News: Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival set to return

Organisers of the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival have confirmed that plans are underway to see the popular event return in 2026.

Rothbiz reported in September that CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) had taken the decision to cancel its Great British Beer Festivals (GBBFs) in 2026. Rotherham was due to host the winter edition again in February.

Local organisers took a step back in to enable the national GBBF Winter to take place at Magna in 2025.

Promising to deliver a diverse range of beers, ciders, wines and much more, as well as a packed entertainment line-up, bringing together a combination of popular favourites as well as some of South Yorkshire’s talented up-and-coming bands, Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is set to return to Magna between April 22 - 25 2026.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased from the Magna website. A reduced fee on tickets will be available until January 31, with proceeds from the festival being used to support local charities: Rotherham Cancer Care Centre and the Magna Education Trust, which aims to nurture the talents of the next generation of budding scientists, technologists and engineers.

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The festival will be operating a special preview evening on the Wednesday evening, and for the first time will be open all day on Friday and Saturday. Further details will be announced in due course.

Richard Hammill, Chief Executive, Magna, said: “The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is a special event, and we have been working closely with the festival organisers to help facilitate its eagerly anticipated return next year. I feel very honoured that our educational trust has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of next year’s festival. The proceeds from the event will be used to support the diverse education programme we deliver at Magna, helping to inspire the next generation by understanding the vital role scientific discoveries play in shaping the world.”

Festival organiser, Steve Burns, added: “We’re at a very early stage with our plans for the 2026 festival, and we hope that this year’s event will prove to be one to remember. We are actively looking for volunteers to join our festival working committee to help us with the running and planning of the event. We’d also love to hear from businesses that can help us by sponsoring a barrel of beer.

We’ve decided to relaunch the festival, in response to the amazing feedback we received after our event in 2024 and following a decision by CAMRA not to host the Great British Winter Ales Festival in 2026. We have been working closely behind the scenes to ensure that beer and music lovers alike will have something to look forward to in the New Year.”

Both local and national organisers faced sustainability issues with pressures caused by rising costs and fewer people attending.

Rotherham CAMRA website

Images: Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival

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News: Plans approved for empty building in Rotherham town centre

A planning application has been approved that would enable a prominent empty building in Rotherham town centre to be brought back into use.

The corner building at the foot of the regenerated High Street has been up for sale for £100,000.

Totaling nearly 11,000 sq ft, the building was previously home to Eastwood Domestics in the 2,500 sq ft High Street unit which sits alongside the 4,000 sq ft former Dorothy Perkins and Burton unit. The second floor has its own entrance and was the home of Central Snooker Club, a club with an 80 year history.

Rothbiz reported in September on plans which show the ground floor split into two units. The larger unit looks set to be used as a convenience store with a smaller unit, with a new entrance fronting High Street, acting as a lobby for a coffee shop and cultural centre on the first floor.

The application is for the installation of a new entrance door on the front elevation and a change of use of the first floor from Commercial (Class E) to Sui Generis (a use that does not fall within any particular use class).

The plans, from Huseyin Esendemir and drawn up by Architechnica LTD, state: "The proposal seeks to create a self-contained unit on the first floor, enabling its independent use from the ground floor commercial premises. This change of use is necessary to make the first-floor space viable for a new purpose, specifically Turkish Cultural Centre/coffee shop."

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The plans were approved without going before the planning board at Rotherham Council. It comes with a number of conditions.

Planners concluded that the new use as a community centre and coffee shop is an acceptable use in the area which is allocated for retail. Only a small area of the ground floor will be impacted by the plans.

An officer's report, addd: "The only external alteration would be in the insertion of double entrance doors to the elevation fronting High Street. This alteration is relatively minor and would match the existing shop front as the doors would be constructed with matching aluminium frames. It is considered that the insertion of the doors would not harm the overall character and appearance of the existing shop front and would not impact on the setting of the adjacent Grade II listed building, No. 1 High Street."

If the premises was to be used for the commercial cooking of food, an Odour Impact Assessment will need to be approved by the council and any proposed extraction plant will also need signing off.

The building is not listed but was on Rotherham Civic Society's local list which compiled properties of architectural or historic interest. The society stated that: "No.2 High Street had been purchased by Montague Burton Ltd in 1926 with a view to expanding its presence in Rotherham. Following discussions with the Rotherham Corporation it became apparent that, due to the highway authority's plans to ease the College Street / High Street corner, Nos. 4 & 6 would need to be acquired in order to provide a site of sufficient size for Burton's new premises.

"In December 1929 the company's proposals for the new store were approved and the old property was demolished. The new building, designed by Harry Wilson, Architect, of Roundhay in Leeds was completed in 1931."

A number of uses have been recorded since then including Hart's wallpaper shop, Peter Lord's shoe shop and a ballroom / dance hall above.

Images: SMC Brownhill Vickers

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News: Pie supplier fulfilling 50 years with Rotherham United

As Rotherham United celebrates its centenary year, another significant milestone has been cemented with the signing of a new sponsorship deal with long-serving club partners, Eric Twigg Foods & Pukka Pies.

A number of events are taking place celebrating 100 years of Rotherham United. Rotherham County and Rotherham Town agreed to amalgamate to become one club in 1925.

The deal with Eric Twigg Foods & Pukka Pies will mean that their name will continue to be carried by the West Stand at AESSEAL New York Stadium through a term that denotes an astonishing 50 consecutive years in partnership with the Millers.

The four-year commitment will run to 2030 and mean that Eric Twigg Foods & Pukka Pies have loyally sponsored the club for nearly half of its entire history without a break.

The Eric Twigg Foods name needs no introduction to Millers supporters, almost all of whom have enjoyed their matchday refreshments which have been synonymous with Rotherham United since the Parkgate firm entered into business with the club back in 1980.

As part of the newly-extended deal, their products will continue to be stocked by our the club's catering partners, Elior UK, throughout AESSEAL New York Stadium.

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Rotherham United Commercial Director Steve Coakley said: “Eric Twigg Foods are absolutely a company who embody all of the characteristics which made their founder and our friend, Eric, so highly-revered here at Rotherham United.

“Not only do they operate a ‘can do’ attitude in every interaction we have with them, they are always looking to innovate and assist us in improving aspects of our catering provision.

“It is clear that the Millers mean as much to them as Eric Twigg Foods do to us and Matthew has done - and continues to do - a magnificent job in ensuring that his dad’s legacy both as a person and businessman is never forgotten.

“A business relationship which runs consecutively for half a century is beyond unique in the modern day and I believe that is a testament to how passionate Eric Twigg Foods are in their backing of Rotherham United.

“It is a genuine honour for us to extend this agreement up until a term that we should all be hugely proud of and it means a lot to us all here at the club that Eric’s name will continue to sit proudly on the West Stand for years to come.”

Eric Twigg Foods Managing Director Matt Twigg, added: “We are delighted to have agreed a deal which will notably see us celebrate 50 consecutive years in business with the Millers.

“From growing up going to the games on the terraces at Millmoor to being part of such a special commercial relationship with the club we support means the world to us and it serves as a poignant reminder to us all of how immensely proud we are of Dad, what he achieved in business and the person he was.

“So much about the club has changed throughout the close-to-half-century that we have been in business together, but at the same time, its values have remained consistent. While the people within the club have changed, everyone we have met and dealt with have had the personable and committed qualities that we’ve always felt represented by this football club and it has been a pleasure to meet so many fantastic people along the way.

“From the first season back in 1980 there has been a bond between Pukka Pies and Rotherham United supporters where we have always shared a loyalty for each other. I think that the relationship has been able to endure for such a long period because ultimately, we all want the same thing, and that is the very best for Rotherham United.

“It brings us great pride as a business and as a family to see Dad’s name proudly atop the West Stand at AESSEAL New York Stadium and we know that he would be honoured to know that it will remain there as our relationship with the Millers reaches the 50 year-mark.”

Eric Twigg Foods website
Rotherham United website

Images: Eric Twigg Foods

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News: Improving Sheffield-Leeds connection through NPR supports Rotherham Gateway Station proposal

Political and business leaders from Sheffield and Leeds travelled to Westminster recently to make the case for "transformational rail investment" between the two city regions.

And this week mayors and leaders have written to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget, calling for investment that will unlock investment and opportunity across the North.

The government is yet to confirm costed plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).

The call is for major investment in infrastructure, by delivering NPR in full, complementing other rail investment across the North of England to deliver better connectivity across all places to create ‘a spine’ that connects the whole North.

A full NPR would include electrification of the Leeds-Sheffield line which currently has just one fast train an hour meaning that the growth of the cities is being held back by outdated, Victorian rail infrastructure.

The two cities are urging the Government to back NPR between Sheffield and Leeds, with a clear timetable and delivery plan.

That includes:

- Four fast trains an hour between Sheffield and Leeds, bringing services in line with comparable cities across the UK.
- Improvements at Sheffield Midland Station, freeing up rail capacity on the main line by expanding the tram-train network.
- Investment in greater capacity at Leeds City Station, so it becomes a hub for onward travel into the city centre and is fit-for-purpose for the new mass transit system.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “Sheffield is the largest city in the UK without electrified rail, and our station will be at capacity by December. Delivering four fast trains an hour to Leeds as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail will help to unlock over a million extra journeys a year, boosting jobs, growth, and opportunity across the whole of Yorkshire.

“Improving links between Sheffield and Leeds will also support the proposed Rotherham Gateway station, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect the UK’s first Investment Zone and Innovation Spine - right in the heart of South Yorkshire - to the wider Northern economy.

“After decades of under-investment, it’s time we got a fair deal. Investment in rail isn’t just about faster trains, it’s about tackling the big challenges we face and helping Yorkshire move forward.”

The pausing of plans for the electrification of the Midland Main Line to Sheffield earlier this year means that it remains the largest city in the UK without electrified railways.

Rothbiz reported in June on the 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate which showed how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

One of the aims is for journey times to Leeds to be cut from 60 minutes to 30 minutes.

Rotherham Gateway Station website

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham Opportunities College forges partnership with Magna

Two former students at Rotherham Opportunities College are embarking on the first chapter in their chosen careers, after securing new roles at the Magna Science Adventure Centre.

Millie and Asia are the first beneficiaries of a new partnership between the two organisations, which aims to help young adults with disabilities to secure paid employment after successfully completing their studies.

During their time studying at Rotherham Opportunities College, both Millie and Asia, who have special educational needs, successfully spent time developing their communication and teamwork skills, as well as gaining valuable work experience through the college’s supported internship programme. The duo also successfully completed independent travel training courses, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to make unassisted journeys using public transport.

In their new roles, Millie has joined Magna’s front of house team, where she welcomes visitors to the popular attraction as well as processes online ticket sales, whilst Asia works in Magna’s busy gift shop and can be regularly found working behind the till.

The partnership between Rotherham Opportunities College and Magna will help more students to gain valuable work experience, through a specially developed supported internship programme, as they prepare for life after college. It is hoped that more students will be able to follow the path that Asia and Millie have carved by securing paid work at the popular attraction.

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Richard Hammill, Chief Executive, Magna Science Adventure Centre, said: “Rotherham Opportunities College is a truly unique organisation and having seen first-hand the transformational work being delivered, I was keen to explore ways in which Magna could support the students by working together in the future.

"Since joining us, both Asia and Millie have made an instant, positive impact and have quickly established themselves as valued members of staff. Through our partnership, I hope that more students will have the chance to gain work experience at Magna, and I’m sure others will follow the shining example set by Asia and Millie and go on to secure paid work with us.”

Dr Perdita Mouseley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “Over the past few years, we have forged some excellent working relationships with businesses throughout Rotherham. Our mission is to ensure that students at Rotherham Opportunities College are able to enjoy many of those things that we all take for granted – and that includes earning a regular salary.

"Millie and Asia were both wonderful students during their time at college and it’s great to see that their efforts have been rewarded with paid employment. Our partnership with Magna is an exciting milestone for the college, and it will help more students to gain valuable work experience.

"Supporting students, through providing work experience or a supported internship, can also be a very positive experience. Employers have regularly told us that the experience boosts morale, strengthens teams and enables staff to enjoy a real sense of achievement by helping someone to succeed.”

Magna website
Rotherham Opportunities College website

Images: Rotherham Opportunities College

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