Freehold Live Events Venue Located in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Operational With Forward Bookings In Place. Approx 12,000 SQ FT & Capacity Of 1,200. £1.8m+ Refurbishment. Forecast Turnover £2 Million. Leasehold Option Available.
Investment Summary
Asset: Freehold live events and venue hire business
Would Suit: Experienced leisure operators, investors, or groups seeking a scalable regional venue
Location: Rotherham Town Centre, prominent corner site
Size: Approx. 12,000 sq ft (1,115 sq m)
Capacity: Up to 1,200 (configuration dependent)
Capital Invested: In excess of £1.8 million (vendor)
Trading Status: Operational, reopened November 2025
Forecast Turnover: In excess of £2 million
Tenure: Freehold (Not Listed) Guide Price: £2.5 million
Tenure: Leasehold Purchase Price £150,000 + Annual Rent of £150,000 per annum
Development Potential: Subject to the usual consents
Alternative Use Potential: Leisure or mixed-use, subject to planning
The business has been structured to operate without reliance on daytime footfall.
Description
Veritas Business Sales is pleased to bring to market an opportunity to acquire either the freehold interest or the leasehold going concern of the Empire Theatre, a landmark live events and entertainment venue positioned in the heart of Rotherham town centre.
The property provides a fully refurbished, large-scale auditorium arranged over three principal levels with a capacity of approximately 1,200, offering exceptional flexibility for live music, ticketed events, comedy shows, corporate functions and private hire.
The current owner acquired the property in 2023 in a derelict condition and has since invested in excess of £1.8 million in a comprehensive refurbishment programme. The venue now benefits from high-spec finishes throughout, including two fully fitted bars, modern customer facilities, professional stage infrastructure, sound and lighting systems, and upgraded back-of-house areas designed for efficient event operation.
The venue reopened in November 2025 and has already established direct promoter relationships, with ticketing operated via Skiddle and forward bookings secured for 2026. These bookings support a forecast turnover in excess of £2 million, generated through ticketed live events, venue hire and bar revenues retained by the operator.
The opportunity is available either as a freehold acquisition, offering investors a substantial leisure asset with development potential (subject to consents), or as a leasehold going concern, allowing an operator to take control of a fully fitted venue with early trading momentum and future growth potential.
