38 Advertising feature
BESTTHE Celebrating
OF KINGSBRIDGE
THE REGAL Kingsbridge
Mother Marelyn, and now James and George, as Georgina is affectionately known by everyone. “Mum was busy looking after us children so could not get as involved as Dad but, in one way or another, we have all been part of the family business”, explained George. A tradition which holds firm today:
T
with George the friendly face of day-to-day operations since 1999; Bill whose precise engineering expertise is invaluable, not only in the cellar (‘well-kept ales are his passion’ and has the Casque Marque for the fruits of his labours) but with his technological innovations which they have introduced; and James, your friendly local bookmaker whose premises are situated discreetly at street level in the same building. What started life as part derelict
he ‘we’ being 3 generations of the Patrick family – grandpar- ents Pat and Jackie, father Bill,
chapel and part redundant Regal Cinema (hence the name!) is now a light, bright, welcoming venue for all ages and all reasons – thanks to the addition of several windows in what were just blank walls suited for its former use. It was also a refuge which kept local people, particularly many children, safe when bombs were dropped on nearby Duke Street during WW2. “At the time, a film was playing so everyone was kept at the Cinema because it was so much safer precisely because of the building style.” Sadly, modern TV spelled the death
knell for many local cinemas and The Regal was not spared – only to enjoy a new lease of life in the hands of the Patricks! In the beginning, the then licensing laws required the Bingo Hall downstairs and the Social Club up- stairs to be run as separate business- es, each with their own licence but thankfully those days are long gone.
the Regal team
“My family acquired the premises in 1977 and we have been ‘doing it up’ ever since!”
Following a major refurbishment
during the early 1990s, much of the old interior was swept away to create the multi-functional venue you see today, complete with lift ensuring accessibility for the less mobile. “Our aim is to be as welcoming, hospitable and inclusive as possible to everyone, whether locals or visitors to our town. We have been a part of the community for many years now and hopefully, by being flexible and accommodating, we shall continue to be so for very many years to come”, added George. Regarded as ‘home’ by many of the local groups and organisations, The Regal hosts regular monthly Business Breakfast meetings, avid bridge players and lovers of bingo with both old-style sessions and drop-in E-bingo played on tablets offering substantial prizes. During winter months, aficionados of euchre,
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