Ollie Hynd opens Kirkby’s new Wetherspoons pub

Wetherspoons has spent £1.4 million re-developing the site of a former cinema in The

Regency Building and transformed it into a watering hole.

The new business has helped create 40 jobs for local people at the Diamond Avenue venue and will be called The Regent, maintaining its historical connection.

It will be managed by Rachel and Jon Sellars who may be familiar to some Wetherspoons’ customers as they both worked for the company elsewhere.

Rachel was previously at The Court House in Mansfield and Jon at The Picture House, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

“Myself and Jon, together with our team, are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub,” said Rachel. “We are confident that it will be a great addition to Kirkby’s community.”

The Regency Building is an iconic landmark, which is known to many as ‘The Regent’ from its days as the leading cinema in the town.

The Regent Cinema opened in October 1930. Renamed the Essoldo in 1961, it was converted into a bingo hall four years later. Part of the old building re-opened as The Regent in 1988, and as the Cineplex in 2004.

The Regent will specialise in real ales, serving a wide range of beers, including those from local and regional brewers.

“There is also commissioned artwork by Sheffield-based artist Mark H Wilson,” added Rachel. “His painting is a fusion of Kirkby, past and present, with the iconic Regent Cinema transformed to its former glory.”

The new-look pub will feature one bar, as well as a beer garden to the rear, where smoking will be permitted in a designated area.

The Regent will also allow access for families until 9pm throughout the week for meals and drinks and is wheelchair friendly.