I lived round the corner from the Empress, it was always called the Bug and Flea. The chidren's matinee was Saturday afternoon, I think it was 3d. In those days 1940's it wasn't cleaned regularly, the floor was deep in litter, old ice cream tubs, cigarette ends and packets. yuk. But I loved the 'pictures' and if I could get the 3d I was there. During the holidays we kids would stand on the steps and accost any adult going in, 'Take us in please' because most of the films were A certificate and unles you were with an adult you didn't get in. Our children have had to miss out on all the fun we had doing that.