Regal Cinema
Beaufort Square,
Chepstow,
NP16 5EP
Beaufort Square,
Chepstow,
NP16 5EP
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Albany Ward Circuit, Gaumont-British Picture Corp., Ltd., Provincial Cinematograph Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation
Architects: William Edward Trent, Enoch Williams
Functions: Café
Previous Names: Gaumont
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A medium sized cinema located in the centre of Chepstow. Originally on this site located at the rear of the Beaufort Hotel was the Assembly Rooms. In the late-1930’s the owners decided they would build a more modern cinema on the site, and employed architect Enoch Williams to design the new auditorium. The scheme was taken over by Gaumont British/Albany Ward Theatres-Provincial Cinematograph Theatres(PCT) and their architect W.E. Trent was employed to re-design Enoch Williams plans.
The frontage of the Beaufort Hotel was retained, as was the banquet room over the entrance. The new auditorium at the rear now had seating for 825 in stalls and circle. The proscenium was 25 feet wide. The Gaumont opened on 16th May 1938 with Deanna Durbin in “100 Men and a Girl”, with film star Margaret Lockwood appearing ‘In Person’.
The Rank Organisation disposed of the Gaumont to an independent exhibitor from 5th January 1958 and it was re-named Regal Cinema. In 1961, the Regal Cinema was equipped with BTH Super projectors, presumably removing the Gaumont-Kalle machines.
I worked at this cinema sometime around 1962 for three days but did not enjoy the experience. The management was obsessed about precise timing to the minute and this was difficult to achieve as the box was equipped with the dreaded integral BTH Supers. Changing from flat to ‘scope was a nightmare. The integrated changeover switches were also faulty and awaiting repair. To get a good clean change over one had to lace the machines with leader position 8 in the gate.
The Regal Cinema was closed on 3rd April 1971. The foyer was converted into a cafe and shop, with the auditorium in use as a builder’s warehouse. The cafe and shop were closed around 1964, and the building lay derelict for many years. The auditorium was demolished in 1989, but the façade survives, now in use as a coffee shop.
Contributed by
Editha Pearce, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The TSB Bank has now been replaced with a coffee shop.
In 1961.. The Theatre was taken over by The B.T. Davis Circuit based in Birmingham. Rank for some reason had removed the GB Kalee Equipment.. The BTH came from a Clifton Cinema that had closed around that time.. This was intended only to be a short term measure. This was bought as a Job Lot of Cinemas BT had bought off Rank which included Chepstow.. Lydney.. Cinderford and Monmouth, Monmouth (Savoy) is still owned by B T Davis Daughter and Grand Children
I worked as a projectionist at this cinema and at Monmouth,Cinderford,Lydney,during 63/64,loved the BT Supers. I understood that the company that I worked for was called Theater Administration Ltd
Boyo45. Theatre Administration (BT Davis was the Chairman of that company) was the Film Bookers of the Theatre The Cinema was owned by BT Davis and Ken Jones The BT Davis Family still own the Savoy at Monmouth