Rotherham's Old Landmark and Its Changing Leisure Scene
Since 2021, one of Rotherham’s most recognisable buildings has stood quiet. The landmark on Corporation Street, a building that has stood in the town centre for 90+ years, closed its doors that year and has never reopened.
Its story, though, is far from finished. If anything, it might just be getting started once again.
The Closure
When the building closed down in 2021, the future looked generally worrying. It opened its doors back in December 1934 as the Regal Cinema. It could fit over a thousand people and was known as one of the town’s “best” entertainment spots.
Once it closed, however, demolition was immediately on the cards. Developers wanted to destroy this building and make way for some flats.
Before this, though, the building was awarded Grade II listed status. Rotherham Council later stepped in to buy the property.
It just goes to show how much history this building has for the residents of Rotherham. The local council understood this, which is why they ended up purchasing the building to bring the empty landmark into the public's hands.
As for now, there have been no plans to reopen the building. We do imagine they’ll do something with it after the Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan has been completed.
Where the Old Pastimes Went
Though the building has closed, it doesn’t mean the pastime has completely disappeared. There have been many grand venues like this that have closed down around the country. It isn’t like the entertainment they hosted has gone, though; it has just changed format.
The game that once filled the Corporation Street landmark, bingo, is a good example. More people simply play it online than in person now. These live formats hold on to much of what made the hall experience enjoyable. They still have live hosts, a social aspect, and a chance to win.
For instance, the Double Bubble live bingo tournament by Buzz Bingo. For just 10p per ticket, you’re able to join up to 5 daily live shows from Monday through to Sunday. That level of availability isn’t found in many bingo halls in Britain. Add this to the fact you don’t even need to leave your house, and we start to understand why this pastime moved online.
Rebuilding the Town's Leisure Offer
👷 Plans are forging ahead on the Town Centre Masterplan. Check out the work that’s started on the developments in the first of our videos showcasing the changes here https://t.co/qCczmMQ9C8 🏗️@CinemaArc @Muse_Devs @EricWrightGroup https://t.co/lOYEZ9rs5G pic.twitter.com/khnYkcx4Yt
— Rotherham Council (@RMBCPress) June 19, 2021
While the old Regal Cinema building waits for its next chapter, the town around it is slowly being rebuilt.
The Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan is at the forefront of this change. It’s a scheme designed to bring more life, activity, and spending into the town centre.
Much of this effort is around the £47 million Forge Island development. This is going to be a new leisure destination between the River Don and the canal. It’ll feature an eight-screen boutique cinema, a hotel, and several food and drink outlets.
What’s nice is the abandoned building sits in Corporation Street, which is only a stone's throw away from the new developments.
Therefore, if this project does bring the expected life back into the town, it’ll be more of a reason to reopen the Grade II listed building.
What Comes Next
What’ll happen to the Corporation Street landmark is yet to be decided. However, it’s protected, publicly owned, and in the centre of some serious regeneration developments.
As a result, we could see it reopen in the future. If the regeneration plans do attract more visitors, then there’ll be more reason to repurpose the building.
Images: Joshua Hoehne / UnSplash Read more...
