visted with @woopashoopaa @Telf @GRONK the empire was the first off the days outing was a nice easy one for our early morning start. the place is a bit worse for ware with badly rotting floors (as gronk found out haha) but was a really nice explore when insde you can feel how old this place is so on with pics and history.....
The Theatre opened on Monday the 29th of October 1894 with a variety show. Back in 1894 it seated 1,935 people. James Pringle took over in 1909.
The auditorium was reconstructed in 1911, to the plans of noted theatre architect Bertie Crewe who decreased seating to 1,808. Re-opening on 11th September 1911, it then remained the leading theatre in Burnley until 1930.
The Empire Theatre was closed in June 1955, but it soon reopened under the independent Buxton Cinemas chain in December 1955.
In December 1958; The Empire was sold to the Star Cinemas chain. Soon after this; it became a bingo club when the bingo operation was transfered from the nearby Palace-Hippodrome Theatre.
Operated by Gala Bingo until its eventual 1995 closure; The future of one of Burnley’s most historic theatres is under threat after falling into a “dangerous” state.
Council officials have erected safety fencing around the Grade II listed building. The Empire has been named in the Theatre Trust’s top 10 at risk theatres in Britain since 2006.
The “unknown” owners have been issued with a court summons over the condition of the property which officials papers said was “dangerous and requiring part demolition and works to ensure safety.” The future of the 120 year old building is unknown, but it doesn’t look good...
The Theatre opened on Monday the 29th of October 1894 with a variety show. Back in 1894 it seated 1,935 people. James Pringle took over in 1909.
The auditorium was reconstructed in 1911, to the plans of noted theatre architect Bertie Crewe who decreased seating to 1,808. Re-opening on 11th September 1911, it then remained the leading theatre in Burnley until 1930.
The Empire Theatre was closed in June 1955, but it soon reopened under the independent Buxton Cinemas chain in December 1955.
In December 1958; The Empire was sold to the Star Cinemas chain. Soon after this; it became a bingo club when the bingo operation was transfered from the nearby Palace-Hippodrome Theatre.
Operated by Gala Bingo until its eventual 1995 closure; The future of one of Burnley’s most historic theatres is under threat after falling into a “dangerous” state.
Council officials have erected safety fencing around the Grade II listed building. The Empire has been named in the Theatre Trust’s top 10 at risk theatres in Britain since 2006.
The “unknown” owners have been issued with a court summons over the condition of the property which officials papers said was “dangerous and requiring part demolition and works to ensure safety.” The future of the 120 year old building is unknown, but it doesn’t look good...
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