News: First showing for new Rotherham cinema plans

Details of the proposed new Rotherham cinema have been premiered with the submission of a planning application for the wider Forge Island regeneration project.

The application sets out in detail that the site of the former Tesco store in Rotherham town centre is set to be home to an eight screen cinema, a 69 bed hotel, four restaurants and car parking.

Adjacent sites are set to feature a new café on the site of the current Riverside precinct with land by the river and on the former courts building earmarked for future residential phases.

Contracts were exchanged at the end of 2019 between urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, and Rotherham Council, for the leisure-led mixed use development which is designed to act as a catalyst for the town centre.

A 340 space car park, to be operated by the council, is to be created on the main Forge Island site with the new buildings on a podium above taking them higher than the 1 in 100 flood risk level. Entry to the car park is to continue from Bridge Street and Market Street as it does currently.

The plans, submitted by WYG consultants, state: "The development of Forge Island is an opportunity to improve the social fabric of Rotherham. The creation of a major destination will not only attract new visitors to Rotherham town centre but boost local employment through retaining footfall.

"Key to this new leisure offer will be the provision of a new cinema, aligned with family orientated restaurants and a hotel and a new café that will re-position Rotherham town centre as a vibrant evening and weekend destination, lengthening dwell times and creating a more active evening economy.

"High quality new public space will be delivered at the heart of the development providing an area of public realm that can be used for a range of events which broaden the cultural offer of the town centre."

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Rothbiz reported earlier this month that the cinema would be larger than previously anticipated.

Described as "a keystone to the masterplan" the cinema is the largest building in the scheme at 25,000 sq ft and is positioned at the south of Forge Island. Either side of the cinema's foyer are two restaurant units (2,500 sq and 3,000 sq ft), which have the potential for mezzanine levels. Plans show five screens with between 125 and 143 seats and three smaller screens of between 50 and 83 seats.

The design approach developed by FaulknerBrowns Architects looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

The four storey hotel at the north of the site has also been designed with a metal top and brick base in grey giving it a separate identity to the cinema. The top element is also clad in metal. The hotel building includes a foyer which connects through to a 40 cover café/bar area plus a separate 2,500 sq ft restaurant unit.

A separate building adjacent to the hotel is a further 5,400 sq ft restaurant in a prime position close to a new pedestrian bridge to connect Forge Island with the rest of the town centre.

The podium also creates a new area of public realm to form the heart of the new leisure destination. The podium and buildings are coordinated around a central area to be called "Forge Square" complete with crankshaft and steel roller seating. A landscaped area called "Riverside Approach" is also planned.

Movement through, and around the site, is designed to offer views to key landmarks, including Rotherham Minster, and provide legibility and promote greater connectivity with the River Don and Canal. Flood alleviation works are already underway and Rotherham Council's plans include a terraced amphitheatre relating to Rotherham Lock.

The application confirms that the Council-owned Riverside Precinct and the Equity Chambers building on Corporation Street are to be demolished to make way for a 1,500 sq ft café in another open area called "Millgate Place."

The proposed foot / cycle bridge connecting Millgate Place and Forge Square is also set to nod to Rotherham's industrial heritage and play homage to Donald Bailey and the Bailey Bridge.

Submitted as a hybrid application, the developers have included outline plans for later phases - 50 riverside residential units on land known as the abattoir site behind Market Street and 70 residential units on the site of the former courts buildings.

The cleared site off Main Street is set to be used as a temporary car park to enable a phased approach to construction. The cinema and two restaurants, plus the Millgate Place site could be brought forward before the hotel and large restaurant.

Forge Island website



Images: Muse / RMBC / FaulknerBrowns

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News: Trade Centre Group get green light for new Rotherham car supermarket

An expanding car retailer has secured the necessary planning approval in order to open a massive new car supermarket in Rotherham - a move that could create 180 jobs.

Rothbiz revealed in February that the Trade Centre Group, was looking to take on the former Homebase unit at Parkgate.

The Trade Centre Group was established in 1999 and is now the fastest growing used car retailer in the UK. Headquartered in Neath, the company encompasses Trade Centre Wales and Trade Centre UK and originally had three showrooms throughout the South Wales region, before expanding into the West Midlands. A former Homebase unit in Rochdale was converted last year as the expansion continued North.

The company's Rotherham proposals include converting the existing building as a 174 bay indoor showroom together with ancillary spaces which include, a dry valet area, small workshop, offices, staff toilets, customer toilets, baby changing, storage, sign up area and waiting areas.

The plan is to utilise the existing car park and vacant land that was earmarked for further development to create 812 external car sales bays plus staff and customer parking.

The Trade Centre Group has already acquired the site. Previous owners, BMO Real Estate confirmed that its Rotherham retail warehouse was sold for £6.75m in December 2019 to an owner occupier.

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Planners at Rotherham Council have been satisfied with the proposals and said: "From a Planning Policy perspective the Council previously proposed to allocate the site for employment uses and a fully employment development would be the most preferable in terms of job creation.

"It is noted that up to 180 No. jobs could be created and Policy colleagues are supportive of a proposed development that helps bring more of the site forward and have raised no objections in principle to the car sales proposal."

Documents submitted in support of the plans show that the new operation would create 86 customer facing retail roles, 52 technical and logistics roles and 12 administration roles. Recruitment began earlier this year.

Further details on dealing with flood risk and road access / widening are now set to be submitted.

With a turnover of £255m in 2019 the group is set to grow revenues in 2020 by over 35%.

Trade Centre UK website



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News: McLaren launch latest supercar - complete with new Rotherham made parts

British supercar manufacturer, McLaren Automotive, has revealed its 765LT - the road car which includes the first use of carbon fibre body components produced at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in Rotherham.

The £50m centre was opened on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2018 by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge alongside HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, as part of McLaren's ambitious plans to increase the rate of innovation of its famous lightweight carbon fibre chassis that are at the heart of all its cars.

The new 75,000 sq ft facility shipped the first of its lightweight carbon fibre "tubs" last year but the Rotherham staff have been busy on new components, seen for the first time on the latest in a line of "Longtail" McLarens .

The 765LT is the most dynamically advanced and engaging LT model ever from McLaren Automotive. It includes an active rear wing, rear bumper and front floor designed, engineered and manufactured at the MCTC – the first use of MCTC-produced carbon fibre body components in a McLaren road car.

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The hydraulically actuated rear wing sits proud of the rear deck, curving upwards towards the middle, rather than swooping downwards in line with the rear bodywork. The wing aids downforce levels, draws hot air out of the engine bay and improves high-speed braking.

Filippo D'Adamo, programme manager – McLaren 765LT, said: "Any "Longtail" is a very special McLaren, a car that drives our designers and engineers to question how much more we can do, how far we can go. In the 765LT this has resulted in new McLaren carbon fibre technologies enabling vital weight savings, the most power and torque ever in an LT, the quickest acceleration and the highest levels of driver engagement."

Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive, added: "The 765LT is the most accomplished and exhilarating LT model ever from McLaren Automotive. Incredible performance and astonishing levels of driver engagement – the result of hundreds of detailed engineering actions undertaken to ensure the purest possible connection between driver and car – are the stand-out attributes of an LT developed with single-minded determination to deliver a wholly immersive driving experience to those who secure one of the 765 available to customer order."

McLaren website



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News: Vital work continues at Wentworth Woodhouse

The coronavirus pandemic forced the mansion to halt its tours and events and close to visitors last week but vital roof repairs are continuing at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Heritage construction workers can be seen carrying out vital tasks to ensure the project keeps on schedule for as long as possible.

Halting work adds expense. Some £30,000 is needed every month for costs including hire of scaffold and contractor facilities, security systems, health and safety measures and insurance.

Roof slates from the Make Your Mark in History campaign, which raised over £45,000 and enabled supporters to have slates engraved with personal messages, are now being placed over the East Front portico.

"In the meantime, a very carefully-managed roof work programme is keeping the building safe," said Dame Julie Kenny CBE, founder and chair of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT).

A representative for Woodhead Group, which is carrying out Phase 2 of the Trust's Capital Works, said: "Workers on the roof are following government guidelines to the letter.

"We have implemented daily health-screening questionnaires, created extra hand-washing and cleaning facilities and staggered break times to ensure we are social distancing. 

"We are fortunate to have a vast site and operatives can work well away from each other.

"We are working really closely with our supply chain partners and subcontractors to continue as normally as possible while protecting the safety of everyone."

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Tom Woodhead, Business Services Director for Woodhead Group, said: "With the enhanced measures we have put in place on all our sites, we have been able to maintain progress and have a plan in place to continue for as long as government guidelines allow.

"I would like to thank our project team and supply chain partners for their can-do attitude, particularly over the last week to keep us on track in these difficult times."

The WWPT took over the house in 2017. Its staff of 52 is being paid until the end of March.

The Trust is waiting to find out whether it can access government financial initiatives such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, announced on Friday March 30, to keep its team.

The 212 volunteers, who gave over 22,333 hours of unpaid support last year, have been stood down.

Sarah McLeod, CEO of the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), said: "Keeping people safe is our absolute priority right now.

"Wentworth Woodhouse will re-open in style as soon as the COVID-19 crisis is over and we want everyone back in force - all our staff, volunteers and loyal supporters."

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT / Woodhead

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News: Plans passed for new Rotherham retail development

Plans have been approved for a number of retail units alongside a completed housing development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in January that plans had been submitted for a new commercial scheme on a parcel of land near to where housebuilder Taylor Wimpey completed a 280 home development near Rawmarsh, known as The Wickets.

Mumbles Group, a privately owned property development company, is behind the proposals for the vacant land at Harding Avenue and Symonds Avenue which will enable new shops, takeaways, restaurants and cafes to open at the entrance to the new housing estate at Upper Haugh.

The proposed development is for a parade of six units configured in an L shape along the western and southern boundaries, facing inwards over a 54 space  car park. New access is set to be created from Harding Avenue and some landscaping is also proposed. Totalling 10,323 sq ft of floorspace, the development will create a new local centre to serve the local community.

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The plans show that unit 1, the largest unit on the proposals will be occupied by Co-op. It is also estimated that four full time and 14 part time jobs would be created by the scheme.

The proposal is in a preferred location for new retail development and has found favour with Rotherham Council planners. Uses could include retail, food and drink and hot food and takeaway. It will need to meet the council's policy that restricts hot food takeaways within defined centres so that they would not result in not more than 25% of the ground floor units within a defined local centre being hot food takeaways.

Planners conclude: "The principle of a new local retail centre on this site on a site allocated for retail in the Local Plan is considered to be acceptable. The layout of the site is considered to offer an acceptable balance between achieving an efficient use of the land available whilst safeguarding a satisfactory provision of landscaping screening, with a mix of hard and soft landscaping features."



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News: Eagle lands further investment

Rotherham-based platforms hire company, Eagle Platforms Ltd, is investing over £1m in its fleet with the help of a loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Moving to larger premises in Anston to deal with demand which continues to grow year on year, Eagle Platforms has secured a £200,000 loan which will provide additional growth capital and allow it to acquire a further £1.1m of large plant to meet demand.

The company, which provides powered access equipment such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts to construction and other sites throughout the North, has more than doubled turnover in the past two years to £2.5m. It aims to increase that to £3.5m in the current year.

Eagle Platforms was founded in 2011 by Jim Haigh, who has worked in the industry since the 1980s and now runs the business with the help of operations director Dan Stewart. The company, which has a fleet of 300 items with six delivery lorries, currently employs 26 staff and expects to create four new jobs in the year ahead.

Jim Haigh. managing director of Eagle Platforms, said: "Eagle Platforms has been growing rapidly in the past few years, which we believe is due in part to the personal and knowledgeable service we offer. The funding will allow us to acquire more plant to ensure that we are always able to meet customer demand and offer prompt delivery, and to take our business to the next level."

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Pete Sorsby, with fund manager, Mercia, added: "Eagle Platforms is a service-driven business with a strong client focus and an excellent reputation in the industry. The company has achieved sustained growth over a number of years. The loan will allow it to meet demand following a number of contract wins, and improve profitability and turnover.

Chris Mangle of Custom Business Finance provided fundraising advice to Eagle Platforms. He said: "Business growth creates the need for additional working capital. In the case of Eagle Capital, we were able to restructure existing finance agreements and reduce their monthly repayments, then secure additional funds from NPIF to allow them to expand the fleet to support their growth plans."

NPIF is  supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Mark Wilcokson, senior manager at the British Business Bank said: "It's great to be working with Eagle Platforms again after they received NPIF – Microfinance investment in 2019. This further investment shows that NPIF is making a real impact on business communities and strengthening regional economies. We are proud to work in partnership with Mercia and our other appointed fund managers to make a real impact on businesses like Eagle Platforms."

Eagle Platforms website
NPIF website

Images: NPIF

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News: Gala Tent has it covered

Rotherham-based Gala Tent is becoming more creative and has a number of solutions for those affected by COVID – 19.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

Jason Mace, managing director at Gala Tent, said: "I believe the country has a rough ride ahead over the next quarter, but we remain optimistic as in these types of situations is where Gala Tent becomes more creative.

"We are already seeing signs of where we can provide a vital service. The emergency services are some of our biggest market bases right now, where our Patent covers and easy to deploy pop up frameworks provide instant cover for Crime Scene Investigations, and we are also seeing an uptake in orders for tents for storage for hospitals. We are also ready to deploy portable hygiene testing tents when we get the go ahead."

Mace has already pledged that his staff will be paid in full until this pandemic is over.

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Gala are also seeing an increase in enquiries for home workers looking to bring the outside in, where individuals trapped at home can still work, play and rest under a Gala Tent cover.

Darren Perry, sales manager at Gala Tent, said: "We have even had orders where individuals who would normally take their mother for Sunday Lunch have chosen to order a Gala Tent instead. Mums love the garden so why not? And especially if they are to isolate for up to three months, it seems to be the most logical gift."

Gala's sister company Gala Technology is also enjoying an uptake in business, with its homeworking payment solution SOTpay.

Gala Tent website



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News: Support for Rotherham businesses through Coronavirus crisis

RiDO, the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council, says that it is committed to helping local businesses receive the Government support announced in response to the Coronavirus crisis as soon as possible.

On March 17, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a further package of support to businesses including a range of measures relating to business rates which will be administered by councils:

- All retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will be given 100% business rates relief for the period 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021.
- Small businesses who are currently eligible for Small Business Rates Relief will receive a cash grant of £10,000.
- Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses which operate from smaller premises with a rateable value over £15,000 and below £51,000 will receive a cash grant of up to £25,000.
- The previous announcement in the Chancellor's Budget that pub relief is increased from £1,000 to a maximum of £5,000 for 2020/21 is not changed in the latest announcement.
- All non-local authority providers of childcare will be given 100% business rates relief for the period 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021
Advice for business

Rotherham Council said that it is currently awaiting Government guidance on these measures in order to implement the proposals. A statement made clear: "We are committed to introducing the measures as soon as possible once this guidance is received."

Pending the issue of further guidance, all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses and all businesses who currently receive Small Business Rates Relief are being advised not to make any payment of their 2020/21 bills. The Council won't send out reminders or summonses during this period pending all the bills being re-issued.

The Council is set to recalculate and reissue the relevant business rates bills.

RiDO is keen to make the new grants to businesses as soon as possible once Government guidance is issued. All businesses who are likely to be eligible for the grants will be asked to complete their details requested on an e-form.

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On March 20, the Chancellor outlined an unprecedented package of measures to protect millions of people's jobs and incomes. The package means:

- UK workers of any employer who is placed on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme can keep their job, with the government paying up to 80% of a worker’s wages, up to a total of £2,500 per worker each month. These will be backdated to 1st March and will be initially open for 3 months, to be extended if necessary.
- VAT payments due between now and the end of June will be deferred. No VAT registered business will have to make a VAT payment normally due with their VAT return to HMRC in that period. Income tax payments due in July 2020 under the Self Assessment system will be deferred to January 2021, benefitting up to 5.7m self-employed businesses.
- The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, launched at Budget, will now be interest free for twelve months.
- The standard rate in Universal credit and Tax Credits will be increased by £20 a week for one year from April 6th, meaning claimants will be up to £1040 better off.

Recommended reading: Hospitality Continues to Grow in Sheffield

As it stands, self-employed people will be able to claim Universal Credit, providing they meet the usual eligibility criteria. From April 6 the requirements of the Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed. This change will apply to all Universal Credit claimants and will last for the duration of the outbreak. New claimants will not need to attend the jobcentre to demonstrate gainful self-employment.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber has also setup a dedicated COVID-19 webspage offering guidance of Government support and general advice for working from home.

Government website
RiDO website
BR Chamber website

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News: Liberty looks to youth for long-term future

Liberty Steel Group is investing in the young engineers of the future with the announcement that its Speciality Steels business in South Yorkshire is hiring a new group of apprentices for the upcoming academic year.

International industrials and metals group, Liberty House, closed a deal with Tata Steel UK to acquire its Speciality Steels business, including the electric arc steelworks and bar mill at Rotherham, for a total consideration of £100m in 2017.

The firm is offering 20 Level 3 and Degree apprenticeships in a variety of engineering specialisms, covering electrical, mechanical and materials across its South Yorkshire business. A further 10 apprentices will be hired across the Group's other UK businesses.

Liberty's Speciality Steels' apprenticeship programme, which operates across sites in Stocksbridge and Rotherham, is renowned in the region and was selected as a Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer in 2018.

Apprentices joining Speciality Steels will have the opportunity to learn and work in a business producing high grades of steel for demanding applications such as the aerospace, oil & gas, automotive and motorsport industries.

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They will also have the chance to shape the group's transition to carbon-neutral status by 2030 as it aims to be the first global largescale steel producer to achieve this ambitious goal.

The Speciality Steels business in Rotherham is already ahead of the curve on reducing emissions as it uses an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) to melt scrap steel and produce new steel products, bypassing the carbon emissions from blast furnace steel production.

Apprenticeships enable students to study locally while earning a salary and experience from hands-on and practical engineering tasks.

Mick Hood, UK HR director at Liberty Steel Group, said: "As someone who joined Speciality Steels as an apprentice over 40 years ago, I can testify to the positive impact the apprenticeship can have on a career in specialist engineering.

"This is a business steeped in rich local heritage but one that also has a global reach. Apprentices at LIBERTY are part of an operation involved in the production of steel for civil aircraft undercarriages that land somewhere in the world on average every three seconds."

Liberty Steel Group website


Images: Liberty Steel Group

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News: Xeros signs first XFiltra deal

Xeros, the Rotherham-based developer and provider of water saving and filtration technologies with multiple commercial applications, has signed its first agreement in the development of its product that protects oceans from plastic pollution.

The Joint Development Agreement ("JDA") has been inked with a global leader in commercial laundry solutions, with the aim of incorporating the Xeros' system into their commercial washing machines.

Washing textiles containing synthetic fibres, such as nylon or polyester, is a major source of microplastic pollution. Globally, it accounts for 35% of primary microplastics released into the oceans every year. As many as 700,000 microplastic fibres can be released in the wastewater from a single load of domestic laundry.

Xeros' patented filtration system, XFiltra removes up to 99% of these microplastic fibres from laundry effluent. The device lasts for the lifetime of the washing machine and does not use disposable filter cartridges.

Xeros' joint development partner aims to be the first company in the world to provide commercial laundries with washing machines fitted with microplastic filtration. Upon successful completion of the joint development, the JDA provides for the negotiation of a commercial agreement to license Xeros' filtration technology in a number of geographies in exchange for royalties.

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Mark Nichols, chief executive of Xeros, said: "This invisible form of plastic pollution is highly damaging to our environment and wildlife,  and is one of the ways in which microplastics are readily entering our food chain. Having developed our filtration solution over the last three years, we are delighted to be working with one of the world's most respected and environmentally aware commercial laundry solution providers.

"We believe XFiltra to be the most effective product available, enabling companies and consumers to substantially reduce this form of microplastic pollution. Legislation currently being passed in various geographies will hasten and increasingly mandate adoption of in machine filtration in order to remove microplastics from washing machine effluent streams."

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has developed a patented system using a unique method of special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes. It has pivoted to a strategy that sees the licensing of technologies to market incumbents and receiving a proportion of the value created by means of royalties.

Xeros website

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News: Rotherham pub closed after hygeine breach

A Rotherham pub has been closed for posing an imminent risk to public health after hygiene officers found evidence of rats on the premises.

The Alex at Parkgate, was ordered to close with immediate effect after Rotherham Council Environmental Health Officers were called to investigate a complaint regarding the premises.

Business operator, Garry Edwards, was served with a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice which prohibited him from using the premises for preparing or serving food to the public until further notice.

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A Notice of Intention to apply for a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was also issued which was agreed by Sheffield Magistrates Court on 4 March 2020.

The granting of the Order means that the premises will not be allowed to re-open until the Council is satisfied that the premises no longer pose an imminent risk to health.

Images: Google Maps

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News: New Rotherham pizza restaurant planned

Plans are bubbling up for a new pizza restaurant inside an established retail destination in Rotherham.

Boundary Outlet (previously Boundary Mills) is located on an out of centre retail park in Catcliffe which is on the outskirts of Rotherham, close to the border with Sheffield. It opened in 2012.

The outlet currently consists of a retail store with a café for use by customers of the outlet, warehouse space and associated car parking and servicing facilities. Now bosses want to follow on from the brand's other store in Colne and utilise 5,600 sq ft of space inside the Rotherham store, changing its use from retail to restaurant use.

The substantial plans also include new canopies, a new store front and a relocation of the existing BB's coffee shop.

If approved, the existing café would move to the front of the store, to the right of the entrance, with a new pizza restaurant on the opposite side of the entrance.

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Boundary Outlet opened Bumbellini's Café & Pizzeria at its Colne store last year.

The website reads: "Enjoy a taste of Italy with our rustic homemade antipasti and woodfired pizzas offered in an informal dining manner. Bumbellini's believe in food being at the centre of any occasion and why we believe our menu is designed for everyone. Think home made dough balls with garlic & herb butter, prosciutto bruschetta, and goats cheese & caramelized red onion pizza and you start to get the idea."

As the Catcliffe site is not located within a designated town, district or local centre, a sequential test assessment has been undertaken in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

To address the policies, Kirkwells planning consultants for the applicants state: "Put simply, the Boundary Outlet shopping experience is to provide a retail destination that caters for longer visits and coach trips in addition to shorter visits and provides a restaurant to fulfil that function.

"The overall business model would be seriously compromised if the restaurant had to be provided in a separate location and it would not represent a viable development from the operator's perspective."

Boundary Outlet website

Images: Boundary Outlet

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News: Cost of Supertram renewal rises to £439m

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Mayoral Combined Authority is set to ask the Government to foot most of the £439m bill to renew the existing Supertram network.

Rothbiz reported previously that the initial targeted Government pot of transport funding no longer exists but now the recent budget has signalled a way forward.

The Government indicated its support for the Supertram renewal as part of £4.2 billion additional transport funding available to Combined Authorities announced last week.

The £439m capital bid is set to be discussed by the authority this month.

The preferred option  of renewal with improved services includes: a new fleet of 28 trams, to provide an enhanced service (up to 7.5 trams per hour; further rail and track renewals; improved passenger facilities; the refurbishment and extension of the depot; renewal of control, signalling and communications systems and; renewed and enlarged power supply.

The Estimated Final Cost (EFC) for the works in the preferred option is £312.5m at 2018/19 prices. The price at outturn (i.e. including inflation) is £439m.

The scope of the preferred option does not include any work on the new Tram-Train extension to Rotherham, any extensions to the existing network or any new or extended Park & Ride sites.

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Transport bosses hope that most of the capital costs will be funded by a Government grant, with the SCR set to make a local contribution as part of its commitment to the scheme. Based on discussions to date with DfT and stakeholders, this has reduced from 25% to 7% (£21.8m at 2018/19 prices).

Officers believe that the option can pass the Government's benefit–cost ratio (BCR) threshold of 2.0. By including the Tram-Train scheme the BCR reduces to 1.65.

Papers going before the Mayoral Combined Authority state: "The current Mass Transit network provides a vital service to Sheffield and the wider City Region, offering a strong platform for facilitating more sustainable travel choices. Securing the long-term future of the network is a key priority and is important in delivering future growth and development plans."

The SCR has set out ambitions in its transport strategy to extend mass transit including tram, bus rapid transit, rail and highway options. Ideas include a new service to the south east and investigating opportunities between Sheffield, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) and Rotherham.

The £166m recently announced as SCR's share of the Transforming Cities Fund may be the source of funding for any extensions.

Opened in 1994, Sheffield's Supertram system cost £240m and now serves major residential and employment sites in Sheffield. A delayed tram-train pilot project brought new vehicles to Rotherham in 2018.

Stagecoach's operating contract runs until 2024. Stagecoach assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the network. Ownership of the asset remains with SYPTE.

The papers add: "The current preferred model, after the current concession ends in 2024, is that the operation of the network be carried out by an organisation owned by the public sector with renewal works (to 2028) managed by SYPTE/SCR.

"Market testing shows that during the period of the renewal works, there is no-one willing to take the revenue risk as SYSL [a subsidiary of Stagecoach] do now. The option to enter into a short term (4/6 years) operating contract with a private sector operator, with the public sector retaining revenue risk, continues to be investigated."

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse receives grant for urgent repairs

Historic England has stepped in to help Wentworth Woodhouse when it discovered an unexpected £370,000 heritage repair bill.

The Grade I listed mansion in Rotherham, owned since 2017 by a charitable trust, is undergoing a massive restoration - one of the largest current heritage projects in the UK.

Over £7.2m of crucial repairs to its badly leaking roof are now nearing completion but after work started, heritage specialists discovered intricate Georgian cornices, 18 metres above the ground, that were crumbling away.

Historic England has stepped into the breach with a grant of £224,000 to replace over 90 linear metres of the ornate sandstone and limestone cornice, which runs around the roofline of the mansion's Palladian East Front.

Large sections of stone are coming loose, smaller ones have already fallen off and water is seeping in, causing further damage and posing a potential risk to people below.

Sarah McLeod, CEO of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), said: "We were dismayed to discover the cornice was in a much worse state than anticipated. Although small in comparison to the vast swathes of roof we have made safe, it was a big hurdle because we had no money for it.

"We needed to act before the £1.1m scaffold facilitating the mansion's roof work begins to be taken down from May onwards. Waiting months to secure grants would have meant re-erecting the scaffold and doubling the budget."

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The timeline was tight, but the Trust managed to raise £359,000 of the £368,719 target within months.

One of its volunteers, former company secretary Jonathan Robinson, wrote his first ever bid-writing for the Trust and secured £10,000 from the Freshgate Trust Foundation, a grant-making charity established in 1941 by Sheffield's Harry Brearley, discoverer of stainless steel. 

A £50,000 pledge came from an anonymous donor and the Leche Trust, which supports historic conservation, awarded £5,000. The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, set up by the Brammalls after the sale of Doncaser-based Keepmoat, donated £70,000.

McLeoad added: "We are enormously grateful to all who rallied to the cause, but particularly to Historic England, who donated almost two thirds of our target sum.

"We see the organisation as a crucial partner in our huge restoration task. It has already awarded us two grants of £30,000 to enable us to draw up plans to develop our Camellia House, Riding School and Stables and its York office have been our expert advisors for the last two years."

Duncan Wilson OBE, chief executive of Heritage England, added: "We've been working closely with Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust to help secure the future of this magnificent Georgian building and are passionate about seeing it restored to its former glory for the benefit of generations to come.

"We're delighted to be able to offer financial aid to fund the urgent repairs, as well as continue to help shape Wentworth Woodhouse's future in our role as the Trust's expert advisors."

Initial support of £1.5m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund was secured in October for the next phase of works.

Wentworth Woodhouse website



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News: Work starts on Rotherham town centre housing schemes

Work has started in Rotherham Council's £30m proposals for new town centre housing where 170 new homes are set to be built across three key sites.

The schemes are seen as key to meeting the aim of the masterplan to increase the number of residential properties in the town centre.

Rothbiz reported in October on the proposals getting a green light for a range of new properties on sites across the town centre owned by the Council. These include the site of the former Sheffield Road baths, Millfold House on Sheffield Road (pictured) and the former Henley's garage on Wellgate.

Working with construction partner, Willmott Dixon, the developments feature a mix of tenures which include apartments for Council rent and a choice of ways to buy (outright sale or shared ownership).

Councillor Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "These are exciting, significant developments which will deliver 171 new properties for local people, including 129 Council rented and shared ownership homes, It will totally transform three disused former industrial sites and kick-start a raft of new housing development in the town centre.

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"The developments include a variety of property types to suit people of different ages including first-time buyers, key workers, families and older downsizers. There will also be a block of 23 Council-rented apartments on the former Henley’s Garage site which will be age-banded for applicants of over 50 years of age.

"A lot of hard work has gone into putting these plans together and I think we have come up with a fantastic scheme, which will contribute towards our ambitions for housing growth and town centre regeneration."

The residential project mirrors the plans to improve Forge Island which will include a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities set within an attractive public space.

75% of the properties will be affordable homes with Council funding coming from the Housing Revenue Account. The Council has secured grant funding from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme and from Sheffield City Region Housing Capital Fund.

Tom Bell, assistant director of housing at Rotherham Council, said: "The forthcoming transformation of Forge Island will help create many of the conditions for an attractive town centre residential offer.

"The market is still relatively underdeveloped and by bringing forward this scheme, within a similar timeframe to Forge Island, the council is demonstrating the demand for town centre living in Rotherham and providing the confidence for the private sector to invest."

The first homes are due to be available by Autumn next year and the entire scheme complete by early 2022.

Rother Living website



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News: Rotherham barbershop back in business

A Rotherham barbershop has been backed for putting its customers first during a recent coronavirus scare.

Rothbiz reported last week that Cutthroats, which is based on the High Street in Rotherham town centre, moved quickly to close down the shop and carry out a deep clean after receiving a call from a customer who had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus that had been in for an appointment.

After being advised to isolate for 48 hours, the popular barbers was open again on Thursday, working extra hours to rearrange extra appointments. Customers and neighbouring business have shown support and customers repaid the local lads by all turning up for appointments for the Thursday reopening.

Posting on social media, Cutthroats said: "Just wanted to say guys that the show of support yesterday was outstanding.

"Tom was mega busy and you all took time out to see how he was, even if it was just ringing the shop to see how we were doing and surprisingly you all turned up for your appointments (no offence but we thought some of you would flap it).

"We are still working extra hours to rearrange extra appointments but there's only so many hours in the day unfortunately. We will be working extra hours every day until we can do them all.

"Also we know we keep saying it but the support from the majority of you guys has been unreal, some of you do really care about us and our little town and we can't thank you enough."

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In the Government's recent budget the Chancellor pledged to do whatever it takes to support the economy through the disruption caused by COVID-19 with a £12 billion package of targeted measures. It included a £5 billion emergency response fund to support the NHS and other public services, £40m of new funding for rapid research into COVID-19 and a commitment of up to £150m to the International Monetary Fund’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust.

The government said that it will launch a new, temporary Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered by the British Business Bank, to support businesses to access bank lending and overdrafts. On the same day, the Bank of England also announced an emergency cut in interest rates.

Business rates for shops, cinemas, restaurants and music venues in England with a rateable value below £51,000 have also been suspended for a year.

To support people affected, the Chancellor announced the government would be extending Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for all those who are advised to self-isolate and their carers – even if they haven't yet presented with symptoms. Statutory Sick Pay costs for businesses with fewer than 250 employees will be met by the government in full for up to 14 days.

Rishi Sunak also set out plans to support the self-employed, those earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week and a new £500m Hardship Fund to directly support vulnerable people.

Cutthroats Facebook page


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News: EE switches on 5G in Rotherham

EE, the phone network that offers 5G in more places than any other network in the UK, has expanded its coverage to now cover Rotherham and Dinnington.

5G is a term used to describe the fifth generation of mobile communications technologies. It is not yet fully developed but it is set to be a wireless connectivity solution that will enable thousands of users to get online, all at once, and all benefit from ultrafast speeds. It is the closeness of the transmitters, unlike 4G where they are far apart, that will create an "always on" connectivity.

The borough was an early beneficiary of 4G when it was switched on by EE in 2013. Rival network, Three UK announced last year that Rotherham would be getting coverage under its own 5G roll out.

EE looks to have stolen a march on Three in South Yorkshire, switching on 5G in 21 new towns and cities across the UK, bringing the UK's best mobile experience to a total of 71 locations, and 5G to more places in the UK than any other operator.

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EE launched with 5G coverage in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester in May 2019, and has expanded 5G on a daily basis. EE has now added 5G to Bath, Birkenhead, Clydebank, Motherwell and Rotherham and switched on its first 5G sites in Bransholme, Bury, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Clevedon, Dartford, Dinnington, Loughborough, Loughton, North Shields, Rochester, Rugeley, Swadlincote, South Shields, Staines and Waltham Cross.

Marc Allera, CEO of BT's consumer division, said: "We have 5G coverage in more places than any other operator, and remain focused on connecting even more towns and cities in 2020 and beyond to keep our customers connected in the busiest places."

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News: Details coming in to focus for new Rotherham cinema

A long awaited cinema in Rotherham town centre is set to be larger than originally expected, highlighting the levels of confidence that the private sector has in the key regeneration project at Forge Island.

Contracts were exchanged at the end of 2019 between urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, and Rotherham Council that has enabled the private sector partner to work on concluding legal agreements with key anchor operators.

The two parties exchanged contracts on an agreement to deliver the scheme which includes a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities set within an attractive public space and a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the wider town centre.

Paul Woodcock, strategic director of regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, updated councillors recently on the town centre masterplan. He said: "Forge Island is a very significant project. It is fair to say that it is split into two main phases - phase one is the cinema, hotel and related food and drink units, and phase two is the potential for residential.

"In terms of the cinema, the masterplan said five screens and I'm pleased to tell you that Muse are in advanced legals with a cinema operator for eight screens, and they've given me permission to announce that.

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"The masterplan said a 60 bed hotel, again we are at advanced legals for a 69 bed hotel.

"The next steps will be to finalise those legal agreements between the developer and those operators and then to submit a planning application. I can tell you that those negotiations and agreements are at a very advanced stage."

It is 30 years since Rotherham had a cinema. Cannon, the last town centre cinema, closed in 1990.

Other progress includes a design team being appointed and a planning application is being prepared for submission in the next quarter.

In October 2019 the multi-million-pound phase one flood works commenced on site, including flood defence and enabling work, which includes retaining walls, terrace seating and high-quality public spaces. However, major disruption caused to the scheme delivery during the November 2019 floods has lead to a need to delay the scheme whilst the canal wall is repaired.

Forge Island website



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News: £166m for Sheffield city region transport projects

Budget documents released by the Government look to have given the green light for a new tram-train stop at Magna in Rotherham.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) put forward a substantial bid to the Government's Transforming Cities Fund to back its new transport strategy. This week's Budget indicates that the SCR is to receive £166m.

The authority had put forward a bid for £232m. Rothbiz outlined the Rotherham aspects of the bid here.

The SCR will also be able to tap into the £4.2 billion the Government wants to invest in the transport networks of eight city regions across England from 2022-23.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: "Today we have secured £166m funding for South Yorkshire's transport network. This is significant investment, which will make a huge difference to passengers across the region: reducing journey times, cutting congestion and improving punctuality and reliability.

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"We have had to fight hard for this cash, but it will make a big difference to people's lives, and I welcome the announcement that there is more investment to follow. The Government has indicated its support for the Supertram renewal as part of £4.2 billion additional transport funding available to Combined Authorities."

A new tram stop on the tram-train line to Rotherham at Magna is explicitly mentioned in the budget document. In its bid, the SCR explained that it would facilitate a new 150 space park and ride site and help transform strategic connectivity to the Magna area and provide growth opportunities in the Templeborough/Sheffield Road area.

The business case added: "The tram-train has been very successful and has proved that there is a high demand for this service – this ambitious project will help to relieve congestion and poor air quality within the Lower Don Valley and A6178 corridor by encouraging drivers to park at the new tram train stop and travel on the tram-train service into Sheffield.

"This will help to address major congestion between Rotherham and Sheffield particularly at the Junction 34 of the M1 and also help to improve air quality. The project will also link with the proposed A6178 segregated cycle route and encourage cyclists traveling longer distances to use the tram-train service."

Renewing the Supertram network could cost over £400m.


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News: Historic Rotherham property up for sale

A substantial stone built country house that is currently being used as offices in Rotherham has been placed on the market and could be turned back into a residence, or even become a new hotel.

Hoober House at Wentworth is currently used as headquarters by Huthwaite International, the market leading behaviour change consultancy that works with major blue chip companies across the world including Rezidor, Dell, Motorola, UPS and Zurich Insurance.

Due to relocation, Huthwaite has now engaged leading property agent, Savills, to market the property for sale. It has a guide price of £1.65m.

The sale documents describe the property as "a fine period stone built detached residence" which comes together with a refurbished coach house with a front courtyard and "glorious private mature grounds and gardens" of approximately 5.25 acres and "an impressive sweeping tree lined driveway approach."

The buildings extend to some 9,935 sq ft of accommodation in the main house arranged over two main floors with a cellar. The Coach House offers a further 4,505 sq ft which is currently used as a business centre and training facility.

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Originally part of the renowned Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate, the property sits in a semi-elevated position with "glorious" west facing views across the adjoining Wentworth Estate.

Hoober House was built as the Dower House for the principal historic residence of Wentworth Woodhouse and was previously lived in by Lady Milton when she was a widow. In the 1950s it was used in connection to Lady Mabel College which was based at Wentworth Woodhouse. The National Archives has an entry entitled "Wentworth: Hoober House boarding home for maladjusted girls" dating from 1947.

In 2018, Huthwaite secured planning consent for change of use back to a residential property.

The sale documents state: "This is an opportunity either to continue the commercial use the property now enjoys or to restore the house back to family occupation with the ability to create additional accommodation within the substantial detached coach house as leisure facilities, continued use as office or additional residential accommodation.

"In addition to the existing planning consent for change of use to residential, the property would be suitable for a number of alternative uses, such as hotel, leisure and educational, subject to planning permission."

Huthwaite website
Savills website


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News: Get another glimpse of Gulliver's Valley

Gulliver's has given its biggest glimpse yet of the brand new £37m theme park that opens in Rotherham later this year.

Construction work began in 2018 on phase one of Gulliver's Valley Resort which includes the main family theme park with themed areas with rides and lodges, and the huge indoor entrance hub.

With an opening date sometime in the Spring, the family company has been keeping the public up to date with regular videos on social media, and the latest one gives a greater look at the rapid progress being made on site, and at some of the rides being tested.

Most noticeable is the fairytale castle at the centre of the first phase which will be home to home to magical princess suites - Gulliver's offers short breaks at the site which is located next to Rother Valley Country Park. Dinosaurs have also been spotted on the site...

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Rothbiz reported in January on the first rides and the new video gives a sneak peek of some of them.

In the Lost World - Gulliver's dinosaur adventure themed area - rides include a river tour and the T-Rex Tower epic slide. At Smuggler's Wharf - the pirate themed zone - rides include Blackbeard's Barrels teacup style ride and the Galleon pirate ship. Western World will house rides such as the thrilling Apache Falls water ride, the Desperado Drop and the Sioux City Express train ride.

Further details are also revealed for the first time, although the vintage carousel was still under wraps. JCBs make up another attraction enabling kids (and adults) to get to grips with a full size digger.

One ride exclusive to Rotherham is set to be the 360 degree flying experience in the Lost World zone, called The Gyrosaur.

The "Toy Land" area is seen in more detail. Aimed at the younger end of the 2 - 13 year old target market, this area will include a Ferris Wheel, Frantic Fire trucks, a Rockin' Tug and Jumbo Jetters flying elephants.

The large indoor area is likely to include soft play areas and a climbing experience. Other Gulliver's sites also incorporate splash zones and NERF zones.

Recruitment is underway and tickets and short breaks can be booked online now.

Gulliver's Valley website

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News: New Rotherham drive thru plans move ahead

Beefed up plans have been approved for a new a drive thru café / restaurant on land close to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported back in 2018 that EOS Inc Ltd, which shares directors with Rotherham-based development firm, Harworth Group plc, had put together outline proposals for a 2,200 sq ft development on land adjacent to Harworth's Advantage House building on Poplar Way.

More detailed proposals were submitted to Rotherham Council last year and they have subsequently been approved.

The total floor area proposed is 1,800 sq.ft and the existing site access onto Poplar Way will provide access to the 36 space car park and drive-thru lane. A new security barrier will prevent cars from being able to enter the car park which will serve Advantage House.

Plans also show that during the determination of the outline application, the indicative layout plan was amended to move the drive-thru lane behind the proposed building to prevent queuing cars along the frontage of the site and in front of the building, which is to be a "gateway building."

The drive-thru unit is designed to ensure that the Poplar Way frontage is glazed and cladded with materials to be reflective of the surrounding area, such as the silver aluminium used on the AMP.

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The plans. drawn up by Barton Wilmore and the Harris Partnership, conclude: "The proposed drive-thru, associated access, parking and ancillary facilities proposes a visually attractive, safe and accessible environment, designed with high-quality aluminium cladding and glazing that contributes to the overall quality of the area. The proposal is reflective of the building's location in proximity to the AMP.

"The proposed scheme falls within the Sheffield-Rotherham corridor; an area undergoing rapid change and growth. The proposals will complement the current
and emerging surrounds, providing opportunities for job growth and development.

"The scheme will provide additional job opportunities and have a positive impact on the character and vibrancy of the local area, providing a contemporary addition to the street scene environment and will encourage further, future developments in the area as a whole."

An operator for the drive thru coffee shop and/or restaurant has not yet been revealed.

Harworth Group website

Images: Harworth / Harris Partnership

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News: STEM event hosts preview for SEND pupils

Organisers at Get up to Speed with STEM, Yorkshire's largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction careers spectacular, have announced plans to host an hour-long Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) friendly preview at this year's event.

The event, organised by The work-wise Foundation, will take at Magna Science Centre, Rotherham, on Wednesday March 25.

Get up to Speed with STEM features over 100 exhibitions, plus a number of interactive zones including Rail, Construction and Uniformed Services. Other attractions include the National Videogames Museum, McLaren Automotive Supercars, Plant Genetics Growth Chamber, University of Sheffield Maker Bus, past and present fire engines, the Rail Human Library and Quantum Physics activities, amongst others.

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John Barber, CEO of The work-wise Foundation, said: "We are always exploring ways to enhance the inclusivity of Get Up To Speed and make the event as accessible and welcoming as possible for everyone. This year we are expecting over 4,000 people to attend throughout the course of the day, which may be overwhelming for some children and young people. The SEND friendly preview will provide any individuals that require a calmer environment the chance to experience and enjoy the exhibits without feeling overwhelmed by the larger crowds."

Over the past ten years, Get up to Speed, which is championed by employers and delivered through The work-wise Foundation alongside key partners in the private and public sectors, has showcased engineering career opportunities to over 19,000 young people and their families from across the South Yorkshire region and beyond.

This year's event, sponsored by Sheffield’s Liberty Speciality Steels, Chesterfield’s CBE+ and Rotherham's AESSEAL plc, will focus on robotics and renewables and include presentations from previous visitors that have gone on to secure a career in STEM-related industries as a result of past events.

GUTS website

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News: Rotherham barbershop posts Coronavirus warning

A popular barbershop in Rotherham has posted a warning on its social media stating that a customer with Coronavirus used the shop last week.

The message follows on from a similar post from The Marquis pub in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, stating that it had undertaken a "deep clean" after being made aware of customer who visited its Wacky Warehouse that has since tested positive for Coronavirus.

Cutthroats, which is based on the High Street in Rotherham town centre, is taking similar steps having been advised to deep clean the shop and then to isolate for 48 hours.

A statement from Rotherham Council last week confirmed that the borough has a presumed positive case of the COVID-19 virus and added that it is working closely with its health partners and that arrangements are in place to manage the situation.

Public Health England (PHE) published data today that shows that the Rotherham local authority now has one confirmed case of the virus.

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A Facebook post from Cuththroats today (March 10) reads: "IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Like mega important this guys, we've had a phone call today telling us that someone who came in last week has got Coronavirus.

"This isn't a joke I wish it was.

"We've been advised to deep clean the shop (which we are currently doing) and then to isolate for 48 hours minimum.

"If you were in last week from Thursday onwards and are showing and symptoms please ring 111 and they will provide you with all the necessary information. You should be fine as we clean things regularly however I feel like you guys should be made aware.

"I cannot stress enough how frustrated we all are about having to close up for a couple of days but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

"As staff we are all fine (for now) and hopefully there's nothing to worry about.

"I'm so sorry for the inconvenience this is gonna cause everyone booked in and I assure you we will do everything to get back to it as soon as possible as well as opening earlier and longer to accommodate the appointments we've missed.

"I've never been as gutted about anything, I'll keep you all updated and hopefully we will be back open Thursday, if not it will be next week.

"Stay safe out there guys, especially if you've just got back off holiday.

"Sorry again

"From all the boys at Cutthroats"

Cutthroats Facebook page



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News: Rotherham Council wants to buy a pub

Rotherham Council is getting a round to buying a former pub which it believes will help in the implementation of the town centre masterplan.

But music fans reminiscing over rock nights of yesteryear have little reason to cheer - the building is already earmarked for demolition.

Rotherham College acquired the leasehold in 2014 and converted the pub, previously the Charter Arms, for educational use. The building is part of the markets complex, right next door to the college's town centre campus,

Now part of the RNN Group, the 4,300 sq ft building is deemed surplus to requirements following the completion of the £10.5m University Centre (UCR), also in the town centre.

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RNN holds the remaining 55 years of the lease and is paying an annual rent to the Council which already owns the freehold interest. RNN has placed the building back onto the market and Rotherham Council's cabinet is now being asked to give their approval to enable officers to acquire the leasehold.

The Council paper states: "Completing this acquisition is viewed as an important step in progressing with the delivery of the Markets redevelopment as part of the implementation of the Town Centre Masterplan, building on the significant progress over recent years on a range of projects."

Financial details of the proposed acquisition have not been disclosed as they are considered commercially sensitive.

The plot is seen as key to the regeneration of the markets complex and Rothbiz recently reported that the aims for the redevelopment include the relocation of the Central Library, a Community Hub and Food/Entertainment Court.

The paper adds: "The building has no architectural merit and acts as a barrier to Eastwood Lane.

"The building is identified for demolition in the Town Centre Masterplan which was adopted in 2017. The location has further been identified for high-quality public realm introduced as a place for users of the redeveloped markets. This also includes RNN's students and the public to use as a social space to meet, eat and relax. Therefore, the proposal would be to acquire and immediately demolish as part of the proposed Markets redevelopment.

"This will also introduce an element of greenery including trees and planting, dramatically improving what is currently a bleak and uninspiring vista. This is intended to open up that elevation, in particular to RNN College and Clifton Park visitors. In addition, a higher-quality elevation would act as a further gateway into the Town Centre."

The masterplan talked of creating an area of new public space called "college fields" between the market and college campus. The markets redevelopment is scheduled for Summer 2021.



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