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The manager, Mr. Robert Bush.
The latest thing in cinema going in Burnley - Studios 1 and 2, which open on Monday 29th July 1970 - replaces the Empire Cinema, which has been operated for some time by the Star Group which also runs the Palace, Burnley. The last show at the Empire is on Sunday night and the first shows at Studio 1 and 2 on Monday afternoon. A special feature of the new cinemas will be late night shows each Saturday, beginning about 10.30. Studios 1 and 2 is the first new cinema to be opened in the area for more than a quarter of a century and will be under the management of Mr. Robert Bush who has been in charge for the Star Group at Burnley's Empire cinema for the past 18 months.
At one time capable of seating 1,786 the capacity of the Empire has been reduced for some years, but it has been one of the most successful local cinemas. It first opened on October 28th 1894 as a music-hall (formerly it was Tunstill's Mill) and was rebuilt and re-opened in 1911.
The two cinemas in the heart of the new town centre, are adjacent to the market hall and are being opened by the Star Group of Companies, whose 90 cinemas and 150 social clubs were recently augmented by the first authentic British pub in Paris, the Red Lion on the Champs-Elysees. Star Group pioneered the twin-cinema concept, and their newest venture in Burnley has a central projection room, with separate film projection units for each auditorium. A single foyer and booking office serve the twin cinemas, which are the last word in luxurious design and lush furnishings - with studio 1 offering a new style 'floating screen,' with psychedelic lighting between films instead of a curtain screen.