Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 21 February 2022

THE REASONING behind police tape being installed at the front of an iconic art-deco former Hinckley cinema has been revealed.

Blue and white tape surrounding the front of the building, reading ‘Police’, was spotted by the Hinckley Free Press at the front of The Regent, located on Lancaster Road, last Saturday (19 February).

But, the reasoning behind it being put up by police officers was a mystery on the day.

Today (Monday, 21 February), just two days later, a Leicestershire Police spokesperson has given an explanation.

They stated that just after 8.20am on Saturday morning, officers received a report with concerns that an unsafe window at the property could fall and injure a passer-by.

As a result, officers attended to the premises and cordoned it off with police tape.

Whilst not confirmed by the force spokesperson, the call over concern of the window potentially falling could have been raised as Storm Eunice was causing havoc just a day prior, which prompted a rare ‘red’ weather warning from the Met Office.

Partly-demolished for plans – but still sitting untouched

The Regent is a currently unsafe building as it stands at this moment in time.

In April last year, contractors from Nuneaton-based demolition firm, AR Demolition, tore down the rear and top of the building ready in initial demolition works.

These works were carried out for ready to further work to start on it becoming flats where the ‘dome’ once sat – and the ground floor will be transformed into a retail unit.

Since then, no further construction works have resumed on the site for the plans.

Wooden hoardings have been placed at the side at the building, with a fence blocking off access to the rear.

The building has served many purposes – it was once a bingo hall, cinema, theatre, and even a tearoom and late-night bar in its past lease of life.