The music scene in Swindon is set take a major leap forward following the signing of a deal to lease the former bingo hall on Regent Circus to GVS Entertainment Ltd, a consortium of local businessmen.
The building closed its doors in 2008 when Mecca, the then owners, sold it to Swindon Borough Council as part of a national rationalisation programme.
Following a marketing campaign to find a new occupier, GVS Entertainment Ltd, fronted by local music entrepreneur Steve Causer, entered into negotiations with the Council to turn it into a music venue.
During the negotiations asbestos was found in the building, which was subsequently removed by HSE-approved specialist contractors and paid for by The South West Regional Development Agency. Work to transform the building for its new use has now begun, with modifications to allow a capacity all-standing crowd of up to 2000.
Steve Causer said: “I am excited that this will make Swindon a major music destination for the South West. We’ve got a lot of ideas and plans for the type of events that the building will be able to host on a national scale as well as supporting the local promoters and groups.
“Being local, and knowing the local scene, for us is a big advantage and we are keen to talk to local groups about using the building, so it stays at the heart of Swindon and Swindon people really benefit.
Mr Causer continued: “Work is underway on the bars, staging, lighting, pretty much the standard stuff you would expect. We have a few twists and additions that will make us different to other venues planned on the build, and we will continue to add to the look and feel even when open, as to us it is a continuous process to keep the venue fresh and welcoming.“
One area is to develop the reception into a ticket office for not just our events but for the whole of Swindon and regionally. The opening is planned for the end of November with dates to be announced shortly.
Councillor Garry Perkins, Swindon Borough Council deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and economic development said: “I’m very pleased this deal has been concluded, because the plans GVS have for the building have a real potential to boost that part of the town centre and provide Swindon with a great new attraction. They deserve every success.”
The former bingo hall has had a number of uses since it opened in 1929 as The Regent Cinema. It had 1,322 seats, which it regularly managed to fill, along with an area at the back of the auditorium where patrons could stand while waiting for seats to become free at the end of the rolling programmes.
The Regent was the first cinema to be built in Swindon with the talkies in mind, although it also had a separate programme “for those who favour the silent film”. It was later renamed the ‘Gaumont’ in the 1950s and the Odeon in 1962. In 1974 the cinema was replaced with a bingo hall, originally called the Top Rank Club.
