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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

THEATRES  |  GRAND THEATRE

SIXTEEN TENDERS RECEIVED

Sixteen tenders were received on behalf of Mr Henry Reed for the building of the Grand Theatre, in Union Street, East Stonehouse, of which Mr H J Snell, of 8 Courtenay Street, Plymouth, was the architect.  The tenders were:

Mr J P Berry, Plymouth - £8,995;
Mr T May, Plymouth - £8,190;
Mr J Finch, Plymouth - £8,185;
Messrs Taylor & Taylor, East Stonehouse - £8,083;
Mr W Trevena, Plymouth - £8,050;
Messrs Pethick Brothers, Plymouth - £7,844;
Mr P Blowey, Plymouth - £7,700;
Mr G Shellabear, Plymouth - £7,650;
Messrs Lapthorne & Goad, Plymouth - £7,590;
Mr T Crews, East Stonehouse - £7,550;
Mr Tozer and Son, Plymouth - £7,500;
Messrs A R Lethbridge & Son, Plymouth - £7,480;
Mr John  Reed, Plymouth - £7,478;
Mr A R Debnam, Plymouth - £7,286;
Mr John Williams, East Stonehouse - £6,988;
Mr Samuel Roberts, Plymouth - £6,598.

The lowest tender was accepted, Mr S Roberts, of Plymouth, having been the contractor several other buildings in the Three Towns.  The tender was for the structural part of the building, including the walls, woodwork, and plastering, but did not include gas and other fittings, decorations, seating, or the stage floor or the various accessories needed for theatrical productions.

Work was started on the afternoon of Thursday July 11th 1889, shortly after the contract had been signed.  The terms of the contract stipulated that the theatre must be completed, under heavy penalties, by Christmas, in time for the pantomime, which was already being planned.  To achieve that Mr Roberts proposed to have two sets of workmen engaged on the work for eighteen hours daily (nine hours each set).

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  ?

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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