Originally named the Flint Picture Hall. It had a seating capacity of 700.
The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor, Alderman Major Charles Edward Dyson on Monday 23rd December 1912. Soon after this date, former Flint Mayor, Robert Davies purchased it. He also owned and managed the Grand Kinema in Flint. The Empire was of a basic build, clad in corrugated steel sheets.
Many local people referred to it as “The Ranch” because of the amount of cowboy films it screened.
The Paramount Picture Theatres Ltd. chain based in Welshpool took over operating the cinema from 1950 until 1954. It then passed into independent ownership.
It showed it’s last film on Saturday 6th April 1957.
After years of dereliction, the building was demolished in 1967.
chestercinemas.co.uk ©
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________