News: Second set of Millmoor plans sees all stands and buildings demolished at Rotherham United's former home

Having secured planning approval to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium in Rotherham, the new owners of Millmoor have applied to do the same to the rest of the structures.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

Planning approval was secured for the method of demolition at Millmoor for the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Now a second application looks to secure approval for the method of demolition for the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground. All floodlighting columns, and other football associated buildings would be flattened, as would related grassed areas.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

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The latest plans state: "The maintenance building is a reinforce concrete frame stucture [sic] with solid brickwork infill panels, steel beams supporting the metal clad roof structure. From appearance it seems to have been constructed in the 1950- 60's. Due to the possible changing nature and use of the site this building may become surplus to requirements with regard to any proposed future use of the site.

"The covered Millmoor Lane football stand (Stand 'D') has stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof cladding , and is now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football clubs relocation. There is no protection from falls to the rear of the stand either.

"The Railway End (Stand ' E' ) was the away fans section where over 2,000 fans were accommodated. This end is covered and all seated. The only access being via the narrow alleyway to the rear from Millmoor Lane .This stand has a stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof and wall cladding , all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club's relocation."

It remains to be seen what will happen to the pitch, famed for its quality in league football.

The plans add: "All the proposed buildings to be demolished will be taken down to the ground slabs. The ground slabs will be removed and the site tidied and left in a state where redevelopment will be possible. The client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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News: Beatson Clark celebrates 275 years of manufacturing in Rotherham

Historic glass packaging manufacturer Beatson Clark welcomed customers and special guests to its Rotherham site recently to celebrate 275 years of glass packaging manufacturing.

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.

The company began as a small canalside glassworks, and the Beatson Clark name emerged from a series of partnerships between the Beatson and Clark families for over two centuries. Today, the business is owned by Newship Group, retaining its proud status as an independent, family-run company.

It is the only independent, UK-owned glass container manufacturer, and the oldest glass manufacturer in the country.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion attended the celebration, which featured tours of the glassworks and spray decoration plant, a chance to experience virtual reality training technology, a nostalgic demonstration of glass blowing, and a display of Beatson Clark memorabilia and products.

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Eddie Pickering, Managing Director of Beatson Clark, said: “Beatson Clark has continued to evolve, embracing innovation and investing in new technologies, processes and skills to meet the changing needs of our customers. That willingness to adapt, while remaining true to our core values, has been fundamental to our success.

He continued: “Most importantly, today is a celebration of our people. I am immensely proud to be part of the Beatson Clark team. Their dedication, expertise and resilience continue to drive our business forward.

“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we do so with gratitude for those who have contributed to our success over the last 275 years and with confidence in what the future holds. We remain committed to building on our proud heritage and ensuring that Beatson Clark continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, said: “Since the earliest days of the industrial revolution, Beatson Clark has been manufacturing glass in Rotherham. Throughout this time they have consistently provided generations of skilled, well paid jobs.

“Through world wars, economic decline, depression and renewal, Beatson Clark has endured, helping to drive our regional economy.

“I’ve just had a fabulous afternoon learning how to make and decorate glass with them. I want Beatson Clark to continue to thrive for another 275 years. It has been my honour to represent them in Parliament to celebrate their achievements and challenge any threats they face.”

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Plans for two new tenants at Rotherham retail development

QFM Group, the Sheffield-based developer and operator of a number of fast food franchises, has submitted plans to kickstart a site in Rotherham.

The group is one of the largest franchise companies in the UK and was founded in 1982 when it opened its first restaurant in Sheffield. It now has a chain of quick service restaurants and is continuing to grow with a current expansion programme.

Rothbiz reported back in 2018 on plans for new premises close to The Tanyard shopping centre in Wickersley.

Planning permission was secured and KFC opened in Wickersley in 2021 in the building that was formerly used by Tirobaggi, an online supplier of quality handbags and accessories, and Edward Healy & Sons, a provider of shoe repair materials.

Having encountered parking issues, the KFC has since closed and plans to add a Costa to the site were never carried out.

Now a new planning application has been submitted to Rotherham Council that would enable a Dunkin Donuts outlet and a new concept gym to open alongside the exisiting, but closed, 1,615 sq ft KFC.

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The proposal is to subdivide the existing Class E unit at the rear to form a third unit, "including amendments to the arrangement of doors, glazing and windows to suit the revised occupier." Plans state that there is no increase in floorspace, no changes to the existing KFC, no alteration to the approved use class of the premises and no changes to access, parking or servicing arrangements.

With entrances facing Fairways and the Tanyard, plans show that a 1,399 sq ft Dunkin would sit next to KFC with the third 706 sq ft unit set to be occupied by J.I.M - Joy In Movement.

If approved, opening hours would be 5am to midnight.

J.I.M - Joy In Movement is the UK’s first fully automated infrared fitness studio. The new concept involves "30-minute, low-impact classes in 40° heat, set to fresh DJ-produced beats, designed to help people sculpt, stretch, strengthen, and feel good in their bodies."

The Australian firm opened its first studio in 2023 and now has 35 studios. It signed a franchise deal to expand to the UK and is targeting ten studios in the next 12 months, with 100 the target over the next five years.

Rothbiz reported last month on QFM's plans to open a J.I.M branch, alongside KFC, Taco Bell and Dunkin at its Eastwood development.

QFM brought the franchise to Sheffield earlier this year and is rolling it out across the UK. It offers 100+ classes per week and is open 365 days a year - designed to fit real life.

The state of the art infrared technology helps create a detoxifying sweat that stimulates blood circulation, improves flexibility, and accelerates weight loss. Each J.I.M. class offers short and effective workouts that incorporate aspects of popular and effective exercise methods, such as Pilates, Yoga and Functional Training.

Dunkin Donuts website
Joy In Movement website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham businesses urged to make the most of new £3,000 youth jobs grant

Businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of a new government-backed Youth Jobs Grant, offering employers £3,000 for every eligible young person they recruit.

The Youth Jobs Grant was launched following a Downing Street roundtable that brought together government ministers and leading hospitality businesses to support the rollout of the scheme. The funding aims to help up to 60,000 young people aged 18 to 24 take their first steps into work over the next three years while giving employers practical financial support to recruit new talent.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the initiative, recognising the opportunity it presents for businesses to invest in young people while helping to tackle ongoing recruitment challenges.

The Chamber also believes the grant comes at an important time. Recent findings from the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey show many businesses continue to face rising employment costs, increased taxation and weakening business confidence, making recruitment decisions more challenging despite a strong appetite to grow and create jobs.

Eligible employers can receive £3,000 for every qualifying young person they recruit. It is aimed at young people aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months or more. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last a minimum of four months.

The grant complements a wider package of employer support, including apprenticeship funding, employer incentives, wage subsidies and skills programmes designed to help businesses recruit, develop and retain talented people.

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Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: "Hospitality is a sector that offers opportunities for anyone, particularly when it comes to helping people back into work.

"The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive initiative to reduce the cost of employment, create more opportunities and support hospitality businesses.

"I’ve been pleased to work with the Government on this and bring together businesses today to discuss how the sector can engage with the Youth Guarantee. The Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee are the key measures in the Government’s £2.5 billion drive to back young people into jobs, skills and opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee, which provides fully subsidised jobs for six months, with the government covering 100% of employment costs, to eligible young people will support more than 1,000 young people across six areas as part of a pilot."

The Jobs Guarantee was set for a national rollout across Great Britain. In six pilot areas it provided fully funded six-month paid work for young people aged 18 to 24.

Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, said: “South Yorkshire businesses want to recruit, invest and create opportunities for local people, but many continue to face significant financial pressures. The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive step that reduces some of the cost of taking on new talent and could give many SMEs the confidence to create roles that might otherwise have been delayed.

“Supporting young people into work is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in the future workforce our businesses need. However, financial incentives work best when they are part of a wider, long-term approach to developing skills and supporting employers.

“Through the next phase of the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, we are continuing to work with businesses, education providers and partners to ensure local training reflects employer needs. By combining initiatives like the Youth Jobs Grant with apprenticeships and local employment programmes, we can help businesses grow while creating more opportunities for young people across our region.”

As the designated Employer Representative Body for the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber continues to work with employers, education providers and partners across South Yorkshire to ensure local skills provision reflects the needs of business. The next phase of the LSIP will build on this work by strengthening employer engagement, improving pathways into employment and helping address the skills shortages affecting key sectors across the region.

Alongside the Youth Jobs Grant, employers are also encouraged to explore local initiatives such as Pathways to Work Rotherham, which provides wage subsidy support to eligible employers while helping local people gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to move into sustainable employment.

Through the Employment Solutions team in Rotherham, the Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to recruit young people with a paid job role for up to three months that is intended to lead to sustainable employment.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website
Employment Solutions website

Images: Pexels / Cemrecan Yurtman

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News: Huge American restaurant chain planning to open in Rotherham

Visit Rotherham reports that a vacant restaurant building could be converted into South Yorkshire's first branch of a huge American fast food restaurant chain, if plans for a new drive thru are approved by Rotherham Council.

With more than 3,000 sites, Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States and is known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. Specialising in chicken sandwiches, the chain's menu also includes salads and milkshakes.

Last year the first restaurant opened in Leeds as part of the company’s commitment to open five restaurants in the UK in the first two years and invest more than $100m in the UK in the next ten years.

Visit Rotherham states that a planning application is on its way for a new 4,000 sq ft restaurant at the Cortonwood Retail Park, which is in Rotherham.

Plans are for the change of use of the existing restaurant building (Use Class E) to a drive-thru restaurant (Use Class E / Sui Generis) plus some external alterations and a 300 sq ft extension to the existing unit.

Rothbiz reported last year that the Pizza Hut restaurant at Cortonwood would close after a UK operator of the brand entered administration.

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The plans, drawn up by agents, Lichfields, state that the proposed development represents an opportunity to bring a vacant unit back into use and add that it "incorporates a high-quality design, including retained and cleaned red brick facades, timber effect planks, bronze fascia canopy and glazing. The overall design approach will significantly improve the appearance of the existing unit while also being in-keeping with the retail character of Cortonwood Retail Park."

To facilitate the new drive-thru lane, on-site car parking will be reduced from 17 spaces to six spaces, comprising four standard bays and two accessible bays.

The application states that a proposed Chick-fil-A drive-thru restaurant would create around 80 jobs, with a mixture of full / part time staff.

Applicants have also carried out a Health Impact Assessment (HIA), as required for hot food takeaway proposals in line with Rotherham Council's planning policies.

Chick-fil-A's franchise model means that most restaurants are locally owned and operated. Local individuals therefore manage each restaurant, being responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business including hiring and developing their staff.

Chick-fil-A is famous in America for being closed on Sundays. The rule started in 1946 with the founder, Truett Cathy, who was a devout Christian and wanted to give workers a guaranteed day off to rest, spend time with family, or go to church.

Chick-fil-A website

Images: Chick-fil-A / Google Maps

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