Empire Cinema

In 1966 this cinema launched the Empire Club; a cinema club for kids. Every Saturday we’d turn up and pay our shilling (5 pence) at the door, for which we could spend the day watching movies and “shorts” such as Danny the Dragon starring Pauline Quirk. We also received free candy and drinks and – on some occasions – hot dogs. There were competitions, games and live entertainment on the stage, hosted by a guy with a big moustache and a bowler hat, called Uncle Tom. Tom was assisted by his niece, who would sing. And all of this for the equivalent of just 5 pence. Our parents could pack us off to the Empire Club for the day, knowing we’d have a great time and that we’d be in safe hands. On joining we were given a circular, yellow plastic badge which had “The Empire Club” stamped upon it in red. We wore those badges with pride. Happy days….