Cannon Watford
84-86 Merton Road,
Watford,
WD18 0WY
84-86 Merton Road,
Watford,
WD18 0WY
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Cannon Cinemas
Architects: William Grace
Functions: Beauty Salon, Community Center
Previous Names: Empire Cinema, ABC
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Opened in November 1913 and designed by the local firm of William Grace (Watford) Ltd., the Empire Cinema had a small foyer with entrance to the stalls and two staircases on either side leading to the balcony. There was barrel vaulted ceiling, with sparce Edwardian plasterwork in bands across it, and also on the balcony front. There was an orchestra pit but no stage.
It was updated and redecorated in 1930 when sound was installed and again in 1952.
However, it was 1965 when the first major alterations were put in place. The facade was completely covered over apart from four windows at the upper level, two rectangular and two round. The auditorium was completely modernised with a new curtained proscenium arch in front of the original and tiled acoustic panels on the side and rear walls. Seating was reduced to 538, 142 of which were in the circle.
This cinema, just outside the town centre, was never in the front of the queue for new releases but existed very happily as a ‘family cinema’ screening popular repeats. I saw many of the big musical films of the 1970’s and 1980’s here. X-rated fare was very rare.
It’s independent status ceased in 1976 when the Empire Cinema was acquired by EMI (the parent company of Associated British Cinemas(ABC), and a more up to date release of films became available. It closed in 1980 for conversion to a two screen unit. This entailed gutting the original auditorium, extending the balcony forward, and rebuilding the projection room. Empire 1 (downstairs) now seated 356 whilst Empire 2 (upstairs) accommodated 195. It reopened on 21st August 1980.
It was finally renamed ABC 1 & 2 in 1985 and then Cannon 1 & 2 in 1986, but to Watfordians it was always the Empire Cinema.
It closed on 22nd June 1996 after multiplexes arrived in town and was converted to a Muslim Community Centre, the facade has notably been restored to the original appearance. By 2019 the foyer was in use as a barbers' shop.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Photo of exterior from 1989 here
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Another picture, after closure, during conversion to the community centre here:–
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We believe it must have closed in 1996
Front and rear shots of the Empire in it’s Cannon days here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4520329444/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4519692921/
i worked at this cinema in the early 90`s i remember when we did a rocky horror picture show themed evening all of us that were staff dressed up and welcomed the visitors. as i rembember was told that george micheal worked there when he was about 14. i remember as well when eastenders over took the parking when they shot a couple of scenes in the road opposite they where the scenes where ian and cindy where going to the solicitors about their divorce,
Interior taken in 1996
As of February 2020 the foyer space is occupied by a barber shop, unclear what the rest of the building is.
Closed on June 22, 1996.
George Michael worked at this cinema for 9 months (he was 17-18) as a ticket taker, when it was the Empire, before he embarked on his music career. There’s video on Youtube of him standing in the concessions taking about working there.
“[Shirley-Ann Mallary, the manager] gave George Michael his first job. He was an usher/doorman. He was there quite a while. He penned one of his songs, Careless Whisper, going back and forth on the buses. I remember him doing it in the foyer one night. He was in his late teens then, living in Bushey with his parents. She really liked him.” –Malcolm Mallery, the projectionist at the time George worked there, and husband of the manager, in an obituary for Shirley-Ann