Plans to remodel former Tipperary cinema into an enterprise hub make progress
Plans for a proposed enterprise and innovation hub at the former Rialto Cinema site in Nenagh
Councillors gave their approval to the disposal of the former Rialto Cinema, which is now owned by the local authority, at the June meeting of Tipperary County Council in Clonmel, clearing the way for plans for a proposed enterprise and innovation hub at the site.
The former cinema has been the focus of regeneration discussions for a number of years due to its central location in Nenagh town centre and its extended period of vacancy prior to its acquisition by Tipperary County Council.
The Rialto Cinema occupies a prominent position on Banba Square and has a long history in the town of Nenagh and was originally designed by WM O'Dwyer, in a style influenced by Art Deco architecture.
The cinema opened on September 1, 1946, and originally had seating for 900 patrons, including a balcony. The venue operated for almost 30 years before closing in May 1976.
At the time of its acquisition by Tipperary County Council in 2020, the property was associated with Angela and Donal O’Connor through Sheahan’s Hardware Ltd.
Sheahan’s Hardware, which had operated from the former Rialto Cinema building for a number of years, later relocated to larger premises on Martyr’s Road in Nenagh.
The council purchase formed part of a wider strategy to secure and redevelop the landmark town centre building for future use. Council documents describe the building as a "key pillar" of Nenagh's Historic and Cultural Quarter and cite its prominent town centre location and potential for future redevelopment.
The approval will allow the local authority to lease the building to the Rialto Regional Centre for Innovation and Enterprise CLG.
According to council documents, the company has been established to pursue the development of an enterprise centre in Nenagh with a focus on technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
The plans are also tied to a possible application for funding under the Enterprise Ireland Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme.
According to council documents, a company limited by guarantee must be in place to access this funding and support the development of the proposed enterprise centre. The proposed lease would run for a period of 15 years.
The building and adjoining lands are proposed to be leased to the Rialto Regional Centre for Innovation and Enterprise CLG, with an annual rent set at €30,000. Council documents state that the rent will increase by 5% every five years, starting from year two of the lease.