Councillor frustrated over Regent cinema operator delay
A councillor has described “frustrating” delays in securing an operator of Redcar’s new Regent cinema.
Nonetheless, Councillor Christopher Gallacher, cabinet member for economic development at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said it was an “exciting time to be discussing the fantastic opportunity” the newly-built seafront cinema offered.
The local authority has now taken possession of the cinema from BAM Construction in order to complete the final fittings and finishing touches ahead of a planned opening in the summer.
Last month Louise Anderson, the council’s head of place development and investment, revealed that the tender process had been “reset” after concern about the quality of the bids received from potential operators, but said she had “utmost confidence” that the right firm would be found.
She said four would-be operators had submitted tenders and the council was receiving advice from a “cinema expert”.
Cllr Gallacher said: “There has been a great deal of excitement surrounding the final stages of the project.
“The Regent itself looks stunning inside and out and now it is crucial that we select the right operator, whose values and vision for the place match our own and those of the people who wish to use it.”
Council chiefs say a major consideration is the potential operator’s proposed prices for film screenings and they will be looking for affordable peak time pricing, along with membership and loyalty discounts.
While the new development will not have standalone parking, it is hoped cinema-goers will take advantage of existing parking provision in Newcomen Terrace and Turner Street and further parking on nearby Station Road.
The £9.6m project, which was funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, saw the demolition of the old Regent, which was declared unsafe due to its deteriorating structure and closed in 2018.
Its replacement is a three-storey ‘art deco-style’ cinema building, which council leader Mary Lanigan has described as “stunning” and “unique”, and which features a bar with sea views and a public events space.