Regent Bingo Hall

Cinema, later a bingo hall and amusement arcade, built in 1914 by Francis Burdett Ward for cinema magnate FH Cooper. The building is constructed of rendered, colourwashed brick and artificial stone, with the original roofline now obscured. It has two to three storeys and a six-window front. A wide central bay is topped by a Diocletian window. To the right is a late 20th-century amusement arcade, and to the left, original tea rooms that have been externally altered. The upper two floors are articulated by two giant columns with Ionic capitals resting on paired console brackets in the centre, with two progressively narrower bays flanking them, separated by giant Ionic pilasters on bases. Four two-light casements are positioned between the columns, above a decorative frieze of artificial stone by Crotch & Son (of Norwich), depicting Comedy, Tragedy, owls, baskets of fruit, lyres, and other theatrical elements. The side bays feature paired two-light casements at a lower level, below stuccoed panels. Above these are oculus windows; one in each of the narrow outer bays and two in the wider inner bays, all adorned with artificial stone garlands. The original crowning entablature is now lost.

Inside, a central staircase of marble leads to the foyer and features late 20th-century handrails. The interior displays abundant Rococo-style plasterwork, with a Baroque feel to the coffered ceiling of the tea rooms, which also contains friezes of cherubs dragging swags and garlands. The auditorium is characterized by thin cast-iron columns supporting a wavy wall-plate under three principal boxes on each side. A wide segmental arch supports the main balcony. Gilt putti playing pan-pipes and trumpets are carved in relief at intervals. The proscenium arch and dressing rooms remain.