Recurrent heatwaves this summer have caused construction setbacks that may mean the site opens in Spring 2028 rather than Autumn 2027 as previously hoped, reports Marco Marcelline
The developer behind the Regal Cinema project in Highams Park has said recurrent heatwaves this summer have caused construction setbacks that may mean the site opens in Spring 2028 rather than Autumn 2027 as previously hoped.
The Regal, in Hale End Road, is currently being rebuilt into 33 flats, a café bar and a restored art‑deco cinema frontage. Construction began in early 2026 and had been on track to finish in autumn 2027, according to Waltham Forest Council. Two 80 to 90 seat screens are planned, with opening hours from 8am to midnight.
Speaking to the Echo following several months of inactivity on the site, Bal Chima, director of Mammoth Capital, explained that due to the run of extreme heat, the company decided to take a “planned pause” on construction.
He said: “You cannot pour structural concrete above 32C without compromising its strength – we won’t bake weaknesses into foundations meant to last another century. The same heat is punishing for the people on site, and stop-start working in those conditions is inefficient and unfair to them.”
“We’ve built slack into the delivery of this project in the case of extenuating circumstances such as this, so even if we complete in Spring 2028 that’s still within the boundary of what we’ve allowed for in terms of slack”.
Bal added that Mammoth Capital was forced to rework its foundation design after uncovering three or four different types of old foundations from the building’s past lives as a cinema, bingo hall, snooker hall and nightclub.
Announcing the find, the developer also told Highams Park Planning Group: “The new foundation design has to respond to what’s actually in the ground, not what the old drawings suggested. On a project of this scale, the work happening at the drawing board right now is what makes sure everything that follows is done once, properly, to the highest standard.”
The building opened in 1911 as the Highams Park Electric Theatre and was renamed The Regal Cinema in 1935 when it was partially rebuilt with an art-deco style facade, a new entrance foyer, and a cafe.
The Regal Cinema closed on 11th September 1963 and has since been used as a bingo hall, snooker hall, bar and nightclub before it was left vacant in 2015.
The original art-deco façade has caused complications for Mammoth; cracks were noted ahead of works starting, leading the company to spray a new 8-inch (200mm) reinforced concrete wall directly against the back of the original brick wall.
The move permanently bonded the two walls into “one, single unified structure”, Bal explained, which means the old façade brickwork no longer carries the load alone.
“Doing this is what allowed us to safely demolish the remainder of the building behind it, with additional temporary propping added as an extra safeguard. The result is a wall that is stronger, safer and more durable than she has ever been.”
The Echo understands Mammoth Capital has received three to four “serious offers” from independent cinema chains located in London, with the tender process expected to be completed by the end of the year.
In April, the independent filmhouse Castle Cinema confirmed it had submitted a bid to run the new two‑screen cinema, stating: “Our vision is to bring the same community spirit, curated film programme, and welcoming bar space that we pride ourselves on in Hackney.
“The selection process is ongoing, and whilst we are incredibly hopeful we know these things take time.”
A portion of the 33 flats, which are a mixture of one-bed and two-bedroom leasehold apartments, have already been put on the market with the cheapest abode starting at £350,000 and the most expensive being around £750,000 for a penthouse.
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