News: Prominent Rotherham bank building goes up for auction
An empty former bank in Rotherham town centre is set to go under the hammer next month.
The Corporation Street building was previously part of a regeneration scheme but agreements could not be reached between the owner and the council.
The former NatWest bank is described as being "in a state of disrepair requiring development and conversion."
Rothbiz reported in 2021 on investment plans for vacant buildings on Corporation Street as part of a bid to extend the town's new Leisure and Cultural Quarter.
As development continued on the cinema and hotel scheme at nearby Forge Island, acquisitions by the council included the Riverside Precinct, the former Mecca Bingo building, the building vacated by Wilko, and the burnt-out buildings on the opposite side of Corporation Street. All but the grade II listed Mecca building have been demolished.
In the case of the former NatWest Bank, private sector owners have not brought forward a suitable scheme and have turned down a bid from the council to buy the building.
2021 plans showed CGIs of a new scheme at the bank buildings on Corporation Street, adding that: "The Council have worked in conjunction with private sector owners to develop a mixed use and residential scheme which is capable of retaining the heritage features of buildings within the conservation area but requires some public sector funding."
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To support the scheme, Rotherham Council was prepared to sell the former Lloyds bank next door for just £1 in 2022.
By 2024, concerns were being raised earlier regarding the progress made by the owners of the NatWest Bank who were then given a short timescale to provide a plan. With no suitable plans for the bank, the owners then informed the council that they would consider selling the property. An agreement could not be reached.
Now BTG Eddisons is listing 38 Corporation Street for its next auction in October with a guide price of £180,000 - £200,000.
The listing states: "An attractive and substantial stone built detached building dating back to the early 1900s originally as a Bank arranged over three floors in a state of disrepair requiring development and conversion. The existing layout comprises a ground floor which is largely open plan with several annexed meeting rooms.
"The property benefits from several strong rooms in the basement and has ancillary accommodation throughout the remainder of the property and upper floors. A scheme has been drawn up to for the conversion and development to provide two ground floor commercial units, one of which have a lower ground floor along with a mix of one and two bedroom apartments over the upper floors. We understand that any development may be eligible for local authority grants or even GAP funding, prospective buyers are to carry out their own due diligence and enquiries in this regard.
"The building is well located within the heart of the town centre and close by the new Forge Island development, a joint scheme delivered by Rotherham Council and Muse Developments. The development includes a 69-room Travelodge hotel, an 8-screen boutique cinema and a pedestrianised public space including 6 commercial properties providing bar, restaurant and entertainment facilities."
Allthough not a isted building, the former Sheffield Banking Company branch was added to the local list of heritage assets earlier this year. Listed as 36 Corporation Street, it states that it was built in 1892-4 with the northern end of the front elevation rebuilt and inset in 1913 to comply with the construction of the new road. The present building replaced an earlier house, present by 1774, which was occupied by Sheffield Banking Company from 1834.
With work underway on the new Riverside Gardens and street scene improvements, the council has been hoping to acquire more property interests at Corporation Street. The properties were not named but minutes from Rotherham's Town Deal board from 2025 show that the council had an offer accepted on the Ring Shop and make reference to 22 Corporation Street.
BTG Eddisons website
Images: BTG Eddisons
The Corporation Street building was previously part of a regeneration scheme but agreements could not be reached between the owner and the council.
The former NatWest bank is described as being "in a state of disrepair requiring development and conversion."
Rothbiz reported in 2021 on investment plans for vacant buildings on Corporation Street as part of a bid to extend the town's new Leisure and Cultural Quarter.
As development continued on the cinema and hotel scheme at nearby Forge Island, acquisitions by the council included the Riverside Precinct, the former Mecca Bingo building, the building vacated by Wilko, and the burnt-out buildings on the opposite side of Corporation Street. All but the grade II listed Mecca building have been demolished.
In the case of the former NatWest Bank, private sector owners have not brought forward a suitable scheme and have turned down a bid from the council to buy the building.
2021 plans showed CGIs of a new scheme at the bank buildings on Corporation Street, adding that: "The Council have worked in conjunction with private sector owners to develop a mixed use and residential scheme which is capable of retaining the heritage features of buildings within the conservation area but requires some public sector funding."
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To support the scheme, Rotherham Council was prepared to sell the former Lloyds bank next door for just £1 in 2022.
By 2024, concerns were being raised earlier regarding the progress made by the owners of the NatWest Bank who were then given a short timescale to provide a plan. With no suitable plans for the bank, the owners then informed the council that they would consider selling the property. An agreement could not be reached.
Now BTG Eddisons is listing 38 Corporation Street for its next auction in October with a guide price of £180,000 - £200,000.
The listing states: "An attractive and substantial stone built detached building dating back to the early 1900s originally as a Bank arranged over three floors in a state of disrepair requiring development and conversion. The existing layout comprises a ground floor which is largely open plan with several annexed meeting rooms.
"The property benefits from several strong rooms in the basement and has ancillary accommodation throughout the remainder of the property and upper floors. A scheme has been drawn up to for the conversion and development to provide two ground floor commercial units, one of which have a lower ground floor along with a mix of one and two bedroom apartments over the upper floors. We understand that any development may be eligible for local authority grants or even GAP funding, prospective buyers are to carry out their own due diligence and enquiries in this regard.
"The building is well located within the heart of the town centre and close by the new Forge Island development, a joint scheme delivered by Rotherham Council and Muse Developments. The development includes a 69-room Travelodge hotel, an 8-screen boutique cinema and a pedestrianised public space including 6 commercial properties providing bar, restaurant and entertainment facilities."
Allthough not a isted building, the former Sheffield Banking Company branch was added to the local list of heritage assets earlier this year. Listed as 36 Corporation Street, it states that it was built in 1892-4 with the northern end of the front elevation rebuilt and inset in 1913 to comply with the construction of the new road. The present building replaced an earlier house, present by 1774, which was occupied by Sheffield Banking Company from 1834.
With work underway on the new Riverside Gardens and street scene improvements, the council has been hoping to acquire more property interests at Corporation Street. The properties were not named but minutes from Rotherham's Town Deal board from 2025 show that the council had an offer accepted on the Ring Shop and make reference to 22 Corporation Street.
BTG Eddisons website
Images: BTG Eddisons
1 comments:
Would be a perfect Bar/restaurant overlooking the river...... Please not more flats, housing the usual we seem to end up with in Rotherham Town centre.
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