The Burnley Empire, formally known as the Empire Music Hall and Theatre of Varieties, was built in 1894 for the people of Burnley and originally designed by local architect GB Rawcliffe, who also designed the adjoining Victoria Opera House. Both venues were connected for staff and performers to move easily between the buildings, particularly during the 1940’s when the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells relocated their headquarters from London to both venues to escape the Blitz. During this time Burnley became “the most important creative centre in the English theatre”.
Only the Burnley Empire survives today due to its adaptability throughout time, using cutting-edge innovations inline with popular culture and last served the community as a much loved Bingo Hall until 1995. The Vic was demolished in 1955 along with many other venues in the town. Between 1910 and 1911 the Burnley Empire underwent substantial reconstruction by the celebrated theatre architect and designer Bertie Crewe and at its reopening was declared ‘undoubtedly the most beautiful and up to date theatre in the north of England’.
The large capacity Grade II Listed building is a rare example from the renowned architect and retains the majority of its elaborately decorated Edwardian neo Baroque style auditorium; for this reason the building is of historic value and interest to the nation at large. The Burnley Empire is a Grade II Listed building for the following principles: Architectural interest: As an interesting example of an Edwardian variety theatre and cinema adapted from an earlier theatre, which itself was unusually adapted from a mill; for the involvement of the nationally renowned theatre designer Bertie Crewe; for the high-quality design and craftsmanship of the auditorium which retains the proscenium arch, curvilinear cantilevered balconies, elaborate boxes and ceiling design; for the wealth of surviving interior fixtures and fittings, including decorative fibrous plasterwork by Tanner and Sons of Liverpool and London, pay boxes within the foyers of the stall and gods, raked seating to the circle and gods, decorative tilework, doors and stairs. Historic interest: As a building type that represents a watershed moment in the rapid transition from variety theatre to cinema, physically represented in the early fire safety measures; as a former late-C19 theatre which established itself as a key staging point on national tours by major stars, including Marie Lloyd, Florrie Ford, Vesta Victoria and Harry Houdini.
In a town that has lost so many heritage cultural assets, the building is hugely important, both to residents who have their own memories of the building and to future generations who want to learn from the history and restoration of the building, and will be the creators and audiences of its future.