An old North East 1930s cinema that was left derelict and abandoned in the 1990s has been converted into a creative and performing arts venue that will open in September – here’s a sneak peek of what it’s like inside.
After over twenty years of neglect that let the building fall to rack and ruin, The Roxy Cinema at Leadgate near Consett has been given a new lease of life by a community interest company who have transformed the venue into an arts hub.
The group, named Watling Spaces after the road where The Roxy is located, split what once was a 560-seat auditorium in half and built two new stories, three studios and a small office that can be rented out hourly to clubs and collectives who can use the location.
Read more: Former Roxy Leadgate cinema converted into arts venue
The venue has been kitted out with speakers, mirrors, sprung floors as well as accessibility measures including an elevator, t-loops and specialised mirrors that reduce light sensitivity for members of the SEND community who use the venue.
Company Manager at Watling Spaces, David Barnes, spoke about the “labour of love” six-year renovation as they prepare to open for their first open day on September 2.
He said: “It’s exciting to have finished my first stage of the renovation and to be able to welcome groups from the community in who can make use of the spaces.
“I have been waiting so long to do this, to get it all open – it has been years to get it to this level. It is just great to finally open it.
“I feel like I am getting to the top of my mountain and then when I’m there I’m facing a bigger mountain for the next stage of the renovation to get that done.”
David’s next project is to breathe new life into the theatre and stage area that remains, with dreams of leasing out the stage space to schools, clubs, and professional groups to hold productions.
By September 2024, he is hoping the community will have embraced the new venue as he dreams of Watling Spaces becoming the newest home for the arts in County Durham.
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He said: “I hope the community use it, I hope it will be busy and people treat it well, thinking of it how I do.
“It has been built for them to use and for the community to have that infrastructure to do the arts that we currently don’t already have.”
Members of the public are free to head to The Roxy on September 2 between 11am-3pm for cake, coffee, and a live performance from Consett Theatre Works.
To find out more, click here.
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