Imperial Cinema (1943-1947, 1948-1950)
Essoldo (1950-1964)

134 North Street, Brighton 23
operated 1943-1964

The Imperial at the time of its opening in 1940 and the art deco foyer

1940 April 9 Imperial is opened (by Jack Buchanan, star of the opening show, Top Hat and Tails, whose company built the theatre) as a drama and variety theatre. The architect is Samuel Beverley FRIBA of Verity and Beverley. The interiors in early art deco style have been attributed to John Fairweather and John Alexander. The foundation stones on either side of the entrance are laid by comedy film stars Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls in July 1939. Proscenium 45 ft wide; 1,877 seats. The freehold is held by Brighton Corporation.
1943 Acquired about now by Gaywood Cinemas Ltd. Film performances are increasingly included, Westrex sound system
1947 Reverts briefly to variety show use (presented by Jack Hylton, prices 2s 6d-10s 6d)
1948 2,000 seats, prices 1s-2s 9d, continuous performances, booked in London.
1949 Acquired by Sol Sheckman's Newcastle-based Essoldo Circuit (Control) Ltd from Gaywood.

The renamed Essoldo in 1950

1950 Renamed the Essoldo
1953 Prices 2s 1d-4s 11d; 1,877 seats. Booked at 7 Hay Hill, London.
1957 Booked at 1-5 Jermyn Street, London
1964 May 15 Closed. Last films: Never Let Go and Teenage Lovers.

The building becomes a Top Rank bingo hall, which is later acquired by Ladbroke, and in 1997 is converted to a youth-oriented entertainment complex called Hot Shots, with a bowling alley. This closes in 1999; an attempt to have the building listed fails and the building is demolished May/June 2001. Three cavernous retail units, with private apartments above and behind, occupy the site.

All that remained of the Imperial era in 2001.

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