Regal Cinema
Long Street,
Atherstone,
CV9 1RP
Long Street,
Atherstone,
CV9 1RP
1 person
favorited this theater
Located in Atherstone, Warwickshire, on Long Street, a short distance east of the main town centre. Built on the site of the Atherstone Workhouse, the Regal Cinema opened on 28th August 1937. With its 750 seat auditorium on a stadium plan, it staged variety and well as pictures. The proscenium was 40 feet wide. It was first operated as an independent cinema by the owners of the Savoy Cinema, Stratford Road, Birmingham.
It was taken over by Associated British Cinemas(ABC) on 30th August 1943. Taken over by independent operator Mr Sankey from 27th March 1960. Mr Sankey became well known in the business for operating a sideline company from the premises, dealing in second-hand spare parts for projectors and other cinema equipment.
The Regal Cinema was closed in 1987, and upon closing was still maintained in immaculate condition, including polished woodwork and brass. Even the original two Ross-Simplex projectors with their original RCA sound heads were in perfect working order. It was demolished in 1989 and housing named Regal Court was built on the site.
Contributed by
Editha Pearce, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
The minor South Wales valley halls of the 1960s owed a great deal to Mr. Sankey who was known to all in the trade as “Sanks”. Most of these halls had antique projection equipment, long out of production but still in daily use.Spare parts were hard to come and it was Sanks who,from a warehouse in Atherstone,supplied the used parts that kept these ancient projectors going.Sanks himself was a lover of Ross equipment. Long after Ross had sunk into oblivion,Sanks was able to supply the odd sized mirrors that Ross’s diabolical Streamlight arcs were always quick to ruin with copper spatter. Without Sanks continuous supply of spare parts many of the small halls would never have lasted as long as they did. The cinema industry owed a lot to Mr. Sankey for the survival of the minor halls into the 1980s.
The Regal Atherstone was where I started In the business as a young man. The cinema had been kept imaculate until its last days by long serving manager Des Schofiled and his wife Vera both were very good friends of mine. The cinema in later years was run 3 days a week with bingo the rest of the week. The last owner of the cinema was L. H Jaffa owner of the Palce company from Northampton, upon closure the simplex projectors and alot of other equipment were sold to Les Castrey a cinema equipment dealer from Birmingham. The fibrus plaster mouldings and light fittings from the auditorium were purchased by Graham Whitehead and installed at his then new project at Ashorne Hall near Leamington Spa. The last film shown at the Regal was on 12th August 1987 and was a matinee performance of Flight Of The Navigator
Up until Bob Sankey The Freehold of the Theatre was owned by Essoldo.. (as was the Savoy Statford ABC Purchased the Freehold as they owned the Headlease and sold the Freehold to Bob Sankey.. I remember on one of my visits to see Bob Sankey he was moaning having to pay more then he thought he should.. On one friday night Bingo session someone dared to win the Jackpot.. He used to put a scowl on his face when he handed the cheque over.. The Players enjoyed seing his Face.. But it was a sham.. It did not bother him :o) Peter Lea is right about the Simplex Projectors..