It had a spell as a bingo club once closed as a cinema, in the 1980s, known as the Regent Bingo & Social Club. Final closure came in 1984, demolished the same year, the sits now has other retail shops on the site.
Address is 10, Congleton Road, CW11 1HJ.
I can confirm that the entrance shown still remains as vehicular access to flats built behind where the stage end would have been, and a flat either side of the archway where the former foyer/offices/projection rooms used to be. The auditorium as such has been demolished, with the section in between now open air for car parking. By chance, when I visited, the owners appeared and were able to confirm the former layout, and the fact that the same family own the premises who also operated the cinema.
According to the Facebook group ‘Exmouth Memories’, after closure as a cinema, this site also spent a period as a bowling alley as well as a disco, called Pandora’s Box.
The 1914 Kine Year Book has an Alhambra listed for this location, proprietors Norman Matthews & Co., sadly no street name or seating capacity though. Is this the same location?
Darron
commented about
Cinemaon
Sep 18, 2019 at 11:14 pm
The lack of a KYB entry for this cinema, and it’s proximity to an airfield suggests to me it was most likely an RAF cinema, and open only to staff and family on the air base.
The airbase was completed in 1985, following the damage done during the Conflict in 1982, it was opened by HRH Prince Andrew. Both the cinema and bowling alley on the airbase are, in fact, open to the populace of the Islands, as well as MOD staff and families.
It had a spell as a bingo club once closed as a cinema, in the 1980s, known as the Regent Bingo & Social Club. Final closure came in 1984, demolished the same year, the sits now has other retail shops on the site. Address is 10, Congleton Road, CW11 1HJ.
But alas, as usual, no screen tabs, lighting, etc and so DULL!!
Architects were the Lincoln firm Bellamy & Hardy, who also designed the Town Hall which adjoins the Corn Exchange.
I can’t remember when I took this photo exactly, it’s mid to late 80s from the small amount of notes and stuff I saved after a house fire.
And the rochford Compton link is also now no longer working!
Unfortunately the I See Gateshead website has since been closed down. I have no idea as to where the resources on there have gone to either.
I can confirm that the entrance shown still remains as vehicular access to flats built behind where the stage end would have been, and a flat either side of the archway where the former foyer/offices/projection rooms used to be. The auditorium as such has been demolished, with the section in between now open air for car parking. By chance, when I visited, the owners appeared and were able to confirm the former layout, and the fact that the same family own the premises who also operated the cinema.
Simply gorgeous.
According to the Facebook group ‘Exmouth Memories’, after closure as a cinema, this site also spent a period as a bowling alley as well as a disco, called Pandora’s Box.
TF2 8JS is the correct post code for the Globe, enjoying good business as it is now next to a newly built and opened Aldi supermarket.
Top Ten Bingo has since ceased trading at this location.
If only that horrible metal cladding could be removed. The building would have a much more appealing street presence that way..
Makes sense, as it was a Saturday, so a matinee show presumably.
Postcode is CM14 5BX, now known as the Baytree Shopping Centre.
The hire centre has since closed, and in 2019 the building is shuttered and unused.
Wow! Love the big star light fitting, wouldn’t fit in my house though I fear…. ah well.
Thanks Ian for the interior pictures. What a beautiful place, and a crying shame it’s gone. Bedford council should hang their heads in shame.
It was located on the corner of Peel Street and York Street, near enough where Lidl’s car park is now.
The County signage has been restored, it’s now the Drill Hall Gym
The bingo club has since closed.
The 1914 Kine Year Book has an Alhambra listed for this location, proprietors Norman Matthews & Co., sadly no street name or seating capacity though. Is this the same location?
The lack of a KYB entry for this cinema, and it’s proximity to an airfield suggests to me it was most likely an RAF cinema, and open only to staff and family on the air base.
The former Regent’s footprint is now the bus station.
It was a filling station first, later changing to a car wash.
The airbase was completed in 1985, following the damage done during the Conflict in 1982, it was opened by HRH Prince Andrew. Both the cinema and bowling alley on the airbase are, in fact, open to the populace of the Islands, as well as MOD staff and families.