Queen’s Road (2A)

James Gray: This ancient photograph dates from 1872, because directories show that only in that year were Skeats at 133, and F P Haase, Hairdresser, next door at 134. These houses, then only about 30 years old, had a short life as by 1900 they had been completely rebuilt (see 1900 photograph on a subsequent page). These in turn were demolished in 1920 to make way for the Regent Cinema whose main entrance is on this very site. Additional Information: Zinc and galvanized iron works, baths. jgc_31_220

2020: The site of the old shops at 133 and 134 Queen’s Road is now occupied by the Boots store and a separate shop unit at No 133 which is currently vacant and available to let. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: Adjoining shops, 135 and 136, Queen’s Road, about 1910. Together with two other shops to the north they occupied the present frontage of the Regent Cinema. All four were removed early in 1920 for the building of the cinema, which opened in July 1921. jgc_31_222

2020: The site of the old Lion Drug Stores Ltd shop at 135 Queen’s Road is now occupied by the side entrance to Boots. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: See jgc_31_222 above for caption. Additional Information: Spencer’s Pork Butchers. jgc_31_223

2020: The site of R Spencer’s pork butchers shop at 136 Queen’s Road is part of the side wall of the Boots store, whose main frontage is around the corner in North Street. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: Commenced in 1920, this building covered a huge area in Queen’s Road, North Street and Windsor Street, including the Unicorn Inn and its extensive yard. This photograph was taken soon after the cinema opened in July 1921, and before construction of the Dance Hall had started. This was a long job and the Dance Hall was not opened until December 1923. Reproduced by kind permission of the Manager, Regent Cinema. jgc_31_224

2020: All the buildings in the 1921 photo have gone, and the huge Boots store now dominates the scene on the corner of Queen’s Road and North Street. A Trespass clothing store currently occupies the building on the extreme left, at 132 Queen’s Road. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: A later photograph, of about 1950, looking in from North Street Quadrant, and focussing on the Regent Cinema and Dance Hall. Now, in 1983, all the three large buildings seen have been removed, the greatest loss being that of the Regent. jgc_31_226

2020: The Regent Cinema was demolished in 1974, and the huge Boots store is now in its place on the corner of Queen’s Road and North Street. The Clock Tower no longer stands on an island site, but at the edge of a pedestrianised area. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: Here is a comparison between the ironmonger’s shop of 1872 and the super cinema of 1957, both on the site of 133 Queen’s Road. Compare the view of the Cinema with the earlier photograph [jgc_31_224] of 1921. jgc_31_228

2020: The site of the old shops at 133 and 134 Queen’s Road is now occupied by the Boots store, and a separate shop unit at No 133 which is currently vacant and available to let. See also jgc_311_220 for a sepia toned version of the same photograph. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: Crowds gather in Queen’s Road, by the Clock Tower, for the visit of the Calais Municipal bands on 15 August 1907. The interest here is surely provided by the people and the transport, not by the buildings. At the right, however, note the entrance to the White Lion Hotel (now occupied by the large Boots building) and the comparative newness of the Clock Tower, then only 20 years old. jgc_31_221

2020: The huge Boots store on the right now dominates this scene with part of the Clock Tower on the left.