hmv Empire
 The hmv Empire on Hertford Street, Coventry | |
Interactive map of hmv Empire | |
Former names | The Empire (2015–2020) |
|---|---|
| Address | 22 Hertford Street Coventry, West Midlands CV1 1LF |
| Location | Coventry City Centre |
| Coordinates | 52°24′28.8″N 1°30′43.2″W / 52.408000°N 1.512000°W |
| Owner | Phil Rooney |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Type | Live music and entertainment venue |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1973 (as ABC Cinema) |
| Opened | 2015 (original site) 11 June 2021 (current site) |
| Closed | 2020 (original Far Gosford Street site) |
| Demolished | 2022 (original site interior structure) |
| Website | |
| www | |
hmv Empire is a 1,200-capacity live music and entertainment venue in Coventry, England.[1] It is notable as the only venue in the United Kingdom to hold an exclusive naming-rights partnership with the entertainment retailer hmv.[2] The site opened in 2021 to mark hmv's centenary.[2] Originally founded in 2015 in Far Gosford Street, where it operated as an official regional home for Club NME, the venue relocated to Hertford Street in 2021 as a key infrastructure project for Coventry's tenure as the UK City of Culture.[3][4][5]
History
The Empire was established in September 2015 at 150-151 Far Gosford Street, occupying a locally listed building originally constructed in 1912 as the Crown Cinema.[6] Local band The Enemy, gave the first live performance at the venue before it became a prominent fixture on the UK touring circuit, with acts like Pete Doherty, White Lies, The Libertines and Frank Turner.[3][7][8]
The Empire permanently vacated its original home at the beginning of 2020 following the expiration of its lease, clearing the way for a proposed five-storey student accommodation development.[9] Following the venue's departure, the interior structure was demolished in late 2022.[10] The student accommodation complex opened in late 2024.
While public and planning debates regarding the future of the vacant Far Gosford Street site were ongoing, in early 2021 the venue's operators secured a new location at the former ABC Cinema on Hertford Street.[11] The venue entered into a three-year naming rights partnership with hmv and reopened as the hmv Empire.[12] The new venue, with a capacity of 1,200, officially opened on 11 June 2021 with a socially distanced performance by Al Murray.[2]
On 25 August 2021, Ed Sheeran performed a free concert at the venue as part of UK City of Culture activities. Approximately 700 people attended the performance in person, while a live stream was shown to an audience of around 3,000 at Assembly Festival Gardens, Coventry.[13]
Since reopening, the hmv Empire has hosted performances by artists including Tom Grennan, Arlo Parks, Fatboy Slim, Jessie Ware and Maxïmo Park.[2][14]
References
- ↑ "hmv Empire". Visit Coventry. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Empire and hmv join forces". Profound Media. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- 1 2 Rodger, James (14 July 2015). "The Enemy frontman Tom Clarke 'helping build' new Empire music venue in Coventry". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Rodger, James (15 September 2015). "Club NME Coventry to launch in brand-new venue The Empire". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ed Sheeran to perform free concert in Coventry next month". 20 July 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Local List of Heritage Assets" (PDF). Edemocracy Coventry. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Rodger, James (25 November 2016). "Frank Turner to play SOLD OUT Coventry show tonight". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Rodger, James (19 January 2017). "White Lies show at The Empire in Coventry changes date". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Planning Commitee Report". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Knowles, Kate (19 September 2022). "Old Empire cinema to be demolished for 'hideous' student accommodation". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Patel, Priyanka (13 June 2025). "Coventry's HMV Empire to transform into cinema for one night only". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Empire Coventry Strikes Landmark Deal With Legendary Entertainment Brand HMV". Dluxe. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Nick (26 August 2021). "Ed Sheeran thrills fans with intimate Coventry gig at hmv Empire". Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ Patel, Priyanka (9 September 2025). "Legendary DJ Fatboy Slim to perform in Coventry this year". Retrieved 18 May 2026.