Absinthe candy floss and a real life wind up doll; it can only mean one thing – The Malt Cross End of an era party.
Having secured over £1.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, After 136 years The Malt Cross called last orders for four months on May 29th and NottinghamLive were there to celebrate in style
A hidden gem, the Malt Cross was originally built in 1877. A little like the tardis, the deceptive building will reopen and bring to life two unused floors and caves beneath to uncover not only the buildings fascinating history but also creating a multi-purpose space which will host heritage education, tourism, arts, crafts and music activities. The refit will also see the upper levels redecorated and the stage returned to its former glory.
Other changes will see part of the ground floor, where the city’s street pastors helped drunken revellers, turned into a deli, both this and the in-house food will run from the new bigger kitchen by a local family business, details of which will be announced soon, but promise delicious home-cooked food including breakfasts, freshly prepared takeaways and bistro food with a modern twist in the evenings. The old restaurant will now be sound proofed and turned into a rehearsal room for up and coming musicians. A well, 40ft below street level, believed to have been used by the 11th Century monks at a monastery that once stood on the site will be excavated by an amateur archaeological society.
It’s not the first change this national treasure has seen. Previously named the Roebuck the unique Grade 2 listed building was bought by Charles Weldon who rebuilt and enlarged the premises. His original plan was for it to be a public house and skating rink! however, since then it has been a gin palace and also housed the Italian restaurant Trattoria Conti and also the Indian Restaurant Sapna
In 1914 the venue was closed when magistrates noted that it had become a haunt for ‘felons and whores’ and its license was revoked, happily these days it’s in the hands of the Malt Cross Trust, a Christian charity. Run as a social enterprise, profits from the bar are invested back into the charity.
The lottery project will include the creation of a website recording the heritage of the Malt Cross Music Hall. It was only with the surge in Music Hall entertainment that a stage was added to the building and history was made. It became a place where talent scouts hung out during the day for trial matinee performances. During its heyday acts included male impersonator Miss Nelly Clark, skipping rope dancer, Miss Dottie De Brice and Karno’s Army, (Fred Karno being famous for helping launch the careers of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel) One Sam Torr took over as manager, he was also a performer and probably most famous for exhibiting The Elephant Man, so it’s highly possible than John Merrick could have been showcased there but we’ll never know for sure. More recently during the 90’s it played host to the likes of Peter Kay and Jo Brand. It now remains the only surviving saloon music hall still functioning outside of London. The building as it is today with its impressive high-arched glazed roof was designed by Edwin Hill. The project will preserve the integrity of the building ensuring its history and heritage will be preserved for future generations to enjoy
It’s no wonder then that Victorian carnival acts were the inspiration for the end of era party. Partygoers were treated to a selection of canapés as Fizz flowed to toast both the planned renovations and the History of one of Nottingham’s National Treasures.
For more information on the planned project visit: www.maltcross.com/
By Tanya Raybould
