Cinema shuts a month after relaunch
FREEMAN Street's Regal Cinema has closed its doors once more – just one month after its grand reopening.
As reported, the former Odeon Cinema was renovated and reopened on August 7 by Shropshire businessman Trevor Harris and his son Anthony – eight years after the last film was shown there in 2001.
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The Regal Cinema was reopened in August, but is now shut again
But now, the venture has been halted, with the Harrises claiming they had faced "problem after problem".
Trevor, 70, who has operated cinemas across the country, said he had to battle flooding, damp and problems with the sewers – leaving him thousands of pounds out of pocket, though he would not confirm the exact amount.
He said: "When I negotiated the lease on the property, I was told everything was working and in good condition.
"When we moved in, everything just started to go wrong. I was forced to pay for a lot of repair work that I wasn't expecting to.
"I'm not very happy at all. I've invested a lot of time and money into this project and there has just been one mass of problems.
"The property should never have been leased in the state that it is.
"I don't know whether I will even stay in the industry any longer. I won't be coming back to this area in a hurry.
"This has really been a very bad experience."
He said the building needed £60,000 to £70,000 spending on it to restore it to its former glory.
He said he did not believe the Regal would reopen as a cinema.
Duncan Willey, a partner at PPH commercial, the agent dealing with the property, said Mr Harris's allegations were "unjust".
He said: "This is a very difficult and complicated situation, but it is very unjust for Mr Harris to make these claims.
"The cinema has obviously closed, but it is due to be remarketed shortly. It is naturally disappointing seeing as money was involved."
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by Adix, Healing
Wednesday, October 21 2009, 9:07AM
“I agree with those who raised doubts originally regarding the viability of this venture.
All the same, it is a shame it only lasted 1 month.
I only found out about it from my daughter who lives in Sheffield and is very keen on cinema!!!
So...poorly planned, poorly underfunded and not well marketed- not a good receipe for success!!”
by Louisa, Grimsby
Monday, October 05 2009, 9:53AM
“After finding out the cinema had closed a again i was angry as i use to go as a little girl.... i understand that there was problem and there would have been its bin closed so long.... it should have been advertised better as i only found out it reopened because i walked past it on my way to the market. if people had better understanding about it reopening and about any problems im sure we could have had a fundraiser to help out, to keep it open. Parkway is too expensive, were as the one down freemo is alot closer to home”
by Victoria, Grimsby
Saturday, September 26 2009, 9:05AM
“Both my husband and myself, were really sorry that this business ventre didn't take off. We went 3 times with our children and were planning a fourth visit this weekend. I think the mouldy smell and the cold put people off, we still enjoyed the films and the fact we saved a fortune going there instead of Parkway!!! I was dissapointed with the lack of advertising, maybe numbers would have gone up if film names and times had been more readily available? We really are sorry to see Trevor and Anthony go, they seemed like real honest and decent businessmen. Hope all goes well for them in future.”
by David Sanderson, GY
Friday, September 25 2009, 1:16PM
“Personally I blame these Polish and Lithuanian freemasons! Has it never occured to both Ruths that if the masons really controlled Freeman Street (and all the charity and boarded up shops in it) and had that much influence it would hardly make good business acumen if they let the area become as run down as it is? Ps Ruth, my partner gets good DVDs from her work mates, there's one called ILUZJONISTA (subtitles optional) starring amongst others Jessica Biel (I won't tell you what her name translates as).....I'll lend you it if you know all the secret handshakes .”
by JO, Grimsby
Friday, September 25 2009, 11:01AM
“Simon wrote: "I see JO is up to her usual petualsnt self".
Petualsnt?? Petualsn't??
Moi??”