Friday, November 22, 2024

News: "Operators signed up" for Forge Island

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The empty units at the £47m Forge Island leisure development in Rotherham could soon be filled, according to the latest update from the Council.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as food outlets which are yet to open.

Rothbiz revealed in July that operators "have not been able to bring forward" outlets that had originally signed up for the development.

Deals for Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo, Sakku Samba, Caffé Noor, Cow & Cream and The Rustic Pizza Company appear to have fallen through with the authority saying that, working with its development partners, Muse, it was in discussion with a number of other potential operators who have expressed an interest in the site.

At a recent meeting of Rotherham's Town Board, council representatives were asked about the empty units at Forge Island.

The Town Board is a private-sector chaired board established to oversee regeneration progress of various projects backed by government funding. It contains representatives from a wide range of key sectors.

Minutes show that Simon Moss, Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, "confirmed that a number of operators have signed up and agreed to terms; more information will soon follow."

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Earlier this month Rotherham Council confirmed that it had fully-funded the scheme for the purposes of regeneration of the town centre, not as a commercial venture, adding that it wasn't concerned about the implications of the empty units as the scheme was designed to pay for itself over the life of the development.

In the meantime, space at Forge Island is being utilised by ROAR, a non profit dedicated to supporting creative practices and promoting the arts in Rotherham.

ROAR has established "Senspace" in the empty units where different artworks are being added to, manipulated and moved all the time.

Open for the recent Christmas Lights switch-on, the group describes Senspace as a "growing and changing interactive exhibition looking at the ideas of mindfulness and wellness in a creative capacity."

It is described as offering "a refreshing escape — a sanctuary where art, meditation, and mental health come together to nourish both mind and soul. Each work in the exhibit invites you to immerse yourself in a sensory journey, discovering moments of calm, self-reflection, and grounding.

"At Senspace, art is meant to be felt, breathed, and experienced. With interactive installations that evoke meditative states and ambient soundscapes that soothe, every element is crafted to help reduce stress, build resilience, and deepen personal insight. This isn’t just an art exhibit; it’s an experience designed to reconnect you with yourself through the gentle power of art and mindfulness."

Senspace runs until November 29.

Forge Island website

Images: ROAR

30 comments:

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 11:30 AM  

That's great news if true, they can't open soon enough.

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 11:52 AM  

W………s ?

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 2:24 PM  

Senspace sounds like a right load of hippy waffle

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 2:32 PM  

"If true"? You're surely not suggesting that the Council would fib?

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 4:00 PM  

I'd never dream of such an accusation.

Anonymous,  November 22, 2024 at 4:25 PM  

A waffle cafe would be really good.

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 3:19 AM  

I'm afraid RMBC haven't got a clue ,they should've given insentives to get bars/restaurants signed up,like Barnsley as with Glassworks,also missed trick ,by not of having bowling on Forge Island,,ones again like Glassworks as.They seem unable to manage anything.

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 3:21 AM  

Rumour is wetherspoons is moving on,not everyone's cup of tea,but a big name that could bring others.

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 10:08 AM  

Don't tell us, is it Poundland, Gregg's, a vape shop, and a charity shop.

Alan,  November 23, 2024 at 10:32 AM  

Where are these rumours about Wetherspoons coming from? What is your source?

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 11:02 AM  

You like the Glassworks, we get it, though a quick look online and you will see it went massively over budget and there is concern from residents about how much the council have spent on incentives. 1 million was given to TGI Fridays alone and they have now closed. Is this a good use of money?

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 11:23 AM  

Bore off with the bowling, we’ve heard you.

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 4:05 PM  

If spoons does open up does that mean Bluecoats will close?

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 6:32 PM  

You need to ask Mr Spoon

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 6:33 PM  

Another Greggs would be good

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 9:39 PM  

TGI Fridays went into Administration-35 branches have closed, so not just Barnsley

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 9:40 PM  

Probably wishful thinking as Wetherspoons seems to be the pinnacle of aspiration for many posters on here.

Anonymous,  November 23, 2024 at 11:55 PM  

A bloke in the County who sells nylons

Anonymous,  November 24, 2024 at 8:46 AM  

Stop stirring it

Anonymous,  November 24, 2024 at 12:17 PM  

Word on the street innit

Anonymous,  November 25, 2024 at 8:20 PM  

But should the council have given the chain a million pounds if they were in financial difficulties? Surely they should have completed some checks beforehand. A company does not enter administration after a few bad months, there must have been long seated issues.

Anonymous,  November 27, 2024 at 3:11 PM  

Hope they open a branch of Amici & Bici. Their coffees lovely and it'd be near the Cycle Network.

Anonymous,  November 27, 2024 at 3:54 PM  

Haha! Good luck with that! Remember this is Rotherham Town Centre. Be thankful if you get a Starbucks.

Anonymous,  November 28, 2024 at 7:14 AM  

Shouldn't that be "we get"? Or are you a Deedar?

Anonymous,  November 29, 2024 at 12:49 PM  

I was speaking directly in reply to that one person, so ‘you’ was the appropriate word in that instance.

Anonymous,  November 29, 2024 at 4:33 PM  

I crave your forgiveness.

Anonymous,  November 29, 2024 at 6:36 PM  

And so you should.

Anonymous,  December 1, 2024 at 12:30 PM  

That's not very gracious.

Anonymous,  December 9, 2024 at 11:58 AM  

It would be financial suicide for any business to go anywhere near Rotherham town centre

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