Long-term eyesore near Nairn town centre receives major facelift following work to restore gable of former Regal Cinema
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A long-term eyesore near Nairn town centre has received a major facelift.
Work started last month on restoring the gable of the former Regal cinema, part of the Co-op supermarket in King Street.
The art deco fascia was retained when the site was redeveloped in the 1980s as a supermarket.
But the landmark, which is located on the main A96 trunk road through the town, has been the subject of a campaign by business leaders over several decades to get it cleaned up.
The Co-op had also come under fire for not addressing the problem because of the prominent site which locals thought reflected badly on the town as a visitor resort.
Earlier this year the retail chain announced the work on the gable, and an adjoining restaurant which formed part of the Regal complex, would be part of a six-figure investment in their King Street supermarket.
Over three decades paintwork, rendering and windows on the property deteriorated and the building has now been re-rendered and painted and new windows fitted to the upper part of the cinema gable end.
The Co-op said the work on their property, including their store, involves new signage and fascia, a new roof covering for both the store and the neighbouring bar and grill and, repairs and redecoration and repairs and resurfacing to the parts of the car park which Co-op has responsibility for.
Restoration work on eyesore is welcomed
Chairman of the Association of Nairn Businesses, Gordon Chisholm, who owns Tradeway in Leopold Street, close to the property, said: “It looks a lot better and it’s good to see the Co-op investing and taking ownership in the appearance of the town centre.
“It’s just a pity it’s taken such a long time.
“We now have work ongoing at the Rosebank Church and the new CAB building further along King Street, so in a short time frame we have moved forward significantly in the modernisation of that part of town.
“The next thing we would like to see, of course, is a use to be found for the former social work building which remains in a derelict condition.”
Work on the car park and boundary walls have been completed and improvements to the store are ongoing.
Nairn BID manager Lucy Harding and director Bob Ferenth made representations to the Co-op about the condition of the property last year.
Mr Ferenth said: “Nairn BID are very pleased with the long-awaited renovations.
“Over a year-and-a-half ago we contacted the Co-op’s CEO and then followed up with an on-site meeting with their real estate director.
“This intervention helped bring about the long overdue renovation programme.
“It has taken a long time to make this happen, however we are very pleased that the renovation is now complete. It makes a massive difference to King Street and the aesthetics of our town.
“We would like to thank the Co-op senior management for listening to our concerns and acting on them.”
