42 Holmeside, Black's Regal Cinema

42 Holmeside, Black's Regal Cinema

HER Number
13559
District
Sunderland
Site Name
42 Holmeside, Black's Regal Cinema
Place
Sunderland
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
Class
Recreational
Site Type: Broad
Cinema
Site Type: Specific
Cinema
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Description
Black's Regal Theatre was built on the site of the Olympia Exhibition Hall and Pleasuredrome (1897-1910) and it was built for the northern independent Black's circuit. It was designed by architects Edwin Sheridan Grey in the art deco style and it opened on 28th March 1932. The theatre was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/9Ranks theatre organ which had an Art Deco style console on a lift. Facilities included a cafe and roller rink.

In 1955 the Black's circuit was taken over by the Rank Organisation and the Regal was re-named Odeon from 28th November 1955. It was divided into a three screen cinema in 1975 with 1,200 seats in the former circle and two 150 seat screens in the rear stalls. It closed in 1982 and remained empty for many years. It re-opened as top-rank bingo club and remains in use today as Mecca Bingo.
Easting
439600
Northing
556720
Grid Reference
NZ439600556720
Sources
Anderson, A. (1995) A century of Sunderland Cinemas; http://cinematreasures.org/theater/19911/; English Heritage, 11 September 2012, Consultation Report; The Architect's Journal, 31 August 1932, Black's Regal Theatre, Sunderland; Kinematograph Weekly, 21 April 1932, The Regal, Sunderland: Continuing a Famous Tradition; English Heritage, 5 February 2013, Advice Report