Former South Shields cinema and bingo hall placed on the ‘buildings at risk’ register

The former Regent Cinema and Mecca Bingo hall has been placed on Save Britain’s Heritage’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register.

The building, on Dean Street, in South Shields, has been placed on the register this month (July 2026) after being nominated by residents in the local community.

Save Britain’s Heritage’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ register looks to highlight historic buildings that are vacant and have an uncertain future.

The group looks to raise awareness and provide a platform to advocate for the buildings to be retained and reused.

In recent years, there have been several attempts to convert the landmark former cinema building into new uses.

Plans to turn the ground floor into a gym, beauty salon, coffee shop and other retail units, with apartments above, were rejected by South Tyneside Council back in 2016.

In subsequent years, a campaign was launched to try and persuade Historic England of the building’s heritage importance after plans were mooted for its demolition.

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It was also announced that plans were being developed for an extra care facility at the site, forming part of the council’s wider adult social care strategy which aims to support residents who may need extra help to live independently in the community.

While the future of the historic building remains uncertain, a South Tyneside Council Cabinet report from March 2025 stated that the site is “still provisionally planned for extra care housing” as part of a “borough-wide extra care development programme”.

You can see the entry on the Buildings at Risk register at: https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/buildings-at-risk/building/regent-cinema-south-shields.