Sadly, this rather attractive, if neglected, building in the centre of Rotherham will soon be demolished.
Originally opened in December 1934 as the Regal Cinema the building was commissioned by Thomas Wade Cinemas Ltd of Wath-upon-Dearne, and designed by Messrs Blackmore and Sykes, Architects, of Hull. It had seating for 1,825, and was fully equipped for stage performances with three dressing rooms, and a theatre organ.
The site became the Odeon in 1946 and the café was turned into a Victor Sylvester ballroom in the 1960s. The cinema was taken over by Rank in 1975 and renamed La Scala. It showed its last film in 1983. It opened up for bingo as the Ritz, but was then taken over by Mecca Bingo.
It closed temporatily during the Covid-19 crisis, but is one of quite a few Mecca Bingo sites that will not be reopening due to changed financial circumstances.
The irony is that immediately behind this building, across the River Don, a new leisure complex is being built, which will include a new multi screen cinema!
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I'm pleased that many of you agree that it is a shame to loose such an interesting building, but it seems that in this case it might be too late to save it.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
I'm pleased that many of you agree that it is a shame to loose such an interesting building, but it seems that in this case it might be too late to save it.
Ian
Thank you Nina, such a shame that it will be demolished.
Ian
It is indeed sad Brian. Hopefully whatever is built in it's place will be at least as attractive as what is being lost.
Ian