Empire (Cleethorpes)

• Theatre ID
  2221
• Built / Converted
  1896
• Dates of use
  • 1896 - 1960
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  converted to other use (Amusement arcade)
• Address
  Alexandra Parade, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England

Details

The building appears sound, if a little run down, in its present guise of amusement arcade. Inside it is an open area of false ceilings and black featureless walls both garishly decorated with pink and blue neon. Its opening date has been given variously as 1889 and 1896. It was later run in tandem with the Theatre Royal, with the Empire possibly getting the better shows. Seasons of variety, repertory, even opera featured on its stage. An old undated photograph shows a simple proscenium arch framed by pillars and with arches on either side. The balcony (only one can be seen but there was probably a second) was possibly square - the slips were certainly straight with two rows of seats at right angles to the stage. The proscenium opening was not wide and probably did not survive into cinema days. The sightlines from the slips must have been poor. Apart from windows being blanked out the exterior has changed little, being an unremarkable Victorian façe with seven windows on each of the first and second floors. A central gable is framed by vaguely Moorish pillars. A canopy extends along the width of this and other properties in the terrace. At the rear is a small, low, flytower in brick.

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• Other names
  Alexandra Hall Theatre, Empire
• Events
  • 1896 - 1960 Use:
  • 1900 Alteration: enlarged and refurbished
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1896 - 0 Design/Construction: built
    • J R Withers - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1950: 800
• Listings
  • Grade II - 22.12.1988
• Stage type
  • Proscenium flat