Summer shows in the Moorish Pavilion ceased after the 1939 season due to the war though there were some amateur productions and films. Orchestral concerts in the Floral Hall continued throughout the war.

William Rees left the Floral Hall orchestra after the 1942 season and in 1943 Lionel Johns, who had been at at Bridlington, became conductor of the orchestra.

Previously, the programme was mostly classical music, but Lionel Johns introduced "modern" tunes.

Lionel Johns, The Floral Hall, St.Annes Pier, 1943-64.