The Manchester Apollo was originally built as an ABC Cinema Ardwick in 1930. It was designed by architects Peter Cummings, Alex Irvine and R Gillespie Williams. It's original purpose was as a cinema and variety hall. It was opened by famous 1930s actress Margaret Lockwood.
Right up until the 1970s the venue continued to provide the same service to the public until the cinema industry declined and the variety side of the venue took over. It focused it's resources on becoming a leading concert venue competing at that time with the likes of Maine Road.