Jubilee Theatre

The Blackpool New Co-operative Emporium was opened on 5th October 1938. The front of the building was designed in a Neo-Classical style with the interiors in an Art Deco style. The Jubilee News Theatre was located on the 3rd floor of the department store. and it was reached by two express lifts. All seating was on a single floor. Shoppers in the store were given a free ticket to the cinema if they purchased over a certain amount in the store. The Jubilee News Theatre operated for a year, screening Paramount News, travel, comedy & interest films plus Popeye & Disney cartoons on a continuous programme from 2pm until 10:30pm.

Following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 it went over to live theatre use and the BBC broadcast their popular “Blackpool Night” radio shows from the theatre. The Jubilee Theatre continued to operate as a live theatre until it was closed in 1969. It was converted into office space.

The Co-operative Emporium building was demolished in 1988 for a planned shopping centre. However, the site became an empty plot for many years and was then used for car parking. Eventually the Hounds Hill Shopping Centre was built on the site and contained a Debenham’s department store. The site is now partly occupied by the 9-screen Backlot Cinema & Diner which has its own page on Cinema Treasures.

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