Monday, March 24, 2025

News: HMO plan for empty Rotherham retail building

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A vacant retail property in Rotherham town centre could be brought back into use as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), if newly submitted plans are approved.

31 College Street became empty when Greenwoods Menswear moved its Rotherham store to Sheffield in 2018 having been brought out of administration the previous year. All branches ceased trading in 2019.

The Rotherham "flagship" store opened in 2011 in the former Music Zone unit. The move into the store was helped by an £8,000 grant from the Council's Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme.

Now an application from Ahmad Swatiwal shows how it could have a future following a proposed conversion of the first and second floors into a 13-bed HMO.

Plans, drawn up by PBM Plans, explain that the ground floor would remain as commercial use but with a new ground floor front door installed to provide access to the upper floors.

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The other planned change to the building, which is not listed but is with the Rotherham town centre conservation area, is a replacement of the existing timber sash windows with PVC sash-style windows, which replicate the original design.

The proposals, which include retaining the glass shopfront and intricate stonework, are required "to adapt the building for modern use while preserving its historic character."

The plans conclude: "The proposed works at 31 College Street are designed to ensure the long-term usability of the building while respecting its historical and architectural significance.

"By incorporating sympathetic design and mitigation measures, this proposal supports the preservation and enhancement of the heritage character of Rotherham Town Centre."

Agents, Merryweathers, had been advertising the 3,800 sq ft property for sale, encouraging offers in the region of £300,000.

Images: Merryweathers

24 comments:

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM  

Wait for it......

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 8:47 AM  

Not another one. This is not the kind of town centre living that will improve the area.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 8:59 AM  

There you go...

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 9:37 AM  

But it's true, does anyone on here honestly think HMO's will improve the town centre, and if so, why?

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM  

Living and Leisure is the way forward for the town centre.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM  

But do you genuinely believe the residents of HMO's will contribute to improving the town centre?

Any before anyone accuses me of racism, I'm not talking about immigrants.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM  

Problem is the people who are moving into town centre aren't type to indulge in the leisure.still pretty sure some on beach currently in northern France will be happy.....and before I get the usual oh no that's a wacist comment....do I give a hoot!

Mr me March 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM  

The name of the applicant screams out what's in store.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM  

All part of the plan to empty the hotels and shift the problems into towns like Rotherham,and unscrupulous business people developing HMOs to make big money off government (tax payers)all these sort of plans should be opposed.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM  

It definitely won’t be as good as Glassworks that’s for sure.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 1:16 PM  

Out and out racists never give a hoot, until they're in front of a judge.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM  

Where can we see these plans?

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM  

They could turn it into a Holiday Inn Express for you.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM  

Just as your nom de guerre screams out that another racist rant is on its way.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM  

Do you honestly think the post made by the poster above should be worthy of going to court?

Michael,  March 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM  

Bringing a long time vacant building back into use is a positive development, and aligns with the strategy of more residential accomodation in the town centre. All those moaning around who will live there, the names of developers, comments about migrants etc. are not funny, and should be called out as the racists that they are. You're views do not reflect the view of everyone and there is no place for racism in Rotherham. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM  

What about the English who will live in them, The sort who acost people in Tesco car park for cash, will they improve the town centre?

Anonymous,  March 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM  

Now you understand...

Anonymous,  March 25, 2025 at 10:39 AM  

Immeasurably!

Anonymous,  March 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM  

The racist who doesn't give a hoot can't be a Sheffield Wednesday fan.

Anonymous,  March 28, 2025 at 9:46 AM  

I bet your view would be different if they built a HMO next to where you live.

Anonymous,  March 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM  

https://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2025/0308

Anonymous,  March 28, 2025 at 11:55 AM  

Thanks for sharing that link, I've submitted my opposition, hopefully more will do the same.

Anonymous,  March 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM  

I live in a HIMO

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