Regal Cinema

304 Norwood Road,
London, SE27 9AF

1 person favorited this theater

The beautiful Regal Theater also had a wonderful organ. It was demolished in 1999 and a B&Q DIY Homestore was built on the site.

Contributed by Kenneth Jukes

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

DAVIDFREEMAN on November 2, 2003 at 6:18 pm

THIS CINEMA WAS DEMOLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1981…..I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS….
THE SEATING WAS 2,010…..
THE ARCHITECT WAS F.EDWARD JONES…..
IT CLOSED ON THE 8TH FEB 1964……..
THEN IT WAS “TOP RANK” BINGO…

KenRoe on December 20, 2005 at 8:08 am

The Regal was built for A.E. Abrahams and opened on 16th January 1930. It was leased by Hyams & Gale from 24th April 1933 and taken over by Gaumont Super Cinemas in October 1935. It was equipped with a Christie 3Manual theatre organ.

Closed due to wartime conditions at the beginning of the war, it re-opened on 3rd November 1940. The closing programme on 8th February 1964 was the Peter Sellers double bill;“I’m Alright Jack” plus “Two Way Stretch”. It immediately became a Top Rank Bingo Club which opened on 20th February 1964 and it closed in 1978. The building was demolished and a D.I.Y. hardware store was built on the site.

royalbet on May 15, 2006 at 5:17 pm

I WORKED AT THE REGAL WEST NORWOOD ABOUT 1940. IT HAD A BEAUTIFULL ORGAN PLAYED BY BETTY MITCHELL, THE ORGAN WAS DESTORYED BY FIRE IN AN AIR-RAID, I WAS THERE AT THE TIME I COULD HAVE SAVED THE ORGAN BUT THE FIRE HOSE WAS DEFECTED IT HAD ROTTED OVER THE YEARS.THE SAFETY CURTAIN WAS LOWERED EVERY NIGHT DURING THE WAR IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DOWN THE REGAL WOULD HAVE BURNED DOWN THEN. WORKING AT THE REGAL WAS THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD.I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR IT IS GONE FOR-EVER.I NOW LIVE IN THE USA SINCE 1952 BUT I STILL FONDLY REMEMBER THE BEAUTIFULL REGAL.
KENNETH JUKES.

zapsincl on July 16, 2006 at 11:35 pm

My Grandfather had a bakery in Brixton (J Ensing & Sons) and used to have an advertising board for the Regal West Norwood outside of the shop.
As payment, he used to get two complimentary tickets each week. He was given a small book which was stamped each time it was used.
I recall the cinema had boxes and as a complimentary ticket holder you were allowed to sit anywhere so this was always a favourite option. Very posh.

KenRoe on September 14, 2006 at 12:26 am

A photograph taken in October 1949 playing the Gaumont circuit release films:
View link
A photograph taken in July 1955 playing the Gaumont circuit release films:
View link