Empire Cinema

The Empire Cinema, located on Blackfriars Road in Wisbech, is a cinema built in 1932 by the architects Ward and Woolnough. It features a Jazz-Modern style, constructed from common brick and reconstituted Ketton stone. The building has a stepped facade with strong horizontal lines, highlighted by a parapet and street canopy. The central bays have geometric patterned metal windows that extend through two storeys, with a corner window on the west side. The main entrance is approached by steps and features original glass doors with sunburst patterned glazing bars. Above the entrance, there is a canted two-storey bay topped with a decorative feature and a tall finial.

Inside, the cinema boasts complete and specially designed decoration and fittings. The circulation areas include doorways with polygonal heads and part-glazed doors featuring opal glass and sunburst wood inlay. The first-floor café has a wood inlaid bar front, counter, and doors, along with rhythm moulded ceiling cornices and original light fittings throughout. The main auditorium is richly decorated, showcasing a bold proscenium arch, side entrance features, boxes, circle front, sound grilles, and ceiling enrichments. The Empire Cinema is noted for being a very complete and richly decorated example of an exceptionally unusual style for provincial cinemas.