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Empire Picture Palace, Great Ayton
Cinema Address:
High Green, Great Ayton
Period of Thompson Ownership:
1915-1928. Known as "Tin Tabernacle".
How Acquired by Thompson:
Possible licence arrangement
Other Info:
Worthington (Worthy) Pearson had injured his leg while working on the railway, and his father set him up in business as a newsagent in the village. The 'tin tabernacle' was being used as a village hall from 1890 to 1930.  It would appear that Worthy Pearson operated the cinema as part of the programme of village activities.  He was a prominent member of the Great Ayton Parish Council at the time and presumably has an arrangement with Tommy Thompson for the supply of films and equipment.
Fate of the Cinema:
Sold to Friend's School around 1930 and demolished in 1980s. It was located where the Tourist Information Board is now situated (2015)
External Links/Sources:

Great Ayton History Society

Location Accuracy: Accurate

Information below is taken from The Kinematograph Yearbooks. The Page reference is from the following year’s edition, when information appeared. Additional information is in italics

Year Ownership Population Seating Capacity Other cinemas in town Manager Shows per day Changes Weekly Prices Variety Sound System Other cinemas with sound Kinematograph Year Book reference
1915 Thomas Thompson + O Coates 2319 1 366
1916
1917
1918
1919 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2500 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 360
1920 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2500 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 444
1921 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2500 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 439
1922 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2500 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 436
1923 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2320 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 427
1924 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2320 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 375
1925 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2320 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 355
1926 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2320 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 346
1927 Thomas Thompson + Jones 2320 300 0 W Pearson 1 Mo + We 2 Sat 2 6d - 9d 412
1928 Thomas Thompson + Jones