Corporation Street
including Market Street & Domine Lane
There must always here been a street hereabouts but what it was called before Corporation Street I have no idea. Since writing this I have obtained a map of Rotherham from about 1860. The triangle between Bridgegate, the river and Upper Millgate through which the lower part of Corporation Street now runs seems to have been a jumble of houses and yards with an unnamed lane on the river side running from the Flax Mill to Chantry Bridge. The upper part of Corporation Street again seems to have cut through houses and yards and probably the old Corn Exchange to where it joins High Street by what was the Shambles and is now the Imperial Buildings.
Rotherham received its Charter of Incorporation on 29th August 1871. The road was massively redeveloped in 1913 and was stunningly renamed after Rotherham Corporation. It runs pretty much due south/north from its junction with High Street and Westgate down to Chantry Bridge.
Right up at the top of Corporation Street is the Co-op Building. It covers a large site left down Westgate and then down Main Street, and right down Domine Lane. This was originally the Masbrough Equitable Pioneers Society which was founded 26 April 1869.
The Pioneers became the Rotherham Co-operative Society when they moved into new premises in Main Street Rotherham in 1925 (a building originally erected by the architect John Platt for his own habitation in the 18th Century). The Co-op closed down back in the 1970s. Despite being a "Little out or town" these days since the market moved right over to the other side of town the building has numerous inhabitants - shops, bars, night clubs, a gym.
On the opposite side of the road are the Imperial Buildings erected in 1908. This is the corner with High Street on the right and Corporation Street on the left. To complete the rectangle the building goes down Church Street and back along a bit of road whose name I don't know (it might be Market Place) to Corporation Street.
They replaced the Shambles (meat market) built in 1804 and demolished about 1905. The Imperial Buildings echoes the original design which consisted of a rectangular building around a central courtyard. Some years ago this was very run down and in need of repair. There was the usual talk of demolition but I understand that the building received listed status. There was some repairing and redecorating but the building is essentially as it was in Edwardian times. All the tenants were given notice to quit in 2006. In 2007 the building is being restored and is expected to be open for business in Spring 2008. In April 2009 all the shops are still empty and since they have been gutted inside look a right old mess. Some of the apartments have been let. The outside could do with a good fettle as well I must say.
| This building was erected in 1893/4 for the Sheffield Banking Company. It stands at the corner of Corporation Street and Market Street. It is built of Rotherham Red Sandstone. It is now the National Westminster Bank. | National Westminster Bank 2003 |
| Right next door is Lloyds TSB - a nice stone front with a brick behind. I can think of quite a few people built on the same lines. I know nothing of its history. In February 2006 I am told that this building has been acquired by Iliad, the contractor who is taking on the Westgate Constructor Project. Iliad are also trying to acquire the Nat West Bank above so that they own and can redevelop the whole area of land between Corporation Street and the river including the Old Abattoir car park. In July 2007 there is a SOLD notice on the old bank but I don't know who has bought it. | Lloyds TSB Bank 2003 |
| This is the site of the former All Saints Building demolished in early 2009 viewed from Corporation Street. Gives a nice view of the minster. The original intent was to re-develop this area as valuable shop and office space but as the credit crunch began to bite, this seemed less and less likely. Popular opinion favoured the re-development of the area as a public plaza and I understand that funding was sought to finance this option. In June 2010 it seems that this is one of the projects in Rotherham that will "get kicked into the long grass" as the new government's cuts bite. | Site of All Saints Building April 2009 |
| Opposite Wilko is this newish building which was partly destroyed by fire in March 2007. From that day to this it looks as if nothing at all has been done it it and it is now a chronic eyesore. In 2010 nothing has been done. | Burnt Out Building on Corporation St April 2009 |
| This building is now Mecca Bingo. It was previously Gala Bingo and before that the Scala, Odeon or Regent Cinema. It was built in the 1930s and as you can see has no particular style to recommend it. | Mecca Bingo 2003 |
Domine Lane & Market Street
To the south west Corporation Street meets Domine Lane and Market Street. These streets were once the site of Rotherham's very busy open market. The Market Hall which used to be next to the Coop was built in 1879. It was rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1889 but was demolished and turned into a car park in the 1970s. In 2007 this is being redeveloped as flats and shops as is the site of the Old Swimming Baths on the corner of Market Street and Main Street.
