The centre of Holyhead, a town of over 11,000 people on Holy Island, is built around the church of St Cybi, which was founded by St Cybi around 540 AD and is housed in a 4th century Roman fort.

The Empire Cinema was built around 1920. The facade is a partial replica of the original stone houses that stood on the site.

After several sales and closures the Empire Cinema was reopened in 1999 under the management of the independent South Wales Cinemas chain. It underwent a complete refurbishment. The former stalls area became the Regal Bingo Club which closed in 2008. The cinema closed shortly after.

The building was finally taken over by the local council and refurbished. The former bingo club was converted into a children's play area. In November 2012 the Empire Cinema reopened.