Arquivo EMP - Empire Theatre, York

The Grand Opera House is located in Cumberland Street, York and was originally built in 1868 as a corn exchange and warehouse. It was converted into a theatre at the instruction of owner William Peackock in 1902. The Peacock family continued to own the theatre up until 1945, and staged a variety of different productions, including Music Hall, Pantomime, Variety, Opera, Plays and some of the early silent films.

In 1903 the theatre was renamed the Grand Opera House and Empire, apparently so that smoking would still be allowed in the auditorium (it was not allowed in serious theatres of the time).

The theatre closed in 1956 due to the entertainment tax and the rise of television. It was later purchased in 1958 by a Mr Shepherd, and renamed the S S Empire. Following refurbishment, the space was used for roller skating, dancing, bingo and wrestling. In 1987 the theatre was purchased again and returned to a live theatre.

The theatre was purchased by the Ambassador Theatre Group in November 2009.