Did you know…

this corner on the promenade has been a source of family entertainment for over a century?

 Our journey started in 1907 when the renowned magician Harry Marvello, was granted permission to construct a new entertainment pavilion between The Tower Hotel and the promenade in Portobello. Originally intended as a music hall and capable of accommodating 700 people, the pavilion was also equipped with the unique feature of a tea garden on the roof.

Marvello, a close friend of Harry Houdini and a favourite performer of the British elite, including a performance for Queen Victoria herself, established the "amusement pavilion" in front of his Tower Hotel, and it swiftly became Portobello's inaugural variety hall, drawing both locals and tourists from all over. However, amidst the national craze for roller skating at the time, Marvello quickly repurposed the pavilion, making it the first roller skating rink in Portobello.

 In 1908, the Tower Pavilion, as it was then named, received a theatre license, marking the beginning of summer seaside variety shows that thrived in Portobello until the 1930s.

The pavilion has undergone numerous transformations over the years, turning from theater to a roller rink, a boxing ring, and even an exotic zoo.

 Around the 1960s, the arcade underwent more significant renovations. The theatre closed, making way for a new era of entertainment featuring games and electronic amusements such as the famous penny pushers! Pinball machines, prize bingo, video games, and air hockey tables followed. Thus recasting itself again as a popular spot for teenagers and families, and settling into its current identity as Nobles Amusement.

 This iconic arcade has endured the passage of time, continuing to captivate generations with its entertainment offerings. A landmark in the community of Portobello, Nobles Amusements remains a regular destination for fun-filled outings, held dear by locals and visitors alike.