Lancashire Live has highlighted how photos from urban explorer No Limits Urbex show the once-grand Regal Super Cinema in Bacup is now a shadow of its former self.
Lancashire Live writes:
These eerie and haunting images captured by an urban explorer give a fascinating glimpse into a former cinema and bingo hall which has stood empty for nearly two decades.
No Limits Urbex braved the abandoned interior of the former Regal Super Cinema in Bacup to show the decline of the historic building, which was once teeming with life.
And it doesn’t make for a pretty sight.
Despite the stage and marble staircases remaining relatively intact, the once-grand cinema is now a shadow of its former self with collapsed ceilings, rusty framework, exposed wiring and rubble…
It first opened on September 7, 1931, with 960 seats split between stalls and balcony, replacing the Gem Picture Palace.
The circular Art Deco writing on the white façade once spelt out Regal, but was later replaced by the word Bingo when it was transformed into a bingo hall in the late 1960’s.
The pictures by urban explorer ‘Mitch’ are some of the first to be taken since its closure in the early 2000’s.
He said: ‘They were taken last week on Tuesday day/night.
I chose the Regal as I have been doing some research on the history of Bacup and reading through articles I saw the old Regal Cinema.
It was one of the first places in England to start showing Flickr movies and being inquisitive it piqued my interest due to the history involving the people of Bacup.’
Mitch also revealed: ‘I’ve got some other pics of other historical places in Bacup but I’m not ready to release them yet.’
He shared the images on the No Limits Urbex Facebook page sparking comments of sadness and nostalgia from local residents.
David Ward wrote: ‘Sad to see it in such a state of decay. I remember being a member of the Blue Star Club and going there on Saturday mornings to see things like Zorrow, Roy Rogers and Flash Gordon in the 50’s.’
Janet Heap said: ‘Awe how sad. My granddad was the night watchman there and during World War Two my mum and granddad did fire watch up on the roof. They lived on Anne Street.’
Mandy Shaw wrote: ‘I absolutely love stuff like this. This is amazing. My nan always spoke about it when it used to be the bingo hall.’
Jean Corless Ne Hardaker said: ‘My first date with my hubby was at the Regal in 1955. We sat in the balcony at the back in the double seats. Happy days.’
