Everyman Salisbury

The Regal Cinema was built for Associated British Cinemas(ABC) and opened on 22nd February 1936 with Shirley Temple in “Captain January” and Joseph Schmidt in “A Star Fell From Heaven”.

A plain building both inside and out, the exterior finish is in red Accrington brick with a white terra cotta tiled finish at street level. The auditorium is quite plain with the only décor being the plasterwork grilles on the splay walls. The ceiling is smooth plaster which gently curves down to the proscenium opening. It had a total capacity of 1,608-seats, with 964-seats in the stalls and 644-seats in the circle. A Compton cinema organ was ordered, but was never installed.

It was re-named ABC in 1963. However, like most cinemas, it succumbed to the twin threats of Bingo and television and closed as a single screen cinema on 25th January 1969.

The building became part of the Gala Bingo chain and in June 2018 it was rebranded Buzz Bingo. It was closed on 21st March 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. On 15th July 2020 it was announced that the closure would be permanent.

It was announced in June 2022 that the Everyman Cinemas chain had applied for planning permission to convert the vacant building into a 4-screen cinema. The local council planning committee were in favour of the proposal which was put to a full council meeting on 7th July 2022 and approved. The 4-screen Everyman Salisbury was opened on 2nd June 2023. The largest auditorium is located in the former front stalls, using the original proscenium, and has a set of curtains in front of the screen.

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Ian on March 10, 2009 at 2:52 am

Three photos taken in March 2009 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3343123487/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3343123257/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3343123063/

DavidSimpson on April 2, 2019 at 3:34 pm

From June 2018 Gala Leisure started re-branding their Gala Bingo clubs as Buzz Bingo.

John Griffiths on December 15, 2021 at 12:14 pm

It should be noted that this cinema is a fine example of the work of W.R.Glen, architect.

Biffaskin on April 13, 2023 at 4:37 am

Planning permission was granted, Everyman are currently converting the auditorium into 4 screens. No opening date for same has been given as yet.

Biffaskin on April 13, 2023 at 4:38 am

The local paper in Salisbury has published a bit more info on the Everyman cinema in Salisbury. Still no opening date though. Screen 1 will have 80 seats. 4K Sony projection and 7.1 Dolby sound. Screen 2 will have 42 seats, 4K Sony projection and 7.1 Dolby sound. Screen 3 will have 71 seats, 4K Sony and 7.1 Dolby plus 3D capability. Screen 4 will have 54 seats, Sharp/NEC 2K projection and 7.1 sound.

The work is being carried out by GF Holdings who say they originally did the plasterwork at the Plaza in Stockport in the 1930’s. Apparently GF Holdings do a lot of work for Rank, Odeon, Vue and Everyman.

Alanuk on June 4, 2023 at 12:47 pm

BBC website reports that the Regal reopened as an Everyman cinema on 2nd June 2023 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-65788774