, not too long after the Victoria Theatre was created.
The orchestra were the first classical orchestra based in Salford and has since created a community of music-loving locals, who care passionately about classical music.
The group rehearse weekly at St Paul’s Church in Broughton and has recently been practising for their Christmas show, which is set to take place on Sunday, December 8 at Eccles Town Hall.
Simon Caplan, who has been chairman of the group since the COVID-19 pandemic, said: “There should be more venues in Salford.
“If it goes to apartments, oh god, that will be soulless. It would be great if it could become a theatre again.
“If it became a theatre again or a space for performing we would love to perform there! That would be fantastic. It would be really good for us to actually have another space to play in.”
It is not only Salford Symphony Orchestra who cares about this local venue returning to its former glory.
Local musician and music promoter, Zaim Choudhury, who is in the Salford-based band ‘In Heather‘ urged the organisers to take action.
“With this Victoria Theatre being up for sale I really do hope that some aspiring venue organizers look at it,” Choudhury said.
“I think the demand is there, especially if they work closely with the universities and aspiring promoters and musicians from local universities. It would be absolutely amazing to have something like that and I don’t think it would go underappreciated.
“When you compare the amount of venues in Salford and Manchester, there is way more in Manchester,” Zaim added.
“I do still think that it makes Salfordians very happy, that we have all this down the road, but it would be nice to have something a bit closer.
“It would be so nice to just walk down the street and attend a gig. People would probably go to more gigs.”
Tonight, Tuesday, December 3 will mark the start of the auction of the venue, with many hoping that the theatre can once again open its curtains.
Here is a leaflet for Salford Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performance.
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