Up to 200 cinema campaigners swarmed the seafront on Saturday in a bid to 'spook' the owners of The Regent into action.

The planned Halloween protest by the Reopen the Regent pressure group was aimed at ending the ‘horror’ of an 11 year wait for the Deal building to be converted into a cinema.

During the half an hour demonstration, the crowd howled at the moon with passing cars tooting and waving in support.

Now, their message to owners James Wallace and Mark Digweed is for them to set out their intentions with a timeline.

And if their plans for a two screen cinema, as approved by Dover District Council in July 2019, are no longer viable, campaigners say they should admit this.

New member Jenny Holland joined Reopen the Regent after walking past the Art Deco building during her lockdown walks.

She said: "I was inspired to find out the back story.

"We have this fantastic building located on the seafront and it looks like they are doing absolutely nothing with it.

"This protest was to get people energised again.

"Our message is get on with it, say what you're looking to do, set out a timeline and if it is something you can no longer undertake, I'm sure there would be willing takers."

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

They spoke of a 12-month renovation before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

In December 2020, campaigners warned of serious

decay, with water seeping into it and collapsed roofing.

They also made claims that pigeons had invaded the disused building and addicts have been there taking drugs.

At the time, Dover District Council said regular inspections to review the safety and appearance of the building continued, and no formal action was needed, although this would be kept under review.

But after 10 months no progress appears to have been made.

Mrs Holland, who was given the role of getting the crowd to howl in an attempt to 'raise the Regent from the dead', added: "There was a lot of enthusiasm back in 2019 and there was good faith that something was going to happen.

"The fact they are not even stating their intentions just feels bad. It's very frustrating for the people of Deal.

"The make up of Deal has changed over the past few years.

"There is a new wave of weekend residents who are also interested in seeing this become a local cinema.

"It would be a massive asset to the town."

A long standing petition to Dover District Council to take action now has more than 3,100 signatures.

A spokesman for DDC said: “The council remains aware of the condition of the building and, as advised previously, continues to keep its position on this under review.

“We understand that the effects of the pandemic continue to have repercussions on development plans and proposals but have no further information.”

KentOnline has been unable to reach James Wallace and Mark Digweed.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal