The Roxy Returns: A Local Landmark Reimagined
The Roxy in Leadgate is making a dramatic comeback, thanks to Watling Spaces — a local Community Interest Company (CIC) bringing the former cinema and bingo hall back to life as a community arts venue.
A New Era Begins
A big step came in September 2023 with a new two-storey extension, adding three modern studios, a new foyer, and a café bar in the old projection room. Since then, the place has been buzzing with dance, fitness, and rehearsals.
Restoring the Roxy’s Soul
But the real show is still to come. The original auditorium is being transformed into a 360-seat theatre with stalls, a circle, and a fully restored stage and backstage area.
Leading the charge are brothers David and Ian Barnes. David, a seasoned actor with 15+ years working in London, now manages the project, while Ian, a skilled builder with a knack for everything from electrics to plumbing, between them they handle all the work.
They’ve done most of it themselves — learning as they go, reusing original materials, restoring old Empire Theatre seats (staple by painful staple), and adding modern upgrades like energy-efficient heating and full accessibility.
Their mission? To build more than a theatre — to create a welcoming, inclusive space for the whole community.
The first pantomime in over 90 years is already booked for December 2025, with more performances and events expected to roll out as early as this summer.
When the Roxy finally reopens, it won’t just be a curtain-up moment — it’ll be a celebration of creativity, hard graft, and community spirit.
By George Ledger – Consett in Focus
