Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Event Venue for Live Entertainment in Blackburn
Established in 1914, Blackburn Empire stands as a cornerstone of cultural and community engagement in Blackburn. Our historic venue, now rebranded from Thwaites Empire Theatre, offers state-of-the-art facilities for live performances, conferences, and private hire. With over a century of experience, we combine traditional charm with modern technical capabilities to serve diverse audiences. Our team of dedicated professionals and volunteers ensures every event benefits from personalized service, affordability, and exceptional production standards. We specialize in hosting theatre productions, tribute acts, comedy shows, and family entertainment while providing accessible facilities for local artists and organizations.Our commitment to community enrichment is demonstrated through partnerships with schools, charities, and cultural groups. As a registered charity ourselves (No. 508435), we maintain transparent operations and reinvest all proceeds into venue improvements. Our comprehensive services include ticketing solutions, marketing support, and technical equipment hire, making us the premier choice for event organizers in the North West. The venue's intimate atmosphere and dedicated staff create unparalleled experiences for both performers and audiences alike.
Services
Live Entertainment Events
Venue Hire
Ticket Sales Services
Marketing Support
Sound and Lighting Services
Community Engagement Programs
Technical Equipment Hire
Event Planning Assistance
Accessibility Services
Parking Facilities
Details
- Year established: 1914
Highlights and features
- We offer affordable auditorium and technical facilities for diverse events
- Our venue is managed by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers
- We provide comprehensive ticket sales, marketing, and publicity solutions
- The intimate 109-year-old venue combines historic charm with modern capabilities
- We reinvest all proceeds into venue improvements for better experiences
Associations and certifications
- Registered Charity (Charity Number 508435)
Services
Live Entertainment Events
We host diverse live performances including musicals, comedies, tribute acts, and family shows. Our programming caters to all tastes with regular events featuring professional productions and local talent. The venue's excellent acoustics and stage facilities ensure memorable experiences for both performers and audiences.
Venue Hire
Our adaptable theatre space accommodates performances, conferences, and private functions. The venue offers professional technical equipment, seating for various capacities, and backstage facilities. We provide support staff and flexible booking options for community groups, businesses, and touring companies.
Ticket Sales Services
We offer comprehensive ticketing solutions including online sales, box office management, and reservation systems. Our services ensure secure transactions and efficient audience management for event organizers. The system supports promotional pricing and group bookings for enhanced accessibility.
Technical Equipment Hire
Professional sound, lighting, and staging equipment is available for hire with technical support. Our inventory includes modern audio-visual systems and stage machinery suitable for productions of all scales. Expert technicians ensure proper setup and operation during events.
Marketing Support
We provide marketing assistance including digital promotion, print materials, and social media exposure. Our team helps event organizers reach target audiences through strategic partnerships and established distribution channels. Comprehensive packages include branding and advertising solutions.
Questions
What types of events does Blackburn Empire host?
We host musicals, comedies, tribute acts, pantomimes, family shows, and community productions across various genres including rock, pop, country, and theatre.
How can I book tickets for events?
Tickets can be booked through our website, by phone during box office hours (10am-1pm Mon-Fri), or in person at our Aqueduct Road venue.
Is the venue accessible for disabled visitors?
We offer accessible facilities considering our historic building constraints, with assistance available upon request for wheelchair users and visitors with disabilities.
What parking options are available?
Free on-site car parking is available on Aqueduct Road, with additional spaces nearby. Early arrival is recommended for events coinciding with football matches.
Can I hire the venue for private events?
Yes, we offer venue hire for conferences, weddings, and private functions with tailored technical and logistical support from our experienced team.
How do you support local community groups?
We provide affordable hire rates, technical assistance, and marketing support for local organisations, schools, and charities using our facilities for cultural activities.
Videos
Reviews (4)
James Burke
Jan 15, 2022
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Nice small venue friendly staff easy to park .priced well .no one to far from the stage .good personable experience. Well done
James Watts
Dec 31, 2021
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Nice little theatre, reasonable parking. The staff work hard. An asset to Blackburn. Saw the 2021 panto there
Kelly Haslett
Dec 29, 2021
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Absolutely brilliant , loved every second of the performance. Lots of laughs and cheering , would definitely recommend and would most definitely go here again !!!!
Sbfranky
Dec 18, 2021
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A credit to the people who work and support this theater. It is so clean and friendly and I love it's small feel you are so close to the stage. What is good is roomy comfy seats that aren't squashed together. just been to panto only thing to boo at this theater is the panto villain... Oh parking across the road even better
