Empire Cinema
37 High Street,
Measham,
DE12 7HR
37 High Street,
Measham,
DE12 7HR
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In the small Leicestershire town of Measham, following the success of the Holland family’s bioscopes during their fair visits, Annie Holland set up a more permanent film show during the winter of 1911 on ground just below the canal. In 1914 this was replaced by a wooden structure, known as The Showbridge.
By 1915 this had become the Picture Palace, with power being supplied by a gas engine. Uniquely, musical accompaniment was by a man with a mouth organ!
The 1922 Kelly’s Directory still shows Mrs Holland as the proprietor, but the 1925 edition has Mrs C. Wileman as the owner. The 1928 directory lists the cinema as the Empire Cinema, owned by the Empire Cinema Company, with J. H. Hammond as the manager.
In 1932 the current building arose, as the Empire Cinema was rebuilt in brick. Sankey Brothers were listed as the owners from 1932 to 1936. In the 1950’s Mrs F. R. Hunt of Kirby Muxloe was the owner.
It is not known when films ceased, but the building was in use as a youth club by 1962. It remained in that use, as the Picture Bar youth club until closing in 2017. The building now stands vacant.
Contributed by
David Simpson
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
No longer in use as a youth club, currently standing unused.
This is at 37 High Street, on the west side.