News: Footfall figures up following first Forge Island openings
Footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 was 10% higher than the previous year and developers, Muse, point to the impact of the opening of the Forge Island leisure scheme in attracting visitors.
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 food outlets which are yet to open.
Expected to be a catalyst for further investment and regeneration, the cinema and hotel opened last summer.
Formerly Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, before home to a supermarket, Muse say that Forge Island now has a "sustainable and long-term future as a dynamic place for the community and visitors."
Acquired by Rotherham Council, the most recent use was a temporary bus station and a COVID testing site. Developers say that they wanted to re-imagine the place and re-establish its economic and cultural importance within the town centre.
A case study from Muse said: "Whilst still developing as a destination, we are already seeing a positive impact on the community and the local economy.
"A brand-new eight screen cinema has opened, bringing film back to the town centre for the first time in 30 years. This is much more significant than simply a new place to watch a Hollywood block-buster.
"Hundreds of people descended on Forge Island to enjoy opening day, with screenings regularly sold out since it opened its doors. In fact, Forge Island was the best performing cinema in the Arc chain during December 2024."
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The cinema anchors a growing evening and night-time economy in the town centre with Vetro Lounge and Sygnature Dish set to open in adjacent units within months.
The aim is for more money to be spent in the town, fewer people travelling outside Rotherham for entertainment, and new customers drawn from across the region. Already, footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 has been 10% higher than the previous year.
The update from Muse added: "The opportunity at Forge Island was to create a long-term sustainable future for Rotherham’s industrial past. A place which could drive a modern economy, create jobs, and curate a destination for communities and visitors to spend their precious leisure time.
"It’s a plan which aligns with the wider vision for Rotherham town centre, with investments in attractive outdoor spaces, revitalised markets, and high-quality riverside and urban living.
"By working in partnership with the local authority, we have delivered in a way which creates something new and exciting for the community – a place to meet friends and recharge during evenings and weekends. It has brought families back into the town centre and underpinned a new energy and vibrancy which will permeate Rotherham’s future."
With funding for the project coming from Rotherham Council, the authority ensured that social value was high on the agenda through partners, Muse and lead contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland.
As a project, Forge Island saw 83 local people employed with 278 weeks of apprentice training and 69 hours of career and education support. £1,890,775 was spent with the local supply chain meaning that overall, the development created a social and local economic value of £4,361,703.
Forge Island website
Images: Muse
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 food outlets which are yet to open.
Expected to be a catalyst for further investment and regeneration, the cinema and hotel opened last summer.
Formerly Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, before home to a supermarket, Muse say that Forge Island now has a "sustainable and long-term future as a dynamic place for the community and visitors."
Acquired by Rotherham Council, the most recent use was a temporary bus station and a COVID testing site. Developers say that they wanted to re-imagine the place and re-establish its economic and cultural importance within the town centre.
A case study from Muse said: "Whilst still developing as a destination, we are already seeing a positive impact on the community and the local economy.
"A brand-new eight screen cinema has opened, bringing film back to the town centre for the first time in 30 years. This is much more significant than simply a new place to watch a Hollywood block-buster.
"Hundreds of people descended on Forge Island to enjoy opening day, with screenings regularly sold out since it opened its doors. In fact, Forge Island was the best performing cinema in the Arc chain during December 2024."
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The cinema anchors a growing evening and night-time economy in the town centre with Vetro Lounge and Sygnature Dish set to open in adjacent units within months.
The aim is for more money to be spent in the town, fewer people travelling outside Rotherham for entertainment, and new customers drawn from across the region. Already, footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 has been 10% higher than the previous year.
The update from Muse added: "The opportunity at Forge Island was to create a long-term sustainable future for Rotherham’s industrial past. A place which could drive a modern economy, create jobs, and curate a destination for communities and visitors to spend their precious leisure time.
"It’s a plan which aligns with the wider vision for Rotherham town centre, with investments in attractive outdoor spaces, revitalised markets, and high-quality riverside and urban living.
"By working in partnership with the local authority, we have delivered in a way which creates something new and exciting for the community – a place to meet friends and recharge during evenings and weekends. It has brought families back into the town centre and underpinned a new energy and vibrancy which will permeate Rotherham’s future."
With funding for the project coming from Rotherham Council, the authority ensured that social value was high on the agenda through partners, Muse and lead contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland.
As a project, Forge Island saw 83 local people employed with 278 weeks of apprentice training and 69 hours of career and education support. £1,890,775 was spent with the local supply chain meaning that overall, the development created a social and local economic value of £4,361,703.
Forge Island website
Images: Muse
43 comments:
I'd love to know the actual numbers behind these stats and how these compare with historical records. The town centre feels like a graveyard most of the time.
Hopefully some of the events that are taking place will help to drive footfall, but sadly those days are the exception rather than the norm.
The indoor market is about 80% down, footfall has fallen off a cliff in there.
But on market days the town is heaving. You can't have it all ways.
Missed opportunity after missed opportunity,I'm afraid the people that run Rotherham gave in far to easy to the pressure of meadowhall and parkgate,they could've had a joint up plan and at least made a go of it like Barnsley as,but they threw the towel in a drive result is the run down ghetto we all pay our ever increasing Council tax to subsidise.Hope the business that try succeed, they'll need all the luck possible.
Rubbish
The town is never heaving.
Oh that’s ok then. Let’s forget about the indoor market traders having their business’s ruined by poor council planning as long as you think the street market is busy.
Whys that then...Mr 'Rubbish',explain ,come on let's have your extensive knowledge on the subject!
I just wish the council would stop wasting money on the town centre and concentrate on delivering essentials. The town centre is a lost hope, just grow up and admit it.
I disagree. The council needs to increase its spending on the town centre to make it a competitive business destination. Get rid of the anti-social behaviour, make it safe and welcoming, and businesses will invest. Do the opposite and we'll end up with even more of a ghost town.
Yet you’d probably be the first to moan if they actually did give up on the town centre.
Not been to the town centre for near on 10 years. Utter dump populated by scrubbers.
I agree and the Glassworks in Barnsley is much better.
And you know this how if you've not been there for 10 years?
And a good morning to you too Mr Misanthrope.
The Glassworks Goon's predictable response to every post.
Do us all a favour and stay off here for 10 years as well. You are tedious.
He heard it on the grapevine
There’s JEZ -predictable as ever…
Agreed Cam, it's fair to predict that I will always challenge lazy comments that lack logic, humour or common sense. Your kind of post to be precise.
Jez
You’ve clearly got nothing better to do
True
Can't see your issue. Surely he is entitled to challenge a stupid post. Is it because it was your stupid post?
Only Jez is allowed to call my posts stupid.
Sorry Cam, I will be sure to ignore your stupid posts in future.
Just make sure that you do or I could be forced into posting something that makes sense.
That's unlikely.
The town centre seems to be recovering. Well done Rotherham Council.
Unfortunately it’s not recovering as most people go to the Glassworks in Barnsley as it’s much better. Well done Barnsley council.
It triggers people though doesn’t it and that’s why I do it.
Personally, I do not know anyone who has actually heard of the Glassworks never mind been there.
What a fulfilling life you must lead.
Thank you for bumping my post.
I went a while ago but came away very quickly. Awful place.
You’re welcome, hopefully it’s brought more attention to the fact that you’re a cretin.
The main draw back for me is that it's full of people from Barnsley.
Absolutely and that no doubt includes our resident bore Captain Glassworks
As a dog lover it's nice to see that the eateries are whippet friendly.
I keep away from Barnsley for the very same reason.
Glassworks food outlets are struggling. One or two due for Barnsley Chop.
Wouldn’t it be boring on here without me the Glassworks cheerleader, also funny enough there are a few of us on here as some of the comments are not from me.
No I disagree as Barnsley is an excellent destination and much better than Rotherham in general apart from Wickersley of course which is better than most places if I’m being frank.
It attracts thousands of souls everyday.
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