Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Regal Theatre

I know there is already a thread on cinemas but I thought I could get more responses by putting it here. Does anybody have any pictures of the Regal theatre where the Tesco's on Bebginton Road is. I know that it was turned into Essoldo cinemas at some point if that helps.

Thanks in advance!

Here's one. There are more in the book "The Silver Screens of Wirral", Birkenhead and Bebington, which I can recommend.

Fantastic. Thanks for that. Ill post a before and after on here

Here we go:

I remember it well. Used to go to matinees there quite often in the late 50's early 60's. I think that they used to change the programme twice a week in those days. I can't remember if they had an organ, probably did.
The archway led to the car park.
Thanks for the memnory

Bob Hope!
'Thanks for the memnory'

Does anybody know when it was knocked down. Was it transformed straight into a Tesco?

Ive book the silver screens of the wirral off amazon as per your recommendation, im sure they will have something on it there but I thought i'd ask here first because I have to wait for it to be delivered!

It had a Compton 'Electrone' (non-pipe) organ shortly after opening in 1938 but this went to the Winter Gardens, NB, sometime later, according to 'The Silver Screens of Wirral' book, which has a photo of it. I seem to remember a 'La Fleur' organ there post-war. It was a rebadged Hammond electronic organ, probably for the kids' matinee sing-song. Remember those?!

Vaguely.
However a link to Ivor Buckingham's site Compton Electrones

Also a picture on the same site of the Compton piper for the Plaza before installation

Looking at the Tesco Photo there's a wall to the right that a garage seems to be attached to from the first house. The wall looks to be above and beyond the call of duty, just wondering if this was part of the gable end of the original Regal building and left in place because the garage may have been built to it.

Good thinking Batman!

Heres a close up. Your right, it does look out of place. Shame the old picture doesn't stretch this far along.

If anyone has anymore pictures of the Regal, particuarly with this end of the theatre in then please post on here;

It would be interesting to see if there was an arch on that side of the building or was the gable end that wall.

Maybe someone in the area could inquire from the house, very politely of course?

Come to think of it may have been another arch to the carpark. Its still a steep slope down there by the looks of it.