The team behind the Regal's rebirth, from left, Charlie McCreedy, Kieran Hayes, Katie Jones and Jason Preston
THE men behind a major revamp of the Regal bingo hall and cinema in Cowley Road, Oxford, have said they are returning "Oxford's first lady" to its former glory.
And tomorrow night, for the first time, people will be able to see for themselves how they have transformed the Grade II listed building into a new entertainment venue.
The Regal, as it will continue to be known, is having a launch party for its Elite Room and Foyer featuring the talents of Notting Hill Carnival and Kiss FM creator, Sir Norman Jay.
Since last June, Charlie McCreedy and Adam Marsh, who have been behind the revamp, have been carrying out an overhaul of the building.
Mr Marsh said: "I feel as if there are still nine million things to do - but they will be done.
"I'm now at the point where I'm excited - I've hated it up to this point."
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Many of the features of the building, which has been a cinema and a bingo hall, remain in place.
Mr McCreedy and Mr Marsh said they had gone to great expense to try to recreate the building's former grandeur - using the same colour paints and restoring art deco features.
Mr Marsh said: "I would like to think people will come in and see somewhere that looks grand.
"I think it will appeal to a lot of people who at the moment don't go out because there isn't somewhere that suits them.
"There are a lot of artists who will now have somewhere worthwhile to play.
"And I think there are groups, communities, and groups of friends, who could use this place for a number of activities."
The pair have refused to reveal how much they have spent transforming The Regal - but it is thought to be in the region of £500,000.
Mr Marsh said: "We have been delayed a bit and people weren't quite sure what the place was going to be used for, so there is a lot of anticipation.
"There is the impression there is something really exciting coming up - and we will deliver."
As well as club nights, live and recorded music, there are a number of community events planned, including dance classes, free film screenings in conjunction with Oxford Brookes University and a drop-in coffee morning.
The main Great Room, which will cater for up to 850 people, will not be finished until April 29, when a large charity event featuring an as yet unnamed artist will launch the main programme of events.
The third phase will see the cinema-style seating restored and brought back into use.
The Regal was built as a cinema by renowned cinema specialist Robert Cromie in 1937 and converted into a bingo hall in 1970.
It has been empty since October 2004, when Gala Bingo quit the venue in favour of a new building at the Ozone Leisure Park.
Granted Grade II listed building status in 2005, it has been used for a number of temporary events, including a broadcast of Channel 4 music programme Transmission and a charity fashion show in aid of Oxford Hospice Helen and Douglas House.
A licence application for live music and recorded music was turned down in 2006, but magistrates granted the licence on appeal in March 2007.
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