Empire

The building is currently an amusement arcade. The upstairs has been fitted out as a children’s lazer quest zone. Inside it is an open area of false ceilings and black walls both 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. Apart from windows being blanked out the exterior has changed little, being a Victorian facade 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.