Empire (Loftus)

• Theatre ID
  2295
• Built / Converted
  1914
• Dates of use
  • : ?c1914-1920s
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  disused (Closed as a cinema in 1964, followed by bingo)
• Address
  Deepdale Terrace & Cowscote Terrace, Loftus, North Yorkshire, England

Details

The Empire Theatre, Loftus, of uncertain date (probably about World War I), is situated on a back street corner on the edge of this small mining town. It is built on a steeply sloping site giving the auditorium far greater height than appears from the street. There is a small stage area with a very slightly raised tower. It ceased to be used as a cinema in 1964, became a bingo house and is now used for storage. Extremely plain design externally with a corrugated asbestos roof and brick walls. Rectangular auditorium with triangular foyer tapering away at stage end. Seating was in two areas, the raked front stalls and a steeply stepped rear stalls (the better seats) - a fairly basic stadium plan separated by a barrier and aisle. The better positioned 818-seat Regal Cinema in Loftus also had a stage but the auditorium was demolished many years ago and the long derelict foyer was finally cleared in 1996.

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• Other names
  Regent Bingo Hall
• Events
  • Use: ?c1914-1920s
  • Owner/Management: Thompson’s Enterprises Ltd (Middlesbrough)
  • 1914 - 1918 Design/Construction: Array
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Later: 1943: 811
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed