Rick Taylor bought the Regent Cinema in 2013 for £100,000 [LDRS]
A vintage cinema is ready to set the stage for local live entertainment.
The Art Deco Regent Cinema in Blackpool reopened a decade ago as an independent operator and also plays host to a collectors’ emporium.
In recent years the building, which was built in 1921, has also lent its atmospheric setting for a series of ghost hunts.
Now owner and local businessman Rick Taylor, who bought the property with wife Lindsay, said it was available to welcome drama groups, bands and stand up comedy in a further bid to put the venue back on the town’s map.
He said: “We have a stage which is perfect for live entertainment and it would be a shame not to make the most of it. It would be great to see local drama groups, rock bands or comedy folk performing here.”
The Regent Cinema building was built in 1921 [LDRS]
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “As a venue it has an incredible atmosphere and it would help create a real sense of occasion.
“The tiered seating arrangement would be perfect too.
“Over the years we’ve had ghost hunts, private cinema screenings and our regular cinematic shows, offering all kinds of classic films every fortnight.
“There’s great potential here.”
The cinema is one of Blackpool’s most distinctive buildings.
‘Real gem’
Located on the corner of Regent Road and Church Street, the white-tiled structure harks back to the days of the old “picture palaces” in the heyday of the silver screen, when crowds of people would flock to enjoy a bit of Hollywood glamour.
But it gradually fell into a state of disrepair and disuse before being restored as a working cinema and antiques hall after Mr Taylor bought the derelict building for £100,000 in 2013, reopening in 2016.
Blackpool Council helped provide some of the money for energy-saving solar panels on the roof.
Mr Taylor added: “Running an old building like this has its challenges, there are always leaks or repairs to deal with.
“But I’ve never regretted saving it. Too many lovely old buildings in Blackpool have been lost and this is a real gem.
“We had a pretty good 2025 and we’re optimistic about next year, too.”
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