The area to the left of the entrance to Bellingham Lane has completely changed over the last 25-30 years. A restaurant and one time antiques shop stood on the site of the shops next to Homeregal House.

A charming old house known as `The Retreat' (centre property in the picture below) was situated well back from the road on the site of the existing HSBC Bank. The house was occupied by a member of the Ager family until its demolition in the early 1970's.

Just to the North stood the Regal Cinema (pictured below) which was demolished in 1972/73. Prior to the Regal Cinema stood a building used by the girls of Bellingham Private School for Dancing and PT and later it became a Cinema showing silent films. Before its demolition to make way for the Regal, it was known as the `Cosy Talkie Theatre'!

The Regal Cinema site remained derelict until 1986 when the construction of the present retirement flats commenced known as Homeregal House.

It is interesting to note that prior to this development an archaeological dig took place on the site in 1985 by Essex County Council. Evidence of a huge 13 metre wide by 5 metre deep ditch was uncovered which led from an outer bailey of the castle which once stood on the Mount.