There are hopes that a Compton organ can be re installed at the Empire. Sadly not the original Compton from this cinema. An organ has been identified and its owner is keen to get the project up and running as are the owners of the Empire. The pipework will be installed in the original pipe chambers above the stage.
If you are interested in helping to achieve this, please contact me on here & I will respond accordingly. If you have carpentry and electrical skills and knowledge that would be an advantage. Hopefully a team of volunteers can be assembled.
Many thanks in anticipation.
There is some good news about the art deco plaster work features of the old auditorium.
Contrary to popular belief – including my own – it would appear that the original Verity & Beverley interior still survives behind the panels of the 3 screens formed in the former circle area. The conversion that occurred 40 years ago this year was really the construction of a ‘box’ structure within the space.
A friend has managed to gain (lawful) access to the former cinema areas. There is a gap of about 10' between the box construction and the old auditorium. In this gap the splay wall decorative grilles survive albeit the faux balcony fronts have been removed.
The original ceiling decoration is also intact in the majority. The original projection room survives intact, even the twin deck record player is still in the projection suite. The suite is quite large & the projection port holes are still in place but look into the void above the box construction of the 3 studio cinemas. The original stage & lighting switch gear is also still there too.
The original balcony front was extended forward to form the largest cinema of the 3 created. This cinema uses the upper part of the original proscenium opening for the screen area. The 2 other cinemas were formed in rear circle areas , 1 either side. The new projection room was built at the back of the old circle which is below the original projection suite. The throw from the original suite was too steep to serve the new main screen.
I have added photos of what remains in this void area. My friend only had his mobile phone on him so the photos are not of high quality but give detail of what is there.
3 more photos added.
1 x clear shot of the auditorium
1 x clear shot of the front
1 x clear shot of the circle lounge with the original geometrical star patterned terrazzo floor
If it’s the same developer (St. Modwen) that is also supposed to be redeveloping Farnborough (Hampshire) town centre then don’t expect anything to happen anytime soon.
3New photos added
1. Original foyer
2. Sunshine Cafe
3. Dreamland cinema from the station end of the prom
The Foyer is about to be restored to its former glory along with the Sunshine cafe above. Restorers are looking to find traces of the original Walpole mural in the cafe.
Photo of the souvenir opening brochure added
2 New photos added
Photograph added
Very similar design to the auditorium of the Regal, Farnham – another Scott designed cinema
There are hopes that a Compton organ can be re installed at the Empire. Sadly not the original Compton from this cinema. An organ has been identified and its owner is keen to get the project up and running as are the owners of the Empire. The pipework will be installed in the original pipe chambers above the stage. If you are interested in helping to achieve this, please contact me on here & I will respond accordingly. If you have carpentry and electrical skills and knowledge that would be an advantage. Hopefully a team of volunteers can be assembled. Many thanks in anticipation.
5 new photos added of the original auditorium & projection suite and remains of the original auditorium – descriptions with each photo.
There is some good news about the art deco plaster work features of the old auditorium. Contrary to popular belief – including my own – it would appear that the original Verity & Beverley interior still survives behind the panels of the 3 screens formed in the former circle area. The conversion that occurred 40 years ago this year was really the construction of a ‘box’ structure within the space. A friend has managed to gain (lawful) access to the former cinema areas. There is a gap of about 10' between the box construction and the old auditorium. In this gap the splay wall decorative grilles survive albeit the faux balcony fronts have been removed. The original ceiling decoration is also intact in the majority. The original projection room survives intact, even the twin deck record player is still in the projection suite. The suite is quite large & the projection port holes are still in place but look into the void above the box construction of the 3 studio cinemas. The original stage & lighting switch gear is also still there too. The original balcony front was extended forward to form the largest cinema of the 3 created. This cinema uses the upper part of the original proscenium opening for the screen area. The 2 other cinemas were formed in rear circle areas , 1 either side. The new projection room was built at the back of the old circle which is below the original projection suite. The throw from the original suite was too steep to serve the new main screen. I have added photos of what remains in this void area. My friend only had his mobile phone on him so the photos are not of high quality but give detail of what is there.
On bingo – different angle
3 more photos added. 1 x clear shot of the auditorium 1 x clear shot of the front 1 x clear shot of the circle lounge with the original geometrical star patterned terrazzo floor
Last show this evening 04/01/2017 after 79 years & 6 months of film presentation – very sad!
Photo of the auditorium of the Rex added under the photo tab
New photo added. Taken about 1950 showing the neon signage and canopy. This cinema is now nearly 103 years old.
Film brochure for July 1953 added to photo section
New photos added of the restored and redecorated former auditorium of the Palace cinema. The PALACE is now a wedding/conference facility.
New photo added : Auditorium from the circle showing the proscenium and the Compton organ in front of the original screen tabs
New colour photo of auditorium
New photo of the original single screen auditorium taken from the circle. Very similar to the larger Ritz Cinema in nearby Aldershot
3 new photos added including one of the original single screen auditorium
Photograph added
If it’s the same developer (St. Modwen) that is also supposed to be redeveloping Farnborough (Hampshire) town centre then don’t expect anything to happen anytime soon.
3New photos added 1. Original foyer 2. Sunshine Cafe 3. Dreamland cinema from the station end of the prom
The Foyer is about to be restored to its former glory along with the Sunshine cafe above. Restorers are looking to find traces of the original Walpole mural in the cafe.
The Empire is 86 today! Happy Birthday so glad you are still with us!
Architect attributed to be Henry G Baker who also was the architect of the Alexandra Cinema in Aldershot
New photo added of the Ritz Wurlitzer with Richard Dimbleby at the console.
Further 2 photos added on the photo tab: Rare colour photos of the exterior neon display at the time of opening in May 1937