Bristol 1930

c1930 Regent Cinema, Castle Street, Bristol

The days of the Regent being Bristol's premier cinema were short-lived as, following the blitz on 24 November 1940, it was severely damaged. (Fortunately this was a Sunday night and it was closed - the following week was to have been the cinema's first Sunday opening and casualties may have been catastrophic). However, the structure was far from totally destroyed and the basic layout of the building still remained intact five years later. Aerial shots show walls remaining, but minus the roof this appearing to be the building's weak point. The building was of concrete and steel construction, but the dome appears to have been easily broken and fire bombs penetrated and quickly consumed the plush interior fittings. In the 1950s the remains were temporarily repaired and used as offices called Underwood House. Demolition of this building and eventual clearance of the site commenced in August 1963.