County Cinema

The Empire Electric Theatre opened on 8th May 1913.

In 1922, the name was changed to Broughton Empire. The cinema went through seven changes of ownership, from an independant to Red Rose Cinemas Ltd in 1928; to Jefton Entertainments Ltd in 1935; then Shaws Amusements Ltd in 1941.

In 1951, the cinema went independent again under the ownership of Mr. Wild. By 1959, it became part of the Snape Circuit.

It closed as a cinema in 1966, becoming the County Bingo Club (what a refreshing change, wasn’t Britain "Bingo Mad" in the 60’s??)

It closed as a bingo hall sometime later and then became a supermarket under the name of County Hall Market. That store closed a few years ago and the building now lies empty and shuttered.

Hopefully Salford Council will not preside over the demolition of yet another piece of our social history!

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