I WAS saddened to see the old Classic cinema in Conway Street, Birkenhead on fire.

It had been a nightclub venue for some years since it closed as a cinema, but I think most people will remember it as a cinema.

It opened in May 1917 as the Empire cinema during the silent film era and after the introduction of sound it was the second cinema in Birkenhead to show talkies in August 1929.

The Empire was also popular for showing horror films during the fifties and in 1969 it was taken over by Essoldo and had a complete refit luxury seating and a bigger screen installed.

The cinema changed hands in 1972 and became the Classic running late-night movies on a Friday which were very popular, I worked there from 1975 until 1986 as a projectionist.

I remember the queues around the block for Star Wars in 1977 and ET which ran for nine weeks!

The cinema did change hands again in the 80s and became the Cannon and finally went back to its original name the Empire for the last couple of years before it finally closed down in January 1991 the last film being Home Alone.

So, for 74 years it had entertained the people of Birkenhead stood through two World Wars and to see it end on fire and reduced to rubble was so sad but lots of great memories I’m sure for people to cherish!

Mark Lees, Wallasey.