News: Club house revamp and holiday lets planned at Rotherham golf club

A set of plans for significant upgrades to a Rotherham golf club are being driven forward by new operators.

A refurbishment programme of the existing club house, and the conversion of former agricultural buildings so that they can be used as holiday guest houses, are proposed for Grange Park Golf Club at Kimberworth.

Rothbiz reported last year on new investors coming on board at the former municipal course.

The course was laid out in the 1970's on former coal workings where the freehold ownership passed to the Council. The course and clubhouse was let to Grange Park Golf Club Limited in 2005.

In 2023 local businessman Peter Eyre was approached to look at assisting the company who had debts of £500,000 and were in the process of appointing an administrator.

Top Play, which shares directors with Pocket Sports Bars Ltd and other Eyre family businesses, has been looking at diversifying the business after it was clear that just relying on golf course income and operating as an event venue was no longer sustainable.

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Plans explain that the golf club has recently undertaken a full internal refurbishment of the current ballroom area but further works are proposed. A single-story infill entrance extension would create a new contemporary entrance and meeting area, whilst increasing the existing external decked and seating area along the western elevation would expand the hospitality facilities to the rear overlooking the 18th green.

Plans state: "The refurbishment programme is to improve the whole club facilities and enhance the current golf facility [and] the additional club event venue facility. The company has proposed plans to invest in the upgrading and refurbishment of the main building, bar areas and existing dining provisions, kitchens, toilets, changing facilities. The existing club currently has a restrictive catering food offering for golfers due to the facilities on site.

"This proposal would provide an essential addition to the current entrance and provide a new principal area for members and vastly improve the sporting and recreation demand at the venue. The adjacent building facades [are] to be upgraded to a contemporary and softening design with a timber profiled panelling system mixed with a combination of green wall effect.

"We are proposing a contemporary external area to expand the viewing and seating of the golf club, taking full advantage of the fantastic views to the western side of the golf club."

For two existing storage barns, the plan is to fully refurbish and upgrade the buildings to high standards to create holiday lets - three separate 2-bed, two storey units in one barn and two self contained 2-bed apartments in the other.

Planners will need to assess whether the proposed change of use of the former agricultural buildings represents suitable development within the greenbelt.

The plans also include resurfacing the existing car park and driveway.

Plans conclude: "The whole club house has been thoroughly neglected over the years and the proposed business plan is to create a sustainable business focusing on new membership, and continued events which at the moment is gaining momentum due to the internal upgrading and promotions being carried out for the club and with these essential new a upgraded additions will ensure the longevity of the club and social hub for the surrounding area.

"Our proposals for the Change of use of these buildings will be an crucial enhancement to the existing Golf club amenities to contribute to future growth plan for the club.

"Our proposals will be an essential element of ensuring the longevity of the Golf club and venue securing the future for the existing team of staff and provide new opportunities to expand the personnel as the profile of the club improves and increases."

Grange Park Golf Club website

Images: Grange Park Golf Club

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News: Parkgate unveils the first phase of its rebrand

Shoppers visiting Parkgate in Rotherham will notice an exciting transformation as the retail destination launches the first phase of its rebrand. The refresh includes a modern, up-to-date logo and a brand-new website designed to make it easier for visitors to stay informed about everything happening at Parkgate.

The Parkgate team will be debuting new uniforms featuring the refreshed branding with new signage also planned. The rebrand is another clear sign of the positive energy and ongoing improvements at Parkgate, bringing together a dynamic new team, including Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou as Senior Operations Manager and Alex Parkinson as Operational Support Supervisor, welcoming exciting new brands, and continually enhancing the shopping experience for its loyal shopper base.

The new branding, launched at the end of October, will also be joined by brand-new Christmas decorative displays to welcome in the festive season.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: "We’re proud to launch the first phase of our new brand at Parkgate. Since joining the team in April, there’s been a real sense of positive change and energy with Alex joining us, the opening of a new link road and Park & Ride, and a range of new lettings. This new look reflects that momentum and our commitment to continually improving Parkgate for our shoppers and retailers."

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Parkgate recently launched the Families First Christmas Toy Appeal. Every year, the borough comes together to make sure no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning. Since 1991, the appeal works closely with schools, social services, and local charities to ensure toys reach children who need them most.

Shoppers pick an age tag from the trees at Parkgate Shopping for a child they’d like to buy for, from 0-18. Gifts to the maximum value of £20 can then be dropped off at any of the stores on Parkgate Shopping for the attention of the Christmas Toy Appeal.

Last year over 2,250 children in Rotherham had a present waiting under the tree thanks to the appeal.

The past twelve months have also seen a wave of new lettings, with popular names such as Footasylum, Wilko and a revamped Superdrug, and some more exciting announcements in the pipeline.

The latest move has seen TUI take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore to move its operations.

Plans have also been approved to enable My Dentist to open in the former Superdrug unit.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Parkgate Shopping / TUI

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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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