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Summary

Former cinema which was built in art deco style in 1937.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CINEMA (Built, Mid 20th Century - 1937 AD to 1937 AD)

Full description

Newspace Architecture, 2025, Hub on the Strand. Heritage Statement (Report - Survey). SDV366835.

Heritage statement submitted in support of a planning application for minor alterations to the property. The building, which occupies a key position on The Strand, was built as the Regal Cinema in 1937. It was designed by D N Orphoot in art deco style. It replaced The Angel Hotel and adjoining building which were demolished.
The cinema closed in 1982 and subsequently became a club(s) which in turn closed in 2019. It is currently owned by the Coastal Community Church and renamed the Hub on the Strand.
The building is considered to have archaeological and architectural significance. In terms of archaeological significance, an excavation was carried out on the site when the cinema was built in 1937. According to 'A-Z A Barnstaple History', a few antiquities were found including some coins dated to circa 1700, an Elizabethan well and a Jacobean window which was in too poor a condition to be saved. It is likely that unfound archaeological remains are still under the building. However, as the footprint of the building is not to be altered these will remain in situ as existing.
Its architectural significance lies in its importance in the street scape as it is an unusual and imposing building. It art deco style is also unusual within the town. It is on the local list but has not been statutorily listed as it does not retain enough of its original interior. The refurbishment of the building will help retain the remaining original fabric.

Ordnance Survey, 2026, Mastermap 2026 (Cartographic). SDV366713.

Marked as a club.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.