THE Regal Cinema will bring down the final curtain on January 6 with a charity showing of Grease.
Bosses at the Northwich Cinema chose the musical starring John Tra-volta and Olivia Newton-John after customers indicated their preference.
'Many people have popped in to express their sadness that we are closing and asked if they could see their favourite film one more time,' said cinema manager Karl Woods. 'Grease was the firm favourite with Gone With The Wind coming in close behind, but we cannot show that because it is not available on 35mm.'
Those at the screening will also receive a reproduction of the brochure brought out in 1939 to mark the opening of the 'town's newest cinema'. It includes archive photos plus new ones of the present cinema staff, five of whom have worked at The Regal for between 20 and 40 years. Proceeds will be divided between the British Red Cross and Winsford's St Luke's Hospice.
The cinema is a victim of changing lifestyles and dwindling audiences because of pirate DVDs and the ever-increasing number of multiplexes. - although ironically the arrival of Casino Royale has seen an upsurge in interest.
Tickets, priced £10, go on sale on Monday on 01606 43130.
Anyone with memories of the Regal Cinema they would like to share with readers can write to: The Chronicle, 80 Witton Street, Northwich, or e-mail midcheshire.news@cheshirenews.co.uk
