Plans have been submitted for a complete demolition of one of the last remaining Art Deco buildings in Bacup.
The Regal Cinema and Bingo Hall has been derelict since the turn of the century, with various applications to transform the building falling by the wayside.
Now, B&E Boys, based in Waterfoot, which purchased the building in 2009, wants to demolish the former cinema and bingo hall, and part demolish the adjoining snooker hall and rear of a property in Burnley Road.
In its place, the construction firm wants to erect a new two-storey building with extensions, to provide five modern commercial units named the Bacup Technology Hub.
Historic England has said the loss of the building will damage the town’s conservation area but retaining it as it is will be a very costly exercise and is not financially viable.
Both of the buildings – the cinema and snooker hall - are in a state of disrepair and in need of regeneration to enhance Bacup and encourage revitalisation of the high street within the town centre.
Aerial view of the site (Image: Council)
In 2014 community leaders called for improvements to be made to the Regal Cinema with members of Bacup Pride and Bacup Natural History Society labelling the disused building as an ‘eyesore’.
In 2005, London businessman Ahmed Khashaba bought the building at an auction, but disposed of it in 2007 following a critical television documentary into the acquisition.
B&E Boys lodged a planning application in 2009 to demolish part of the cinema, but it was refused by Rossendale Council on the grounds it would ‘be harmful to the character and appearance’ of the Bacup Town Centre Conservation Area.
Cllr Jimmy Eaton said B&E Boys, based in Todd Carr Road, Waterfoot, had ‘a good track record’ of looking after buildings.
In 2020 a second bid was made to restore the run-down cinema building following the town being granted more than £1 million in funding as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).
Since then, applications have been made in relation to a façade retention scheme, but the costs spiralled, and Historic England said it would not fund a demolition.
There was also talk of Calico Homes contributing funds for a residential scheme, but these also failed to materialise.
Between December 2021 and April 2022, a proposed employment scheme was developed with the property owner; this iteration did not include the facade retention and in April 2022 a pre-application was lodged with Rossendale Council.
A planning statement submitted alongside the application reads: “The front elevation dominates the surrounding architecture due to its scale and iconic decorative Art Deco features.
“Over the years it has changed its use but has recently been left vacant falling into a very poor condition externally and internally.
“Due to its condition it is having a negative impact on the towns aesthetic.
“The site however, if given a suitable purpose, has the potential to have great impact on the revival of the local high street.
“The internal condition is very poor with signs of corrosion to the steel structure and rotting to timbers, both structural and decorative.
“The roof is partially missing, leaving the internal finishes exposed to external elements, putting further strain on the building, while causing severe damage.
“The snooker hall has been left vacant for a substantial amount of time. It currently houses a large storage unit and is constructed with a mix of materials with stone to the Market Street facade, brick facing the courtyard and pebble dash render. The windows are painted timber frame to the street facade.
“Due to the partial submersion of the building there is water ingress within the ground floor and mould growth due to poor ventilation. The roof over the entrance to the snooker hall on Market Street is pitched with slate tiles.
“To the rear the roof is metal frame with Perspex openings. It is largely damaged with water ingress causing algae growth on the internal walls and pooling on the concrete floors.
“The proposal will aspire to reinvigorate the high street with independent manufacturers and creative workshops and create an interactive environment.
“The spaces would be let individually but together form a social multi-purpose space in which to collaborate in design, manufacture and sales of independent bespoke products.
“Each unit has a mezzanine level accessed via individual staircases. These units can be kitted out fit for purpose requirements by the businesses. The snooker hall will have an additional entrance from Maitland Street and Market Street.”
The application is under consideration and Rossendale Council will make a decision in due course.
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