West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says he is ‘hugely impressed’ by efforts to save an iconic Harborne building – and the public’s determination to see it brought back into use.
Mr Street, who heads up the West Midlands Combined Authority, visited the Royalty Cinema with Harborne councillor Peter Fowler to see first-hand the challenges faced by the Grade II listed former cinema and bingo hall on the High Street.
Mr Street said: “I wanted to come along and see the Royalty so I could fully understand the challenges that it faces, but also to get a clear feel for the way it is viewed by local people. I have to say I was impressed.
“There are lots of buildings like this around the West Midlands, but here in Harborne it is clear that the community is motivated to protect it. Places like this are valuable for their architecture and heritage, but also because they represent a little bit of the soul of a community.
“The challenge is often finding a viable use and business plan that will secure a future. From what I have seen, there are plenty of people in Harborne who are determined to do just that.”
Built in 1930 to the designs of Horace G Bradley, the building was listed for its special architectural qualities, which include art deco features. It became a bingo hall in the 1960s but has stood empty in recent years.
The Harborne Royalty Trust was set up by local volunteers with the intention of not only securing the future of the building but turning it into multi-use community facility.
However, the disused building has been plagued by vandalism and fires.
A survey carried out by the Trust, and funded by Birmingham City Council through a Local Innovation Fund grant, found that 90% of local people want to see the Royalty restored as a community facility, while 93% believed a restored listed building can add to the vitality of a High Street.
Mr Street said: “It’s clear from the impressive work carried out by the Harborne Royalty Trust that this building has a special place in the hearts of local people and that they are keen to find an acceptable new use for it.
“It was fascinating to see the building and hear about the work that is being done to carve out a future use for it – because it not only gave me a glimpse of Harborne’s past, it also gave me an insight into how energised the local community is today.”
Earlier this year the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) agreed to provide £4,520 to pay for a Conservation Accredited Architect to prepare a Heritage Statement and Impact Assessment to accompany any proposals for the restoration and redevelopment of the Royalty.
The statement will provide valuable information about what can and should be saved and restored at the Royalty.
Keep up to date at www.fb.com/andy4wm