REGARDING a letter from Mohammed Ismail abut a small theatre next to the Hen and Chickens pub.

In the early 1940s I worked as a junior at Pares Chemist which was situated where Whittakers show shop is now.

The Hippodrome Theatre was next to the Hen and Chickens. The actors preformed a new play weekly, quite a feat. All forms of make up was hard to get in those days and Mr Walton the chemist made leg tan which was very popular with the ladies, as tights and stockings were also in short supply due o the war years.

The resident cast at the Hippodrome were frequent visitors to Pares and probably visited the Hen and Chickens for a drink after their evening performances.

I hope with public house soon gets new tenants, it is part of Bolton's history.

Mrs Pat Stokes

Bromley Cross