Running well in 2015 with the first pantomime in many years on the stage, and regular films and live streamings on the screen (usually just for one night).
The building is currently closed having finished as the Aura nightclub – planning permission for flats recently refused (mainly demolition), local desire to return it to arts use.
The Regent Bingo Club was taken over by Majestic Bingo Ltd around two years ago, and who plans to restore the building. Photos taken September 2015 here:–
Contrary to the above information the cinema is surprisingly intact inside. The stalls floor has been levelled but the Edwardian plasterwork is in good contion, I think the original square proscenium arch survives, as does the small balcony.
Photos from August 2015 (with thanks to Flashing Services Ltd for access)
More details from a newspaper article:– It was designed by Messrs Howarth & Howarth of Cleckheaton and was opened on 25th November 1911. In March 1913 a fire destroyed the stage which was rebuilt and the New Pavilion reopened on 16th June 1913. From 1929-31 it reverted to being a live theatre having been primarily a cinema since 1916. Films returned 1931 with the installation of sound, but the stage was still used on a regular basis up until closure on 27th July 1968. It reopened the same year as a bingo hall which lasted 20 years. It has now been derelict for a decade and is clearly in a deteriorating state as the following pictures (July 2015) show:–
Ian
commented about
Reel Cinemaon
Jul 14, 2015 at 7:38 am
In 2015 it was announced that the Reel Cinema is to be expanded by the addition of 4 screens (to the west of the existing two cinemas), 3 restaurants and some office space. The new screens will accommodate 154, 217, 162 & 173 whilst the two existing screens will be comprehensively refurbished and reduced to 217 and 100 seats within the current spaces. The whole block will be given a unified new facade. A start on the project has been delayed but is currently scheduled to begin later this year.
Photos from July 2015:–
A photo from 1997
PALACE
Former Lounge Cinema in 2007 – I am led to believe that the auditorium is still intact, but have not been able to verify this.
LOUNGE
A photo as Munroes from 1989:–
MUNROES
Running well in 2015 with the first pantomime in many years on the stage, and regular films and live streamings on the screen (usually just for one night).
Photos from November 2015:–
EXTERIOR
AUDITORIUM FROM REAR BALCONY
AUDITORIUM FROM STAGE
Night time shot in November 2015
CENTRAL CINEMA
Apparently still standing in 1984, but now demolished.
ESSOLDO
Photo from 2008 here:–
CIVIC THEATRE
Exterior photo from 1996 here:–
PRINCES CINEMA
Photo from June 2014
EXTERIOR
Photos from June 2014
AUDITORIUM AND BALCONY
AUDITORIUM, BOX, AND STAGE
The building is currently closed having finished as the Aura nightclub – planning permission for flats recently refused (mainly demolition), local desire to return it to arts use.
Photos from October 2015
DORIC FACADE
DORIC FACADE
DORIC FACADE
DORIC FOYER
DORIC STAGE EXTERIOR
Photos from 2010 here:–
EXTERIOR
AUDITORIUM TO REAR
AUDITORIUM TO STAGE
The Regent Bingo Club was taken over by Majestic Bingo Ltd around two years ago, and who plans to restore the building. Photos taken September 2015 here:–
REGENT EXTERIOR
REGENT ART DECO WINDOW
REGENT BINGO – STALLS TO STAGE
REGENT BINGO PROSCENIUM TOP
REGENT BINGO – BALCONY
Another view from 1977 here:–
ASTOR
Photos from 2015 here:–
CENTRAL CINEMA
CENTRAL CINEMA – FORMER STAGE
Photo from 2015 here:–
FORMER KINGS PICTURE HALL
Photos from 2015 here:–
CURRENT FACADE WITH ORIGINAL INSET
STAGE WALL
Contrary to the above information the cinema is surprisingly intact inside. The stalls floor has been levelled but the Edwardian plasterwork is in good contion, I think the original square proscenium arch survives, as does the small balcony.
Photos from August 2015 (with thanks to Flashing Services Ltd for access)
SIDE EXTERIOR
AUDITORIUM FROM REAR
PLASTERWORK
BALCONY FRONT
BALCONY VIEW
Photos taken in August 2015, as the cinema is made ready for reopening, can be viewed here:–
EXTERIOR
ART DECO WINDOW
STAIRS TO BALCONY
AUDITORIUM TO FRONT
AUDITORIUM TO REAR
Thanks to Ria for access.
Some photos taken in November 2007, shortly before the New Empire Theatre was closed – sadly I did not get upstairs to the former balcony.
FACADE
FOYER
AUDITORIUM
STAGE WALL
More details from a newspaper article:– It was designed by Messrs Howarth & Howarth of Cleckheaton and was opened on 25th November 1911. In March 1913 a fire destroyed the stage which was rebuilt and the New Pavilion reopened on 16th June 1913. From 1929-31 it reverted to being a live theatre having been primarily a cinema since 1916. Films returned 1931 with the installation of sound, but the stage was still used on a regular basis up until closure on 27th July 1968. It reopened the same year as a bingo hall which lasted 20 years. It has now been derelict for a decade and is clearly in a deteriorating state as the following pictures (July 2015) show:–
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
NEW PAVILION
In 2015 it was announced that the Reel Cinema is to be expanded by the addition of 4 screens (to the west of the existing two cinemas), 3 restaurants and some office space. The new screens will accommodate 154, 217, 162 & 173 whilst the two existing screens will be comprehensively refurbished and reduced to 217 and 100 seats within the current spaces. The whole block will be given a unified new facade. A start on the project has been delayed but is currently scheduled to begin later this year. Photos from July 2015:–
REEL EXTERIOR SCREEN 2
REEL SCREEN 1 TO FRONT
REEL SCREEN 1 TO REAR
REEL SCREEN 2 TO FRONT
A photo of the derelict Regal here:–
REGAL
A photo of the derelict building here, dating from circa 1975.
TOWCESTER CINEMA
Major fire 14 March 2015:–
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-31886312