2 weeks Ago
THE PALLADIUM in Llandudno may have the most incredible interior of any pub in the country. Designed by Arthur Hewitt, whose other works in Llandudno include Clare's department store and the old Washington Hotel, it was built in 1920 and replaced the town’s first ever market hall. Initially built to house a kinematograph hall, theatre, music hall, opera house, circus and entertainment proprietor, The Palladium Theatre was made up of 1,500 seats and two balconies.
Yet after being split into a bingo hall and smaller theatre in the 1970s, the building was converted into a Wetherspoon pub in 2001. The Palladium in Llandudno. (Image: Newsquest) Remarkably, the pub retains many of the original Baroque-style features of the theatre, and is without doubt one of the coolest establishments around.
From the outside, The Palladium looks nothing like a traditional pub. Inside, the pub is huge, with a sprawling bar lit up against the sand-coloured walls of the atrium. Raised levels and a large lower level are often busy, so much so that you struggle to find a table.
Most impressive of all are the refurbished, vibrant balconies, architraves and ceiling, which really stand out – you can lose track of time staring up at the ceiling. The Palladium in Llandudno. (Image: Newsquest) Last year, The Palladium underwent a £1million revamp, with ceiling void "meticulously" cleaned of all dust and debris.
The timber ceiling support structure was then strengthened, whilst plaster specialists carried out hand repairs to restore the entire plaster ceiling, along with repairs to the historical proscenium arch and to the decorative elements on the front of original balconies. All those months of hard work have paid off more than anyone could have imagined, and have left Llandudno – a town with its fair share of landmarks – with one which may top the lot – The Palladium..
