Editing EMI (section)

====EMI Leisure====
EMI Leisure Enterprises was formed in April 1974 and controlled Blackpool Tower; EMI's 16 squash clubs and five bowling alleys; discotheques; 23 licensed premises and other amusement interests. It began developing new leisure businesses, including [[Brighton Marina]] and golf activities with the opening of [[Aldenham]] Golf Club.<ref name=74ar>[http://www.kronemyer.com/EMI/EMI%20Music%20AR%201974.pdf EMI Annual Report 1974] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205081830/http://www.kronemyer.com/EMI/EMI%20Music%20AR%201974.pdf |date=5 February 2016 }}, p.32. Accessed: 4 February 2016.</ref> In April 1977 they acquired the [[Empire (cinema)|Empire Ballroom and Cinema]] in [[Leicester Square]] in London and in September 1977 acquired Bailey Leisure Services Limited which they renamed EMI Dancing which provided the group with dance halls, cabaret clubs and discotheques around the UK.<ref name=78ar/> By the late 1970s, the leisure business contributed 15% of group revenues.<ref name=78ar>[http://www.kronemyer.com/EMI/EMI%20Music%20AR%201978.pdf EMI Annual Report 1978] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205062407/http://www.kronemyer.com/EMI/EMI%20Music%20AR%201978.pdf |date=5 February 2016 }}, Accessed: 4 February 2016.</ref> In 1978, EMI acquired the [[Prince Edward Theatre]].<ref name=78ar/> It also owned two other theatres in London as well as theatres in the rest of the UK.<ref name=THF/>

Following the merger with Thorn, part of EMI's leisure interests were sold to [[Trust House Forte]] in November 1980 for £16 million.<ref name=THF>{{cite news|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=1 November 1980|title=THF buys £16m Thorn EMI leisure interests|page=17}}</ref> Lord Delfont became chairman and chief executive of THF's leisure division.<ref name=THF/> EMI Social Centres chain of bingo halls remained with Thorn EMI.<ref name=THF/>

The Winter Gardens in Blackpool were sold in 1983 to [[First Leisure Corporation|First Leisure]].<ref name="gazette061209">{{cite news|url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/Register.aspx?ReturnURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackpoolgazette.co.uk%2Fdaily-feature%2FCrown-jewels-of-resort.5880756.jp|title=Crown jewels of resort|date=3 December 2009|newspaper=[[Blackpool Gazette]]|access-date=6 December 2009}}</ref>