On Thursday November 27 Cirencester's Regal Cinema screened its last ever film - Nigel Cole's Calendar Girls. The cinema, which opened in the 1930s, is to be demolished in 2004 to make way for a large housing development. Owners Angel Leisure first declared plans to sell the picture house in 1997 sparking an outcry from Cirencester residents. Fans feel the loss Local film fans were saddened to see the curtain fall for the last time at the town's oldest cinema. Ray from Cirencester, had fond memories of the cinema and remembers when it was first built.  I remember the first night the cinema opened up and I was right down at the front. | | Ray from Cirencester |
He said: "I was still at school when they built the cinema in 1937/38, and I'm 79 now. "I remember the first night the cinema opened up and I was right down at the front. "My mother was a cleaner at the Regal and I did my courting there with my late wife. I'd get two free tickets a week because of my mum. "There was a children's film every Saturday morning which cost thrupence and I remember seeing Ben Hurr there." Rack and ruin Norman form Cirencester first went to the cinema in 1955 and was extremely saddened by the closure. He said: "It's a very sad day. My wife and I are real film goers and we go to the Regal regularly. We first went in 1955 and I always thought it was a very nice cinema. | It's a very sad day. My wife and I are real film goers and we go to the Regal regularly. We first went in 1955 and I always thought it was a very nice cinema. | | Norman - Regal cinema goer |
"It's disappointing that the building was left to decay and now it's being sold for development. I feel the Cotswold District Council should have done more to encourage the owner to keep it going as a cinema. Cirencester resident Mandy also felt sad about the closure of the cinema.. "I used to go with all my friends to the bingo at the Regal. I've used it a great deal. When Mr Angel bought it, it went down the drain. "All my friends now go to other places and it's a shame because the Regal was such a nice place. We had lots of fun and it's very sad that it will be closing." Heritage Homes, a Winchester-based developer, will build 22 houses, six flats and maisonettes on the 200-seat cinema site in March 2004. Article by Nat Hall 
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