News: Alma still in line for new music venue project
Commercial property agents working to find a new use for a former cinema building in Rotherham have made changes to the particulars, indicating that it is not part of a council venture to secure a new music venue in the town centre.
Rothbiz reported last month on the Essoldo building on Ship Hill / High Street where letting documents from Eddisons showed that the proposal for "The New Empire Building" is to create "a music venue/bar/food court/co-working development with units of varying sizes."
A large food vendor / food court area is shown on the ground floor, alongside a large bar area that would also extend into the basement.
Two units are shown, a larger one on the first floor and a smaller one on the ground floor by the main entrance.
Now the documents have been updated, removing the statement saying that the project is supported by RiDO (the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council).
Rotherham Council's £30m+ plans to redevelop the markets include adding a new dining area to the first floor of the Indoor Market.
The authority is also involved in assessing the suitability of a number of historic buildings after a scheme to repurpose the former Guest & Chrimes foundry as an National / International music venue fell flat, despite £4.5m of government funding being on the table, when the council was unable to reach an agreement with the landowner, Rotherham United Football Club.
With the Cutlers Arms and Alma Tavern now under Rotherham Council ownership, the possibility of redeveloping the site on Sheffield Road has recently been discussed again.
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Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at RiDO, said: "The council own both buildings. The Cutlers already run a successful music business out the back of the venue. The pub are wanting this to continue and not be jeopardised by the residential [development in the adjacent riverside area].
"What we are looking at is to provide something at the rear of both buildings to keep the music scene going.
"We’re looking at a strategy with culture given there is so much interest in music within the town centre, and we need to work out how to pull all this together."
Rothbiz understands that a scheme for the Alma, which is not a listed building (unlike the saved and re-opened Cutler's Arms next door), would involve some demolition with a hope to maintain the front.
Plans were submitted by the fire-damaged pub's previous owners in 2021 to demolish the rear but keep the historic frontage standing.
The Alma Tavern possesses an attractive and valuable façade, probably the last memory of Rotherham’s earliest commercial brewery, Bentleys, but in 2012 a fire in the roof space caused further damage.
Rotherham Council acquired all land and properties owned by Satnam Urban Regeneration Ltd which includes the 200 space Westgate Car Park and the two pubs.
Masterplanning has been undertaken for up to 279 high quality residential units, to include a mix of apartments and houses in the area, known as the Riverside Residential Quarter. Planning permission has recently been secured for public realm work and work to secure the river walls to enable future development.
Images: Google Maps
Rothbiz reported last month on the Essoldo building on Ship Hill / High Street where letting documents from Eddisons showed that the proposal for "The New Empire Building" is to create "a music venue/bar/food court/co-working development with units of varying sizes."
A large food vendor / food court area is shown on the ground floor, alongside a large bar area that would also extend into the basement.
Two units are shown, a larger one on the first floor and a smaller one on the ground floor by the main entrance.
Now the documents have been updated, removing the statement saying that the project is supported by RiDO (the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council).
Rotherham Council's £30m+ plans to redevelop the markets include adding a new dining area to the first floor of the Indoor Market.
The authority is also involved in assessing the suitability of a number of historic buildings after a scheme to repurpose the former Guest & Chrimes foundry as an National / International music venue fell flat, despite £4.5m of government funding being on the table, when the council was unable to reach an agreement with the landowner, Rotherham United Football Club.
With the Cutlers Arms and Alma Tavern now under Rotherham Council ownership, the possibility of redeveloping the site on Sheffield Road has recently been discussed again.
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Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at RiDO, said: "The council own both buildings. The Cutlers already run a successful music business out the back of the venue. The pub are wanting this to continue and not be jeopardised by the residential [development in the adjacent riverside area].
"What we are looking at is to provide something at the rear of both buildings to keep the music scene going.
"We’re looking at a strategy with culture given there is so much interest in music within the town centre, and we need to work out how to pull all this together."
Rothbiz understands that a scheme for the Alma, which is not a listed building (unlike the saved and re-opened Cutler's Arms next door), would involve some demolition with a hope to maintain the front.
Plans were submitted by the fire-damaged pub's previous owners in 2021 to demolish the rear but keep the historic frontage standing.
The Alma Tavern possesses an attractive and valuable façade, probably the last memory of Rotherham’s earliest commercial brewery, Bentleys, but in 2012 a fire in the roof space caused further damage.
Rotherham Council acquired all land and properties owned by Satnam Urban Regeneration Ltd which includes the 200 space Westgate Car Park and the two pubs.
Masterplanning has been undertaken for up to 279 high quality residential units, to include a mix of apartments and houses in the area, known as the Riverside Residential Quarter. Planning permission has recently been secured for public realm work and work to secure the river walls to enable future development.
Images: Google Maps
20 comments:
Well that will be a spanner in works for essoldo development,also wouldn't trust council as far as I could throw them regards The Cutlers and Alma,there true interest isn't Rotherham's culture.....well not our own historic culture that is!😏
Never mind the Alma what about the disgusting eyesores on Corporation Street. The old nightclub and the restaurant?
Any decent run council would have placed an enforcement order on these two buildings long ago. How long have they been left in that state, 10 years or more? There's no wonder Rotherham town centre is seen as a dump and folk don't use it anymore.
This town was the place to visit back in the 70's, 80's even the 90's where folk from all over South Yorkshire would visit as it was fully stocked of retailers of all descriptions. The best outdoor market second to none and look at it now, I reiterate, a dump!
Think the buildings in question are due to be demolished very shortly, apparently a very complex task due to other buildings around it especially to rear, been very close and occupied by businesses.As said should've been done years ago.
In the 70s and 80s Internet shopping didn't exist, supermarkets were unheard of, Parkgate Shopping wasn't less than 2 miles away and Meadowhall wasn't less than 3 miles away. That's why Rotherham is finished as central retail hub, not how well the council is or isn't run. That's why there's now a focus by the council on bringing it forward as an entertainment hub.
As the "LEAVE THE CUTLERS ALONE" person seen this yet? They may want em to not leave it alone now.
Need to get the filth off the streets in town smack heads all over
Why does the first poster feel it necessary to reply to every topic with an unsubtle aside about race?
Because he’s a bigot!
Because it's fact,more interested the new 'cultures'than the traditionals,sorry if it sets your 'wacism'alarms off,need to adjust your woke settings, they're too sensitive!🤣
And you are a sad individual
I worked In Rotherham town centre near the derelict nightclub and restaurant and the derelict loft nightclub..there used to be loads of clubs and bars around west gate but now there is only the bridge inn...run by mark firth on Saturday nights a good rock venue........i live in Sheffield city centre and that is. Undergoing massive regeneration at the moment give the Rotherham council a chance .......your right about the smackrats I had to chase the same filth out of my store every day but I did have police backup most days ...
Your views are uneducated and distasteful.
They might be distasteful, but sometimes the truth is.
As I once said earlier,turn the old Odean into a music venue on the lines of the Holmfirth Picturedome.This will not only be a fantastic venue but with the correct bands and marketing will attract people who will utilise the new hotel.
An opinion is not truth. Particularly when it is not true
Evidence suggests otherwise
Something needs to be done quickly with the Odeon before it becomes unsavable.
It's simply really, renovate into flats, a casino or a Spearmint Rhinos
It’ll all be on fire before the year is out.
I hope you don't have plans to help it along
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