A prominent vacant building in Rotherham town centre is set to be brought back into use after plans for a Turkish cultural centre and coffee shop were approved by Rotherham Council.
The former Eastwood Domestics premises, located on the first floor of 2โ4 High Street, will be converted from commercial use into a community-focused cultural hub and cafรฉ.
The development also includes the installation of a new entrance door at the front of the building, while the ground floor will continue to operate primarily as retail space.
The three-storey property, located on the corner of High Street and College Street, has been vacant for some time and has suffered damage and break-ins over the past year, leaving it in a derelict state. The applicant described the building as being in a โvulnerable and derelictโ condition, despite its prominent position within the town centre conservation area.
They added that the proposed development will bring substantial benefits by returning a currently disused and at-risk building to productive use. This, in turn, will enhance the vitality of the High Street and significantly improve the area’s overall appearance within the conservation zone.
The building is considered a key part of the High Street streetscape and benefits from historical elevations that contribute positively to the area. While it is not listed, it sits within the Rotherham Town Centre Conservation Area. According to the submitted plans, the proposal has been carefully designed to ensure it respects the character and appearance of both the building and the wider conservation area.
The centre will operate daily fromย 11am to 11pm, including bank holidays. It is expected to create employment opportunities, with plans forย six full-time and six part-time staff.
The plans were signed off without the need to go before Rotherham Councilโs planning board. The approval is subject to several conditions, one of which states that work on the development must begin within three years of the permission being granted.
Image – MC Brownhill Vickers
