Apparently when it opened it 1912, St George’s was the second largest cinema in the country! The cinema closed in 1948 (my landlady can remember when it was still open and refers to it as Falmouth’s ‘fleapit cinema’). The shopping arcade opened in 1960.
Would love to see some pictures of the interior, in the days when it was a cinema. Alas several searches on Google and flickr have resulted in nothing…
I might be wrong, but I think there are only four screens.
Three in the original stadium auditorium (two smaller screens in the raised section at the back and a larger one, which uses the original pronescium) I am not sure if the seating arrangements listed above are still correct (600, 171 and 121)
Additionally, a licensed screen has been added in adjacent building as mentioned above (this building also houses the Regal Bar/Cafe.
This is one of my favourite cinemas and I am really looking forward to seeing the renovations when it reopens later on in the year.
We are delighted to announce that a major refurbishment of the Regal Redruth will commence at the end of April this year. This is the third major stage of investment by Merlin Cinemas in recent years in this important local amenity, and will bring all the present existing auditoria up to a modern standard, as well as creating two more extra screens and modernising and completely refurbishing the present large cinema – theatre, with new stage facilities and a vastly improved auditorium.
The project will also include the reseating of all the screens, the installation of new digital projection equipment and sound systems to all cinemas and further improvements to the general public areas.
The cinemas will re-open in phases, as and when they are completed; the first screens should be ready in July; with a reopening of the whole building scheduled for early December this year. When complete the complex will offer five dedicated cinemas and additionally a 500 seat cinema – theatre with 3D and modern stage facilities intended to bring regular live entertainment from a wide variety of professional artists, whilst also providing a high quality and affordable venue for the many talented local performing organisations, some of whom have always regarded the Regal as their home, and who all the Regal team look forward very much to welcoming back.
Over recent years the cinema has seen the conversion of two adjacent properties to provide the space for the Regal Bar and Restaurant, new toilets built, as well as a modern commercial kitchen and company offices whilst the main building has also had a major structural refurbishment, a new roof, signage and redecoration and a modern luxury licensed screen has been installed above the bar restaurant, all of which will remain open whilst the other improvements take place.
This project follows on from the companies brand new five screen Phoenix Cinema and Bar Restaurant in Falmouth which since opening has proven both popular with cinema audiences and a great commercial success attracting almost 300,000 people in the first two years. Merlin Cinema now has the opportunity to bring their cinema facilities in Redruth, up to a similar standard, with greater choice and more comfort.
The Regal Redruth serves the largest conurbation in Cornwall and benefits from easy parking being next to the large modern and well lit town centre New Cut car park, which is free in the evening. The cinema and theatre is just two minutes off of the A30 and is expected to double its annual attendances when the project is complete, attracting audiences to Redruth from throughout West Cornwall and beyond for both cinema and live shows.
I’m not sure if the auditorium was demolished. There is a (very trashy, but awesome in equal measure) student nightclub in the upper part of the building and there is no evidence of cinema use upstairs.
However, downstairs in the arcade, the entrance foyer still retains stairs to what was presumerably once circle level seating (now Club International):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpw934/6326670299/
And, downstairs, there is still evidence of a stage/pronescium at the end of the arcade (evidenced by a retail unit which is significantly higher than the rest and must be reached by stairs:
Sorry. I also happen to agree that the most appropriate name for a listing should be the (original) one used when the building was still in cinema use; however, I was forced to deliberate over this point when I entered the information, as the required criteria given is ‘current name’. Anyway, thanks for changing the listing and adding the photos.
Bar Med has now closed for redevelopment. It looks like the Embassy’s days are numbered, sadly :(
There’s a brilliant website, with loads of pictures and information about the Ritz, here:
http://ritzpenzance.com/page1.html
Apparently when it opened it 1912, St George’s was the second largest cinema in the country! The cinema closed in 1948 (my landlady can remember when it was still open and refers to it as Falmouth’s ‘fleapit cinema’). The shopping arcade opened in 1960.
Would love to see some pictures of the interior, in the days when it was a cinema. Alas several searches on Google and flickr have resulted in nothing…
I might be wrong, but I think there are only four screens.
Three in the original stadium auditorium (two smaller screens in the raised section at the back and a larger one, which uses the original pronescium) I am not sure if the seating arrangements listed above are still correct (600, 171 and 121)
Additionally, a licensed screen has been added in adjacent building as mentioned above (this building also houses the Regal Bar/Cafe.
This is one of my favourite cinemas and I am really looking forward to seeing the renovations when it reopens later on in the year.
Details of new renovations:
We are delighted to announce that a major refurbishment of the Regal Redruth will commence at the end of April this year. This is the third major stage of investment by Merlin Cinemas in recent years in this important local amenity, and will bring all the present existing auditoria up to a modern standard, as well as creating two more extra screens and modernising and completely refurbishing the present large cinema – theatre, with new stage facilities and a vastly improved auditorium.
The project will also include the reseating of all the screens, the installation of new digital projection equipment and sound systems to all cinemas and further improvements to the general public areas.
The cinemas will re-open in phases, as and when they are completed; the first screens should be ready in July; with a reopening of the whole building scheduled for early December this year. When complete the complex will offer five dedicated cinemas and additionally a 500 seat cinema – theatre with 3D and modern stage facilities intended to bring regular live entertainment from a wide variety of professional artists, whilst also providing a high quality and affordable venue for the many talented local performing organisations, some of whom have always regarded the Regal as their home, and who all the Regal team look forward very much to welcoming back.
Over recent years the cinema has seen the conversion of two adjacent properties to provide the space for the Regal Bar and Restaurant, new toilets built, as well as a modern commercial kitchen and company offices whilst the main building has also had a major structural refurbishment, a new roof, signage and redecoration and a modern luxury licensed screen has been installed above the bar restaurant, all of which will remain open whilst the other improvements take place.
This project follows on from the companies brand new five screen Phoenix Cinema and Bar Restaurant in Falmouth which since opening has proven both popular with cinema audiences and a great commercial success attracting almost 300,000 people in the first two years. Merlin Cinema now has the opportunity to bring their cinema facilities in Redruth, up to a similar standard, with greater choice and more comfort.
The Regal Redruth serves the largest conurbation in Cornwall and benefits from easy parking being next to the large modern and well lit town centre New Cut car park, which is free in the evening. The cinema and theatre is just two minutes off of the A30 and is expected to double its annual attendances when the project is complete, attracting audiences to Redruth from throughout West Cornwall and beyond for both cinema and live shows.
Side entrance (1937):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcinemaphotos/2149060912/
Screen 4 is now showing IMAX movies.
I’m not sure if the auditorium was demolished. There is a (very trashy, but awesome in equal measure) student nightclub in the upper part of the building and there is no evidence of cinema use upstairs.
However, downstairs in the arcade, the entrance foyer still retains stairs to what was presumerably once circle level seating (now Club International):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rpw934/6326670299/
And, downstairs, there is still evidence of a stage/pronescium at the end of the arcade (evidenced by a retail unit which is significantly higher than the rest and must be reached by stairs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58366093@N07/6559074805/in/photostream
I bet if you removed those retail units and had a look above the false ceilings, there would be some interesting features.
JP I would love to see those photos. Is there any chance you could post links to them on here?
Are there any pictures of the interior available? I would love to have a look around the parts of the building which are no longer open to the public.
Several photos of the interior and exterior dating from the 1930s, are present in the National Monuments Record, here:
View link
Thanks for the additional information.
Sorry. I also happen to agree that the most appropriate name for a listing should be the (original) one used when the building was still in cinema use; however, I was forced to deliberate over this point when I entered the information, as the required criteria given is ‘current name’. Anyway, thanks for changing the listing and adding the photos.