Abandoned Regal Cinema / Mecca Bingo Rotherham [deH6xIBm7ag]
The History of the Regal Cinema, Rotherham The Regal Cinema, located in the heart of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, first opened its doors in December 1934. Originally owned by Thomas Wade Cinemas Ltd of Wath-upon-Dearne, its inaugural screening was Girls Please starring Leslie Howard. Designed by the Hull-based architectural firm Blackmore & Sykes, the cinema was a grand venue seating over 1,800 patrons. It featured a Conacher Opus 1739 theatre organ installed on a lift in the centre of the orchestra pit, along with a state-of-the-art Western Electric (WE) sound system. Beyond the main auditorium, the building also housed three dressing rooms and a café. By 1937, ownership had transferred to the London & Southern Super Cinemas Ltd. chain. In 1946, the cinema was leased to the Odeon circuit and subsequently renamed “The Odeon.” The on-site café was later converted into a Victor Sylvester Dance Studio during the 1960s. In 1975, the Rank Organisation sold the cinema to an independent operator, and it was renamed once again—this time as the Scala Cinema. By 1981, only the Circle (balcony section) remained in use, and the venue closed entirely in September 1983. The building later found new life as a bingo hall, first under the name Ritz, and later as Mecca Bingo. In February 2020, it was listed for auction with an asking price of £600,000. However, it failed to meet its reserve and remained unsold. Mecca continued operations until March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced closure. In May 2021, the Rank Organisation confirmed the Bingo Club would shut permanently. In October 2021, plans were submitted to demolish the building and construct a new development featuring 45 residential units and three ground-floor commercial spaces. However, following a public campaign to preserve the historic site, English Heritage intervened. In November 2021, the building was granted Grade II listed status, effectively halting demolition plans. #abandoned #urbex #abandonedplaces #Rotherham #southyorkshire #cinema #bingo #urbanexploration