Aroundtown Magazine Winter 2022 edition

WEDDINGS
Something old turned into
something new
There’s no denying the beauty
of a rustic barn or the grandeur
of a stately home, but for some
couples only the most unique and
unusual wedding venue will do.
And The Imperial is anything but ordinary.
Pushing the boundaries of a typical wedding
venue, Rotherham’s newest events space hidden
within the historic Imperial Buildings is brimming
with Edwardian charm. The grade II listed building
is Jacobean Revival by design and boasts quirky
period features such as a glazed quadrangle roof
that floods the space with natural light, as well as
ornate gables and intricate steelwork.
The bottle green building is already striking on
the outside, but the inside is now vibrant again as
the courtyard has been lovingly restored by the
team behind the George Wright Boutique Hotel
and Fitzwilliam and Hughes coffee shop along
with the building’s owner, Modernistiq.
Back in 1907, the Imperial Buildings were built
to replace the old Shambles meat market. There
were shops on the outside, while the internal
arcade was designed by architect Joseph Platt to
©Luis Arroyo
look like old market stalls.
It ran as a food market until the 1980s and
some may even remember buying their fresh
meat or fish from there. Others may have had
their keys cut at Lionel’s, got their carpets from
Albert Handley’s, or stopped off for a cuppa in the
old Imperial tea rooms.
While the outer units at the Imperial
Buildings have continued to thrive and attract
new businesses, over the last few decades,
the internal arcade has been under-occupied
since the building was acquired by Leedsbased
Modernistiq in 2019. But thankfully,
Darren Hughes and Mark Casson, who own
the Fitzwilliam and Hughes coffee shop in the
Imperial Buildings, have seen the courtyard’s
true potential.
Since taking over the George Wright boutique
hotel at the end of 2020, Darren and Mark have
been inundated with enquiries for large functions
which the hotel can’t accommodate. But the
Imperial provides a truly versatile and unique
venue that can be exclusively hired for events with
a capacity of up to 150 people.
Works are currently underway to turn
something old into something new, so couples
with would-be weddings will need to bring their
imaginations to envision the charming space
festooned with fairy lights and flowers.
The quaint little cabin in the centre of the
arcade, which was The Button Tin in more recent
years, has been transformed into a bar around
which the events space will flow. Two of the
larger units can be utilised as a separate space
for food, another unit will become a snug area
with comfortable sofas for guests to relax, while
another unit can be used for activities such as
cocktail making.
There will also be a dance floor that pulls
out, with a resident DJ to get the party started.
But with brilliant acoustics, the venue would also
complement a live band or singer.
As for food, the catering at The Imperial is
set to be very flexible, with options for traditional
buffets, vintage-style afternoon tea, or even street
food vans for couples looking for alternatives to
a sit-down wedding breakfast. But the benefit of
it being run by the team at George Wright means
you can expect exceptional quality throughout the
experience.
And with a seven-bedroom hotel and the
newly renovated Badger Cottage just a short walk
away, your guests can even stay the night.
THE
IMPERIAL A new unique venue for 2022
EXCLUSIVE HIRE for weddings, celebrations, conferences and business meetings
• Versatile space with break-off rooms that can be utilised to your requirements
• Well stocked bar for functions • Flexible catering packages• Licensed for civil ceremonies
For enquiries, contact the wedding team at George Wright Hotel 01709 372 173
THE IMPERIAL BUILDINGS, HIGH STREET, ROTHERHAM S60 1FF
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