History

The original building was known as the Regent Cinema and was owned as an independent film house by Mr. T. J. Boyce and Mr. W. J. Boyce. The cinema was first opened in February 1935. With just one area for dressing, as the cinema was equipped with a stage too, the building was fairly unusual but very popular in those times.

The larger cinema in Grays, Essex, played first run films yet the Regent played only second run movies. It’s first film played to the public was ’20 Million Sweethearts starring Ginger Rogers and Dick Powell.

During the 1970s, the 585 seat Regent Cinema closed and was converted into The Regent Leisure Centre with an upper floor being installed.

The first floor was then turned into a snooker hall with a Bingo club on the lower floor. Later, Riley’s removed the bingo seating and replaced them with pool tables.

In September 2010 the old snooker halls which had been empty for a few years and partially derelict, due to flooding, were to be converted yet again. The current owners, Frank Cull and Shaun Young undertook an extensive refurbishment project to bring their already thriving dance business to Stanford-le-Hope and changed the name to The Old Regent Ballroom.

The former 1930’s cinema has some great memories for the residents in Stanford-le-Hope. Frank & Shaun, as the new owners for such a brilliant old building regularly hear new stories about people seeing their first film or watching Saturday morning pictures here, playing snooker and watching mum at bingo. All good times which will continue to happen hopefully with it’s new refurbishment for many, many years to come.

We are proud to tell our guests about our recent history since we moved into a place that everybody agrees has such a nice feel about it. We would like to tell you more of what we have to offer.