Happy #FunFactFriday This Friday we’ve got a fab #localhistory fact shared by Birmingham-based Neil Lucas about The Empire Theatre in Birmingham

Located on the corner of Smallbrook Street and Hurst Street, The Empire Theatre has been known by many names. These include: Day’s Crystal Palace, New Empire Palace of Varieties, Empire Palace and Birmingham Empire

Built by the famous Theatre Architect, Frank Matcham, the building cost £18,000 and was built on the site where Day’s Crystal Palace Concert Hall originally stood. The new theatre opened under the name New Empire Palace of Varieties on 7th May 1894

Day’s Crystal Palace was built on part of the site of the White Swan Public House for James Day. Architect T. Naden was responsible for the building’s design and the Concert Hall itself was constructed by W. Matthews. Day’s Concert Hall opened on the 18th September 1862

The interior of the Concert Hall was splendid and Day installed a large crystal ball, and had mirrored walls in the Concert Hall itself

An avid metal detector, here’s a token that Neil discovered from Day’s Concert Hall

: photos from Neil Lucas

Day’s Concert Hall’s existence, however, was short lived and closed in September 1893 after being sold to Moss Empires. They demolished the majority of the Concert Hall and started building The Empire Theatre

Have you got a #FunFact you’d like to share? Send us a DM See you next Friday for more #FunFacts!