News: Rotherham Council continues to snap up land for development

Rotherham Council looks to have acquired a key piece of land that will enable the development of a Riverside Residential Quarter in the town centre to continue.

With £3m coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Rotherham Council set up a Strategic Acquisition Fund and a £600,000 Feasibility Fund in 2024 to help bring forward sites in ways that meet the authority’s longstanding aims for regeneration of the town centre as a vibrant and successful place.

The funding enables the Council to acquire land and property to unlock development opportunities, tackle derelict sites, and accelerate key ambitions to deliver housing, commercial space, and transport infrastructure.

First identified in the 2017 Town Centre Masterplan, the Riverside Residential Quarter (RRQ) is situated along Sheffield Road, adjacent to the River Don. The vision for this area focuses on revitalising the town centre by creating a vibrant, mixed-use residential community.

Acquisition of under used and derelict land and property along Sheffield Road has been ongoing since 2021 with multimllion pound developments such as Westgate Riverside and Millfold Rise bringing new housing to the area.

Property interests, such as the large car park and two pub buildings have already been acquired by the council from Satnam Regeneration and now terms have been agreed on another significant land holding.

Council papers regarding the latest acquisition refer to the warehouse and yard on Sheffield Road that is currently home to SIG Roofing Rotherham. The riverside site is adjacent to the completed housing projects.

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Having previously approved the acquisition, approval was granted in December to exercise the delegation to complete the purchase of the site using the allocated Strategic Acquisition Fund. A sum for the purchase of the land has not been disclosed but it was expected to be completed by the end of Quarter 3, December 2025.

Masterplanning in the area has been undertaken by AHR Architects showing up to 200 high quality residential units, to include a mix of apartments and houses. The site to the west of Westgate has an indicative capacity of 143 dwellings.

The report states: "Rotherham Council’s long-term objective for the town centre sees the continued diversification of its offer. Attracting new uses, services, residential and leisure opportunities and moving away from the traditional retail market.

"The Council’s success in securing public funds and its own investment in the town has attracted private sector interest in investing in the town’s future. This is increasingly resulting in Rotherham being seen as a place to do business. The Council continues to drive forward investment in the town centre and acquisition of this property at Sheffield Road, Rotherham, to further contribute to the Council's wider plans to diversify the town centre offer."

The acquisition will bring about an initial income stream for the council until redevelopment takes place.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 that a cluster approach was considered necessary by the authority "to create a sufficient quantum of development potential to tackle viability."

A previous tender exercise for a £6m scheme on Corporation Street received no interest, likely due to the smaller size of the scheme.

Sites such as Sheffield Road, Corporation Street, the site of the former Magistrate's Court, and the High Street site previously home to Primark, are likely to be brought to market as a redevelopment opportunity together.

A recent update to the council's cabinet on efforts to complete the development of plans to RIBA Stage 1 (the preparation and brief stage) for the next phase of major housing in the town centre shows that the project was delayed to enable the addition of another site. A tender exercise was due to close in December 2025 and after this stage, "there will be a clearer indication of plans and timeline."

Images: Google Maps / Atollie Property

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News: Latest research into fusion technology in Rotherham is super cool

Frozen temperatures are required for the latest research into fusion technology taking place in Rotherham.

Researchers at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) are supporting the development of components needed to deliver fusion power in the UK.

At its Fusion Technology Facility (FTF) on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, UKAEA has unveiled their latest test rig, ELSA, which uses extreme temperatures to inform engineering and design under fusion-relevant plant conditions.

Like its animated namesake, ELSA produces temperatures on a cryogenic scale between 20 and 70 Kelvin (-253.15 to -203.15 degrees Celsius) to simulate the operating temperatures for the high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets.

HTS coils are critical to confining and shaping the plasma within a fusion machine, by generating high magnetic fields with very little resistive losses. UKAEA engineers are looking to achieve resistances of one millionth of that found in consumer electronics. Lowering the temperature for the strongest magnetic fields requires the lowest possible energy use, reducing operational costs and supporting the commercialisation of fusion energy.

ELSA is currently testing novel ‘remountable joint’ (RMJ) components which feature extremely low electrical resistance, and will be essential for efficient maintenance of future fusion power plants.

RMJs are part of a fusion machine’s toroidal field coils, which confine the plasma. They are fitted around the magnetic cage of a tokamak to allow rapid access for maintenance during plant operations.

This novel RMJ design forms a critical part of the UK’s STEP Programme, a prototype fusion energy power plant that is to be built in West Burton, North Nottinghamshire, targeting operations for 2040. RMJs are critical for the success of STEP Fusion as they will allow rapid access for maintenance during power plant operations.

The delivery of the STEP Programme itself is the responsibility of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UKAEA.

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UKIFS’s Remountable Joints Engineering Manager, Chris Lamb said: "Remountable joints, and other aspects of High Temperature Superconducting magnet technology require cryogenic facilities like ELSA to test various aspects of the technologies, and are few and far between. Having the ELSA facility come online at the Fusion Technology Facility, on the doorstep of both STEP’s West Burton site and the rich vein of manufacturing capability at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, will be fantastic in helping the engineers get up close and personal with realising these critical HTS technologies.

Professor Matt Stephenson, Head of the UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility added: "Here in South Yorkshire, we are tasked with answering the ‘how?’ in the delivery of commercially viable fusion energy. Our team is working hard to test and provide accurate results that inform us of the optimal environments and materials for durable power plant design. This work also involves looking into the most cost-effective solutions to ensure fusion energy is achieved and maintained sustainably."

A recent report by Amion, on behalf of Local Authorities in the area, estimated that the STEP project would lead to 6,500 jobs on site when the power plant is fully functional – and more during the construction phases, as well as leading to significant infrastructure investment in the wider area for transport and skills. The STEP campus is expected to become a global centre for fusion research and development, working with local education providers to develop a pathway into fusion-related jobs.

The success of STEP in demonstrating this commercial viability will pave the way for the development of a fleet of fusion power plants around the world.

Dr James Cowan, STEP Programme Director at UKIFS underlines the importance of collaboration. He said: "Harnessing the power of the stars to generate clean, sustainable energy on earth requires meaningful collaboration across scientific, engineering and construction disciplines. UKIFS is committed to bringing the best people, and organisations together to deliver STEP, and ELSA is a perfect example of this approach in action."

The facility allows collaboration between leaders in industry and fusion research institutions to test and engineer hard-wearing, purpose-built components. FTF opened in 2020 and is responsible for 85 UKAEA staff who support component design, qualification and supply chain development for commercial fusion power. Operations continue to expand, providing increasing opportunities for the local workforce.

UKAEA website

Images: UKAEA

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News: Rotherham United's debt with ASD rises to over £9m

In the latest accounts of Rotherham-based manufacturing firm, ASD Lighting PLC, Rotherham United Football Club is listed as a debtor owing £9.4m, up from £5.2m in the previous year.

Both ASD Lighting PLC and Rotherham United have ASD Lighting Holding Limited as their parent company, connected by Tony Stewart, the founder of ASD Lighting and the man who saved the Millers in 2008. The businessman brought them out of administration and has overseen promotions, cup success and a move to a new stadium in town, at the same time as a period of sensible financial management, not something always shared by fellow league clubs.

Based on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, ASD Lighting has a reputation for innovation and quality and provides a range of products for domestic and commercial installations.

For the year ending June 30 2025, turnover was reported as £18m, down from £19.8m in the previous year. Sales to the UK were £15.8m (£17.9m in 2024), the rest of Europe £2.1m (£1.8m in 2024) and the rest of the world £0m (£0.1m in 2024). Included in the £2.1m to Europe were sales of £1.6m to ASD Lighting Europe Ltd set up to distribute and partner with customers in Europe.

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Gross profit is reported at £6.4m, down from £7m. with the manufacturer highlighting that despite rising material, utility and labour costs, the gross profit margin remains strong at 36%, up from 35% in 2024.

Administration costs at £8m increased by 4% from £7.6m last year. The main increases being staff related costs which went up £300k to £6.6m despite employee numbers reducing by three to 159.

It meant that ASD posted an operating loss (before interest and tax) of £1.6m compared to a profit of £0.6m in the previous year. A loss after interest receivable and tax was £849k compared to a £276k profit in 2024.

Rothbiz has previously reported on Rotherham United's 2023/24 losses which highlighted that the club can continue to trade as a going concern "but it must continue to rely upon the support of sponsors, in particular its fellow subsidiary company ASD Lighting PLC to enable it to do so."

The accounts confirm that ASD Lighting continues to provide £1m in sponsorship and advertising to the football club each year.

Documents also show that "included within debtors was £9,467,811 (2024: £5,204,737) due from Rotherham United Football Club (RUFC) Limited. The outstanding balance is repayable on demand."

The figure has risen from £929,150 in 2023.

Also included in other debtors is an amount of £12,514,906 due from R U Estates Limited, a company of which Tony Stewart and son Richard are directors. This is thought to have been established when the AESSEAL New York Stadium was constructed.

The debt is split between £600,962 due within one year and £11,913,944 due after more than one year. This loan is unsecured and bore interest at 2% above base rate per annum until January 2021 when it began to bear interest at 1.15% above base rate and is repayable over nine years in instalments.

Rotherham United's accounts for the period are due to be published within the next few months.

ASD Lighting website
RUFC website

Images: ASD

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News: New showroom opens at Rotherham retail park

It's a solid start to the year for a popular shopping destination in Rotherham with a furniture specialist taking one of the last remaining units.

And there could be more to come with the final empty unit now listed as being under offer.

Recently opening on Boxing Day, Oak & More's showroom is at Unit 12 on the Parkgate Shopping Park.

Oak & More has an enviable selection of products to suit customer tastes, including glass, marble and painted furniture products together with classic solid oak furniture. Furniture is created by a UK-based design team, and all wood furniture ranges have no chipboard, veneer or MDF and are delivered pre-built unlike flat-pack alternatives. The majority of Oak & More's products are available with a 48-hour delivery option.

The 15,000 sq ft showroom has taken over the unit in between TK Maxx and Shoezone. It was previously home to SCS Sofas.

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Oak & More’s Chief Executive, Paul Isom said: “Opening our Rotherham showroom gives us a great opportunity to showcase what Oak & More does best — exceptional solid wood furniture, marble and more. We’re passionate about craftsmanship, durability, and timeless design, and we’re excited for customers in Rotherham to experience the quality that sets our pieces apart.”

The retailer opened with a special customer promotion: Win Your Order Back - one lucky customer receiving the full value on their qualifying in-store purchase, up to the value of £2,000.

Last month, the owners of Parkgate Shopping confirmed that The Food Warehouse would open 12,500 sq ft store in 2026, a newly reconfigured store space in the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

Agents for the park, Curson Sowerby Partners, have the 11,110 sq ft Unit 2 down as being under offer on its website. The unit was vacated when Sports Direct moved in 2024 to a larger new multi-fascia unit for the Frasers Group comprising USC, Sports Direct and Everlast.

A tebabt for Unit 2 has not yet been announced.

Oak & More website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Oak & More

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News: Opening nears for Rotherham country park upgrades including new £7m café and venue called "The Waterfront"

Multimillion pound upgrades at two popular country parks in Rotherham are nearing completion and will soon be open to the public, according to Visit Rotherham.

At Rother Valley Country Park work began in 2024 on a £7.4m contract to build a new waterfront development, housing a new 150-seater eatery and indoor function space with views extending over the lake.

The new development will also include external landscaping with an area for play outside the café for younger visitors. In addition, visitors will also benefit from new car parking facilities to the East of the lake, which will greatly improve accessibility and visitor experience.

The new development is set to open in "Spring 2026," according to park operators, Rotherham Council. March is the expected opening month.

An update from the park reads: "We’re delighted to announce that The Waterfront will be opening in Spring 2026, bringing an exciting new café and function space to the heart of Rother Valley Country Park.

"Set in a stunning lakeside location, The Waterfront Café has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience, with over 200 covers in a modern, light-filled setting that makes the most of the surrounding views. It will be a place to relax after a walk, meet friends and family, or simply enjoy great food and drink by the water.

"Alongside the café, The Waterfront Function Space will offer a versatile venue for events, celebrations and community gatherings, all within a striking contemporary building that connects seamlessly with the natural landscape."

The total budget for the project in the council's capital programme is £8,854,198.

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Recruitment is currently underway for various roles at Rother Valley, including a venue & catering manager and head chef. Further roles are set to be advertised in January.

Council papers show that the delay in opening has been caused by the need for a power supply upgrade. A cabinet report stated: "The site handover at Rother Valley Country Park was completed in November 2025, however final completion is expected in March 2026 due to delays with the electricity connection with Northern Power Grid. In the interim period, the building will undergo furnishing, decoration and initial socialisation, leading to a soft opening in April 2026."

At Thrybergh, work got underway on a café refurbishment project and outdoor landscaping in the summer of 2025. The £790,000 upgrade has transformed the aging building at Thrybergh Country Park into a modern lakeside hub with improved indoor and outdoor seating, better access, and upgraded facilities.

Improvements include a new kitchen, an updated interior, a new outdoor terrace and fully accessible toilets and entrances.

The café will also feature modern design elements that blend with the park’s natural surroundings, while visitors with a sweet tooth are in for a treat, as the new café will serve ice cream.

Works were due to complete in December 2025 with a soft opening of the redevelopment works planned for January 2026.

Funding for both projects comes from the government's Levelling Up Fund, where Rotherham Council was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry.

Rother Valley Country Park website

Images: RMBC

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