News: Future of former Rotherham cinema remains unknown
As a private developer gets to work on the interior of a former cinema building, across the town centre, Rotherham Council is preparing to improve the outside of the former cinema that it owns.
Rothbiz reported last month on plans to develop the Empire building into a multi-purpose community arts venue. The former cinema at the foot of Ship Hill, also known as the Essoldo building, is being brought back to life for the people of Rotherham with work underway uncovering period features inside. A new community interest company (CIC) has been formed for when the work is complete, hopefully by the end of 2025.
Having looked at the same building, Rotherham Council has switched its focus to the Alma Tavern, which the authority owns, as a potential live music venue, backed by £4.5m of government funding.
And Rotherham Council also owns the former Regal Cinema on Corporation Street. The authority bought the art deco building after it closed as Mecca Bingo. The 2022 deal was made "as part of the Council’s Regeneration Programme. The property will contribute to the further regeneration of the Leisure & Cultural Quarter" with Rothbiz previously reporting on the council's considerations for a new theatre and arts space in Rotherham town centre.
Advertisement
At the former Mecca Bingo, plans have been submitted for the first phase of restoration.
Rotherham Council plans explain that the proposal is for the: "repainting of the exterior of 2 Corporation Street, a Grade II Listed building, to more sympathetic and historically appropriate colours, in order to preserve and enhance its architectural integrity, while maintaining its significance.
"This will contribute to the long-term preservation of the building’s character and enhance its contribution to the local built environment, while a longterm sustainable use is sought."
The plans add that the current paintwork is dated and in some cases has faded, flaked off and is inappropriate in relation to the building’s original design.
The Mecca blue will be replace by soft, muted shades of cream and light brown/mushroom colours.
At ground floor level the sheet metal protecting the building is also set to be improved.
The plans state: "We understand and appreciate the unique character of this iconic Art Deco cinema, a building that stands as a testament to a bygone era of elegance and style.
"The building is pending it’s future use and currently secured at ground level with sheet metal. With aims to reflect the cinematic grandeur and glamour of the original building signatures, which are exhibited in the existing windows and doors a vinyl treatment will be applied to the metal shutters to create the illusion of the original windows and entrances. Where original cinematic posters would have been displayed interchangeable advertising will again be displayed."
At the end of 2021, Rothbiz revealed that a campaign to save the former Regal Cinema had been successful with the site now protected by Grade II listed building status. This meant that earlier proposals from Sunshine Homes Ltd to erect a new residential building consisting of 45 dwellings and three ground floor commercial units was withdrawn. The plans would have involved knocking down the art deco building as converting the existing property was found to be not a viable proposal.
The property has since been added to the council's own heritage at risk register.
Images: Google Maps / RMBC
Rothbiz reported last month on plans to develop the Empire building into a multi-purpose community arts venue. The former cinema at the foot of Ship Hill, also known as the Essoldo building, is being brought back to life for the people of Rotherham with work underway uncovering period features inside. A new community interest company (CIC) has been formed for when the work is complete, hopefully by the end of 2025.
Having looked at the same building, Rotherham Council has switched its focus to the Alma Tavern, which the authority owns, as a potential live music venue, backed by £4.5m of government funding.
And Rotherham Council also owns the former Regal Cinema on Corporation Street. The authority bought the art deco building after it closed as Mecca Bingo. The 2022 deal was made "as part of the Council’s Regeneration Programme. The property will contribute to the further regeneration of the Leisure & Cultural Quarter" with Rothbiz previously reporting on the council's considerations for a new theatre and arts space in Rotherham town centre.
Advertisement
At the former Mecca Bingo, plans have been submitted for the first phase of restoration.
Rotherham Council plans explain that the proposal is for the: "repainting of the exterior of 2 Corporation Street, a Grade II Listed building, to more sympathetic and historically appropriate colours, in order to preserve and enhance its architectural integrity, while maintaining its significance.
"This will contribute to the long-term preservation of the building’s character and enhance its contribution to the local built environment, while a longterm sustainable use is sought."
The plans add that the current paintwork is dated and in some cases has faded, flaked off and is inappropriate in relation to the building’s original design.
The Mecca blue will be replace by soft, muted shades of cream and light brown/mushroom colours.
The plans state: "We understand and appreciate the unique character of this iconic Art Deco cinema, a building that stands as a testament to a bygone era of elegance and style.
"The building is pending it’s future use and currently secured at ground level with sheet metal. With aims to reflect the cinematic grandeur and glamour of the original building signatures, which are exhibited in the existing windows and doors a vinyl treatment will be applied to the metal shutters to create the illusion of the original windows and entrances. Where original cinematic posters would have been displayed interchangeable advertising will again be displayed."
At the end of 2021, Rothbiz revealed that a campaign to save the former Regal Cinema had been successful with the site now protected by Grade II listed building status. This meant that earlier proposals from Sunshine Homes Ltd to erect a new residential building consisting of 45 dwellings and three ground floor commercial units was withdrawn. The plans would have involved knocking down the art deco building as converting the existing property was found to be not a viable proposal.
The property has since been added to the council's own heritage at risk register.
Images: Google Maps / RMBC
13 comments:
The best possible outcome for the town centre would be for the old girl to be refitted as a theatre and music venue. It is ideally situated to complement Forge Island and would all but guarantee that the unlet premises would be taken up
Wetherspoons.....
I'd agree with that Jez. It could be a real asset to compliment Forge Island and Rotherham's leisure offer.
However, it also wouldn't surprise me if there was a mysterious fire at some point and it ended up getting flattened and turned it residential.
Definitely a theatre with a large capacity.
Totally agree Jez, it'd be an ideal live comedy venue too. If done right it could almost single handedly regenerate the whole night-time economy in Rotherham.
While it would be nowhere near my first choice use for it, I'd much rather see that happen than it go to ruin.
A theatre to replace the civic is much needed. Also accessible council offices to halt the payment of huge rent on the current ones.
It should be the new generation building to take over from the Civic Theatre. Ideal location and a bigger facility to attract more mainstream acts which then feeds into the Forge development with an increased spend.
This is a potential game changer for the town - a once in a generation opportunity. Let's hope that investment is found and that the political will is there to get it over the line.
Totally agree, but the cynic/realist in me knows what will happen.
This is another dead horse it needs bulldozing
What the RSPCA would have to say about that is interesting.
And replace with what? A high rise block of flats?
Post a Comment