Former cinema building in Ringwood available for lease

The former Regal Cinema in Ringwood’s Market Place is listed on Savills with offers being invited for a new leasehold.

The building at 2 Market Place is largely remembered for its use as a cinema but also operated as a bingo hall, shopping centre, squash courts and a nightclub.

It has stood empty for more than 15 years and has been the centre of restoration campaigns and fundraising efforts since 2014.

Now, Savills has listed four units available for lease, ranging from 1,130 sq ft up to 4,940 sq ft of space.

According to the estate agent, the historic building is being “sensitively and comprehensively redeveloped”.

The company said: “The property comprises a two-storey terraced building. The building is of traditional stone and brick construction with a part mansard, part flat, part pitched roof.

“The property is being sensitively and comprehensively redeveloped to provide up to 4,940 sq ft of commercial space and one three-bed unit, 11 two-bed units and eight one-bed units.

“We understand the building can be split to create a number of different spaces to suit the requirements of the specific occupier or end-user - subject to the retained space being accessible or lettable.

“Units have the ability to be amalgamated to provide up to 4,940 sq ft.”

Detailing the lease availability, Savills has said: “Offers are invited for a new leasehold interest in the units.

"The lease will be drawn on effectively full repairing and insuring terms.

"The lease length is negotiable. The rent payable and incentives provided will be subject to the quantum of space leased and subject to status/covenant.”

It also notes that the former cinema building currently benefits from Class E use.

In 2020, a community interest company was being formed to buy and restore the 153-year-old building.

However, just over a year later, a prominent campaigner said that campaign efforts suffered from a lack of investment and issues stemming from the pandemic.