The Regent
The Regent
…when The Regent first lit up Christchurch as a brand-new picture house built for local solicitor Thomas J Rowley a classic spec build of its era, creating local jobs and turning a tidy profit. With around 700 seats across stalls and circle, it took on the Pavilion in Bargates head-to-head and soon cycled through a rollcall of cinema operators, from Portsmouth Town Cinemas to the Grade organisation and EMI.
Then came the cliff-edge moment: the cinema closed in 1973, finishing on a double bill, The Thief Who Came to Dinner and The Train Robbers. Demolition would usually have followed, but bingo had other ideas. The Regent became a Mecca Bingo and Social Club until 1982 (complete with a legendary mauve/pink/dark green makeover).
When the building fell quiet again, a determined group of volunteers persuaded the Council it could be used for public good and in 1983 The Regent was reborn. Today, that same community spirit powers a packed programme of films, live shows, and broadcasts.