Regal Cinema

16 Broadway,
Liverpool, L11 1BZ

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd.

Architects: Kenmure Kinna

Styles: Art Deco, Atmospheric

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Regal Cinema

Located in the Norris Green district of north-east Liverpool, the Regal Cinema was built to serve, what was in the early-1930’s, Liverpool’s largest new housing estate. The Regal Cinema was the first cinema to be built in the city specifically designed for ‘talkies’. It opened on 27th January 1930 with Charles King in "Broadway Melody".

The exterior was in red rustic brick, with wide bands of white Snowcrete cement. Inside the auditorium, seating was provided on a stadium plan, with stepped rows at the rear, rather than an overhanging balcony. It was decorated in an Atmospheric style, with painted panels on the side walls representing lake and mountain scenery. These panels were divided by palasters, which had concealed lights at the top, that reflected light onto the graduated blue sky ceiling. The proscenium was 50 feet wide, and there was a 14 feet deep stage and five dressing rooms.

The Regal Cinema was independently operated until 1935, when it was taken over by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain. It was closed for a couple of months in 1955, for a major refurbishment, which removed the Atmospheric style interior, replacing it with a plain Art Deco style.

The Regal Cinema was a popular cinema for many years, but began operating as a part time bingo club on Tuesday and Friday evening from 1963. It screened its last films Kenneth Williams in "Carry On Spying" and Bernard Lee in "Who Was Maddox?" on 10th October 1964.

In 1966, it became a full time Mecca Bingo Club, which continued successfully until it was hit by the ban on smoking in public places and closed in March 2007. In 2010, the empty building is available ‘To Let’ for proposed retail use.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on April 30, 2010 at 6:22 pm

The former Regal Cinema, photographed just prior to closing as a Mecca Bingo Club in February 2007:
View link
Photographed in February 2010:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ross08/4344572178/

Philip Picturedrome
Philip Picturedrome on July 5, 2018 at 8:14 am

Still unused in 2018.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 21, 2021 at 1:20 pm

Trees are now growing on top of the building the last time the Googlemobile passed it by. Grand opening ad posted.

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