Mr Cecil Lilley, who worked for the Ritz and later for a Theatre where he became Manager, recalls a serious incident when a large driving wheel broke loose crashed, through the wall, and finished up demolishing the front door of a house opposite. The lady of this house was known as "Mrs Hoppit", particularly to children attending Alfred Street School between 1936-1942. She would regularly wash her doorstep and street pavement just as we schoolchildren were making for the playground, and anyone walking past at that time she would furiously tell to "hop it!"
One can only imagine the poor Palace Manager having apologise to her for the accident.