A LANDMARK entertainments venue in Old Hill has re-opened four years after closing down.

The Regis was mothballed during the recession after failing to find a buyer when it was put up for sale at a price tag of just under £1 million in June 2011.

Owner Tony Billingham said with the up-turn in the economy, the time was right to re-open.

The Regis, which was built in 1951, hosted top names like The Drifters during the swinging sixties.

It was bought by Mr Billingham in a joint venture in 2008 from Sandwell Council at auction for £500,000 and a £250,000 refit to restore it to its former glory followed.

But the venue was hit by the recession, the loss of a Sandwell contract to run a day centre for elderly people there and 12 months of disruption from road works in Reddal Hill Road.

Since formally re-opening earlier this week, Mr Billingham has been busy taking calls from people looking to book The Regis for private functions.

He is opening it for private functions and corporate events, but has no plans as yet to re-launch the previously popular tribute nights.

Mr Billingham, who also owns the Lapal House Care Home, hopes to get the Rowley Room licensed for weddings and plans to display some of his classic car collection there.

“I would like to create a mini-museum with some of my smaller vehicles, including an Austin Ruby, an A35 van and one of the oldest Morris Mini’s in the world, dating from 1959,” he said, adding:

“The Regis is ideal for wedding receptions, parties, funerals and for charities that want to held events.”

The venue boasts a 600-capacity ballroom with staging and a restaurant for up to 60 diners as well as the Rowley Room.

“We will not open every day, but will open for people to view and as we build up there will be work for admin, bar staff and waiters. Initially, we will use outside caterers until we get more established again.”