The Regal Cinema was located in Churchyardside. The cinema, built in 1919 by Nicholas Hartley Hacking, opened on 11 October 1920 as Ye Old Wyche Cinema Theatre. The exterior features a brick turreted tower on its corner entrance, and Tudor-style gables along the side walls. Inside the auditorium it had a small stage. It had a seating capacity of 1,200. There was also a café on the first floor. It belonged to Thomas E Markam, who owned other cinemas, including the Cosy Cinema in Nantwich. A centre aisle was added, when it became a permanent cinema.
It later became the Old Wych Super Cinema. In the early days shows would have consisted of one-reelers. In 1938 continuous performances began on Saturdays at 6.15 or 6.30 pm with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm.
In the late 1930s it was taken over by the Southan Morris chain of S.M. Super Cinemas Ltd. On 19th October 1942 it became The Regal Cinema. In the early 1950s it was converted from a normal size screen to Cinemascope and at this point was the largest in Cheshire. As this screen was in front of the stage, and had an ornate arch the, seating capacity went down to 1,000 (100 on the balcony and 900 down stairs).
On 26 August 1954, it was taken over again, this time by the Newcastle based Essoldo Cinemas chain.
In the 1950s/1960s there was a children’s show on a Saturday morning, known as The Mickypops.
The Regal Cinema was closed on 17 September 1966. The final film shown was ‘Born Free’ starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.
The building became derelict, and was subsequently converted into premises for Chatwins bakery.
