The Regent Cinema – a timeline
APRIL 2018: Announced that the original Regent cinema – which was preceded by a theatre with some form of entertainment venue on the site since 1875 – is to close for the foreseeable future after a routine inspection discovers structural issues.
JULY 2018: Further survey reveals massive cracks in walls, an unsafe stage and structural defects to the roof of the cinema, the only one in Redcar and Cleveland.
MARCH 2019: Council says it wants a cinema to continue on the current site as part of a multimillion pound investment being made in the town by the Tees Valley Combined Authority. OCTOBER 2019: A cabinet report describes plans for a new, modern three-screen cinema, costing £9m, with the council retaining the freehold for the building.
JANUARY 2020: First images are unveiled of the planned facility.
JUNE 2020: Councillors agree plans to demolish the Regent with planning chiefs stating that demolition and a rebuild was the most viable option, with repair works costing a “significant amount”.
NOVEMBER 2020: Regent is demolished with preparatory works on its replacement under way. MAY 2021: A structural steel frame is erected to form the backbone of the new cinema with the roof and cladding to follow over the summer. OCTOBER 2021: Council leader Mary Lanigan says the “stunning” cinema is on time and on budget.
DECEMBER 2021: Contractor BAM Construction is said to be making great progress as floor to ceiling windows are added.
FEBRUARY 2022: Louise Anderson, the council’s head of place development and investment, says she has “utmost confidence” an operator for the cinema will be found, as council shows off the new interior.
MARCH 2022: Having taken possession of the new completed cinema with just the final fittings and finishing touches still required, Councillor
Chris Gallacher, cabinet member for economic development, describes frustrating delays in securing an operator.
MAY 2022: Council says it is in talks with an experienced national cinema operator having cancelled a tender process that had already been reset due to a “single poor submission return”. JUNE 2022: A Facebook post on behalf of the Cleveland independent group, which is in coalition with the Liberal Democrats, names council officers and suggests they are stymying requests for information about progress with the Regent. Its leader Billy Wells later leaves the group after the post draws criticism and his conduct is highlighted by managing director
John Sampson.
JULY 2022: Former Labour group leader Carl Quartermain asks if the council has a ‘plan B’ and claims the ruling administration went against advice over the design of the new cinema. AUGUST 2022: Council confirms Merlin Cinemas as the new operator of the Regent.