Back in Time: Aylesbury's County Theatre hosted Jimi Hendrix, The Animals and The Kinks

In 1924 the Market Theatre, which stood at the rear of the Green Man in Market Square, was demolished after suffering a serious fire.

The theatre opened in 1911 under the ownership of Aylesbury Picture Palace Limited.

After the fire of 1924 the theatre was completely rebuilt within a few months.

During WWII it was closed and the building was used for storage. In 1947 it reopened and was modernised and a year later the name was changed to the County Theatre (where Ronnie Barker played).

In 1954 it became the Grosvenor ballroom and skating rink.

Its place in history really began when Eddie Friday took over in 1957.

Many well known artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Animals and The Kinks played there.

By 1971 the building was called the Borough Assembly Hall and it became the home of Friars where some legendary gigs happened.

In 1975 the building was vacated for the last time and it was demolished to make way for Hale Leys shopping centre, marking the end of a long and illustrious history of that site.