Hello! I'm hoping you might be prepared to support the campaign to restore the old Regal Theatre/Cinema on Richmond Road, Kingston (latterly a bingo hall, now derelict) as a cinema and performing arts/conference venue. The building is currently owned by a guy called Franco Lumba, who was declared ba read moreHello! I'm hoping you might be prepared to support the campaign to restore the old Regal Theatre/Cinema on Richmond Road, Kingston (latterly a bingo hall, now derelict) as a cinema and performing arts/conference venue. The building is currently owned by a guy called Franco Lumba, who was declared bankrupt earlier this year, having been convicted of unlawful demolition works to this Grade II listed building, common assault (nasty attack on his girlfriend) and concealing a prev...ious conviction. He has in place a conditional contract, said to be worth £2.6 million, under which local developer CNM Estates (run by Wahid Samady and itself with a dodgy record in terms of carrying out work without planning permission) will acquire it if they get planning permission for their own scheme, which involves drastic partitioning of the well-preserved auditorium and demolition of other parts of the building. This is opposed by a rapidly growing number of locals, the Cinema Theatre Association, the 20th Century Society and English Heritage. The restored theatre would be an immense asset to the area and would deliver significant cultural and economic benefits. Please add your names to and share the petition and help secure this iconic building for the community! Check my timeline or the Kingston Regal Arts Association page for the link. A piece on this subject will be appearing soon in The River!
