News: Market traders vow to continue

Dinnington's current outdoor market will continue despite the operator walking away, ongoing regeneration work and reports of antisocial behaviour.

Rotherham Council, who acquired the land as part of a £12m redevelopment project, has brought in a new operator after being informed that the market's existing private operator was ceasing to trade in the area.

Rothbiz reported previously that the authority had been critical of the way the previous operators, who also owned the land, had carried out little investment and had let the site become "run-down" and "poorly maintained."

Traders and opposition councillors took to social media to say that the council was bringing in the private company that operate the Asian market on a Thursday and that rents would be doubled with new gazebos for traders who need them.

The market will continue operating in its current location before relocating after Christmas to a temporary site closer to shops on Laughton Road, helping maintain its presence in the heart of the town centre while regeneration plans move forward.

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The move comes as preparations continue for the next phase of Dinnington's high street regeneration, with demolition of the former market building set to begin shortly. The work forms part of wider plans to support the high street, improve the town centre environment and create new opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors.

Simon Moss, Service Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: “Dinnington Market has always been operated by a private company. We were recently informed at very short notice that the operator was ceasing to trade in the area – a decision that would have closed the market altogether.

“We know how important the market is to traders, shoppers and the wider community, so we have acted as quickly as possible to ensure it could continue trading and to secure its future for the people of Dinnington.

“We've worked hard to secure an experienced replacement operator, invest in new gazebos for traders who don’t have them and make sure there is no break in trading.

“We listened to traders who told us that any gap in trading could put the market’s future at risk. So we’re really pleased that the market will continue operating in its current location until Christmas and then move temporarily closer to the shops on Laughton Road.

“Our focus has always been on securing the future of the market, and we believe this is the best available option to ensure it can continue trading. More broadly, we're committed to the future of Dinnington town centre, with work set to begin shortly on the demolition of the former market building as part of wider regeneration plans, supporting the high street and creating new opportunities for the town centre.”

Using central government funds, the £12m redevelopment of the high street will include a new public square with a flexible pack-away market, purpose-built commercial units creating new opportunities for local businesses, and improved pedestrian links between transport hubs and the high street.

Rothbiz reported in July that further delays were expected as the council failed to appoint a contractor to carry out the work. Procurement wsa reset required following issues with the original tender process and a main contractor was due to be appointed later in 2026. The tender process was then extended "to allow contractors additional time to review and price works."

Antisocial behaviour is a long-standing issue in the market and bus station area of Dinnington with local MP Jake Richards discussing his response to incidents back in May and a community meeting on the issue was held this month.

Images: Google Maps / RMBC

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News: Fit out for vacant Rotherham gym

A vacant former gym building in Rotherham is being brought back to life with a planned new use.

i-Motion Gym in Parkgate closed in 2023 when management said that a combination of factors, including the COVID pandemic and the energy crisis, "had made the business books difficult to navigate."

Rothbiz previously reported in 2018 that a deal for the operating company was secured after administrators were called in after the firm struggled in the challenging environment for low cost gym operators.

Since closing, the 12,266 sq ft Unit 10 at Stoddart Way, Foundry Retail Park, has been advertised to let with the agents, Knight Frank, explaining: "The unit has most recently been used as a gym but can be stripped out / refurbished to suit the requirements of an incoming occupier."

After clarifying that the unit could used for retail use, The Salvation Army has begun work to create another of its large donation centres.

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The Salvation Army is a Christian church and charity established to fight poverty, homelessness and modern slavery. The new Rotherham operation is from Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL), the trading arm of The Salvation Army.

SATCoL actively encourages the reuse and recycling of donated clothing and other household items through over 250 charity shops and donation centres, and a nationwide network of thousands of clothing banks.

With the support of the British public and over 7,000 volunteers, SATCoL has donated millions of pounds to The Salvation Army to help its work with vulnerable people in the UK - over £100m has been donated in the last twelve years alone.

Combining shopping and donations, SATCoL's large centres are designed as an open-format donation drop-off point which engage shoppers and donors with the donation process as they can see "behind the scenes." The large stores also have convenient parking and have proved popular in the towns and cities across the UK.

Community events and initiatives are expected to form a core part of the donation centre.

Salvation Army website

Images: Salvation Army / Knight Frank

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News: Housebuilder identifies two new green belt sites in Rotherham

A national housebuilder has identified two new agricultural sites in Rotherham as potential sites for new developments and hundreds of houses.

Based in Doncaster, Strata, works with housing associations and investors to bring forward developments and previous Rotherham locations include Catcliffe, Waverley and Kiveton Park.

Now agents for the company have engaged with Rotherham Council ahead of submitting planning applications for locations in Treeton and Aston.

At Wood Lane in Treeton a 7.85 hectare site has been identified as having the potential for a 154 home development.

The site is made up of two agricultural fields between the existing Jones Homes development and a nursing home. It was classified as green belt in the borough's local plan that is currently being updated.

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The early stage plans, drawn up by consultants, Nineteen47, state: "The Site is considered to constitute Grey Belt land for the purposes of the NPPF [national planning guidelines], having been assessed as not strongly contributing to Green Belt purposes (a), (b) or (d).

"The Site is also considered to represent a sustainable and accessible location for residential development, with good access to existing services, facilities and public transport, and the proposals are capable of responding to the applicable Golden Rules, including in relation to affordable housing, infrastructure and publicly accessible green space. This position is particularly relevant in the context of the LPA's current housing land supply shortfall and the opportunity for the Site to contribute towards meeting Rotherham's identified housing needs."

A number of applications have been submitted for green belt and "safeguarded" land as Rotherham Council is no longer able to demonstrate a Five-Year Land Supply given the changes at a national level that have increased housing targets. The target for new house building per annum in Rotherham has increased from circa 560 dpa (Dwellings Per Annum) to 1,111 dpa.

At nearby Aston, Strata has identified a 4.14 hectare site at Piper Lane.

Another green belt site, the builders believe that a 90-home development could replace the agricultural land. Access is currently from Piper Lane but proposed access for a residential development would likely come via Maple Grove.

The early stage plans say that it would be a logical extension to Aston and consultants, Nineteen47, again state that they consider the site to constitute Grey Belt land.

Strata website

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News: Beatson Clark investing in Rotherham and the future of glass manufacturing

Historic Rotherham firm Beatson Clark is marking 275 years of history by investing in its future.

Beatson Clark has been manufacturing glass containers on the same site since it opened in 1751, and it now supplies glass bottles and jars to the food, beverage, healthcare, homeware and personal care sectors across the world.

Among the most significant recent investments are screen printing machines installed in the new decorating plant, innovative air curtains in the glassworks to improve employee health and safety during hot end swabbing operations, and a new Euro palletiser capable of packing onto industrial and Euro pallets.

Beatson Clark’s new decorating plant began operation in August 2024 and is already expanding to meet increasing customer demand. The addition of screen printing equipment means the company can now produce a wide range of decorative effects using organic, ceramic and precious metal inks. Ceramic inks are fused onto the glass at high temperatures, making the print extremely durable, while organic print is a cost-effective option that can be applied in virtually any colour. These investments are a response to the current trend for brands looking to premiumise their packaging using spray and print effects.

Alongside these new services, Beatson Clark is also launching a raft of new container ranges for the growing spirits, homeware and personal care markets that are ideal for premium decoration. Other investments which are less visible to customers but equally important are the new air curtain system and the Euro palletisers.

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Beatson Clark is the first glass packaging manufacturer in the UK to install pioneering air curtains to further enhance operator protection during hot end swabbing operations. The innovative equipment removes contaminants from the operator's breathing zone rather than relying on PPE.

Following a successful trial on one production line, the system was rolled out across the entire manufacturing operation and now benefits employees across the hot end operation. Feedback from operators has been overwhelmingly positive. Real-time monitoring has shown the system to be highly effective, reducing airborne particulates in the operator's breathing zone by approximately 95%.

The project’s success has been recognised by British Glass, with the initiative shortlisted for the Health and Safety Action Award. The winners will be announced on 19th November at the Glass Focus Awards ceremony in Sheffield.

Meanwhile, the company is investing more than £3.6 million on four new palletisers over the next 12 months, enabling it to pack both standard UK pallets and slightly smaller Euro pallets. This greater packing and palletising flexibility will expand export opportunities in Europe for Beatson Clark, which works closely with its European sister company Pont Packaging and its wide network of distributors across the globe.

While much has changed since the company first began making glass in 1751, its approach remains the same: investing in innovation, adapting to new market demands and continually improving the service it provides to customers. Celebrating 275 years of manufacturing is an opportunity not only to reflect on the Beatson Clark’s heritage, but also to look ahead to the future of glass packaging.

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Rotherham Council extends rent support to traders after teething troubles at new market hall

Support for stall holders in Rotherham's new market hall has been extended after operators admitted that traders and visitors had faced "temporary challenges."

As part of the £46.844m scheme, traders from the old indoor market have moved temporarily into the New Market Hall until the work on the indoor market is complete (previously scheduled for Autumn 2027). When these traders move back into their revamped home, street traders are due to make use of the new Market Hall.

Rothbiz reported last month on traders raising issues impacting their businesses since the new hall opened in the summer.

Footfall had been affected by ongoing construction activity in the area, hot weather and the closure of the college campus over the summer.

An update to Sarah Champion, the local Rotherham MP, John Edwards, chief executive of Rotherham Council, said: "Recognising the impact that regeneration works have had on customer footfall and trading conditions, the Council has reviewed the current position and taken the decision to extend the existing rent relief support for Market Hall traders.

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"Traders have been advised that the current three-month rent-free period, which was due to end on 30 September 2026, will now be extended for a further six months until 31 March 2027. During this period, no market rent, storage rent or service charges will be payable.

"The communication issued to traders acknowledges the difficulties many businesses have experienced and thanks them for their patience, commitment and continued support throughout this significant period of change. The additional support is intended to provide greater certainty for traders, helping them to plan ahead during the important Christmas trading period and beyond.

"The Council remains committed to supporting the market and its traders while regeneration activity continues and will continue to monitor trading conditions and keep traders updated on future developments."

In the September 2026/27 Financial Monitoring Report, the council's Markets service is forecasting a £0.7m overspend because of income shortfalls. The authority said that this was "a similar position to previous years but a worsening of £0.1m since the last report as rent-free periods have been extended." The position is being monitored carefully as the development works continue, following the successful move of traders from the indoor covered market into the new Market Hall.

Contractors Henry Boot are on site completing the new library next door and a recently opened walkway connects the top of Drummond Street, the Henry Street lift access and the crossing near Drummond Street Car Park.

The end of the rent free period may coincide with the opening of the new Rotherham library which has been pushed back to the first quarter of 2027.

Outdoor markets have begun to make use of the new public realm outside of the market hall and in September a planning application was submitted for a big outdoor TV screen at the site.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: RMBC

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