1937-1987 Atherstone Regal Cinema

The Atherstone Regal Cinema was opened on 28th September 1937. The cinema replaced the former Atherstone Workhouse which was demolished earlier in the decade.

The building was designed by architect Harold S. Scott. Unfortunately we do not have any reference to what the building actually looked like, we can only assumed it was similar in appearance to other cinemas of the time. The architect Harold S. Scott was responsible for designing cinemas all over the country, including Birmingham and London. His work was often grand, art deco in style and considered typical of the time.

Upon opening the Atherstone Regal Cinema featured 744 seats and admission prices ranged from 9d. to 1s. 6d. . The cinemas Proscenium was 40ft wide.

A Proscenium theater is a theater space whose primary feature is a large archway (the proscenium arch) at or near the front of the stage, through which the audience views the play. The audience directly faces the stage, which is typically raised several feet above front row audience level. The main stage is the space behind the proscenium arch, often marked by a curtain which can be lowered or drawn closed.

Prices ranged from 9d. to 1s. 6d. and films were shown every evening. Matinees took place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 7.30pm.

Mayfair Circuit/ABC purchased the cinema in 1943 and held onto it until 1960, when it was sold on to an independent. The cinema was finally closed for business in 1987 and was subsequently demolished. Regal Court, a several story building containing retirement flats was erected in 1989 and now stands in its place.

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8 Responses to “1937-1987 Atherstone Regal Cinema”

  1. cathidaw Says:
    July 9th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    Iam the newest member———hallo everyone.
    I also ‘belong’ to Warwickshire on line, which for some reason is offline at present.
    Iwas an evacuee from 1939-1945 in Atherstone and was familiar with almost every blade of grass.Well not every blade of grass but you will understand what I mean.
    Icannot believe that no-one has a photo of the Regal–it was everyones life blood during the war–especially when the Yanks came to town. It had an electriclal shop built in on the left had side which had a television set in the window all the time Ilived there.We marvelled at it, even as it got dustier and more grimy with time .The shop was closed ”for the duration” said a notice on the door. The set was probably 4foot high and the screen was about7″x6″
    Iremember it well —we queued outside it about 3 times a week and more if we had the money and of course there was a Saturday morning club which terrified me at first–a 6 year old from a shelterd home in Coventry, but I soon learned to scuffle, and push and yell as loudly as the rest. The queues were enormous and sometimes we drifted to the Picturedrome which was nicknamed the ‘cornick’. Ifound out some years later that it had been the old corn exchange. The fist film Isaw there was ‘The maid of the mountains’ it was in sepia.
    Anyone remember the ‘Atherstone News’newspaper?. When did it close.

  2. Ian Taylor Says:
    September 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pm

    My late grandfather (Sidney Barnes) was a keen photographer who photographed and collected many pictures of Atherstone.
    Some of these were displayed at the Atherstone Gala show a few years back.
    I believe I have a picture of the Regal Cinema if you would like to see it.

  3. Brian Biddle Says:
    September 29th, 2007 at 6:12 am

    Have you by any chance any photos of The White Lion Pub, which was on Long Street/Station Street, Atherstone in c1817. My 9xGreat Grandad owned the pub at this time. He also owned a Bakery which I assume was adjacent to the Pub. This information being taken from the Will of my Ancestor, George Biddle b.1740/d.28.03.1818. Any information would be very much appreciated.

  4. cathidaw Says:
    October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am

    Iam still hoping to hear whether anyone remembers ‘THE ATHERSTONE NEWS’ and when it closed
    It was also used as headquarters for the billiting officer for evacuees during the war.

  5. Phil Gayton Says:
    October 25th, 2007 at 9:45 am

    cathidaw:
    The closest I can get to finding the close of the Atherstone News is 27th Match, 1959. The following week the paper was the Atherstone News and Herald, the last edition of which appears to have been 1st April, 1966.

  6. Jeff Parsons Says:
    December 14th, 2007 at 6:31 am

    I have a set of drawings by Harold S Scott for a Regal Cinema in Bradford on Avon(Wilts)for thwe Regal Bradford on Avon Ltd which was never built, dated 1936. If any one is interested I could get a copy to forward.

  7. malcolm crow Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 am

    I am trying to find the name of the man who used to advertise cinema spares in the 60’s and 70’s and used the regal atherstone as his address

  8. michael sandford Says:
    August 17th, 2008 at 2:30 am

    can anyone in atherstone remember the building oppersite the regal cinema whitch
    used to sell 16mm films if so can you tell
    me what happened to all the films

    thank you
    michael

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Last updated: February 12, 2007