Empire Theatre
2-6 Cheltenham Parade,
Harrogate,
HG1 1BX
2-6 Cheltenham Parade,
Harrogate,
HG1 1BX
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Converted from an 1872-built Primitive Methodist Chapel to a theatre in 1910. The proscenium is carved wood, rather than plaster and the balcony is supported by cast iron columns. The Empire Theatre stands directly opposite the Harrogate Theatre. The two-tier house constantly switched between film and live entertainment until it closed in October 1931.
It then had a variety of uses from garage to shop to workshop / storage for the Harrogate Theatre. In 1996 it suffered from a firebomb attack, aimed by animal rights protesters at an adjacent pet shop. Considerable damage was done to the stage, but the remainder of the building survived. It became a stylish Italian restaurant for which purpose the stage proscenium was restored. By 2014 it had become Cardamon Black, a gin bar and Asian Grill restaurant.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
Following a few years of closure a new restaurant is opening later in 2011, and the building is being extensively restored again. Current images here:–
AUDITORIUM
DETAIL OF PROSCENIUM
This building is nowhere on Cheltenham Mount! Correct location is Cheltenham Parade at the corner of Mount Parade, HG1 1BX.
The new business is known as Cardamom Black @ “The Old Empire Theatre”.