Grand Imperial Photography Studios
Visited in October 2019 with David (Scrappy NW). David had discovered this location and already been inside to take photographs so within a few days we met up so I could similarly document it.
The street it is on has many derelict run down buildings which have been subject to reports as to their safety and viability to remain. No 135a - which is the subject of this report - is in use on the ground floor but hte rest of the floors are derelict and vacant and are the former premises of the photographic studios dating back over 100 years. Getting to those upper floors wasn't easy and care had to be taken but it was definitely worth it to document a local former place of interest with such a long and rich history.
The main points of interest are on the top floor of the building which housed the dark rooms, portrait studio and changing areas. There is not too much left inside but just enough to show that the building was used as photographic studios long ago. Reels of film were lay on the floors covered in dust, the dark room had photographic materials left inside and the studio lights were still in situ in the portrait room. Aditionally, several bottles were left behind; vitreous stone bottles made by J. BOURNE & SON. Denby & Codnor Park Potteries, In the portrait studio. These most likely were bottles used for mixing the chemicals in the dark room many decades previously.
A little part of Preston's history was to be found in this building and it was a pleasure to document it.
Permission kindly granted by PRESTON DIGITAL ARCHIVE for use of these two additional historical images. They can be found at: