Restoration of art deco façade on eyesore building in Nairn is welcomed
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
WORK on cleaning up a long-term local eyesore has begun at last in Nairn.
News that contractors are beginning work on the restoration of the front of the former Regal cinema which forms part of the Co-op supermarket in King Street has been widely welcomed.
The art deco gable which was part of the Regal cinema was retained when the site was redeveloped in the 1980s as a supermarket and later taken over by the Co-op.
The frontage has been an eyesore and the source of complaint and campaigns for many years to get it restored to tidy up the western approaches to the town centre. The restoration works follow intensive negotiations between Nairn BID and the Co-op.
Recently work has also begun on the conversion of the neighbouring Rosebank Church which was another blight on the streetscape for decades,
Manager of Nairn BID, Lucy Harding, said: “We have been pressing for this work to be done at the highest levels with [the] Co-op for the past year and confirmation that the work is finally being done is a major breakthrough and victory for the town as a whole.
“Dickie & Moore, the main contractors for the King Street Co-op renovations have started work, and aim to be completed by October 10. This is after many months of campaigning and being assured by senior Co-op management that the budget was in place and works would be completed by the end of 2022.
“They have confirmed that the full frontage of the old cinema building will be repaired, windows replaced and decorated. This will be a great boost to the appearance of Nairn, making it a more attractive place to stop and shop.”
The Co-op has confirmed that a six-figure sum will be spent on the investment on the shop and a neighbouring bar and grill which forms part of the old Regal complex.
Over three decades there have been concerns about the deterioration of paintwork, rendering and windows to the former attic of the old cinema which housed the projection room.
The neighbouring Rosebank Church, which is now being restored, has been derelict since 1979. The former owner, Sheridan MacRae, restored the roof and it is now being converted into flats.
A spokesperson for the Co-op, said: “We are pleased to confirm that an extensive programme of works are set to start to enhance and improve the external appearance of the community’s Co-op and the neighbouring cocktail bar and grill.
“The works will include new signage and fascia for the store, a new roof covering for both the store and the neighbouring bar and grill and, repairs and redecoration to the gable-end by Mack’s cocktail bar and grill.
“Works will also involve repairs and resurfacing to the parts of the car park which Co-op has responsibility for.”
MORE NAIRN NEWS: Wheels of Nairn hailed a huge success
The programme of works are set to conclude, dependent on weather conditions, by mid-October.
Sheena Baker is the former Chair of the Association of Nairn Businesses and West & Suburban Community Council. She campaigned for years for something to be done to done about the eyesore to enhance the appearance of the town centre from the western approaches.
“This is really great news for Nairn. It had been promoted as possibly starting in August so confirmation that it will be done and dusted by mid October is excellent.
“This important corner site has been an eyesore for far too long and various tidying projects have attempted to improve the corner visually.”
Current Chairman of NWSCC Dr Alastair Noble said: “I welcome this investment from the Co-op. It again demonstrates the financial returns available in the Nairn town centre.
“I hope as we deliver our Local Place Plan and Economic Development Forum we will continue to work with the private sector and deliver on regenerating the older properties and bringing them back into residential occupancy or finding other sustainable uses for them.
“It must be the right way forward for Nairn and Nairnshire.”
