Regal Cinema, 24-34 North Bridge Street, Bathgate

The Regal Cinema, located at 24-34 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, is an Art Deco former cinema completed in 1938 by A D Haxton of Leven. The interior decorative scheme was designed by John Alexander of Newcastle, with later additions and alterations made to both the interior and exterior. The building is set on a sloping site and has a near-rectangular plan.

The front elevation, facing South, is symmetrical and three stories high with five bays. It features curved steps leading to a three-bay entrance, with a wheelchair access incorporated to the right. The entrance has double-leaved timber doors in each bay, separated by full-height marble panels, and a replacement flat-roofed canopy above. Large windows are centered at the first and second floors; the second-floor windows are squat, with single windows flanking them. Stylized giant order pilasters divide the bays, with panelled aprons between the floors. "REGAL" is displayed in raised lettering beneath a stepped parapet. Projecting two-story pavilion blocks are on the outer right and left, each with windows centered at both floors, full-height surrounds framing the openings, decorative aprons between floors, and stylized keystones breaking the eaves. Square windows are located behind each pavilion at the second floor.

The East-facing side elevation has irregular fenestration to the left at the entrance block, an auditorium block adjoined to the right, and a central stair projection. A single-story block is positioned to the outer right. The North-facing rear elevation has a gable end with a lower, piended block and a canted lower addition to the center. The West-facing elevation features irregular fenestration and a single-story block on the outer left.

The exterior is primarily painted cement stucco on the front with fan-shaped decorative motifs, marble dressings, and painted harl on the sides and rear. A channelled ashlar base course appears in part to the front, and the parapets are stepped and painted. Predominantly small-paned opaque glazing is used throughout, with decorative stained glass at the first floor. The roof is a late 20th-century corrugated metal structure.

The interior retains its original decorative scheme. Modifications have been made to create a small theatre space within the auditorium, maintaining its original function. A later office/meeting room was inserted into the balcony level. The original layout remains discernible, with the lobby, flanking stairs to the balcony and first-floor bar, and the auditorium preserved. The lobby features decorative terrazzo flooring, a compartmental ceiling with decorative plasterwork, and timber doors. The stair treads have chequered inlay, and there's veneered walnut dado panelling. The first-floor bar above the lobby has double-leaved timber doors, veneered walnut panelled walls to picture rail height, a compartmental ceiling, and original stained glass windows. The former cinema area, located to the rear, includes a moulded plaster surround to the proscenium and a coffered ceiling with sunken panels showing decorative strapwork. Large three-dimensional fibrous plaster grilles flank the stage (above exits), each containing a stylized frame with Roman charioteers. The balcony has been converted into an office space. A small exhibition space occupies the ground and first floors.