When Middlesbrough Empire's current management hands over the building later this month, its history will include more than big-name DJs and memorable nights out. At various points, the nightclub also became a home for fairground rides, an ice rink and theatrical spectacles.
Creative designer Marty Collantine, who says spent 25 years creating events and promotional artwork for the venue, has shared some of his memories with The Tees as the club prepares for a change of ownership.
More than a DJ and a dancefloor
Among the ideas Marty remembers helping to bring to life were a helter-skelter installed inside the club, vintage swing boats, a circus-inspired event and a Hollywood-style stunt involving a balcony. An indoor ice rink also features in his recollections.
“I always wanted to do something that hadn't been done before,” he said in material submitted to The Tees. “Why should a nightclub just be a DJ and a dancefloor? We had this incredible building, and I wanted to see how far we could push it.”
Marty also designed posters and flyers for the club. Those promotional materials became keepsakes for some regulars. He remembers spotting his designs in people's homes long after the events had finished.
There are early discussions, he says, about creating an exhibition from his archive of posters, photographs and other material documenting a quarter-century of local nightlife. No exhibition dates have yet been announced.
A final run of shows
The Empire's official website currently lists events up to Tuesday 17 November 2026. The venue has told ticket holders that events scheduled after that date will move elsewhere, while new owners plan a different chapter for the historic Corporation Road building.
For Marty, the building's legacy lies partly in its willingness to surprise people. His memories offer another view of the creative work that went on behind the scenes, beyond the acts on stage.