Empire X Cinema Club

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England

80 John William Street

, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom HD1 5AA

(map)

+44.0.1484.540978

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Deco, Neo-Classical

Function:	Cafe, Movies (Adult), Retail
Seats:	796
Chain:	Independent

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Stocks & Sykes

Circa-2002 exterior view of the Empire

Photo courtesy of Ian Grundy

The Empire Picture House is believed to have opened in March 1913. It was designed by the local firm of Stocks & Sykes and had 796 seats divided between stalls and single balcony which had an unusual three-sided flat front.

It was taken over by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) briefly in 1933 and disposed of to Goldstone Cinemas (an independent) in 1940. It was modernised internally at this time, when it was given an Art Deco style, with a new larger proscenium and detailing of the flank walls containing concealed lighting.

It became a sex cinema, after film baring caused such problems that the owner gave up trying to book commercial films. This has gradually shrunk in size (it now occupies a small part of the balcony) but unlike almost all other such venues, it has not closed completely and operates as the Empire X Cinema Club.

A bed warehouse occupies the tiny foyer with a cyber cafe in the rear stalls area. The sub-divided front stalls area is used for bed storage. The front part and the ceiling are in poor condition although the facade has been redecorated in the spring of 2002.

In 1998, the Empire Picture House was designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage.

Contributed by Ian Grundy

YOUR COMMENTS

Does anyone have info on the Empire in the 1930's or 40's.. my great Grandfather was manager there when it was a 'respectable' cinema!
thanks

posted by MKelly on Dec 29, 2004 at 8:54am

The Kine' Yearbook 1937 gives a seating capacity of 840 during the period of time it was operated by ABC Cinemas.

posted by KenRoe on Jul 19, 2005 at 2:41am

An interior shot of the former auditorium and screen area here:-
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/340783636/

posted by Ian on Jan 1, 2007 at 5:11am

Many thanks Ian, much appreciated.
I'll take time to look at your flickr photos of other old theatres etc - cheers.

thanks also KenRoe - I realised I hadnt replied to comment before.

posted by MKelly on Jan 1, 2007 at 10:32am

Anybody know where I could find pictures of the Empire from it's heyday??? My friend's buying what is presently 'cybernet' and we want to return it to it's former glory as far as is possible - in the interior decoration at least.
We'd especially like to have some old pictures of it's heydays up on the walls!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

posted by laulod on Mar 14, 2007 at 11:11am

Try the local history library (in the main library) or Kirklees photographic archive

posted by conran on Sep 6, 2007 at 10:44am

A few more photos of the interior in September 2007 here:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/1382605520/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/1381709365/

posted by Ian on Sep 14, 2007 at 3:33pm

Here is a recent exterior view.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 10, 2009 at 9:35am

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