Empire Cinema
Horsefair,
Kidderminster,
DY10
Horsefair,
Kidderminster,
DY10
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Architects: Harold Seymour Scott
Functions: Retail
Previous Names: Empire Picture House
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The Empire Pictre House was opened in July 1922. Originally listed with a seating capacity of just under 700, it had a 25 feet wide proscenium and a small stage, with two dressing rooms.
Taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in 1935, it was not with that chain for long, as they had also taken over the better Central Cinema in the town. The Empire Cinema was taken over by an independent operator in 1938, and it was closed on 20th September 1958. The facade was demolished and a new one was built, but the auditorium remains, in retail use.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
There are two old playbills for the Empire on this page (scroll down about two-thirds of the way): View link
The facade, as shown in the current picture is a completely new rebuild for retail and flats above, only the former auditorium remains unaltered behind the new. The independent operator after ABC was Percy Dyche in 1944, Western Electric sound is noted as well as 547 seats, proscenium width was 25ft. according to the 1944 KYB.