News: Wuthering Heights sees Rotherham back on the big screen

More recognition, exposure and prestige is being garnered by Rotherham as it once again provides the filming location for another big screen blockbuster, reports Visit Rotherham.

A 2026 reimagining of Emily Brontë’s classic, Wuthering Heights trades traditional gothic gloom for a provocative, synth-pop-infused fever dream and was filmed across various breathtaking locations, many in Yorkshire.

Some scenes were captured in Kent, such as at Knole Park, a medieval deer park in Sevenoaks, and on the dramatic moorlands of the Yorkshire Dales - including Swaledale and Bridestones Moor, and the villages of Reeth and Low Row. Visit Rotherham reports that a couple of key scenes were filmed here in Rotherham.

The Needle's Eye is one of a number of follies surrounding Wentworth Woodhouse, a magnificent Grade I listed mansion that has itself provided the backdrop to a number of big screen productions.

On a former avenue to Wentworth Park's North Lodge, The Needle's Eye is a pyramid structure pierced by a narrow, ogee carriage arch.

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For Wuthering Heights, this is where a young Cathy and Heathcliff take shelter from the rain in childhood, and where they reunite as adults, played by Robbie and Elordi, to confess their love for each other. It's where Heathcliff utters the line: "So kiss me and let us both be damned."

Production trucks and fake rain machines were spotted in the area last year.

Talking to Cosmopolitan, Aurelia Thomas, Supervising Location Manager for Wuthering Heights, said: "It was a process finding that, because it needed to feel like a bit of a landmark, that the children rush to in the rain, and then the adults go back to. So we shot in Kent, and then we travelled, this travelling circus of trucks, up to South Yorkshire."

Wentworth Woodhouse has previously stood in for the Royal Academy in London for Mike Leigh's Mr Turner. And for Oscar winning feature film, Darkest Hour, the Whistlejacket room was used as interior of Buckingham Palace. The famous Marble Saloon also played host to the Downton Abbey movie.

Wuthering Heights is also not the first film to choose a Wentworth folly either. For example, Hoober Stand became "Santa's magic postbox" in the 2014 British Christmas comedy film, Get Santa, starring Jim Broadbent and Stephen Graham.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: Warner Bros.

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News: Elevation Recruitment Group launches new division

Following a record-breaking 2025, Rotherham-based Elevation Recruitment Group has launched new Leadership & Executive division, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth and evolution of the business.

The new division brings together the Tembleborough firm's senior recruitment capability under a single, dedicated Leadership and Executive brand, focused on securing high-impact leaders for organisations across Yorkshire and the wider UK. The team boasts over 15 specialists and sector experts.

The decision to launch Leadership & Executive follows a strongest year to date. In 2025, Elevation achieved record revenues, saw sustained client demand, and continued to invest across specialist markets.

Created to meet demand, Leadership and Executive will support appointments across senior leadership, director and executive levels, including Managing Directors, General Managers, Functional Directors, Heads of Department and future leadership talent. It sits between ourthe established leadership recruitment activity and the executive search capability, providing a clear and consistent pathway from leadership through to the C-suite.

At the most senior end of the market, Elevation also operates Parkinson|Lee, an executive search brand specialising in national and international C-suite and Director appointments. Leadership and Executive draws on the strength of the wider group’s networks and market insight, enabling them to identify high-calibre leaders who are often not visible through traditional recruitment channels.

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By bringing together senior specialists from across our core markets, including Engineering and Manufacturing, Accountancy and Finance, Technology and Transformation, People and HR, Sales, Marketing, Procurement and Supply Chain, this division represents one of the most comprehensive Leadership and Executive recruitment teams in the region.

A spokesperson for Elevation, said: "The quality of leadership appointments matters more than ever. Getting the right people in place is not just about filling roles; it is about setting businesses up to move forward with confidence.

"One of the real strengths of this division is the depth of our specialist teams and the networks they have built over many years. That gives us access not only to experienced leaders and directors, but also to emerging talent and future executives who are often under the radar. Because we sit so closely to our markets, we are engaging with individuals well before they are actively considering a move, allowing us to support immediate leadership needs while also advising on longer term succession as organisations scale and evolve."

The company said that the latest launch forms part of a wider growth strategy, with continued investment planned across its people, brand and market presence, building on the momentum of 2025.

Elevation Recruitment Group website

Images: Elevation Recruitment Group

News: Taylor Emmet opens new Rotherham office

Leading law firm Taylor Emmet has officially opened its new office at Moorgate Crofts Business Centre, bringing trusted legal expertise closer to individuals and families across Rotherham.

The new Rotherham office will provide access to a comprehensive range of legal services for individuals and businesses, including Family Law, Child Care matters, Conveyancing, Wills and Probate, Personal Injury and Medical Negligence.

Whether clients are planning for the future, navigating a significant life change or seeking expert advice following an unexpected event, the firm’s experienced solicitors are on hand to help.

At Taylor Emmet, everything is guided by one aim - to provide legal advice that supports and protects clients and their families, delivering total peace of mind. The firm recognises that legal matters can feel daunting, particularly during life’s most important or challenging moments. Its approach focuses on removing unnecessary complexity, communicating in clear, straightforward language and ensuring clients are kept fully informed at every stage.

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Understanding that no two situations are the same, the team provides tailored advice designed around individual circumstances, offering practical and personalised solutions. From initial consultation through to final resolution, clients can expect a high level of commitment, care and professionalism.

The Rotherham office is led by a team who live and work locally, combining in-depth legal expertise with a genuine understanding of the community they serve. Clients can expect the same high standards of service, confidentiality and client care that Taylor Emmet is known for throughout South Yorkshire.

Michaela Evans, Partner at Taylor Emmet, said: "We are proud to officially open our new Rotherham office and to strengthen our presence within the local community. Rotherham has a strong identity and a growing business and residential population, and we are committed to providing accessible, high-quality legal advice to support individuals and families at every stage of life.

“Our focus has always been on delivering clear, practical advice with a personal approach. The new Rotherham office allows us to build even closer relationships within the community and ensure people can access the legal support they need, right on their doorstep.”

On the edge of Rotherham town centre Moorgate Crofts Business Centre is a state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly building providing managed small office business units. It is operated by RiDO, part of Rotherham Council, alongside Century Business Centre and Century 2, Fusion@Magna and Matrix@Dinnington.

Taylor Emmet website

Images: Taylor Emmet

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News: South Yorkshire Mayor: "Whitestone is the wrong scheme"

Oliver Coppard, the mayor of South Yorkshire says that he is convinced that plans for a massive solar farm that could take up acres of green belt land in Rotherham "is the wrong scheme."

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans being updated for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Initial consultation documents from solar developer Green Nation showed that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm.

The northen site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites could be included in the solar farm development that are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

Following a second round of consultation, the plans have been updated again.

Proponents of the scheme say that the size of the scheme has been reduced significantly.

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An update reads: "We received more than 10,000 pieces of written feedback. We have now reviewed all of the feedback we received. Where the feedback applied to the masterplan, we have made a number of changes to address concerns.

"In response to feedback from two rounds of consultation and ongoing stakeholder engagement, the size of Whitestone has been reduced significantly. The final size is now 1,169 hectares (2,888 acres), which includes 691 hectares (1,707 acres) for solar and associated infrastructure and 637 hectares (1,181 acres) for environmental mitigation and enhancement. Compared to the initial masterplan, this is a reduction of 37% of the developable area and a reduction of 17% of the total size of the project."

Following a public meeting on the plans, Oliver Coppard said: "I went into the room with significant doubts about the scale of the development, and the huge cost it will impose on the local community. I left the meeting convinced that it is the wrong scheme, with huge flaws in the public consultation, the design and the delivery, and it should not be imposed here, in the heart of South Yorkshire.

"I’ll be taking away all the comments and questions that were raised tonight, and following up with all those who attended and are interested in what we might be able to do to mount an objection to the Whitestone Solar Farm.

"It’s not in my gift to stop the scheme, and I can’t promise that will be the eventual outcome, but I can promise to explore all of our options and to work with partners and our communities to raise our voices together, and to do what we can to make those voices heard."

Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

A DCO submission is expected in Spring 2026.

Whitestone Solar Farm website

Images: Whitestone Net Zero Limited

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News: Rebranded Rotherham venue set to reopen

A prominent venue in Rotherham town centre has closed for a rebrand, with plans to reopen with Irish cheer, just in time for St Patrick's Day, reports Visit Rotherham.

Visit Rotherham is the only place that brings together news and events information so you can find out what's on in Rotherham.

At Westgate Chambers, which has been undergoing a multimillion pound regeneration programme, the former Co-op building has long been a part of the evening circuit - as Milano's, Switch and the Jaxx bar.

Maximum Leisure, which currently operates venues in Rotherham including neighbours, Elliotts, has taken the decision to rebrand the Jaxx Bar and convert it into "The Westgate."

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Posts on social media point to it being a sister venue to Elliotts, offering live music, darts and pool.

Fans of the resurgence of stout, will notice the large Guinness vinyl on the new frontage.

The Westgate is set to open on Friday March 13 with Sheffield's Sharon Dreadz bringing the best of Irish / rock / pop / indie and country.

There is plenty of regeneration happening in the area. The new pub is across the road from the recently opened Empire Theatre, with work currently underway on Rotherham Council's multimillion pound improvement scheme on Corporation Street and Riverside Gardens - a new public space which will form a key gateway to the flagship Forge Island leisure development and wider town centre.

The Grade II listed part of Westgate Chambers (where Elliotts is housed) was originally a fine residence built in 1794 by the architect John Platt for himself. Platt sold the house in 1808 but remained in occupation until his death in 1810. The part of the house further to the left was demolished when Main Street was constructed.

The Westgate Facebook page

Images: Tom Austen

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