New photo uploaded of new facia signage. A Korean restaurant is now open in the original cafe/restaurant space on the first floor above the foyer.
Excellent to see the Empire thriving in its new role.
3 new photos added
1. Original stage with decorative tabs and Compton organ in situ.Original decorative proscenium was altered to accommodate cinemascope in the mid 1950’s
2. Cafe/restaurant with original rattan furniture
3. Newly installed Victoria 8 projector 1971
The following link will allow you to see photos taken on the opening night and launch of the Palace as a banqueting venue
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/palace-aldershot-welcomes-guests-official-10628075
The Palace has re-opened (December 18th 2015) as a banqueting and entertainment venue. It has been redecorated in a colour scheme similar to that when it was last used as a cinema. The balcony was divided off from the main auditorium by a drop wall when it was used as a music venue and night club. The drop wall has been retained and has large windows that allow sight of the former stalls area. The stage and proscenium are still in place. The new look interior is very pleasing to the eye and every effort has been made to preserve the original decorative scheme and plaster detailing.
4 new photos added of the newly reopened & renovated Empire. With new auditorium chandelier in place and testing of the newly installed digital projection system.
Great to see new life being breathed into a fantastic early Art Deco cinema. Well-done to the new owners!
This beautiful cinema could have been lost to the wreckers ball if the local council had got it’s way.
31 cinema patrons collapse after throat-cutting scene
Thirty one customers to the Palace Cinema, in Aldershot, have fainted in four days this week during the screening of the film The Shocking World.
All were men and they collapsed after the scene in which a knife is apparently pushed through a man’s throat.
The film, a documentary in colour showing aspects of life and violence throughout the world, began its run on Sunday, and by the end of the evening 12 men had fainted.
One needed treatment at Farnham hospital and was detained until Monday, but the others were revived by the manager Mr AHJ Whittle and his staff, and either returned to see the last of the programme or went home.
Since then Mr Whittle has sought help from the St John Ambulance Brigade, which has had personnel on duty at the cinema.
Eight men passed out on Monday and another eight on Tuesday, but on Wednesday the number was reduced to three.
Mr Whittle told our reporter that he and his staff coped with the emergency and have laid in ample stocks of smelling salts.
Finally found a photo of the auditorium – taken around the time of opening in 1927. Decorated in an atmospheric style of a classical garden with hunting scenes too.
All that artwork was painted over at some point and a more ‘modern’ scheme was just flat painted walls etc – such a shame! Sadly,I never got to see it in its original glory.
The Empire has been sold by the church who currently own & occupy the building. Read the story here:
http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/iconic-kings-centre-sold-property-9716600#ICID=FB-Hamps-main
A short little film about the Ritz showing rare colour shots of the original auditorium and the entrance foyer:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gkvlij7D-8&feature=youtu.be
3 further photos added
5 new photos added including a letter to the purchaser of the Wurlitzer organ from Joseph Seal Director of music at ABC Cinemas in 1969
New photo uploaded of new facia signage. A Korean restaurant is now open in the original cafe/restaurant space on the first floor above the foyer. Excellent to see the Empire thriving in its new role.
Wetherspoons have announced that they have put the Picture Palace up for sale
Further photo uploaded of Picture goer magazine featuring the Empire Aldershot
3 new photos added 1. Original stage with decorative tabs and Compton organ in situ.Original decorative proscenium was altered to accommodate cinemascope in the mid 1950’s 2. Cafe/restaurant with original rattan furniture 3. Newly installed Victoria 8 projector 1971
New very rare photo added of the original stage, proscenium and screen tabs. Compton organ also in situ ( was fixed and not on a lift.
The owners have announced today that the cinema will be fully restored – good news!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/dorset Very sad news!
Newspaper advertisement added
New photo added showing the early stages of construction with the steel frame being erected.
The following link will allow you to see photos taken on the opening night and launch of the Palace as a banqueting venue http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/palace-aldershot-welcomes-guests-official-10628075
The Palace has re-opened (December 18th 2015) as a banqueting and entertainment venue. It has been redecorated in a colour scheme similar to that when it was last used as a cinema. The balcony was divided off from the main auditorium by a drop wall when it was used as a music venue and night club. The drop wall has been retained and has large windows that allow sight of the former stalls area. The stage and proscenium are still in place. The new look interior is very pleasing to the eye and every effort has been made to preserve the original decorative scheme and plaster detailing.
4 new photos added of the newly reopened & renovated Empire. With new auditorium chandelier in place and testing of the newly installed digital projection system. Great to see new life being breathed into a fantastic early Art Deco cinema. Well-done to the new owners! This beautiful cinema could have been lost to the wreckers ball if the local council had got it’s way.
Friday November 19 1965
Aldershot News
31 cinema patrons collapse after throat-cutting scene
Thirty one customers to the Palace Cinema, in Aldershot, have fainted in four days this week during the screening of the film The Shocking World.
All were men and they collapsed after the scene in which a knife is apparently pushed through a man’s throat.
The film, a documentary in colour showing aspects of life and violence throughout the world, began its run on Sunday, and by the end of the evening 12 men had fainted.
One needed treatment at Farnham hospital and was detained until Monday, but the others were revived by the manager Mr AHJ Whittle and his staff, and either returned to see the last of the programme or went home.
Since then Mr Whittle has sought help from the St John Ambulance Brigade, which has had personnel on duty at the cinema.
Eight men passed out on Monday and another eight on Tuesday, but on Wednesday the number was reduced to three.
Mr Whittle told our reporter that he and his staff coped with the emergency and have laid in ample stocks of smelling salts.
Used to have a beautiful art deco foyer with a magnificent art deco chandelier
5 new photos added from the souvenir opening brochure of 1928
Finally found a photo of the auditorium – taken around the time of opening in 1927. Decorated in an atmospheric style of a classical garden with hunting scenes too. All that artwork was painted over at some point and a more ‘modern’ scheme was just flat painted walls etc – such a shame! Sadly,I never got to see it in its original glory.
New photo added
The Empire has been sold by the church who currently own & occupy the building. Read the story here: http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/local-news/iconic-kings-centre-sold-property-9716600#ICID=FB-Hamps-main
9 New interior photos added of auditorium & entrance foyer
A short little film about the Ritz showing rare colour shots of the original auditorium and the entrance foyer: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gkvlij7D-8&feature=youtu.be
New photo added:original view all of the auditorium upon opening August 1930
2 New photos uploaded – auditorium shots
Pub/club closed suddenly last Friday 2nd Jan 2015 according to an article I read on Facebook.