ESSENTIAL structural repairs to Christchurch's Regent Centre have been pushed back by more than a month.

The work on the Regent's south facing auditorium wall, organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, had originally been due to start on Monday, June 17.

Repairs, which required a total of £550,000 of funding committed by Christchurch Borough Council before it was abolished, will now run from late-July until at least mid-September.

Delays have been caused as more time is needed to arrange the specialised steel building materials.

Regent Centre general manager Felicity Porter said: “We are all really looking forward to the successful completion of the essential repairs to the South facing wall of the Auditorium, which will ensure the future of the Regent for the community for many years to come.”

While the repairs are taking place there will be disruption to the offering at the regent.

No work will take place at the centre over the weekend, allowing for films and shows at the usual times of 11am, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

However, throughout this period, the centre will only be able to show films or hold live events after 5pm on week days. This is to allow contractors to carry out the repairs in normal working hours.

During the week, once the contractors vacate the Regent in the late afternoon, two films can be screened at 5.15pm and 8pm.

The foyer and coffee bar in the Regent and the box office in the Christchurch Information Centre will remain open to the public on weekdays and weekends.

Gary Theobald, Regent Centre press officer, said: "The Regent opened on Boxing Day 1931 and celebrates its 90th Birthday in 2021.

"Once the essential repairs to the south facing wall are completed, the Regent can look forward to many more birthdays to celebrate with the community in Christchurch.”

Management have also announced the annual maintenance period for this year will now take place from Sunday, July 7, to Friday, July 12.

During this period, the Regent Centre auditorium, foyer and coffee bar will be closed and there will be no film screenings or live shows, however, the box office in the Christchurch Information Centre will remain open.

The annual work had originally been set for Monday, July 1, to Saturday, July 6 and films will now be shown during that week.

For full details and updates about the work at the Regent, visit regentcentre.co.uk, or speak to staff in the box office.