Regal Cinema

The Regal Cinema in Bridlington, is identical to the Regal Cinema in Walton on Thames. Both were designed by architect C. Edmund Wilford for Lou Morris, and the Regal Cinema, Bridlington opened on July 28, 1938. It was a handsome building equipped with a large cafe area at 1st floor level above a parade of shops, and a stage 43 feet deep behind the proscenium arch of the same width. There were 4 dressing rooms. A ballroom and a Compton 3Manual/6Rank organ were also contained in the building.

The lavish plasterwork screens either side of the stage were designed by the famous company of Mollo & Egan (Alexander Bilimin is credited with the work). A large decorated band ran from rear circle to screen containing the main light source.

However just a few months after opening, the Regal was sold to the Mayfair circuit. In 1943 the whole of the Mayfair Circuit was taken over by ABC who retained the Regal until 1969 when it was sold to Star Cinemas who operated it as a bingo hall in the stalls and stage areas and a cinema in the circle.

The Regal Cinema closed Christmas Eve 1971 and the auditorium is now exclusively used for bingo as a Gala Bingo Club. A snooker hall operates separately in the cafe/ballroom space.

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

peterblack06 on April 3, 2008 at 9:43 am

i used to visit bridlington for the family holiday with my parents and remember the regal as a super cinema with thick carpets, i think on the other side of the street was a cinema called the lounge with a entrance facing the regal and another on the promanade

Ian on September 21, 2008 at 3:46 am

Another photo taken in September 2008 here:–

View link

Ian on August 26, 2010 at 3:06 am

Some interior shots of the Regal as the Gala Bingo Club, taken in August 2010:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4928914620/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4928914280/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4928914472/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4928320099/