The Empire Theatre opened in Lynn Street in 1909 with 2000 seats and for a number of years proved very popular. By the early 1950s, audience numbers were dwindling rapidly and in 1956, it was owned by the Essoldo Cinema Group and became a cinemascope cinema although the Essoldo cinema itself was in York Road. The gallery and balcony were closed at this time. 

An advert in the Hartlepool Mail shows that the WHODS performed 'Annie Get Your Gun' there in April 1961 and Northern Sinfonia performed in November 1961.Also in November 1961 singer John Leyton performed. In May 1962 the Senior Service Variety Group with Bill Maynard was advertised. In 1961 the building was also used as a Bingo Hall and venue for wrestling.

However, its location and increased competition from a number of other Bingo Halls saw it close completely in 1964. In 1969, the foyer was briefly used as a Bingo venue.

It was finally demolished in 1975.

NOTE: In his book 'West Hartlepool Empire Theatre 1940-1953', Douglas Ferriday on page 7 incorrectly states that the last live performance was in November 1959 when the WHODS performed Carousel. Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail advertises shows till 1962 (see above text).

Douglas Ferriday, who was the town’s last non-elected mayor, from 2001-2002.

A year after his mayoral term, Mr Ferriday was given another honour, when he was elected as leader and chairman of the Conservative group on Hartlepool Borough Council, having been the group’s secretary for 20 years.

The retired photographer and historian joined the local authority in 1970 and during his time, represented the Grange and Rift House wards.

After 34 years’ service as a councillor, he was later given Hartlepool’s highest civic honour, when he became an Alderman in 2010.

In a 1989 Hartlepool Mail article featuring a profile of Mr Ferriday, his commitment and membership of many community organisations was hailed as a “Who’s Who of the caring society”.

He had been founder member of Hartlepool Civic Society, chairman of the Cleveland Committee of the North Eastern Electricity Consultative Council, a board member of the Cleveland Buildings Preservation Trust, press officer for Hartlepool Art Club, a member of the management committees of Hartlepool People and Hartlepool Citizen’s Advice Bureau and was also active in the Hartlepool Council of Voluntary Service.

Mr Ferriday, who served with the Army as an 18-year-old in Belsen, in Germany, was also chairman of Rift House Ward, an executive of the Hartlepool Conservative Association, on the Police Liaison Panel for Hartlepool and also found time to write numerous books.