Historic Dates

The following dates will hopefully give a picture of how the Empire Cinema in Neath developed.   The dates are given in good faith and may be amended from time to time if, and when, more accurate information becomes available.

The reference numbers refer to documents held at the Neath Access Point - part of the Neath Antiquarian Society, from which more information may be sought in due course.

February 1925.    Conversion of garage etc into Empire Cinema and dancehall, Neath, Messrs. N.Hedge & Sons.
NAS JAS/3/81

1926   - The year documented for the cinema opening.
             (Neath Guardian records the opening to be 19th October 1925)

1931  -   The year the Christie organ was installed.

1936  -   The year the cinema was refurbished.

October 1941   Empire Cinema, Neath (prop. of Messrs. The Neath Emp. Cinema and Variety Co Ltd,
NAS JAS/3/213

???????    Date sold to South Wales Cinemas.

1950          New projectors and sound system installed.

???????    Date of last film screened

???????    Date sold or leased to Top Ten Bingo.

June 1974   Reconstruction following fire, of Empire Cinema and Bingo hall, Neath.
NAS JAS/3/545

September 2009    Building closed for a period.

February 14th 2010   Last session of Bingo after the September 2009 shut down. 

December 2011   Planning application made by Swansea Coastal Housing Association to demolish the building to construct 12 social housing flats - after they purchased the freehold for less than £400,000 (alleged)  after receiving a grant from an undisclosed source.

February 2012    Building stripped of all fittings.   Strict watch kept on building in its last days.

March 2012     Visit by Heritage and Paranormal Group.

June 2012   Demolition commenced.

August 2012  Demolition completed

September 2012    Building of houses (Coastal Housing Group) commenced.

September 2013    House completed - tenants moving in