Regal Moon pub submits planning application to expand into neighbouring former hairdressers

Regal Moon

The owners of the Regal Moon pub in Rochdale town centre have applied for planning permission to expand into an empty neighbouring shop.

The adjoining corner shop, which most recently used to be a hairdressers, would see the first floor and staircase demolished. The Wetherspoons’ beer garden would extend by demolishing an existing condenser yard, and include the installation of fixed seating booths, balustrading (ornamental railings with short decorative pillars), planters and passenger lift.

The design and access statement notes: “The historic high-level metal windows remain and will continue to be retained. Where the existing retail unit sho pfront is proposed to be removed and new windows installed, it is proposed these are installed as dark grey units. This provide differentiation between the historic and more modern additions without entering into a poor pastiche. It is believed that the proposals for the conversion of the vacant corner unit will create a better balance to the building than the existing poor-quality shop front.

“To the rear, the main ambition of the proposal is to create a better entrance and elevation to face Constantine Road/Baillie Street in anticipation of the proposed town centre development.”

Before becoming a Wetherspoons pub during the 1990s, the building on The Butts previously used to be the former Regal cinema, which later became the ABC in the early 1960’s. It was designed by architect Leslie C. Norton.

Purpose built in 1938, the art-deco Regal cinema was formally opened on 16 May by Mrs Mary Duckworth, then-Mayor of Rochdale. It played an important part of the town's social life from the 1930s until its closure in 1992.

The application currently awaits a decision.