Cinema protesters banged pots and pans as they sent out a ‘Mayday distress call’ to the owners of The Regent.

Around 200 people from Reopen the Regent attended the event on Monday, aimed at prompting owners James Wallace and Mark Digweed into converting the Deal building into a cinema.

It was their second protest in six months, following a Halloween themed demonstration in October, which failed to spook the developers into ending the community’s 11 year wait.

Now, the pressure group is repeating its request to Mr Digweed and Mr Wallace and Dover District Council for a restoration timeline to be communicated.

Campaigner Jennifer Holland said: “It’s been six months since our last protest and still the people of Deal have no cinema, nor any signs of firm progress towards one.

“We’re shouting Mayday because this is now truly an emergency and we hope that the owners will hear our Mayday distress call.”

Campaign chairwoman Fay Franklin added: “We hoped that our calls to bring the Regent back from the dead were heard by owners Mark Digweed and James Wallace at our Halloween Howl in October 2021.

“Unfortunately, there’s still no sign of progress.”

Mr Wallace and Mr Digweed were granted planning permission to reopen the cinema in July 2019, after purchasing the freehold in 2011.

They spoke of a 12-month renovation before the Covid-19 pandemic struck but have remained silent since.

In December 2020, campaigners warned of serious decay. Other fears about misuse have also been raised, with concerns people have broken into the building.

At the time, Dover District Council said it has conducted regular inspections to review the safety and appearance of the building, but no formal action was required.

Now, a spokesman said: "The council is not the owner of this building.

"However, the council remains aware of the condition of the building, and continues to keep its position on this under review.”

Campaigner Kathryn Reilly says that further delays are unacceptable.

She said: “Mr Wallace and Mr Digweed bought the Regent in 2010, with a covenant in perpetuity that the Regent should be restored as a cinema.

“Reopen the Regent have successfully secured it as an Asset of Community Value.

"Eleven years later, the building is in an increasingly poor state of repair. It’s becoming a real eyesore.”

We have been unable to reach Mr Digweed and Mr Wallace.

But speaking in 2019, Mr Digweed said: “At no time have our proposals not included a cinema or have we ever approached the council to have the cinema covenant lifted.”