Regent Cinema, Spalding.

Regent Cinema

 

Date opened:  20th June 1927.

Date closed as a cinema:  Monday 2nd February 1959.

Owners:  Spalding Picture House Ltd.

Architect: P.L Brown & son from Newcastle On Tyne.

Building Contractor:  John Peake of Spalding.

Seating Capacity:  Stalls~600. Balcony~ 300.  Total: 900.

First film shown: ‘Mademoiselle From Armentieres’. starring Estelle Brody, John Stuart.

First sound on film:  ‘Rainbow Man’ starring Eddie Dowling. 6th January 1930.

Final film shown: ‘The House on Haunted Hill’ starring Vincent Price.

Building demolished:  1961.

 

 

 

The Regent cinema Sheep Market Spalding, Lincolnshire made its debut in the 20th June 1927. The opening attraction was ‘Mademoiselle From Armentieres’. Before the show patrons could dine in the cinema café.

The cinema was run Spalding Picture House Ltd. The managing director was a Mr George Aspland Howden. He also controlled Boston Scala Theatre Ltd. The cinema was built on the site of a former garage run by a firm called Levertons. In 1955 Howden died at the age of 72.
Seating at the Regent was for 900, 600 in the stalls area and 300 in the balcony The cinema was designed by P.L Brown and son from Newcastle On Tyne. Building work was by John Peake of Spalding. Steel work was by Lambhills Ltd. of Glasgow.

During the war Sunday concerts were sometimes staged. One such gathering was in January 1941 when voluntary workers of the Spalding United Services Canteen were invited by the military as an acknowledgement of the efforts made to enhance their comfort during their stay in the town and district.

On  Monday the 6th January 1930 it’s first talkie was screened called The Rainbow Man. Western Electric sound was installed to add sound to the images. Supporting film was Look out Below. Matinees were held on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
In  July 1939 the cinema staged an amateur talent contest. This took place over four weeks On Fridays and were called ‘Novelty Nights’. The final took place on Friday July 28th 1939.  The prize was a share of five pounds. Another attraction was boxing in February 1940, again another Friday night attraction.
On July 15th 1958 the cinema was offered for sale by auction. There was an offer that was withdrawn at £9,250, so the cinema carried on.

Click on the above frame to run the trailer

The doors finally closed on Monday 2nd February 1959 with ‘The House on Haunted Hill’ starring Vincent Price.  Reasons for closure were the high entertainment tax, shortage of films and the company’s financial commitments. It was stated in The press that it was a temporary closure and it hadn’t been sold. This was not to be The case. The building encountered the wrecking ball in 1961 and was described by demolition firm WL Darnes as being a tough one and a bank was built on the site. Later, it became an appliance store.
 

David. A. Ellis©chestercinemas.co.uk 

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