News: £4.2m - the cost of Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture in 2025

£4.2m is set to be spent on the Children’s Capital of Culture Festival Programme in Rotherham in 2025, according to a council report.

It is estimated that it will attract external funding in the region of £13.9m.

Rotherham is branding itself as the world's first Children's Capital of Culture in 2025. The move is part of a cultural strategy with an action that is described as highlighting Rotherham as "a place people want to visit, where everyone can enjoy Rotherham through the eyes, ears and actions of children and young people."

Using money from the Government's UK Community Renewal Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, work has been ongoing since 2021 to shape what 2025 might include, as well as building partnerships, employing young trainees, Young Artists in Residence and hosting events and pilot activities.

2025 will include more events and festivals, more community and neighbourhood activity, and continued skills and talent development. The key activities in the 2025 festival year include creative and arts activities, sport and physical activities, heritage, reading and author events, leisure, play, gaming, digital, nature and the environment. It will be designed so there will be something for everyone, whatever their age.

The Children’s Capital of Culture is being led by a Cultural Partnership Board with Rotherham Council acting as a facilitator and accountable body for external funding.

The themes have recently been published:

- You’re Not From New York City, You’re From Rov’rum: supporting young people to have agency and create change, building pride in Rotherham as their home.
- Who We Are, Where We Come From: enabling children and young people to develop a sense of community and belonging through the arts and culture, enhancing their mental health and critical thinking.
- Plug In & Play: increasing opportunities for play in digital and physical spaces, as well as fostering physical activity and participation in sport.
- The World Beneath Our Feet: enabling children and young people to engage with nature and their local environment and take action to combat climate change.

Outcomes for the programme are centred around children and young people being proud to call Rotherham their home, be confident that they can establish a career in Rotherham and feel that their mental and physical health is improving.

For Rotherham residents, being the Children's Capital of Culture is designed to create a stronger sense of community cohesion and connection with the local community and help them feel that Rotherham’s reputation is improving regionally and nationally.

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A report to the council's cabinet explains: "To date, £823,700 from the UK Community Renewal Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Arts Council England has been invested into the Children’s Capital of Culture Skills and Talent Development programme, which supports the education, employment and training of young people from Rotherham.

"Delivery partners such as Grimm and Co, Wentworth Woodhouse and Places Leisure and others are expected to secure £5m towards the cost of delivering the programme. Projects which do not have sufficient funding will not be included in the Festival 2025 programme.

"It is estimated that in the region of £4.2m will be spent on the Festival programme in 2025. This figure excludes core costs such as staffing and is subject to confirmation of external funding sources and finalisation of the programme."

Potential pots of funding include those operated by the Arts Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Cllr. David Sheppard, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion & Neighbourhood Working at Rotherham Council, said: "Children’s Capital of Culture was a title bestowed upon Rotherham by its young people. It was devised by them as a way to change how young people feel about their hometown and create positive opportunities for children and young people across the Borough.

"There are many similar programmes which had been devised by a locality. These include Kirklees Year of Music 2023 and Our Year – Wakefield District 2024. Additionally, the Mayor of London awards a biannual London Borough of Culture event and Greater Manchester awards an annual Town of Culture.

"The Children’s Capital of Culture commitment has already pulled in millions of pounds to offer events and opportunities to young people that they would otherwise not be able to access otherwise.

"I'm really proud that the Council were delivering on the challenge that has been set and I'm looking forward to a great year ahead in 2025."

Michael Rosen, the children’s author, poet, performer, broadcaster and scriptwriter, recently visited the new premises of Rotherham's literacy charity, Grimm & Co. He said that "sparks immediately flew in his mind" when he heard about the Children’s Capital of Culture idea. He said: "Every time there is a ‘City of Culture’ programme I always think “Oh! I hope they do something with children!” …but the whole idea that you have a Children’s Capital of Culture seems to be absolutely magic!

"To make everybody go through 180 degrees and think about culture and how that will work for children instead of what shall we do for children at one side of what we’re doing over here with opera, and plays and music… it will turn people right round the other way and make them think “well I do this, but how could I do that for children?”

"I think it’s fantastic – an absolutely wonderful idea!”

Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture website

Images: Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture / Facebook

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News: Rotherham Families First receives official charity status

Rotherham Families First, an award-winning charitable organisation based in Rotherham has received official charity status, after over five years of tireless work providing essential support to the most vulnerable people in the community.

Families First was established in May 2019 to provide a one-stop emergency service providing basic necessities for some of the most vulnerable people across Rotherham. Since then, the charity has won the Community Project Achievement Award 2021, received a nomination for the King’s Award and supported more than 2,000 people across the region.

Many locals will probably recognise Families First for its highly successful Christmas Toy Appeal, where shoppers are invited to collect tags marked with an age range from Christmas trees around Parkgate and buy a present for a young person who otherwise would have nothing at all to open at Christmas. This festive programme is only the tip of the iceberg for the charity, which runs throughout the year delivering a lifeline to those experiencing financial difficulties.

Inside a unit at Parkgate, a wealth of essential household items, that have been donated by members of the public, are meticulously sorted through by a team of volunteers. Parkgate is proud to house and support Families First free of charge, which it has done for several years following the announcement that their original unit was due to be sold.

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Families First’s charitable status will provide a wealth of benefits to the charity and its service users, offering a higher level of public trust and confidence making them better able to raise funds from the public and grant-making bodies. The exciting news follows Families First’s successful application for a grant from the Freemasonry and Lieutenancies Partnership Fund who have awarded £3,000 to provide mattresses, cots and safety gates to families in need.

Janet Drury Centre Manager at Parkgate and Treasurer at Families First commented: “We are delighted that Families First has received official charitable status after over five years of helping people in need across Rotherham. Our charity status will better allow us to raise funds for the charity and continue to provide support to our anonymous service users, respecting their privacy and dignity”.

A joint statement from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE and James H Newman OBE, Head of the Yorkshire, West Riding Freemasons, added: “We are delighted that this Fund, which has been established to support communities in Yorkshire, has been able to assist Rotherham Families First. The many Freemasons and their families from across the County, who regularly contribute to the Fund, via West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd., will be delighted to see their donations being spent assisting Rotherham Families First.”

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Parkgate

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News: Forge Island loses restaurant brands as challenging trading conditions bite

A company connected to the restaurant operator that signed up to open a number of brands in Rotherham town centre has gone into liquidation.

Rotherham Council has confirmed that just one of the operator's brands is now coming to Rotherham.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by the council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development is anchored by an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema and a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel.

With the hotel now open and the cinema slated to begin screening films in September, the food and drink units were handed over on July 1 2024.

The partners had celebrated the development being fully let over a year before opening, announcing deals that would see six independent restaurants open on the riverside, including Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo, Sakku Samba, Caffé Noor, Cow & Cream and The Rustic Pizza Company.

A triple-header deal was signed with Thistle Group in 2022 who would bring Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo Rodizio/Sakku Samba as a dual-branded concept, and Caffé Noor.

On July 8, Dabangg Hospitality Group Ltd T/A Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill went into liquidation. Dabangg shares a director with Thistle Property Holdings Group Ltd.

Dabangg Hospitality's website has gone offline but its LinkedIn page explains that it is "a prominent and visionary company that owns and operates five successful restaurant companies: Estabulo, Sakkusamba, Fleur, Caffe Noor, and Sakku."

Documents show that HMRC applied to the courts to have Wakefield-based Dabangg Hospitality Group Ltd wound up. A week later, Clark Business Recovery Limited was appointed as liquidator.

Further documents show that the group owed £7m to HMRC - £2.7m regarding PAYE and £4.3m regarding VAT.

Sakku Samba venues in Manchester and Bradford have recently closed but company directors appear unfazed by the liquidation with new companies created and new venues opening, including Raft in Manchester and Habbibi in Leeds.

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Back in Rotherham, the Forge Island website now only shows two outlets on its food and drink page - The Rustic Pizza Company and Caffé Noor.

Cow & Cream closed its remaining Barnsley store in September 2023, with the burger and shakes specialist stating that food cost prices, energy prices and packaging costs had made providing a value for money product impossible for them to achieve.

Rotherham Council’s Interim Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment Andrew Bramidge said: “Unfortunately due to challenging trading conditions and circumstances beyond anyone’s control, operators have not been able to bring forward all the planned eateries for Forge Island at the current time.

“However, Thistle Group remains committed to Rotherham and will open its luxury coffee shop brand, Café Noor, at the gateway of the site as intended. Meanwhile, Travelodge hotel is already open on site and welcoming guests, The Arc Cinema is on track to open in early September, and Rustic Pizza is due to open its doors to the public this summer.

"Alongside our development partners Muse, we are already in discussion with a number of other potential operators who have expressed an interest in the site, and we will make further announcements about these in due course when agreements are reached."

It’s coming… pic.twitter.com/MrUJWSDJNs

— Chris Read (@christophe_read) July 9, 2024

Rotherham Council has fully funded the Forge Island scheme after its Cabinet approved an increase in the Council’s Capital Programme in 2022 to cover the £46.8m costs which were expected to be covered by the authority's own borrowing and capital resources.

Rotherham Council acquired the site in 2017 following the move accross town by Tesco. A 250 year lease to Muse was initially proposed before the council stepped in with the upfront costs.

The council expects that the repayment of capital costs will be met wholly or largely over the long term by revenue generated from commercial activity in the Forge Island development. At the time, the cabinet heard that the longer-term financial risks that the project presents relate to the Council’s ability to maintain the incomes levels from the lettings, car parking and business rates.

Forge Island website

Images: Estabulo / facebook /Chris Read / twitter

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News: IntelliAM AI secures DIF Lighthouse Funding Award

A subsidiary of IntelliAM AI plc, the Rotherham software company leveraging the power of AI and machine learning in the manufacturing industry, has been named as a "Lighthouse for AI" and secures a Digital Innovation Fund (DIF) Lighthouse Funding Award of £263,000.

The Dinnington firm, which recently floated on the stock exchange, has developed a platform that can be used when determining optimum run speeds or machine settings, help with stock keeping and hygiene processes, and help predict and prevent component failure. The aim is to increase production levels and reduce downtime.

The funding is for a research project into the application of AI in lubrication analysis is made by The Smart Manufacturing Data Hub which is funded by Innovate UK.

IntelliAM AI recently acquired 53 North, a provider of a broad range of asset care consulting and management strategies for manufacturers, particularly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, including McVities (Pladis), Mars, Diageo and PepsiCo.

IntelliAM AI has access to over 180 manufacturing sites in the UK and has lubrication analysis results for thousands of components from the last ten years. Lubrication is one of the key drivers of manufacturing downtime.

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Using IntelliAM’s existing data, and new data to be collected during the project, a machine learning model will be created to advise OEMs and SMEs on best practice lubrication for their components.

Software will be built that allows component information to be entered and the MLM will then create the grease and oil lubrication schedules automatically. Software will also be built that creates an on-condition lubrication schedule based on bearing condition.

An oil analysis result checker will be created, so that organisations can upload individual oil analysis results and compare themselves to our 10 years of history, specific to the environment and component types. Any issues will be highlighted and advice on action given.

This project will help reduce machine downtime on manufacturers equipment and create resilience against the reduction in engineering skills that we currently have in the UK. Sustainability will be improved as oil will only be replaced when needed.

This project will impact the Company on three fronts, namely improved internal productivity, new machine learning access to SMEs and a commercial product to increase sales.

IntelliAM website

Images: IntelliAM

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News: Plans in for £11m Rotherham regeneration project

A planning application is on the table outlining a £11m regeneration project in Rotherham centred around Dinnington's market.

In last year's Budget, the government announced that Rotherham will receive £20m for regeneration for Wath and Dinnington. It came after earlier bids for funding for the schemes were turned down twice.

At Dinnington, the project will replace old buildings and market stalls with six new commercial units and a large building, which could be used by the community and for commerce. These buildings will overlook a landscaped town square that will be home to new market stalls, that will be stored when not in use.

The project will also open up a direct route from the bus station and car parks and create a clearer and safer gateway to Laughton Road.

Drawn up by AHR Architects and Oobe Landscape Architects, the plans confirm: "The proposal is to demolish the burnt-out building, the indoor market, the outdoor market, the colliery band building, and half of the shopping parade (36 - 44 Laughton Road). These structures will be replaced with six new commercial units, a pop-up market, a new commercial / community building to be used for public rental, and a fully landscaped area of public realm to create a new market square and clear routes between Laughton Road, the bus station, and well-used car parks.

"The remaining half of the shopping parade will be refurbished to complement the rest of the regeneration project."

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The plans state that the private sector has failed to address the declining physical infrastructure around the market and that businesses and residents are increasingly frustrated with the situation.

The plans add: "The Council's sustainable approach to uplifting the area will be centred on repurposing underused brownfield land and derelict buildings alongside investment in public realm to increase footfall to sustainable levels and restore a sense of pride of place.

"The Council is optimistic that this major capital investment in high quality place making and investment in local amenities will increase confidence in the area and drive a more competitive market."

Seen as vital to rejuvenating Dinnington town centre, new commercial units, refurbished retail units, a pop-up market offer, a commercial / community building and improved public realm are included.

Interest in the new units is expected to be high with letting costs being set at a fair market rate by the council. Consideration is expected to be given to the types of retailers applying to let the new units to ensure there is a broad range of retail and that units are open during daytime hours.

Rothbiz reported recently that Rotherham Council has been carrying out a pre-tender exercise to engage with the construction industry to establish the level of interest in the redevelopment projects, which are due to be completed in 2026.

Plans for Wath, which centre around replacing the town's library, were submitted earlier this month.

RMBC website

Images: RMBC / AHR

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News: Pricecheck reports strongest financial year

Pricecheck, an international wholesaler and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods, has reported its strongest financial year to date.

The company, which has its main warehouse facility at Beighton Link and further space at Manvers, both in Rotherham, smashed through its ambitious target of £100m turnover by 2020 and has now broken three financial records, achieving its best month, quarter and year ever recorded - all in the same week.

Trusted by the world's biggest brands, Pricecheck offers more than 6,000 branded products to customers in the UK and to more than 80 countries globally.

After a year of challenges and opportunities, Pricecheck finished 2023/24 with a turnover of £151m - growth of 15% on the previous financial year.

Sales for the final quarter reached £44m, which was 22% higher than the same period last year.

April saw the biggest month ever with revenue of £17.2m – a figure that once represented Pricecheck's annual turnover just 16 years ago, when joint managing directors and brother and sister duo, Mark Lythe and Debbie Harrison, took over the reins of the business from their parents.

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A spokesperson for Pricecheck said: "This is our 10th consecutive year of growth, and is one that has been driven by our expanding services. Our core offering of delivered wholesale remains the biggest contributor to turnover but the launch of new supplier partnerships, an increase in digital sales and developments within brand distribution continue to push our business forward.

"In the past 10 years, we’ve diversified from a delivered wholesaler across toiletries and household into a multi-category, multi-channel brand distributor. And there are plenty of new categories and markets to explore.

"To hit growth targets consistently for a decade is no easy task, but the Pricecheck team love a challenge! With a focus on improving efficiencies, innovation and people development – we’re excited to see what we can achieve in the year ahead."

Pricecheck's vision is to be the first-choice distribution partner for brand owners and customers across the world. It aims to continue to grow with ambitious plans to increase turnover to £200m.

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

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News: Owners plan to expand Parkgate with new foodstore

Parkgate Shopping, the 2nd largest purpose-built retail warehouse park in the UK, could get even bigger if plans are approved for a new foodstore on the Rotherham retail park.

Having acquired the park for around £60m, new owners, Columbia Threadneedle, have assessed the potential for expansion when the delayed £12m link road and Park & Ride completes later this year.

A new outline planning application has been submitted for land next to Matalan which is currently used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train.

With the relocation of the Park & Ride to a larger facility when the road opens, the new proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The applicant is Sackville UK Property Select IV Nominee (1) Limited and Sackville UK Property Select IV Nominee (2) Limited c/o Threadneedle Portfolio Services Ltd.

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The plans discuss that it will be a national multiple food retailer that will be the new tenants, with the proposed store employing circa 50 full-time equivalent staff members.

No occupier is named but an analysis of the current market submitted with the application by agents, Savills, states that this size of store is popular with secondary foodstores including Waitrose, M&S and Co-op, and discount foodstore retailers including Aldi and Lidl.

As the site is classed as out of town, a retail assessment and sequential test is also included.

Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

The analysis concludes that are no suitable alternative sites in nearby town centres, highlighting that vacant buildings like the Howard Building or former bingo hall on Corporation Street in Rotherham town centre do not lend themselves to retail requirements.

When assessing the potential impact of the range of convenience goods proposed to be sold from the new foodstore at Parkgate on established town centres, the applicants say that "the only centre that the proposed development diverts trade from is Rotherham town centre," adding that: "the impact on convenience goods floorspace will be 3.1%, which cannot be characterised as significantly adverse under any reasonable threshold."

The principal location in the town centre that the proposal will draw trade from is the Tesco Extra store on Drummond Street. Analysis shows that the impact of the proposal on that store is 2.8%, which is considered minimal.

New analysis puts the Tesco Extra trading at £71.98m at 2029, double the estimate of £29.6m in a 2017 study. The proposed foodstore at Parkgate has an expected turnover of £16.86m at 2029.

Applicants add that the new proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on the Forge Island or markets redevelopments.

The plans state: "The impact of the proposal on existing convenience goods retail facilities in centres is not significantly adverse. The impact of the proposal on defined centres when taken as a whole is not significantly adverse. This conclusion is not considered be unusual [sic] given the modest scale of the foodstore proposed.

"Further, the ambition for Rotherham is for the revitalisation of that centre as a leisure-led location. The proposal has no impact on this ambition.

"The proposal will enhance convenience goods provision in the local area, affording local residents a greater choice of convenience goods shopping facilities. It will provide a modest foodstore at an accessible site in close proximity to surrounding residential areas."

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Columbia Threadneedle / Harris Partnership / Google Maps

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News: Sheffield heat network set to expand into Rotherham

Plans are in the pipeline for E.ON's Don Valley heat network to double in size, potentially bringing low carbon heating to a key economic site in Rotherham.

The district heating scheme in the Lower Don Valley is currently powered by E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows renewable energy plant which uses biomass to provide a source of heating to connected buildings.

E.ON’s latest proposals would add around 10km to expand the 8km pipe network which is already providing heat to businesses, including IKEA UK, Forgemasters' and Ice Sheffield and Sheffield Arena.

An indicative route south of the current network shows how it could extend from Sheffield Arena to take in Tinsley's industrial estates and Sheffield Business Park before crossing the Parkway to connect to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Chris Lovatt, Chief Operating Officer for E.ON’s Energy Infrastructure Solutions business, said: “Whether it’s combating the climate crisis, cleaning the air in city streets, or weaning the UK off fossil fuels to avoid the impact of volatile global gas markets, we need to find new, cleaner ways of heating our homes and businesses. Heat networks like ours in the Lower Don Valley allow us to do that.

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“We are the playmakers in creating a more sustainable UK through projects like this, and with Sheffield’s bold steps to become a zero-carbon city by 2030 we’re looking to expand the route of our district heat network to play a role in that ambition. As part of our ongoing investment in the city we’ll be looking to create more than 2,000 green jobs in the region as well as improving public spaces – leaving every space we touch better than when we found it.”

Heat networks are a more efficient and more cost-effective way of providing heat to built-up areas by producing and distributing heat from a central source instead of individual boilers in each property.

District heating networks will play a critical role in decarbonising cities. Heat networks currently provide 3% of the heat demand in the UK, with that number potentially growing to 20% nationwide by 2050 to support the move towards net zero.

A formal planning application could be submitted to Sheffield City Council towards the end of Summer, with E.ON hosting a number of consultation events, including at Catcliffe Memorial Hall on July 25.

Last year, Rotherham Energy Limited secured £25m to build a new Rotherham Energy Network eminating from the £150m biomass power station at Templeborough.

E.On website

Images: E.On

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News: First visitors stay over at new Rotherham Travelodge

The new multimillion pound Travelodge in Rotherham town centre has hosted its first overnight visitors ahead of an official opening.

The rest of the Forge Island development has reached the fit out stage.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as six independent restaurants on the riverside, including The Rustic Pizza Company, Estabulo, and Sakku Samba.

The hotel, the first Travelodge in the borough, has been bookable for stays since May and reviews on TripAdvisor describe a "pristine brand new hotel" and pick out the welcoming staff for praise.

The four storey hotel has been built by Bowmer + Kirkland on the north of the Forge Island site close to Rotherham Central station. It was designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. The new Rotherham hotel is in Travelodge's new-build budget luxe hotel brand, incorporating the new Bar Café concept offering unlimited breakfast, tasty evening meals and fresh barista coffee.

Standard rooms (with new décor and signature king size "Dreamer" bed) are priced at £68.99 for the saver rate and £75.99 for the flexible rate.

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With Rotherham Council stumping up the money for the whole scheme, "significant slippage" on its progress was reported at the end of 2023 but a recent update to the council's cabinet states that "delivery on site has progressed further than anticipated."

Construction is complete on the Forge Island cinema, which was handed over for fit out in May 2024 prior to a planned summer opening. The food and drink units were handed over on July 1 2024.

Arc Cinemas, which has been recruiting for a general manager, recently provided a sneak peek of the new cinema, the first in Rotherham for over 30 years. The update on social media showed signage on the exterior and work to create the screens inside.

State-of-the-art facilities will offer the ultimate blockbuster experience, while smaller screens provide a more intimate movie watching atmosphere. All screens feature VIP electric recliner seats as standard.

The next phase of regeneration in the area is the delayed Riverside Gardens scheme. A first stage contract has now been let and subject to costs, a full contract is expected to be agreed in September 2024.

Using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping, Riverside Gardens is creating a gateway to Forge Island on an area extending from the demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments. Corporation Street is also getting a revamp.

Travelodge website
Forge Island website

Images: Tom Austen / Arc Cinemas / Facebook

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News: Diamond partnerships extend into new season at Rotherham United

Rotherham United's innovative commercial deal which sees businesses come together as "Diamond Partners" is continuing into the new football season.

Last year the deal enabled the Millers to have the Rotherham Hospice logo proudly emblazoned across the chest. For the the 2024/25 season, the kits will feature another Rotherham charity, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

AESSEAL, Hughie Construction, IPM Group, Mears Group and Steelphalt formed the alliance to become this season’s Diamond Partners and, in turn, provide Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice with the opportunity to be front and centre on the first team kits throughout the upcoming campaign.

Based at North Anston, Bluebell Wood provides care and support to families who have a child who has a life limiting condition and is not expected to live into adulthood.

Steve Coakley, Commercial Director at Rotherham United, said: “We are immensely proud to say that we will proudly carry the Bluebell Wood logo and the message that it holds around the country with us as our main front of shirt sponsor this season, which has once again been made possible thanks to the kindness of five Diamond Partners.

“On behalf of everyone at Rotherham United I want to reiterate how truly grateful we are to AESSEAL, Hughie Construction, IPM Group, Mears Group and Steelphalt for once again being so charitable with their own resources to facilitate this amazing Diamond Partnership. Their kindness – particularly in the current financial climate – should not be underplayed and having seen the impact of this arrangement for the Rotherham Hospice last season, we know how much this will mean to everyone associated with Bluebell Wood.

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“To elaborate on that point, this partnership represents much more than a shirt sponsorship agreement. Not only does it align with all of our values and beliefs as a club that we recognise the role we have to play at the heart of the community, it will also significantly increase the public profile of Bluebell Wood and present them with a number of fundraising opportunities that might not previously have been possible.

“It goes without saying that we will look to maximise that exposure and use our own status both as a club and in our community work to ensure that our second year of having a group of Diamond Partners on-board is as successful as the first.”

Heidi Hawkins, Bluebell Wood's Chief Executive, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to be Rotherham United’s new Diamond Partner for 2024/2025. The new shirts look amazing and having our logo proudly on the front means such a lot to everyone at Bluebell Wood as well as all the families we support in Rotherham and beyond."

Rotherham manufacturing success story, AESSEAL will gift Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice all the hospitality and other benefits that are part of the sponsorship package.

Josie Lewis, IT and Project Manager of AESSEAL plc, and lifetime supporter of Rotherham United, said: "Rotherham United and its associated charitable arm, the Rotherham United Community Trust, are a great community asset it is for Rotherham, and AESSEAL is proud to associate our brand with them.”

Bluebell Wood website
RUFC website
AESSEAL website

Images: RUFC

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News: Planning board vote to approve new Rotherham McDonald's

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted to approve plans for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington - going against the recommendation of officers.

Rothbiz reported last week that the planning officer was recommending that the application be refused, questioning the type of jobs created by McDonald's compared to industrial occupiers as it relates to the planning policy regarding land use.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The board heard how the land was allocated for Industrial and Business Use and has been marketed since 2015 but had not received any significant interest due to significant remediation costs.

Applicants said that the plans would deliver a Drive-Thru restaurant, creating 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs) but the planner's report to the board on the proposals stated that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

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Assessing the reaction to the plans from the local community, members of the planning board discussed how they disagreed with the officer and were instead satisfied that the range and quality of employment opportunities did meet the criteria for the land use allocation.

A motion was presented to grant approval for the plans, which also highlighted that the proposal would support the continued regeneration of Dinnington and add to the similar uses nearby - namely the Monk's Bridge Farm pub, Greggs, petrol filling station and takeaway units.

The motion was approved unanimously, with approval set to be granted subject to various conditions to be agreed.

Before the meeting Cllr. Amanda Clarke, elected member for the Dinnington area, who has worked with fellow councillor ,Julz Hall, to support the application, said that the proposed Dinnington McDonald's was wanted, adding: "McDonald's Dinnington is supported by our council leader Chris Read, as well as myself and Jake Richards, our Member of Parliament. This new establishment is much anticipated."

Annie Newman, Senior Acquisitions Surveyor at McDonald’s said: “We have wanted to expand our offering of amazing value and high-quality food in Dinnington for some time.

“We appreciate that the Council’s policy allocates this land for employment use, but the number of jobs that our proposals will create is far more than many developments that would be defined as employment use."

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: Go4Growth in Rotherham

Rotherham Council has stepped up its commitment to ensure that local businesses and employers benefit from its spending.

The authority has partnered with Go4Growth, a social enterprise that helps businesses and voluntary sector organisations to access public sector contracts.

With a spend of over £400m per annum on public services, goods and products, the Council currently buy from a large pool of suppliers and since October 2019 its policy has been to try to increase the number of those in the local area.

The partnership will provide opportunities for a wide variety of talented voluntary sector organisations and small businesses to access Council contracts.

The programme is fully funded, meaning businesses can join the programme and access the support, guidance, tools and resources on offer at no cost.

In 2022/23, the Council spent £77.2m in the local economy, an increase of 72% over three years. More than a quarter of the Council’s purchasing power goes directly back into the local economy, with an ambition to increase this further in the future.

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Rotherham Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read said: “Our commitment to social value – ensuring that we maximise the benefit of the Council’s spending in our local economy – has already received national recognition. But we know that for many local suppliers, especially smaller businesses, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we have brought in Go4Growth who are specialists in the field to give free advice and support to local employers. It’s all part of our mission to see more money spent locally, creating jobs and increasing wages, supporting a fairer local economy that works in the interests of our residents.”

“Regardless of where a business is on their journey, if they are aspiring to do more work in the public sector, I urge them to get in touch with Go4Growth.”

Whilst the programme was rolled out in Rotherham in April this year, Go4Growth have been established since 2020, ensuring that smaller businesses are given the same opportunities as their bigger rivals for the £300 billion worth of public sector services available nationally.

Gillian Askew FCIPS – Co-Founder of Go4Growth said: “We are delighted to be working with Rotherham Council to help support local organisations to be able to find and secure work in the public sector marketplace. This is really important work which has only increased in priority and urgency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crises.”

Funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was used by the council to work in partnership with Rotherham & Barnsley Chamber of Commerce and Go4Growth to build the capacity of local SMEs through a combination of workshops and tailored one to one support.

Go4Growth website

Images: Go4Growth

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News: Rising costs sees Rotherham country park regeneration schemes scaled back

Proposed regeneration schemes at two country parks in Rotherham have had to be scaled back with Thrybergh impacted most. Government funding has been reallocated so that the projects can go ahead.

Securing money from the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF), £19.9m was awarded for a number of connected projects which aim to build a new leisure industry that responds to the challenges of economic recovery and health and well-being.

A £2.5m improvement plan for Thrybergh Country Park moved a step closer last year after plans for a new café building were approved by the council.

At Rother Valley Country Park, planning permission has been secured for a £5.5m upgrade - the centrepiece being a new waterfront café.

Contractors were also lined up to carry out the work but a new council report states that, following market testing, both projects required "revised budgets as a result of the impact of inflation and the volatile national and international construction market."

Rotherham Council's cabinet are being asked to approve the new way forward which means that there is a "reduced scope" for the Thrybergh scheme where a new café building has been scrapped and replaced by a refurbished café and outside space.

At Rother Valley, plans for a new build waterfront café and new car park would go ahead, with some aspects, such as a landscaped events space taken out.

The council report states: "This option delivers most closely to the original intentions of the LUF scheme in that it will achieve improvements at both sites, creating impact for residents and delivering the greatest economic benefits and supporting the financial recovery of Rother Valley Country Park. However, this is at a reduced scope to that set out to Cabinet in August 2023 and it comes at an additional cost."

There has been an overall increase in the programme budget of £2.310m.

With Pathfinder status, Rotherham is able to make changes to its government-funded regeneration programmes and now plans to not continue with using Town Deal money for its Parkgate-Eastwood Bridge scheme that has faced complexities around Network Rail infrastructure and private land issues. Money for the bridge is expected to be moved to the country park schemes if approved by cabinet.

At Rother Valley, contractors, Kier are set to proceed with construction of the new facilities in September 2024 with completion in October 2025. The tender with I&G Ltd for Thrybergh will not proceed and a new procurement exercise will be required.

The report adds: "Supporting the financial recovery of Rother Valley County Park is seen as a priority for the Leisure & Culture Service with the new build café and events space seen as a critical step in achieving that goal.

"The alterations to the café at Thrybergh Country Park will enhance the current offer with planned improvements to the kitchen facilities enabling an upgrade to the menu along with an increase in the number of outdoor covers and improved access between the indoor and outdoor dining experience."

Images: RMBC / Kier ? I&G

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News: New Rotherham housing development set for approval

A scaled back proposal from a national housebuilder for a new housing development in Rotherham is being recommended for approval.

Rothbiz reported in 2021 that Barratt Homes was looking at building new homes on land at Far Field Lane, off Doncaster Road and close to Wath Victoria Primary School.

Around 24 acres in size, the current agricultural land near Whincover Farm was allocated for housing development in the Council’s 2019 adopted Local Plan, meaning the principle of residential development here is acceptable.

Barratt believes that the development of the site will provide much needed new housing for people in a convenient and sustainable location, whilst contributing to the current and future housing needs in the area.

Consultants had argued that applying affordable housing for the development would make it "wholly unviable" but Rotherham Council has attached a number of conditions to any approval, including 25% on site affordable housing provision.

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The application was originally seeking permission for 296 dwellings, this has been revised and the current proposals are for 269 dwellings - a mix of 2,3 and 4-bed houses. The sole access to the site will be from a new simple priority ‘T’ junction onto Doncaster Road.

A drainage basin in the adjacent allocated Green Belt is also in the plans and this has been judged to not constitute inappropriate development.

The conditions also include £518,705 in education provision, £134,500 towards sustainable transport measures, £65,000 towards the upgrade of existing offsite play facilities and £256,000 towards the provision of four consulting rooms at NHS facilities within close proximity of the site.

A planner's report recommending that the Council's planning board approves the plans, concludes: "There have been objections from local residents regarding the impact on highways and highway safety as a result of this development. Whilst these concerns are noted the Council’s Transportation Infrastructure Service have confirmed that the scheme has been appropriately designed and there are measures in place to ensure that the impact is minimal. Therefore, a refusal on highway grounds would not be justified in this instance.

"The scheme put forward will provide much needed new housing on an allocated housing site close to local facilities and in a sustainable location that would not result in significant impact on the local highway network, air quality or the environment. In fact, it is considered that the scheme put forward with the landscaping, EV charging points and public open space will help in providing an enhancement in terms of biodiversity and sustainable transport methods."

The planning board is set to meet on July 18 to discuss the application.

Barratt Homes website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse recognised for its excellent Tripadvisor reviews

Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham continues to be a hit with visitors and has been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2024, the third year in a row for the stately home.

Wentworth Woodhouse is owned and operated by Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) which is overseeing a regeneration project which has a focus on delivering high quality, creative and relevant visitor experiences.

Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, calculates restaurants, destinations, hotels and tourist attractions based on the quality and quantity of online reviews over a 12-month period.

Travellers’ Choice recognises businesses that earn consistently great reviews. Travellers’ Choice award-winners are amongst the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, and honour select accommodation, attractions and restaurants that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence.

On the site, Wentworth Woodhouse has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 with 80% of reviewers rating the hidden gem as "excellent." It is ranked third in South Yorkshire behind the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster and the Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park, which is also in Rotherham.

A spokesperson from WWPT said: "Thank you to everyone, both old visitors and new, who have visited over the past year and shared their experiences, ratings and reviews on the platform – we couldn’t have done it without you! Also, an enormous thank you goes to our wonderful family of staff and volunteers who give so much time and energy to create a welcoming environment and positive experience for our visitors.

"This recognition helps us to continue our regeneration and puts Wentworth Woodhouse firmly on the map as a visitor destination for all to enjoy."

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Upcoming events at "the big house" include what the Trust descibes as its "most ambitious exhibition to date."

Beneath the Surface: George Stubbs & Contemporary Artists will run for three months and brings seven remarkable works by George Stubbs to the Rotherham stately home to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the artist’s birth - and his residency there in 1762.

It is now known Stubbs created seven artworks at Wentworth Woodhouse for the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham over many months in 1762. Four of these 1762 paintings are "coming home" on loan from a private collection.

The exhibition, sited in the mansion’s State Rooms and free to view with a house admission ticket from July 30 to November 3.

Other events this summer include the return of outdoor music, theatre and cinema, The Great British Food Festival, WE Wonder and workshops and summer camps.

Also on display is the exhibition of Wentworth’s Coal Story, which launched last week and runs until October 6, explaining how the fossil fuel industry affected the mansion’s rise and fall.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT

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News: Olive Lane development taking shape

Progress is being made in the delivery of a new retail development and medical centre at Waverley in Rotherham.

Lindum Group is the lead contractor for regeneration specialists, Harworth Group on Olive Lane, a shopping area that will feature convenience stores, cafes and restaurants and public realm and landscaping that is due for completion in November this year.

A new medical centre is planned and Forge New Homes is also building new homes on the site that sits between the housing developments at Wavereley and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Following an agreement with NHS England and Rotherham Council, Lindum also began construction of the site’s £3m two-storey medical centre in February, which is set to be handed over in October.

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Chris Fraser, project manager for Lindum, said: “Works have progressed well. The steel frames for three of the four buildings have been erected, with the frame for the remaining building due to erected in mid-July.

“Two of the buildings are now having superstructure brickwork erected, with the third being started in two weeks.

“Scaffolding is due to be erected ready for roofing works in the coming weeks for the first building and will be progressively erected for the remaining buildings within two months to allow doors and windows to go in at the end of summer for watertightness.

“Drainage works are ongoing and will be complete in mid-July. Section 38 roadworks have been installed ready for sign off as adoptable highways.

“By the end of the summer we will be building up levels ready for external works such as landscaping and paving.”

Ben Marris, contracts manager for the medical centre at Lindum added: “Works in the summer will consist of installing the roof build-up, external masonry façade, internal walls and ceilings and M&E.”

Lindum has previously handed over three industrial units on the AMP, with another currently under construction.

Rothbiz revealed that the first tenants to show interest in Olive Lane includes a new concept from the innovative food entrepreneuers behind Sheffield's JÖRO Restaurant, and Sky-House Co., the Sheffield company that is pioneering 21st century back-to-back housing at Waverley, that plans to relocate its HQ and 30 jobs to office space sitting above the new venture from JÖRO.

Waverley website
Lindum website

Images: Lindum / Harworth

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News: Plans submitted for Wath regeneration scheme

A new chapter for Wath town centre has been outlined in a planning application for a £8.9m regeneration project.

In last year's Budget, the government announced that Rotherham will receive £20m for regeneration for Wath and Dinnington. It came after earlier bids for funding for the schemes were turned down twice.

£8.9m of government funding is set to focus on high quality place making to restore the cultural heart of Wath town centre, increase footfall, boost the local economy, and restore a sense of pride amongst the community.

Plans show that this will be done through the demolition of the existing 1970s library and a brand new library built in its place.

The library fronts onto Montgomery Square which acts as the Town’s market place. It sits between the town and the large Tesco store on Biscay Way.

Drawn up by Rotherham Council arhitects, the new split level 2/3 storey public library building has been designed to create a modern, inviting, and inclusive community facility. A library as a space for people has been designed with places for people to meet, and to learn, and as a community resource.

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The ground floor consists of an open plan main library incorporating two double height entrances, library reception area, sensory corner, a new coffee kiosk, an exhibition area and a flexible IT suite. The ground floor also includes a separate area for a commercial unit as an addition to the local high street offering.

The first-floor accommodates a large, double height Exhibition / Meeting / Conference Space, a private meeting room, two balcony reading areas, and a dedicated "Makerspace Workshop."

Externally, the design incorporates stonework, glass curtain walling and flashes of colourful sharp and industrial looking corten panels which architects say provides "a balance of modern aesthetic and civic presence with the link to the areas past and historical roots."

The design incorporates large entrances and landscaping as the plans addd that: "A key feature of the proposal is to make the building more open and inviting, something the current library is very much lacking."

The public surface car park that offers free parking for 96 cars is set to remain.

Rothbiz reported last month that Rotherham Council has been carrying out a pre-tender exercise to engage with the construction industry to establish the level of interest in the redevelopment projects, which are due to be completed in 2026.

Images: RMBC

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News: Redundancy threat at Nuclear AMRC

Staff at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) have been told of proposed redundancies with only core research & development activities to be retained.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Hailed as being "fundamental in making the difference in the UK and winning vital orders" by the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Sir Keith Burnett, the insitution, and current vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts, appear to be scaling back the centre as the wider industry suffers delays in both large and smaller scale nuclear investment projects.

Construction of the 86,000 sq ft centre at Waverley begun in November 2010. With over 100 staff, the workshop includes a range of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment tailored for nuclear industry applications. The building also includes laboratory and technical support space, a VR cave for virtual assembly research and training.

With funding from industrial members (reactor providers such as Westinghouse, and top-tier suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters) and government research and support grants, the centre has also developed a supply chain programme to help UK manufacturers get ready to bid for work in civil nuclear.

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Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, told The Times Higher Education: “To deliver our priorities around clean energy research and innovation, we have proposed changes to the current structure of the Nuclear AMRC. We are actively working to reduce the need for redundancies where possible and we are supporting our staff throughout the change process.

“The plans propose that the Nuclear AMRC’s core manufacturing research and development activities will be retained by the University of Sheffield.

“The proposed changes reflect the university’s key strength in nuclear manufacturing R&D. Our work to support the design and production of small modular reactors will continue to grow and offer significant opportunities for the South Yorkshire region.”

Large scale nuclear projects are behind schedule and over-budget despite a desire to increase nuclear energy capacity. For example, EDF's Hinkley Point C has been delayed by at least a further two years to 2029 at the earliest.

Focus has shifted to small modular reactors (SMRs) as a more deliverable option for nuclear power, but this sector has also been hit by delays.

Earlier this year, Andrew Storer, CEO at tne Nuclear AMRC called for more action. He said: "As many of the companies at our recent SMR supply chain events pointed out, they are waiting on decisions from government, Great British Nuclear (GBN) and the top-tier developers on which projects might be going ahead and on what timescale.

"The sooner that decisions are made and transferred to the supply chain, the sooner capability and capacity can be developed."

Rolls-Royce, a company intrinsically linked to the university and region, recenlty committed to a £multi-million Module Development Facility to produce working prototypes of the individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants. The facility is set to be develed inside the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 building in Sheffield and not at the Nuclear AMRC.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Not lovin' it - New Rotherham McDonald's recommended for refusal

Planners at Rotherham Council are recommending that plans for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington be refused.

The authority is concerned over the loss of employment land.

Rothbiz reported last year that the fast food giant was working on proposals on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is surrounded by commercial and industrial units and is close to the Monk's Bridge Farm pub.

McDonald’s said that the plans would deliver a Drive-Thru restaurant, creating 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs) in the area and featuring indoor and outdoor seating, as well as on-site car parking spaces, cycle storage and new high-quality soft and hard landscaping.

The application is due to go before the planning board next week.

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The application site consists of 0.47 hectares of land allocated for Industrial and Business Use. Applicants say that if it is used for a drive thru then the Borough’s employment land supply would fall by 0.2% -from 252.59 hectares to 252.12 hectares. The application states: "It is clear, therefore, that even following implementation of the proposed development, Rotherham would have a large supply of land to meet its economic strategy and development needs – particularly when viewed in the context of the identified Local Plan requirement of 235ha."

Challenges associated with bringing the land forward for industrial use were also stressed. Applicants say that the site has been marketed since 2015 but did not receive any significant interest and suggest that the site is subject to significant remediation costs.

But planners at Rotherham Council say that the proposals go against the policies regarding non-employment use on land allocated for Industrial and Business Use.

The planner's report questions the type of jobs created by McDonald's compared to industrial occupiers. It states: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

Planners also believe that there is no valid evidence to indicate the site is no longer required for employment use as the applicant are not considering in detail the viability of the site but instead have provided a high level assessment.

The council's own Public Health department also raises concerns about the high concentration of hot food takeaways within the Dinnington area.

Planners conclude: "The introduction of the drive-thru restaurant on this allocated site employment site [sic] would result in the loss of employment land and would reduce the potential for future development of remaining employment land to the north of the site, with no significant benefit or adequate justification."

Members of the planning board are due to discuss the proposals on July 18.

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: Magtec powers pioneering zero-emission aircraft refueller with Fluid Transfer International

Rotherham-based Magtec has unveiled a new partnership with Fluid Transfer International, a leading UK manufacturer of refuelling solutions for the aviation, military and marine sectors.

Fluid Transfer is a trusted provider to major oil companies and refuelling plane operations around the world.

Magtec supplied fully electric chassis for the new Meteor MKII hydrant dispenser, which has the operational flexibility to refuel the largest commercial aircraft or the smallest regional jets.

Magtec specially modified its base frames to house Fluid Transfer’s innovative pumping systems.

The Meteor’s twin-deck hoses have flow rates of up to 3,800 litres per minute – around 75 times faster than a standard service station pump for cars.

The vehicle has an elevating platform reach of 4.6 metres, capable of the refuelling of the latest long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jetliners such as the Boeing 777-9.

The Meteor conforms to the latest European aviation ground support standards and is powered by an 80 kWh battery, meaning it is lighter than the diesel-powered equivalent.

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Keith Townsend, international sales manager at Fluid Transfer International, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Magtec on this important milestone in the journey towards meeting carbon neutrality targets.

“The Meteor MKII offers zero emission refuelling and silent operations without sacrificing quality and performance for global operators.

“We are looking at other aviation vehicle applications for Magtec’s chassis including hydrant pit cleaners and Avgas bowsers and are very impressed with the dynamic capabilities and short charge time.”

The chassis is based on Magtec’s fully homologated MEV75. The standard 80 kWh version has a range of 65 miles, a full charge time of just three hours and 20 mins and a battery life of 10 years.

Andrew Sloan, engineering director at Magtec, added: “We are proud to partner with Fluid Transfer International on this state-of-the-art aircraft fuelling system, powered by Magtec.

“This is another example of a world-leading UK manufacturer turning to Magtec for our best-in-class electric drive technologies. It’s great to work together on such an innovative project.”

Magtec website

Images: Magtec

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News: Plans approved for historic Rotherham bank building

Plans have been approved that would enable a prominent vacant building in Rotherham town centre to be brought back to life as a music school providing extra curricular private tutoring for pupils.

Rothbiz reported in May that a new potential occupier had submitted a planning application to Rotherham Council to enable a new use inside the Grade II listed building, most recently the Royal Bank of Scotland, at the foot of the High Street.

Rock Out Music Provision, the brainchild of local Rotherham musician and tutor, Martyn Scott, is developing plans for a new business for music provision.

His plans explain that the centre would incorporate "music creation, production and educational activities."

Activities could include after school band/ensemble work shops, 1 to 1 instrumental and music production lessons, band rehearsal spaces, alternate provision for young people in the community not accessing a full school timetable, workshops for schools, a recording studio suite, adult band coaching sessions, adult ukulele clubs and "Mini Rockers" parent and baby bonding/sensory sessions.

Plans show that the 2,927 sq ft space would have sound proofed partitian walls and ceilings built to create separate rooms.

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Educational use is considered acceptable in planning terms and as no external alterations are proposed, planners add that "it is welcomed that this proposal would bring a Grade II Listed Building back into use and would enhance the vitality and viability of Rotherham Town Centre."

The change of use plans were approved without going to the planning board. A report stated: "The premises has been vacant for a number of years since the Royal Bank of Scotland closed its Rotherham Town Centre branch and the premises have not been in use.

"The High Street has a mix of mainly retail and café uses and it is considered that the change of use of this building would not undermine the retail character or the vitality of High Street.

"It is considered that the change of use of the premises to music education would add to the vitality of High Street, drawing visitors into the Town Centre."

Next steps involve external funding for the music provision with the aim of opening in September.

In 2020 Rothbiz reported that permission had been granted to allow for part of the ground floor of the former bank to be used as a café or restaurant (A3). Consent was also granted for internal alterations, as were plans to demolish redundant outbuildings in the rear yard.

Applicants, Zayan Developments, then applied to change of use of the first and second floors so it could operate as a hotel.

Rock Out Facebook page

Images: Google Maps

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News: Mine water treatment plan for Rotherham colliery

The Coal Authority has set out proposals to deal with rising mine water at a long-closed colliery in Rotherham.

Thorpe Pit (later known as Smithy Wood Colliery) operated from 1886 – 1974. The National Coal Board and its successors then retained the site as a pumping station to reduce mine water migration to other active collieries in the area. As collieries in the area closed, pumping ceased at the site in 1986 and mine water in this part of South Yorkshire Coalfield has since been rebounding.

A new planning application shows how the authority wants to address the issue of flooding in abandoned deep mine workings which can often lead to surface discharges of polluted mine waters and/or the flow of polluted mine waters into adjoining aquifers.

The environmental impacts of abandoned mine discharges can be severe and mine water is predicted to rise in the adjacent mining block which could reach underground areas that contain two important aquifers that are exploited for public drinking water supply.

Plans state that at the Thorpe Hesley site, pumping is likely to be required by the end of 2025 "in order to mitigate risks of contamination of the overlying groundwater aquifers and prevent any uncontrolled surface discharge and the subsequent pollution of watercourses."

The plans show that Thorpe Hesley has been chosen as a strategic pumping location to intercept relatively clean shallow mine water close to the coal outcrop before it migrates to deeper mine workings in the adjacent mining block at Kilnhurst.

Treating water before it goes deeper into the mine workings allows for a wider range of more cost-effective treatment options. Here, plans include industrial pumps installed below ground, two settlement lagoons (91 metres by 35m), an aeration cascade, sludge drying bed (104m by 43m), and two wetland areas (106m by 42m).

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The treatment will encourage the precipitation of dissolved iron to solid iron particles which would be collected as ochre (iron oxide). Some 140 tonnes of ochre per year could be removed. This ochre material was previously disposed of through landfill but over recent years has been put to sustainable beneficial use, in the anaerobic digestion industry, as part of sewage treatment, to treat heavily contaminated land and as a pigment in the dye and paint industry.

After treatment, the water will continue to flow on to the proposed wetlands for final polishing before it is finally discharged into the local watercourses.

The site off Wentworth Road is within the greenbelt so the application comes within reports and details regarding things like visual impact and ecology and wildlife.

Ashley Langrick, a planner for the Coal Authority, said that the development would not have a significant effect on the environment, adding that: "conversely, the proposal will have significant beneficial effects on the environment both, as a development in its own right compared to the current arable status of the land, and, through addressing rising mine water that would, if left unabated, pollute the environment and ground water aquifers."

The Coal Authority delivers a program of facilities covering 70+ mine water treatment schemes across England, Scotland and Wales, ensuring that any accumulated mine water is responsibly treated before entering natural watercourses. It is set to go out to tender this month as it establishes a £100m mine water treatment works framework.

In September 2023, Rotherham Council, who own the freehold of the 12.13 acre site, signed off on a deal to sell to the Coal Authority.

The aim is for the Coal Authority to own the site in perpetuity and the wetlands could open to the public when they mature.

Coal Authority website

Images: Coal Authority

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