Empire, Garston

• Theatre ID
  1956
• Built / Converted
  1915
• Dates of use
  • 1915 - 1918
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  1 James Street, Garston, Liverpool, Merseyside, L19 2LS, England

Details

This gem, with only three working years as a theatre, has survived thanks to over forty years with cinema use, and thirty years with bingo use. Built on a corner site on the junction of James Street and Church Road of ordinary brick, the arches over the windows emphasised with red brick, except the James Street side which is entirely of red brick. Three storeys, of irregular plan recessed above the ground floor, now rendered; flat-roofed with a frieze of red brick, except the James Street side where it is stone-dressed. The single-storey main entrance projects to the back line of the footway. Through a now plain foyer, the auditorium is approached down a short flight of steps into a waiting area with three entrances to the rear stalls, now adapted for sales. At the left, a marble staircase leads to the balcony, which retains theatre seating. The curved balcony front terminates in a box at either side of the high arched proscenium. The boxes are arched and have curved fronts and are dressed with curtains and chandeliers. Painted outlines on the balcony and box fronts suggest the plasterwork here was once ornate. The front of the orchestra pit has been removed at the centre to allow access to what is now the bar, below stage. The stalls area is now converted for bingo. The building is well-maintained and retains many original features.

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• Events
  • 1915 - 1918 Use:
  • 1915 Design/Construction: after earlier plans by Thomas George Carroll
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1962 Alteration: converted to bingo
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1913 Owner/Management: Garston Empire and Picture Theatre Co, owner
  • 1915 Owner/Management: Garston Theatre and Empire Pictures Ltd, proprietors
  • 1928 Owner/Management: Bedford Cinemas, proprietors
  • 1962 Owner/Management: Empire Bingo and Social Club (Garston) Ltd, Proprietors
  • 1986 Owner/Management: J & A Entertainments, Kirkby, owner
• Capacities
  • Original: 1040
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed