Empire Cinema
Ropewalk,
Neath,
SA11 1AS
Ropewalk,
Neath,
SA11 1AS
1 person
favorited this theater
A prominent building on one of the towns main streets. The Empire Cinema opened in October 1926. Initially it had a programme policy of films and variety, although the stage was not large, it had a 25 feet wide proscenium opening. The cinema also had a café and a dance hall attached.
On 26th October 1931 a Christie 2Manual/6Ranks theatre organ was installed and the console was on a lift. It was opened by organist Jack (Courtney) Taylor. In the summer of 1936 the building underwent some re-furbishment and it was closed until November of that year. After the end of the war it was taken over and operated by South Wales Cinemas Ltd. of Swansea (Jackson Withers circuit).
In the early-1960’s it was converted into a bingo club, a use that continued until closing on 14th February 2010 as the independently operated Empire Bingo Club. It was demolished by 2013.
Contributed by
ian Howells, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
It has since been demolished to make way for low rent flats
Although the Empire name was kept on the facade, in the final years the bingo operator was Top Ten Bingo.
The Empire Bingo centre ceased to operate in 2009. The last documented session was on 14th February 2010 after a final attempt to restore an interest in the Bingo club.