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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News: Rotherham neighbourhood in £2.55m funding boost

Local charities and community organisations in a Rotherham neighbourhood are being given the chance to control part of a £175m fund that aims to shift the decisions, agency and control directly to communities.

The Community Wealth Fund is a 10-year investment for 60 areas that will receive a share of the funding, across every region in England.

East Herringthorpe in Rotherham is one of the areas selected with £2.55m earmarked over the next ten years. £1.5m will go to the community to spend and £1.05m will go to a representing organisation to support the community and cover operational costs.

The areas were selected based on national data on high levels of deprivation, and low social capital and local community infrastructure to enable them to take full advantage of their strengths.

Funding could support creating or improving local community spaces and places; support community activities and local services; or support the development of local leadership. In one area, that could mean creating a youth council to give young people a stronger voice in local decision-making. In another, it could mean developing a community allotment that brings people together who may be struggling with isolation or their mental health.

The Community Wealth Fund was developed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund and the Ministry for Housing, Community and Local Government.

It's one of the causes funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme, which aims to reunite people with lost or forgotten financial assets, such as old bank accounts. Where this is not possible, the funds are redirected to support social and environmental causes.

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Charities and community groups in the chosen areas will be able to apply to decide how the money is spent over the next ten years and those selected will need to show how they will give local people a central role in decision-making. The National Lottery Community Fund will support the selected areas and their learning needs, to ensure they are equipped for success and can build their capacity to thrive for the long term.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: "Devolution matters, but it must not stop at institutions. Real community power means local people having the authority, resources and time to shape the decisions that affect their lives – not simply being consulted after decisions have been made.

"The Community Wealth Fund is designed to put that ambition into practice. Made possible by a powerful combination of National Lottery and Dormant Assets Scheme funding, £175 million will support 60 neighbourhoods over ten years to set their own priorities, decide how money is invested and build the relationships and organisations that make lasting change possible.

"Success won't just be measured by what gets funded. It will be measured by whether communities have greater power and capacity to shape their own futures long after the funding ends.

"At The National Lottery Community Fund we believe lasting change starts with community – and stays with community. When local people lead, real and lasting change happens."

Minister for Impact Economy, Stephanie Peacock, added: "£87.5 million of dormant assets funding alongside a further £87.5 million matched funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, will be invested over the next 10 years in 60 areas so they can decide their own priorities and invest in what their communities need."

"The Community Wealth Fund marks a significant opportunity in the journey towards further devolution to put power into the hands of local people. It will give residents the tools and spaces they need to come together and shape the future of their community for the long term."

The Community Wealth Fund was inspired by the success of Big Local, a long-term community investment programme led by The National Lottery Community Fund that demonstrated the impact of giving residents the time, resources and support to lead change in their neighbourhoods.

Thurcroft in Rotherham benefited from Big Local and £1m in National Lottery funding. The legacy of which is the Thurcroft Hub community space.

Images: Google Maps

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News: New images released of Capital&Centric's "Rotherham reboot"

Further images have been released of the latest multimillion pound regeneration plans for Rotherham town centre. Public consultation is underway.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on details of the projects from social impact developer Capital&Centric, who have been awarded a contract to develop five council-owned sites that could reach up to £100m in value.

Pre-development work and feasibility studies are being carried out to create full business cases for five sites owned by Rotherham Council.

The Statutes and the sites on Sheffield Road are for residential schemes that are estimated to deliver hundreds of new homes. The Corporation Street and Snail Yard sites are considered best suited to a development of mixed uses.

Capital&Centric's plans to extend the Riverside Residential Quarter onto The Statutes and two sites on Sheffield Road are for residential-led schemes that are estimated to deliver 226 new homes including both apartments and townhouses.

A public garden and square could be created beside the Cutlers Arms with riverside routes connecting the neighbourhoods and linking back into town.

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For Snail Yard, a smaller-scale, mixed-use development is proposed, centred around a courtyard concept on the site of the former Primark.

A new mixed use proposal that includes commercial / office space and ten, three bedroom homes is being developed for the cleared site of burnt out buildings on Corporation Street.

Consultation documents state: "Snail Hill. Just off the High Street, we’re planning a courtyard with smaller spaces for independents to do their thing. Think makers, food businesses and places to grab a coffee, with planting and seating where you can take a break.

"Larger business units would face the High Street, with homes above and offices to the back. The courtyard would give people somewhere new to discover, alongside the businesses already thriving here.

"Corporation Street. Ground floor business spaces would bring activity onto the street between the historic centre and Forge Island. Above, we’re planning homes over two floors, with a shared courtyard at the rear for residents."

A consultation event is being held on Thursday November 12, 4–7pm at The Empire Theatre.

A spokesperson for Capital&Centric said: "We've been working with architects FaulknerBrowns to bring these early ideas to life, but nothing's set in stone. Before we take the next steps towards a potential planning application, we want to hear what you think. After all, it's your town, and your views can help shape what comes next.

"The designs take their cue from the ironworks, foundries and warehouses that once lined the River Don, with warm red and brown brick and the pitched and sawtooth roofs of Rotherham’s old workshops. Around the High Street and Corporation Street, new frontages would reflect the scale and character of neighbouring buildings.

"We want the new public spaces to become part of everyday life in town. The riverside walk and the garden beside the Cutlers Arms would offer more spaces to spend time, while residents would also have their own shared gardens."

Rotherham Council recently approved the next £2m in funding to enable Capital&Centric to move ahead with the plans. This stage includes detailed due diligence and design work including site investigations, securing planning permission, producing cost plans and raising development finances.

Capital&Centric website

Images: Capital&Centric / FaulknerBrowns

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News: American restaurant chain secures planning approval for Rotherham drive-thru

A vacant restaurant building can be converted into South Yorkshire's first branch of a huge American fast food restaurant chain, as 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. This month saw the brand debut its signature US Drive-Thru experience in Glasgow.

A planning application was submitted 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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Approving the plans without going before the council's planning board, officers had to decide if the takeaway element met with planning guidelines.

Plans were also amended after the initial design of the drive thru lane would have effectively created a dead end at the car park to the south-west.

The proposed extensions, canopy and external alterations were considered minor and acceptable with Noise Impact Assessment and an Odour Impact Assessment also taken into account in the decision.

Chick-fil-A is introducing a new drive-thru experience to the UK with staff taking orders face to face rather than relying solely on a speaker box. By taking orders on handheld tablets, staff can answer questions and send orders directly to the kitchen while guests move through the queue, helping create a more efficient and personal drive-thru visit.

Joanna Symonds, Head of U.K. Operations at Chick-fil-A, explains: " Much more than a new level of convenience, the drive-thru extends our signature hospitality into a new service channel, bringing together innovation, quality food and genuine personal connection."

Chick-fil-A website

Images: Chick-fil-A / Google Maps

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News: Rotherham schemes included in £1.45 billion transport investment plan

A number of high profile Rotherham schemes are included in a £1.45 billion Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is preparing to submit to the Government.

Rothbiz reported on the confirmation of the trasnport funding last year and now board approval has been secured for the programme that forms a key part of the Mayor's ambition to create a fully integrated South Yorkshire People's Network, connecting communities with jobs, education, healthcare and opportunities right across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Headline projects include the move to bus franchising, previously given a £350m budget, the continued renewal of Supertram fleet (£530m) and core budget that council's use to sustain the condition, safety and resilience of South Yorkshire’s road network.

For Rotherham the major inclusion is the Rotherham Gateway Station project.

A new mainline rail station at Parkgate would deliver faster links to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Doncaster, unlocking wider regional and national connectivity. The aim is for journey times to Leeds to be cut from 60 minutes to 30 minutes and to be 75 minutes to Birmingham.

With opening pencilled in for "late 2030," the four-phase masterplan for the £300m scheme sets out that it could bring 1,000 highly-skilled jobs and support more than £1bn of private investment.

With council teams and consultants in place the funding will be used to support the development of a full business case, where £11.35m of funding has already been approved by SYMCA.

The contracting strategy for the design and delivery of Rotherham Gateway rail infrastructure has recently been agreed, with Network Rail undertaking the rail and tram train elements.

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The TCR programme is also set to fund the development costs of the active travel route along Effingham Street to connect the town centre to the station. A set of bridge and access improvements area also planned linking Eastwood to Parkgate.

Also included in the programme is a proposed project at Waverley - the provision of new railway station on the Sheffield to Lincoln line, providing rail connectivity to the Advanced Manufacturing Park and Waverley, was earmarked for funding from previous government pots.

Funding for a wider "Public Realm and Placemaking Enhancement Programme" in Rotherham is also included.

More than £125m has been identified to support the development and delivery of rail priorities including projects like Rotherham Gateway Station, Waverley Station and Sheffield Station enhancement.

Funding has also been set aside for potential extensions to the Supertram network but more detail is likely to be announced following the conclusion of a connectivity study.

South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "I’ve been clear we need a world-class public transport system, to offer people real freedom and choice about how they travel and move right across South Yorkshire and build the transport network our communities deserve.

"Funding through the Transport for City Regions programme would help make that vision a reality, supporting investment in better buses, a renewed Supertram network, stronger rail connections, improved links to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and better neighbourhoods across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

"This investment will help connect people to jobs, education, healthcare and opportunities, support economic growth and bring us another step closer to delivering our South Yorkshire People's Network."

SYMCA website

Images: RMBC

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