Latest News

The EMPIRE Strikes Back!

A local community venue has been given its rightful name back thanks to Heritage Lottery funding.   

In 2010 the Thwaites Empire Theatre will be 100 years old and as part of a year of community celebrations the Empire has received bright new signage supplied by the Sign & Poster studio. 

New Theatre Signs 

The main 'Empire' sign facing Bolton Road and below the refurbished existing signs with the Heritage Heritage Lottery Fund acknowledgement.

New Theatre Signs

Harriet said, 'Over the years the venue has been known as many names, including 'The Barn' when it was a cinema, 'The Thwaites Theatre', and 'The Red Brick Theatre'.  

Local People have a lot of affection for this place and will be pleased to see that we are very clearly the original Empire.    

Although we are not funded by the brewery we are still extremely proud to carry the Thwaites branding as a thank you for the generousity of the company in supporting the restoration of this important community project in those fundraising years.  

There will be an Open Evening on 1st April 2009 at 7pm with an opportunity to find out more about how the theatre plans to spend the Heritage Lottery Grant on a programme of extensive community events during 2009 and 2010.     

For details go to http://www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk/

or tel:  01254 685500.    

for photographs/logos go to http://www.empirearchive.net/