History:

 

The Regal Cinema was opened on 14th December 1931. It was built for and operated by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) and had a seating capacity of 1,699 in stalls and circle levels.  On 18th March 1972, it was closed for splitting into two spaces, the former stalls area became a bingo club, and a 532-seat cinema opened as the ABC in the former circle on 8th June 1972.  To achieve this a new concrete floor was installed in front of the original balcony/circle extending forwards with a dividing wall being installed in front of the original proscenium arch, which still exists behind the currently positioned screen and curtains.  This extended floor, which separated the cinema from the bingo below, is responsible for the unusually excellent sight lines in this converted cinema, as the screen is placed a good distance forward from the seated area, unlike many other cinemas which were split and had the new screen located much closer to the audience resulting in an uncomfortable front row viewing experience.  In the early 1980's It was re-named EMI and in 1986 became the Cannon.

 

The ABC name returned to the Cinema for a brief spell in the late 1990's when Virgin Cinemas bought the MGM Cannon group in 1995 and subsequently divested of the non-multiplex sites to Cinven for £70m.  Five years later in 2000, Cinven bought over the once rival Odeon Cinemas from Rank Group for £280m and shortly after, a decision was made to switch almost all of the cinemas across to the more widely recognised Odeon branding.  As such in 2021 the Dumfries ABC was re-named Odeon.

 

In 2015 Odeon invested in some upgrade work at Dumfries, including the installation of Premier Seating towards the rear of the auditorium, which resulted in a reduced seating capacity of 450.  Unfortunately, with much local disappointment, the Dumfries Odeon was closed on 28th June 2018. 

 

In the summer of 2024, Tristan Campbell, began exploring the possibility of reopening the cinema returning the town's main Cinema to use for the people of Dumfries.  Following just over 12 months of planning and negotiations, the cinema reopened once again, under its original Regal name.