Regent Cinema
189 Church Street,
Blackpool,
FY1 3NY
189 Church Street,
Blackpool,
FY1 3NY
2 people
favorited this theater
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I had a very pleasant evening at the Regent on Sunday 16th October, watching “Dirty Dancing”, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. In the afternoon I had a look around the antiques/collectables centre in the former stalls, before heading upstairs to the former circle in the evening. Since re-opening in July, older films have been screened two or three times a week, mainly Friday to Sunday, from DVD using a projector suspended beneath the balcony.
The 124 seats are originals that have been refurbished. They are set out in blocks either side of the central aisle, with 9 rows with 12 seats (6 either side of the aisle) and 8 sets of double seats along the back row. The individual seats are separated by small tables, handy for drinks and snacks. Owner Richard Taylor has done a terrific job – the place is immaculate – and I wished the enthusiastic duty manager all the best for the future.
The regent cinema will be opening its doors once again on 29th July 2016. For further information please see our website www.regentcinemablackpool.co.uk, or visit us on Facebook or twitter.
Great to see the Grade II listing. The Regent has so much of architectural interest, that I always regarded it as unique in all the buildings I worked in over the years, (previous to the Regent I was based at the Granada Tooting).
Grade II listing is fantastic news. Popped in while in Blackpool for my birthday recently and work had clearly started to restore the ceiling. I look forward to seeing further progress in the future.
Was given a tour of the Regent yesterday by the new owner who is very keen to move ahead with step-by-step restoration. When he removed the false ceiling to reveal the part of the original ceiling forward of the balcony, he was delighted to find the rectangular frieze of chariot-hauling horses above the proscenium arch perfectly intact (painted gold this now looks wonderful)but less impressed by the crude way the steelwork, from which the false ceiling was suspended, had been anchored by hacking away at the ceiling and wall decoration – obliterating sections of beautiful mouldings. He has taken impressions of sections which match those destroyed and is in the process of having sections made to complete the ceiling once again. We were in the balcony whose steppings all appear sound and just waiting for seats to be installed and carpet laid – once the ceiling has been fully repaired/redecorated and given a clean bill of health. The two little corners of “extra” seating are still intact at front right and rear left of the balcony. The plan is to open up the 12' deep stage and install a screen in a way that would enable acts and bands to also use the stage. Currently, more space at first floor level is being renovated in the adjoining building to extend/relocate the second hand stalls at present on the ground floor but perhaps only the balcony is to be used for the digital screenings/live performances.
If in the area, do go in and have a look, the cafe on the ground floor is very comfy and they serve delicious coffees and toothsome, homemade cakes! An enterprise very deserving of support.
The Regent’s future has been secured with a trust now set up to restore the building back to as close as it was when first built- major works are under way at present (june 2013) to remove all additions before evaluation and restoration commences.
The Regent has been saved! A local bidder paid £100,000 for her and has plans to refurb and create an antiques hall. :-D Please join the new FaceBook group The Regent Cinema Blackpool!
The Regent is offered at auction with a guide price of £60,000 later this month.
“FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON FRIDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2013 AT 11AM, AT THE MCDONALD TICKLED TROUT HOTEL, PRESTON NEW ROAD, PRESTON, PR5 0UJ. PRICE GUIDE: £60,000 – £70,000Extensive two storey former Regent Cinema, more recently used as Riley’s, bar, pool and snooker hall. The property was built in the early 20th Century and is of brick built construction with decorated tiled frontage located on the corner of Church Street and Regent Road in a superb Town Centre location. The property has a tall three storey domed tower with ornate parapet walls. Internally and externally the property requires extensive renovation works and comprises a large pool hall with bar area and WC’s, two snooker rooms, a large disused theatre, cellar and boiler room.”
http://www.metcalfestateagents.co.uk/property_detail.php?ref=AUC00251
The signs are not good …
Regent still has roof, opening and intact. felix is indeed correct and this is up for auction very soon. false floors and orig decor still left, all I need is a lottery win now…
In 2012 the Regent is unused, the snooker hall appears to have closed circa 2010.
2012 Photos:–
REGENT CINEMA
REGENT CINEMA
Two photographs of the Regent – in between bingo and snooker – here:–
View link
View link
One of the most distinctive features of this cinema was an opening roof! The building costruction is unusual reinforced concrete beams with a virtually flat roof with no roof void. A hole in the roof was then covered with a structure with sliding panels, leading to possible “al fresco” viewing of films.
felixgarnet;Many thanks for your observations on this building. Amendments will be made to the opening description.
The Regent Cinema was certainly not “single floored”! It had a circle on the first floor of approximately 200 seats AND a tiny back circle to the left. There were ladies and gents toilets at the end of the right and left hand walkways and a staff room with a tiny kitchen at the back. I loved that place, was an usherette there in 1970-71 and was brokenheated when it became a Bingo hall. I’ll send a picture soon – most of the tiles are still intact but the first few feet of the building have been coated in a white concrete-type substance. Best wishes and thank you for the site!