Empress Building becomes the beating heart of Mexborough’s cultural comeback

The Empress Building has rapidly established itself as one of South Yorkshire’s most exciting new hospitality and events destinations, following a landmark £500,000 investment that is already transforming Mexborough’s cultural and economic landscape.

Since opening its doors on 1 December, the restored Empress first floor, now a boutique hotel, has recorded an impressive 321 bookings in its calendar, signalling strong demand from wedding couples, party-goers, touring bands and leisure travellers alike. With recent integrations across Booking.com, Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Expedia now live, momentum is only expected to accelerate.

At the heart of the project is a clear vision: to create a destination venue that celebrates heritage while injecting fresh energy into the town. For hotel manager Jemma Evans, the Empress is about more than just rooms and events.

“The vision for the Empress has always been to create something Mexborough can truly be proud of,” said Evans. “We’re offering a beautiful, boutique experience that brings visitors into the town, supports local businesses and gives people a reason to stay, celebrate and return. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact this is already having on the community.”

The resurgence is being felt most strongly in the events calendar. Business partner Amanda Gear has seen a notable rise in wedding bookings, private celebrations and live music enquiries from across the county.

“We’re seeing couples booking their weddings months in advance, private parties filling the diary and bands from right across the county approaching us for gig dates,” Gear explained. “The revenue-share opportunities we’re offering make the Empress Ballroom an attractive, sustainable venue for live music, and that demand is growing week by week.”

The success of the Empress Building is also delivering tangible benefits to businesses operating within it. Goa Spice Restaurant, which runs as a concession inside the building, has experienced a significant uplift in trade since the opening.

“The increase in business has been fantastic,” said Shamsul Alom, owner of Goa Spice. “Everyone who books the hotel is booking a table in the restaurant, and that’s driving strong revenue, especially throughout the week. I’m absolutely delighted with how well it’s working for all of us.”

For Empress Building owner and Gala Tent CEO Jason Mace, the early results have surpassed expectations.

“The investment was huge — around £500,000 — but the result has far exceeded what I hoped for,” said Mace. “To have 321 bookings in the calendar since opening is a great start, and now that we’re fully integrated with Booking.com, Airbnb, TripAdvisor and Expedia, we expect those numbers to rise even further. We’re not stopping here either — plans are already in place to transform the Empress basement into a wellness destination, complete with a gym, spa and treatment rooms.”

The timing could not be better for Mexborough, which is enjoying renewed attention following a recent £20 million Levelling Up Fund award, with a further £20 million predicted for future improvements. Alongside attractions such as the Gorilla Beer Hall, Imperial Music Venue and the Empress Building itself, the town is quickly carving out a reputation as a lively night-out destination.

Increasingly popular with hen and stag parties, Mexborough offers what many describe as an unrivalled pub crawl, from the George & Dragon to the Falcon, finishing at Goa Spice, before guests retire upstairs to the Empress Hotel to sleep it all off.

As investment continues and visitor numbers grow, the Empress Building stands as both a symbol and a driver of Mexborough’s revival, blending heritage, hospitality and ambition into a destination that is once again putting the town on the map.