Regent Cinema, Deal
It was originally built in 1928 as a simple pavilion for musical concerts but this proved unprofitable and in 1933 it was converted into a cinema, with an Art Deco-style entrance.
It was originally constructed in 1928 as an iron and glass pavilion for musical performances, particularly by military bands (the town was home to a Royal Marine depot).
[3][4] At its opening the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp, stated "It is the duty of everyone to make this enterprise go.
"[4] The opening coincided with a decline in interest in musical concerts as well as variety performances and dances, owing to the rise of cinemas.
[4] The pavilion was loss making and the owner, the borough council, were approached by businessmen Harry Carey and Henry Boyer who proposed to rent the structure and convert it to a cinema.
[1][4] The works had a low budget but included the addition of a domed frontage, moving of the original stage, construction of a cafe and erection of a first floor extension to house the projection box and offices.
[3] For a period no further plans were presented, though the owners met with the council for pre-planning talks in early 2016, and a local campaign group, Reopen the Regent, was formed to promote the building's restoration.
[7] In May 2016 actor Neil Stuke, a member of the group, apologised for implied threats made in an email to Wallace and Digweed.
[1] In 2018 the council issued a notice under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ordering the owners to make essential repairs by August, but these were not carried out.
Wright's plans showed much of the original structure to be retained, though the south wall, whose steelwork was corroded, was to be replaced with glass.
A small extension to the south side would form a new entrance with a landscaped square adjacent to the Timeball Tower.
[6] In July 2022, Reopen the Regent asked for Dover council to instruct repairs to the owners or carry out a compulsory purchase of the property.
