Empire Cinema, Blackpool

[1] During the early 1940s the science fiction writer John Russell Fearn served as the cinema's chief projectionist.

When writers lost their status as a reserved occupation in 1941 Fearn was obliged to undertake essential war work.

[5] The club hosted concerts by many popular musicians such as the Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and Gerry and the Pacemakers.

[6][5] The bingo hall closed in 2020 with Elaine Bottomley blaming the effects of the COVID pandemic and social distancing measures.

She had sought planning permission to convert the structure into 14 flats in 2018 but this had proved unviable due to the age of the building.