Alterations: Holborn Empire 242 High Holborn, London

HOLBORN EMPIRE RECONSTRUCTION AND REFURNISHING - This old theatre is now undergoing considerable alterations as regards structure, decorations, and furnishings. Messrs Beck and Windibank, Ltd., the well-known theatre furnishers, are installing special semi-tub chairs. as supplied by them for the Rialto Super Cinema, Liverpool. It will be remembered that both the Rialto and the Holborn Empire are now owned by the General Theatres Corporation, Ltd. The work at the Holborn Empire is being carried out under the direction of Mr. Gray. of the well-known Liverpool firm Of Messrs. Gray and Evans, kinema architects. It is interesting to observe that Mr. Gray has been appointed architect superintendent to the General Theatres Corporation, Ltd. Incidentally, it will be also remembered that Messrs. Gray and Evans were the responsible architects for the Rialto Super Cinema, Liverpool. [Kinematograph Weekly - Thursday 9 August 1928 page 65]

Originally the site of Weston’s Music Hall of 1857.  Rebuilt 1906 by Frank Match retaining the façade by Ernest Runtz. Although it was a music hall/variety theatre, films were being shown as part of the programme by 1914. It came under the control of the Holborn Empire Ltd. in 1925. From March 1928 it was taken over by General Theatre Corporation, who were taken over by Gaumont British Theatres Ltd. two months later in May 1928. The Holborn Empire Theatre was badly damaged by German bombs on 11th and 12th May 1941. The front part of the building remained fairly intact, and it was used as a projectionist training centre. It was demolished in 1961 and new offices built on the site. In 1969 the upper floors were the offices of T P Bennett and Sons, a major London architectural practice