The Hackney Empire
Frank Matcham isone of the leading exponents of theatre architecture and an avid user of architectural terracotta to realise his designs. Hackney Empire typifies his work in a style reflecting the glory of the dying days of the Victorian period with all the flamboyance on the outside that they expected of the opulent interiors.

Its twin towers and decorative gable with a life sized statue, were once brutally removed in the 1980's rather than restore the building whose use had degraded to that of a Bingo Hall. The outcry this caused and court case that ensued had already given the craftsmen at Shaws of Darwen the opportunity of reconstructing this splendid facade that helped establish a precedent for what could be achieved in giving new life to old buildings.

However, when major redevelopment work was planned, that involved adding a new element to the building on the adjacent corner plot, it was realised that to copy the style of architecture would destroy the symmetry of Matcham's work. What was conceived was a modern building, using architectural terracotta in the form of cladding. Not simple extruded 'planks of clay', that falsely try to claim some of the pedigree of Traditional Architectural Terracotta, but in a bold angular design that only the real thing could do justice to.

Shaws of Darwen were again entrusted with the work and brought Tim Ronalds Architects designs to reality.

Terracotta lettering in the form of cladding on a structural concrete core the largest of which stand 3.6m (12ft) high and weigh approximately 3.5 tonnes that leaves no-one in any doubt as to the name of the building.

Although the same traditional skills that Shaws of Darwen have practiced since 1897 have been used in creating this work it is a building for the modern day that sits peacefully with its elderly neighbour.

Funding for the project has come from Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a fund raising campaign led by Griff Rhys Jones.