Rebuilding: Empire Cinema Factory Lane Blackley

NEW CINEMA MAY BE BUILT ON TOP OF OLD ONE - The problem of having to build a new cinema without having to close down the old one on the same site has caused several months delay in the rebuilding of the Blackley Empire, Factory Lane, Blackley. The owners of the cinema have given the architects a free hand to make the best possible use of the land.  “The trouble is that we have a long site but no width to work in,” the manager of the cinema told a News reporter. “The architects have in fact met with a similar problem in Openshaw where the owners also did not want to close the old cinema down. To get round this they built the new cinema right over the top of the old cinema. Though we have not considered such a drastic step, it may be done if it is at all worthwhile. It would be much easier to close down during the summer when audiences drop. If this course is taken, we shall close at the end of May and go full speed ahead on the job.” The Empire is one of the earliest cinemas in North Manchester, being opened in 1913. It caters for what is almost a “suburb” of Blackley for it is separated from the main Rochdale Road by the narrow Factory Lane and from Lower Blackley and Crumpsall by steep hills. [Manchester City News 27 November 1937 Page 2 Column 6]

Reference : Kinematograph Weekly 9 December 1937 Page 48 - plans passed
Reference : Manchester City News 27 November 1937 Page 2 Column 6
Reference : The Builder 29 April 1938 Page 869
Reference : Builder 15 July 1938 Page 133 - new cinemas demolition works commenced