A cinema in Highams Park that has been permanently closed for more than 50 years is set to be given a new lease of life. 

Planning permission for the redevelopment of The Regal in Hale End Road was granted by Waltham Forest Council on July 18. 

The building is owned by Mammoth Capital, who submitted a new application in February after speaking with the community to gain their feedback on the proposal. 

Mammoth Capital purchased the site in 2018. The Regal Cinema closed on  September 11, 1963 under independent ownership.

Since shutting down, the space has been used on occasion as a bingo hall, snooker hall and for showing films.

The former Highams Park Electric Theatre cinema will be revamped, with restoration works planned to restore the exterior of the building. 

Not only will a new two-screen cinema and café bar be built to the ground floor level of the site, but the development will also bring about new homes. 

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In the same proposal, Mammoth Capital requested permission to construct a part-two and part-six storey building on the current site. 

Above the ground floor level featuring the cinema and café, 33 residential apartments consisting of 18 one-bed flats and 15 two-bed flats will be built. 

A decision is yet to be made over who will operate the cinema after building completion.