There are calls to make Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre the West’s next music venue

There have been growing calls to ensure that Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre be turned into the West’s next live music venue.

Roxy Theatre originally opened in 1930 as a cinema. It has since taken on many forms, acting as a multiplex in the ’70s and most recently, a pub and a nightclub. The heritage-listed building has been closed since 2014 and has since dilapidated significantly.

Current owner, David Kingston, had plans to transform the art deco landmark into a five-level entertainment centre, with a 33-storey office tower behind it. This development proposal was knocked back by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel last month. Mr Kingston plans to challenge the panel’s decision in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

Roxy Theatre, Parramatta

Since Kingston’s plans have been blocked there has been a push to change the former cinema into a live music venue.

In a report published by the Sydney Morning Herald, David Borger, director of Western Sydney Business Chamber has stated that he believes that The Roxy “could be Western Sydney’s Enmore Theatre”.

Borger continued “This theatre is an absolute gem of Western Sydney and it’s a disgrace that it doesn’t have a use as a performing arts venue. Parramatta’s losing so much of its DNA. I think the government should really look at what it can do to bring it back as a venue for live music and musical theatre.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.