In the 6th and final edition of Isle of Wight cinemas, we look at Freshwater which has historically been home to 2 cinemas – located on both sides of School Green Road.
Palace Cinema (School Green Road)
Freshwater’s 1st cinema – the Palace Theatre – was built sometime before 1920. The exact date is unknown (unless a reader can provide the details).
On 26th May 1929, the Palace Theatre burnt down despite the heroic attempts of the-then recently formed Freshwater Rover Scouts Fire Brigade to save it, despite this being the 1st proper fire they had ever attended.
Faced with flames pouring out from the cinema in several directions, 8 scouts tapped into the nearest hydrant, only to see the hose they’d been gifted from Newport and Shanklin fire brigades burst apart under the pressure. Undeterred, they applied more hoses until they had sufficient water to stop the fire from spreading beyond the doomed cinema.
To achieve this, the Scouts had to reach the rear of the cinema through a tight passage filled with smoke and showers of embers. Young scouts Bob Burford and Cecil Shenton rose to the challenge and hauled a hose through the inferno wearing nothing but their ordinary clothing.
The efforts of the boys and Newport firefighters – who had arrived later – subdued the flames which had destroyed the cinema, saving all the buildings around it.
Following the fire, local businesses submitted a letter to the local press which stated:
“These lads who left their beds at a moments notice, by their very prompt action most certainly averted still greater and more terrible destruction.”
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The Palace cinema was speedily rebuilt and reopened later that year under proprietors Cecil Elgar and W. G. Barnard.
From 1936, the cinema was operated by Isle of Wight Theatres, Ltd., however, following the opening of the Regent Cinema on the opposite side of the road, the Palace concentrated on variety and public meetings.
The Palace Cinema was demolished sometime in the early 1960s. Since then – in more recent times – the site has become Hong Kong Express (2018) and Petesaria (2019).
Regent Cinema (School Green Road)
Regent Cinema was opened sometime in 1935 by Isle of Wight Theatres, opposite the former Palace Cinema.
It provided performances twice nightly, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. There was a café attached to the cinema.
The Regent was popular with the many troops stationed in the West Wight area during World War II. For example, on VE Day (8th May 1945), a free matinee screening of Show Business, starring Eddie Cantor and Joan Davis, was arranged for the troops stationed in the local forts.
Trade declined sharply after the war, especially once Golden Hill Fort had closed. The café ceased trading in 1946. However, there was a bright spot for the Regent in August 1952 when it hosted the British premiere of Scaramouche starring Stewart Granger.
The Regent Cinema sadly ceased operation in 1962. The final film shown was A Pair of Briefs, starring Michael Craig and Leslie Phillips.
The former cinema was put up for sale in December 1967 for £7,000. It was demolished save for the former café attached to the cinema, which became the West Wight Pharmacy.
In subsequent years, a Somerfield supermarket was built on the site of the Regal, which has now become a Sainsbury’s Local.
Island Echo has now covered current and former cinemas in Ryde, Newport, the Bay, Cowes, Ventnor and Freshwater. If anyone has heard of any Isle of Wight cinemas we may have missed, let us know in the comments!
Our heritage series continue next Sunday…
Enjoyed that article thank you. Fascinating. My grandfather would have frequented both cinemas I’m sure
Mr/ miss/ mrs / they, them/dr/post person a nd any other pronouns you can think of.
Island echo!
What happened to the weelky photos??
They cheered me up and many other folk.
Jane Holland nature pic’s were the best.
I will repeat myself when i get bored.
(Probably tomorrow)
I have nothing better todo;).
Peace and love
The Palace theatre was rebuilt earlier than stated as my Father in Law was born there in 1934 when Kempsters had It as a business having moved from Victoria road .
My Grandad is Des Kempster, a cousin I think
From ‘The Bioscope’. The London Electric picture company, of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, are opening their first theatre at Freshwater next Saturday, 8th April 1911. Pathe’s projectors have been adopted, and high class programs, in comfortable surroundings will be given”.
The Gaiety Theatre, which was where Hursts now stands on School Green Road, was a theatre and cinema, and once the Palace closed, it ‘stole’ the name, too. All mail addressed to Hursts on School Green Road is addressed to ‘The Palace, School Green Road’.