Christmas hold-up for demolition

PLANS to flatten a former Rotherham town centre retail and office block are being put on hold - so the demoliton does not interfere with Christmas shopping.

All Saints Buildings, which until recently housed a number of established retail businesses and offices, is being demolished as part of the giant Rotherham Renaissance project.

But the massive complex in Corporation Street will not be knocked down until early next year to avoid disruption over the Christmas period. The site will then be redeveloped with brand new shops and offices.

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A council spokesman said: “Architects have been appointed for this development and design work is already underway.

A planning application is expected to be submitted by the first week in October.

“Construction of a new building is expected to start in May 2008. Demolition of the existing building is not planned until the end of January next year to ensure as little disruption as possible to Rotherham’s Christmas shoppers.”

All Saints Buildings is being demolished as part of a 100 million pound development which also includes the former Market Street and Domine Lane car parks and part of Westgate.

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It will also include a massive facelift for nearby Imperial Buildings, the Grade 2 listed Edwardian shopping arcade, and the redevelopment of the important Guest and Chrimes site with a new civic centre.

The scheme, called the Westgate Demonstrator Project, will see the area redeveloped with smart apartment blocks and other buildings stretching along the River Don. It also includes underground car parking to make maximum use of the space available.

Long-established retailers such as Wilfred Hill Menswear, Ratcliffe’s the Stationers and bakers Graftons moved out of All Saints Buildings some time ago.

“This is part of the Rotherham Renaissance project, a 20-year regeneration vision for the town centre which is now starting to become a reality,” said the spokesman. “It is one of the council’s key central regeneration schemes.”