News: Change of use plans for large empty Rotherham office block

An empty office block in Bramley could be brought back into use if newly submitted plans are approved by Rotherham Council.

Oak House has most recently been used by the NHS for its administration teams and was also used as a COVID vaccination centre. The building previously served as the headquarters for the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) but has been vacant since 2024.

Providing 23,244 sq ft of office space over three floors, the property is now listed with agents as being under offer. It was made available to let / may sell with a guide price of £2.5m.

A new planning application is for a change of use that would enable the office building to be converted into a residential care home.

The proposal also includes three single storey extensions to reconfigure the layout of the building.

Plans, drawn up by 7 hills architectural design, state that "the building itself will undergo total refurbishment" and show 57 rooms in the current building and new extensions - two on the front elevation and one on the rear.

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Plans also include new lifts, a cafe area, lounges, a private dining room, cinema and a roof terrace.

If approved, 70 full-time equivalent jobs would be created.

The plans are from a newly formed company, Oak House 1111 Ltd, but make reference to a development company, Balmoral Investments. It is understood that the property is owned by the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

The site, which sits alongside commercial buildings, a Bannatynes Gym, and the recently rebranded Garner Hotel near to the M18, had been included in the safeguarded land for high speed rail.

The designation was lifted last year, four and a half years after the HS2 scheme to Leeds was scrapped and nine years after property owners first learnt of the plans.

Images: Oak House 1111 Ltd / 7 hills / CPP

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News: Support adds to recipe for success for Rotherham-based Sri Lankan food business

A family-run food business bringing authentic Sri Lankan flavours to communities across South Yorkshire and beyond is expanding its offering thanks to support from a UKSE Kickstart Grant, delivered through RiDO.

Based in Rotherham, Curry Leafs was established by a local entrepreneur with a passion for traditional Sri Lankan cooking and baking. Originally launched as a small home-based venture alongside part-time work, the business has grown steadily through word-of-mouth recommendations, community support and increasing demand for authentic homemade Sri Lankan food.

Drawing on recipes and cooking techniques passed down through her family, particularly from her mother and grandmother, Hasitha established Curry Leafs to provide authentic homemade Sri Lankan food to people longing for the flavours and memories of home.

Since formally launching, Curry Leafs has expanded from a simple pick-and-mix meal offering into a broader food business serving customers across Rotherham, Sheffield, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, London and Manchester.

To support the business, Hasitha applied for the UKSE Kickstart grant, delivered in partnership with Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) – UKSE provides finance of up to £1.5m to growing companies, as well as providing support for start-ups – which enabled Curry Leafs to purchase essential catering equipment and a professional gazebo, significantly improving its presence at outdoor events and enhancing its ability to cater for larger functions. The investment has strengthened the business’s presentation, operational capacity and overall customer experience.

Looking ahead, Curry Leafs plans to continue expanding its catering and events offering, with long-term ambitions to launch a food truck and eventually open a Sri Lankan-inspired restaurant serving both traditional and fusion dishes. The business also hopes to create flexible employment opportunities for women, particularly those balancing family commitments, helping them build financial independence and stability.

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Hasitha Priyadarshani, founder of Curry Leafs, said: “Curry Leafs started from a passion for cooking and sharing authentic Sri Lankan food with others.

“I would like to acknowledge the support of my husband and brother, who, without their support throughout this journey, Curry Leafs would not be where it is today.

“The support from UKSE has allowed us to invest in equipment that will help us grow, improve our presence at events and take on larger opportunities.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received throughout our journey.”

Pete Newton, Regional Executive at UKSE said: “Curry Leafs is a fantastic example of how a small business can grow through passion, determination and a commitment to quality.

“We are delighted that the Kickstart Grant has helped support the next stage of the business’s development. We wish Hasitha every success as the business continues to expand.”

Darren McDool, New Business Developer at RiDO. Said: “Their passion for the business is clear to all to see and it’s been a pleasure working with them on UKSE Kickstart application.

“We look forward to supporting them further as they take the next steps in growing from a promising start.”

UKSE provides loans and equity finance of up to £1.5m to existing growing businesses, particularly those creating jobs.

Curry Leafs website
UKSE website
RiDO website

Images: UKSE

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News: Rotherham cinema to host Reytons album launch

The Reytons are set to celebrate the launch of their latest album with home town fans in Rotherham this weekend, reports Visit Rotherham.

A Love Letter to a Broken Town is the fourth studio album by the indie rock band who describe it as being "for the community, the roots and the towns that made us..."

Visit Rotherham reported first that The Reytons are planning to pop up at Arc Cinema on Forge Island, the £47m landmark leisure destination in Rotherham town centre.

For a band who release their music entirely on their own terms with no major label backing or corporate support, and in typical Reytons style, press interviews for the album were carried out by the lads themselves in Rotherham town centre.

Buying a sofa set and coffee table from the British Heart Foundation, lead singer, Jonny, interviewed the rest of the band at the foot of the High Street to talk about the album, and Rotherham and towns like it.

Promo photos and videos for new songs off the album also feature Rotherham prominently - Jukebox is set in the beautiful town centre pub, The Cutler's Arms, and Busker's Paradise centres on the cyclical journey of a £5 note as it travels through shops and pubs in South Yorkshire. The artwork for Hello Are You Today? features a phone box on the High Street.

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The Meet & Greet Event is taking place on Saturday August 8 (9:00am - 5:00pm) and Sunday August 9 (11:00am - 6:00pm) at Arc Cinema on Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

Through The Reytons website, fans need to pick a time slot to attend a private cinema screening, followed by a Q&A, Meet & Greet and other entertainment.

A small £2 charge for the tickets will be donated to local charities.

The band are releasing a limited edition pop up record featuring an illustration of the town inspired by Roald Dahl. £5 from every record sold will go directly to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Rotherham.

Jonny Yerrell said in the latest video interview: "This town is important to me, you know, I grew up here. I've got so many fond memories, whether it's just walking through the town with my nan, going to McDonald's parties as a kid. I mean I once turned the Christmas lights on stood on the on the roof around the corner. I've done so much in this town, I've had so many questionable nights walking up and down these streets on a night out.

"Even recently again with individuals deciding to do things to try and put Rotherham down every time, but this album to us, when you pick it up, when you look through the books, even through through the dirt you see the diamonds do you know what I mean? There's something beautiful about this place and we know it and we want other people to see it.

"When you're looking around, the architecture in this town is incredible, and the council are definitely definitely improving it in terms of there's a lot of money being spent down at the bottom on Forge Island, which is where we're going to be this weekend. You can come down to the cinema, there's a lot of things that we want you to see because Rotherham does get a lot of shade."

The Reytons website

Images: The Reytons/ YouTube

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News: Council refines Rotherham shop front grant scheme

Priority areas across the borough have been the target in the latest round of shop front grants from Rotherham Council.

46 businesses successfully secured funding to make improvements to the premises through the initial scheme.

£270,000 was utilised from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and a decision was made in December 2025 to allocate a further £117,643 to the project from the same pot to meet demand.

The scheme has been given a further funding boost. Rothbiz reported in May that £666,655 (£110,000 revenue and £556,655 capital) had been set aside for Shop Unit Grants from the council's Local Growth Fund allocation.

The latest round of funding has two aspects to enhance the exterior of business premises in eligible High Street locations - one for existing businesses and one to help bring empty units back into use.

Existing businesses have been applying for up to £10,000 for their projects, with them funding anything above this level. This can be for things like exterior re-painting, new windows, doors and shop frontage, improved access and new signage.

A council report explained that "some funding is available to bring empty units back into use, with funding available to support projects up to £20,000. The first £10,000 of the project is 100% funded. Anything up to £20,000 after that is 50% match funded, meaning there is a maximum grant of £15,000 available.

"The Scheme will seek to revitalise local high streets across the borough, through bringing empty units back into use and improving the exteriors of existing buildings. Funding to the internal fabric of building can also be supported in certain cases."

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Priority sites are: Rotherham town centre; Parkgate / Rawmarsh (From the bottom of Rawmarsh Hill and not the retail parks); Dinnington; Maltby; Swinton; Thurcroft; Wath; and Dalton.

Rotherham Council said that applications outside of these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis but priority will be given the areas.

Empty Shops will have priority, then external works, then internal works to the fabric of the building.

Businesses within eligible locations were previously able to apply for up to £25,000 in grant funding to improve the exterior location of their properties.

A council report on the first year of the scheme states: "Over the course of the scheme, 46 businesses successfully secured funding to make improvements to the premises. Improvements included complete paint refresh of exterior of premises, new windows and shop frontages, improved accessibility for premises, new signage, new lighting to improve visibility, especially at night, new awning, new doors, new carpets internally and some internal refreshment.

"All works were carried out by legitimate local suppliers, who worked with the clients to supply quotes, carry out the work and then invoice for payment to be made.

"Feedback from clients that have undertaken the process has been positive with many stating that the projects would not have been undertaken without the grant funding.

"Not only has the exterior work made the premises look better, new doors, windows and shop frontages have helped to make premises warmer and more economical. Businesses that have carried out internal remodelling have reported that it has made them more attractive to customers."

Prestige Printers in Swinton received a grant in the first wave. They said: “We now look like a modern up to date business, a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing place to enter. We believe our customers both new and old will be with us long into the future. An updated business on the High Street, whereas before we had an outdated, uninviting frontage which gave the impression of us not caring about the business or our customers which was simply not true. We are now ready for the modern age and are very pleased with the finished result."

In addition to the grants, Rotherham Council is recruiting three new High Street Business Advisers, who will work directly with traders in Rotherham town centre and the borough’s principal town centres.

Images: Commercial Property Rotherham

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News: Clothing retailer revamps Rotherham store

Asda has selected Rotherham as the latest location for a new standalone George concept store.

The new format features expanded ranges, a contemporary layout, improved services, and reflects Asda’s strategy to transition its Asda Living estate into George destinations.

At Cortonwood Retail Park, which is in Rotherham, a special opening event was held last month for the new store which has been created in the Asda Living unit.

Asda is accelerating plans to open ten standalone George concept stores this year, as the retailer continues its plans to replace its Asda Living brand portfolio across the UK.

The move follows the strong performance of the first two stand-alone George stores, which opened in Leeds and Hull in 2025 and delivered an overwhelmingly positive customer response.

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A spokesperson from Asda said: "The transformation reflects Asda’s continued investment in creating inspiring, easy-to-shop environments that celebrate its hero non-food categories. From everyday wardrobe essentials to trend-led seasonal pieces and contemporary home interiors, the new concept store aims to deliver quality, style and value synonymous with the George brand."

Customers can expect a significantly expanded clothing offer across womenswear, menswear and childrenswear, alongside a broader George Home range featuring an even wider selection of interiors and lifestyle products. Shoppers will also be able to discover the latest fashion launches, including the Yasmin Le Bon and Amber Le Bon collections and Stacey Solomon’s exclusive George Home ranges.

George is the UK's third-largest clothing retailer by volume and the country's largest childrenswear retailer, serving millions of customers through 580 Asda stores and six standalone George stores. The brand also has ambitious growth plans, including opening 100 standalone locations in the next five years.

The retailer also operates from a standalone Asda Living store at Parkgate in Rotherham. No date has been given for a transition to George.

Asda website

Images: Asda

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