Since he bought the venue 1991, Barry Faulkner has transformed the derelict building into one of the country’s finest venues and nightclubs.

The Empire retains all its former glory with three floors dedicated to style and music.

It hosts regular club nights such as Creeps and the Dead Rebel Club, and live concerts and DJ sets from some of the biggest names in music.

And thanks to £350,000 funding from the Arts Council, the Empire has been fully refurbished during the Covid lockdown with the installation of a brand new, state-of-the-art sound system and lighting rigs, and Covid-secure toilets.