#thenandnow #history #lincoln #lincolnshire

Two weeks ago I put all my time shifts of this old Lincoln cinema together and posted them. But then I found another old photo of it and have just added it to create the ultimate Regal time shift collection.

The Picture House was opened on 18th January 1915 with “The Fighting Strain of Old England”. The cinema was constructed on the site of a former high-class grocery store, and the original facade was retained. The auditorium had a barrel-shaped ceiling. Seating was provided in stalls and circle levels, and there were side boxes along the walls at circle level. The proscenium was 31 feet wide. There was a cafe located on the ground floor, where patrons could eat and drink, while watching the film programme.

It was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in 1930, and after a refurbishment, re-opened as the Regal Super Cinema on 12th January 1931 with Conrad Nagel in “A Lady Surrenders”. The re-opening ceremony was attended by film star Dodo Watts. The cafe was moved upstairs, and it had an open balcony overlooking the High Street.

ABC closed the Regal Cinema on 26th February 1966 with Julie Andrews in “Mary Poppins”. It was demolished in April 1969, and a Littlewoods store was built on the site. Today, it operates as Primark.

The first old photo is undated, but also shows the long gone Wakefield's Army Surplus store.

The second old photo is also undated but must be after 1924 when F. W. Woolworth's moved into 301 High Street.

I believe the third old photo is from the 1950s, and the fourth one is dated 1965. The final old photo is also undated and also shows a good view of the adjacent Fox and Co. shop. What else do you recognise from the old photos?