DOUBLE VISION
Empire screen bid
A CINEMA which has welcomed more than 150,000 visitors since opening three years ago, could soon introduce a second screen due to unprecedented demand.
Holyhead’s Empire Cinema reopened in November 2013 following a £460,000 face-lift and is run by the town council under a 25-year lease.
But due to limitations over the number of films it is able to show at its single screen, the facility could soon see this doubled.
Rob Henderson, cinema manager, said: “It’s been a phenomenally busy three years, and we’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us.
“There is no other cinema on Anglesey, but we get visitors from as far afield as Bangor almost daily, which shows there’s a big demand in the area.”
A planning application has now been submitted to Anglesey Council which would see the cinema extended by knocking through into an existing flat to house a second screen, with enough room for around 25 people.
Holyhead’s Empire first opened in 1920 and was one of three picture houses in the town at the time.
There were fears it was lost forever after closing before the town council stepped in.
Today the Empire also hosts a popular children’s play area, which has proved to be just as successful as the cinema.
Mr Henderson added: “I’d like to think that the Empire brings people into Holyhead so it also helps other businesses in the town by boosting footfall.
“The feedback we get is overwhelm- ingly positive, but being able to show a bigger variety of films is the next step.”
The drive to open a second screen, as well as receiving planning permission, is also dependant on the success of a £500,000 application for National Lottery funding.
Winning a grant would not only pay for the second screen, but also develop facilities at the public park on South Stack Road, which the town council has agreed to take over from the local authority.
Profits made by the Empire complex are re-invested into the town via the services provided by Holyhead Town Council.
Town Clerk, Cliff Everett, confirmed the lottery funding bid will now proceed to the second phase, with a result expected in late spring.