Empress (Granby Halls)

Between 1909 and 1912 roller skating enjoyed a huge boom period in Great Britain, so much so that in the space of just a few years more than 500 purpose built roller rinks sprang up in almost every major town and city across the country. It also resulted in a number of new businesses being launched that were dedicated to roller skating (or rinking as it was then known). One such company was the Empress Rink Company which set about erecting rinks as far north as Morecambe and as far south as Bristol. Some of their more famous rinks became widely known such as Earl’s Court Empress Rink and the Empire Rink in Birmingham, later to be known as The Embassy.

Leicester had enjoyed a roller rink or two going back to the 1870’s with the Rutland Hall Rink in Rutland Street and the purpose built Floral Hall in Belgrave Gate, but when the boom came these buildings had been repurposed and it was decided a new rink would be required.

A plot of unused land that was situated in the ‘V’ between Aylestone Road and Welford road, facing the prison and adjacent to the Leicester Tigers rugby ground, was identified as a suitable area. On Monday, February 22nd 1909, the Empress Roller Rink had its grand opening to much fanfare. The first manager of the rink was the well known and respected professional speed skater, Tertius Picton Blakesley who just a few short months later that would leave and go on to manage another roller rink, The Boulevard, just a short distance away. His son, Tertius Percival Blakesley would go on to manage the Empress.

The rink enjoyed huge popularity as a social venue and held regular speed events having set up the Empress Roller Skating Club, their main rivals being the Leicester Boulevard club which featured more prominent skaters.

By 1914 popularity had waned, so much so that the Empress rink was turned into a theatre pavilion. When war broke out shortly afterwards the hall stood empty and in 1915 a “temporary” drill hall was built next to it to accommodate young new recruits for the army. It was designed to make soldiers of youngsters who had yet to reach the age where they could join the army in readiness for when they could. This hall had two underground rifle ranges and its own swimming baths as part of its features.

In 1919 the Empress Hall, which was now in danger of becoming derelict, was acquired and the two buildings merged along with a number of other recently erected buildings to form what became known as the Granby Halls as the training hall expanded in size. The old entrance to the Empress Hall on Aylestone Road was moved to a new entrance on the end of the building which faced the prison.

In the 1920’s the halls were used for various events ranging from political rallies to exhibitions, but all thoughts of roller skating were nowhere to be seen. Then in October 1929 that all changed. There had been a recent upturn of interest in roller skating generally across the country and it was suggested that the old Empress Hall be once again used for the sport. Just a few weeks later and a new rock maple wood floor was started to be laid.

The old Empress rink now renamed as the Granby Halls Roller Rink was reopened on 30th December 1929. Managed by trick skater, Teddy Bright, it once more became a popular venue for roller skaters across Leicester. A new roller skating club was formed, Leicester Granby, and old rivalries with the Leicester Boulevard club were rekindled.

On 1st February 1936 the National Skating Association decided to hold a British Championship event on the rink, the senior men’s One Mile, eventually won by future World Champion Harold Wilkinson (Broadway). The rink had a new lease of life, however, the outbreak of war once again in 1939 meant that all roller skating activities would cease.

Unlike The Boulevard, when hostilities were over the Granby Halls rink once more opened its door to the roller skating public. The National Skating Association renewed its relationship with the rink in 1949 and it became a popular venue that saw some of the most exiting races and numerous events take place. Some notable competitions were held here that included the likes of Don Brown, Denis Hill, Les Woodley, Bob Halford, Stan Hartigan, Irene Turner and Pat Eason, to name just a few of the legends of that time. The rink was used to stage various British Championships culminating in the men’s and women’s relay Championships on 27th February 1960.

Despite roller speed events now being held at other venues the Granby Halls (Empress) rink continued to be used by the paying public. It generally closed down at the end of every March and re-opened its doors at the beginning of October each season.

In 1967 speed skating resumed at Granby Halls, but this time it was in the large drill hall/exhibition hall. (Whilst this formed part of the Granby Halls complex we shall look at this venue separately).

In November 1978 Granby Halls introduced “glice” skating. Glice was a trade name for a plastic surface that was supposed to resemble ice, all be it without the wetness. Skates had blades and the feeling underfoot was that you were on ice. As a result of this additional rink the roller rink was shortened.

By the early 1980’s the Mercia (later Birmingham Wheels) club started using the old skating rink inside the Empress Hall for training purposes throughout the winter months. The rink still featured in some NSA competitions, but moreover with the roller dance arm of the association.

On March 27th 1988 the NSA returned to the Empress Hall and held its first speed event on the rink in almost 30 years. The East Midlands Electricity Board were on board as sponsors and wanted to support a British Championship event to be held at the Granby Halls later in July. It was to be a joint venture between roller dance and roller speed and as this event was to be televised the March event was seen as a dry run.

On 3rd July 1988 the first specific indoor British Championships were held, albeit only for those aged 11 or over. Television commentary was provided by former international Mick McGeough who famously coined the phrase “Paul the Plodder” when referring to Birmingham Wheels’ Paul Turner, one of the more senior skaters.

The next time racing was seen here was 12th March 1994 for a series of category races hosted by the British Federation of Roller Skating (BFRS). Fittingly, the Category 1 event was won by Chris Stafford (Birmingham Wheels) whose father, Cliff, was instrumental in supporting the old Leicester Granby club back in the 1930’s. It would be the last time a roller speed skating would be held in the Empress Hall.

By the late 1990’s Leicester City Council had decided that Granby Halls was now too expensive to maintain as a facility and closed the doors for good in 1998. On 24th October 2000 the bulldozers were called in and the buildings were demolished. For a period, there stood a car park but today there stands a modern hotel, part of which supports the Leicester Tigers rugby club and its ground.

There still remains a roller dance club based in Leicester known as Empress. One suspects that not many will know the significance of their name or where it originates. Other than memories and the odd photo there remains no trace of the roller rink in Leicester that brought so much joy to many skaters up and down the country and played a socially important part in many a youngsters lives for almost 100 years.