News: Something sweet set for Forge Island

Signs are that the UK's number one dessert restaurant is opening in Rotherham town centre - at the Forge Island leisure scheme.

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.

After a previous deal failed to materialise, Vetro Lounge opened in April with Sygnature Dish set to open its doors this summer.

Now the standalone unit, designed for a café on the main pedestrian route to Forge Island from town, looks to have finally found a tenant.

Heavenly Desserts, which is creating must-visit spots for both dessert and brunch lovers accross the UK, has applied for new signage on the empty unit.

Promising not just dessert but an immersive experience, each of the operator's restaurants feature beautifully designed, unique interiors, perfect for every occasion. Expect elegant decor, warm hospitality, and signature handcrafted desserts and brunch items.

The menu features innovative desserts including signature dishes such as the Croffle and experimental dessert tapas inspired from all corners of the world.

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Since opening in 2008, the brand has been expanding through franchising and now has over 50+ locations in the UK. The closest branch currently is on Division Street in Sheffield city centre.

If plans are approved, Heavenly Desserts would transform the 1,500 sq unit that sits between Forge Island and Corporation Street.

Work is underway to improve the public realm on Corporation Street alongside Upper Millgate and the creation of new greenspace called Riverside Gardens.

The scheme will boast soft landscaped terraces, a riverside walk offering views of the River Don, natural play for children, new seating and improvements to footpaths and public spaces along Corporation Street, helping to make road crossings shorter. The work will also enable cyclists to travel in both directions on Corporation Street.

The unit was previously set to be occupied by the Thistle Group under its Caffé Noor brand.

Rothbiz reported that that company got into financial difficulties a year after they'd signed that pre-let agreement with Rotherham Council and were unable to bring its brands to Rotherham.

Heavenly Desserts website
Forge Island website

Images: Heavenly Desserts / Google Maps

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News: Pricecheck hits new heights with 11th consecutive year of growth

Rotherham-based Pricecheck has delivered its biggest day, week, month, quarter and year in the company’s history.

With its HQ at Beighton Link in Rotherham, Pricecheck is a fast-growing international wholesaler and distributor of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

The company has reported highlights of its 2024/25 financial year which included ten consecutive days of £1m+ turnover, £3.3m turnover on the final day of the financial year and £179m in total revenue – a 17.9% increase on the previous year.

A spokesperson for Pricecheck said: "2024/25 marks our 11th consecutive year of growth. For our customers and brand partners, this momentum signals one thing: Pricecheck is investing in growth, building capacity, and ready to go further. Whether it’s breaking into new markets, streamlining fulfilment, or offering category-leading brands, we’re constantly evolving to help our partners thrive."

Momentum has continued into the new financial year with the signing of a distribution partnership with a company that serves approximately 4,400 cups of coffee or tea per second.

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A new deal has been signed with JDE Peet's (JDEP), the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company.

From July, Pricecheck will become the distribution partner for a portfolio of iconic JDEP brands, including Kenco, L’OR, Douwe Egberts, Tassimo, Maxwell House, and Mellow Birds. The partnership will span key UK channels: wholesale, convenience, foodservice, office, and selected retail.

This strategic move is designed to strengthen JDEP’s reach and enhance service across vital out-of-home markets, helping to increase availability and improve customer experience. In 2024, JDEP’s generated total sales of EUR 8.8 billion.

Laura Hull, Channel Controller at JDEP, said: “The reach and service that Pricecheck brings to this partnership will now bolster support across vital out-of-home channels. We’re delighted to work with the energetic and growth-oriented team at Pricecheck, who treat our brands with high focus and dedication.”

Pricecheck originally moved into the premises at Beighton Link in 2016 and has since taken further space at Manvers, both in Rotherham. It has ambitious plans to increase turnover to £200m.

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

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News: Board back Barrel & Bean at Brecks

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted to approve plans that will enable a craft ale and coffee house to open in a vacant commercial building.

Rothbiz reported in March on plans for "Barrel & Bean" on Wickersley Road, an idea that was brewing among eight friends who envisioned a local craft ale bar providing quality cask and keg ales in a relaxed setting.

The change of use application is to use the ground floor of a former dental training facility for the café/bar area with the lower ground floor at the rear as a storage and preparation area. The first floor area would remain as a separate flat.

27 letters were received regarding the application, 11 letters objecting and 16 in support. Nearby occupiers raised concerns over potential negative effects on adjacent businesses through noise and disturbance, parking and access.

The applicant, Anthony Marples, has stated that acoustic separation measures will be carried out to ensure minimal disruption to the residential accommodation above and no outdoor seating or live/amplified music is proposed.

The council's environmental health department has asked for conditions to limit the impact, adding: "Noise from vocals is extremely difficult to control especially in drinking establishments where alcohol is served until late evening."

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The applicant has agreed to the imposition of conditions to restrict the hours of use and hours of deliveries, and to exclude external drinking or seating areas. Soundproofing is also planned.

Opening hours would be Sundays to Wednesdays 9am until 9pm, Thursdays 9am until 9:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays 9am until 10:30pm.

Council planners said that the proposal would bring an empty unit back into use and provide services for the local community, adding: "It is considered that the proposal would provide a service to local residents by providing a community meeting space and many letters in support of the application as a community facility have been received from the general public in the local area."

Mr Marples told the planning board: "We are proposing the opening of a small microbar, specialising in real ale speciality beers, coffees, teas and cakes operating until 9pm / 10 pm daily. Focusing on real ales differentiates us from typical pub venues and attracts a clientele appreciative of quality beverages in a relaxed setting.

"The target demographic is the more mature generation that prioritises quiet conversation and an ealry closing time is central to our commitment to minimising disturbance.

“The Brecks currently lacks a dedicated, quiet and welcoming venue like this, and the presence of a well run microbar adds to the diversity and vibrancy of local amenities.”

“We understand that residents may have concerns about noise, disorder and parking, and the establishment is low noise by design."

The planning board voted unanimously to approve the application.

Images: Google Maps

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News: One hour free parking in Rotherham town centre

Rotherham Council has introduced one hour’s free parking in council-run car parks in Rotherham town centre.

The scheme aims to "support local businesses, boost footfall, and encourage residents to shop locally."

Rothbiz reported in January on proposals put forward for Rotherham Council's latest budget which included £50,000 for free parking.

Free parking is already offered in the town centre at all Council Off-Street car parks on Saturdays and Sundays and on street after 6pm. The latest offer is now in place Monday to Friday. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the hour free parking must get a ticket from the machine.

Councillor John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “Our introduction of one hour of free parking is another practical step to support our town centre businesses. Anyone needing to nip to the bank, market or into a shop can now do so without worrying about paying, so long as they display a ticket.

“The free parking initiative underlines our focus on delivering a vibrant, safe, and welcoming town centre experience for all.”

In February Rothbiz revealed that Rotherham Council had decided to offer unlimited free parking for patrons of all businesses at Forge Island, the £47m development in the town centre that includes an 8-screen boutique cinema, food outlets and a hotel.

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Also in the council's budget was £570,000 to launch a new "Street Safe Team" focused on increasing safety in town and village centres.

The uniformed team, made up of 10 staff, will target areas including Rotherham town centre, Dinnington, Wath, Maltby and Swinton, using local intelligence to tackle issues and offer a reassuring and familiar point of contact for residents and visitors.

The team will also be able to enforce local Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to help tackle issues like anti-social behaviour, street drinking and substance misuse, working closely with partners including South Yorkshire Police.

This initiative aimed to provide a welcoming presence for visitors to the area. The team would undertake a broad range of duties which would include signposting or providing information to the public as well as identifying and addressing issues in relation to the general street scene, such as littering, by enhancing the existing enforcement presence. The service was also aimed at enhancing community safety and improving perceptions of safety in town centres. Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces, said: “Our residents have told us loud and clear that cleaner, safer streets matter to them — and we’re listening.

“This investment is not just about more boots on the ground, it’s about delivering real, visible improvements in our communities. From cracking down on fly tipping to creating a stronger presence in our town centres, we’re taking action that people will see and feel every day. This is about pride in place - and we’re proud to back that with this investment.”

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham waits on mainline station funding

The government is yet to confirm funding for Rotherham Gateway Station with the borough waiting on costed plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail and a 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

The project involves a new integrated station on the mainline and a tram-train stop on land at Forge Way, Parkgate and aims to transform the regional and national connectivity of Rotherham, catalysing a new Innovation Campus around the station.

The scheme was described earlier this year as the number one project in the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's (SYMCA's) submission to the spending review.

A number of other large transport projects were mentioned by chancellor Rachel Reeves and the Spending Review documents this week. In her speech she confirmed that an infrastructure strategy is being finalised and added that "in the coming weeks I will set out this government’s plans to take forward our ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail."

The previous Government's £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands scaled back ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail, with Rotherham and Sheffield both missed off plans.

In 2023, as it axed HS2 reaching the North, the then government's "Network North" plan included a new mainline station for Rotherham that would be added to the route between Sheffield and Leeds, giving the town its first direct service to London since the 1980s.

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The new mainline station proposed for Parkgate is a Department for Transport (DfT) retained scheme, held back for further review or development before funding is released, so a business case for the project has been prepared in line with government guidance, including the requirements of the Treasury’s Green Book which has been updated to support place-based business cases.

The Government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) (now renamed as Transport for City Regions) was identified for much of the next stage of the project - the development of a full business case which is expected to cost £11.35m.

Last week, £1.5 billion was confirmed for South Yorkshire but only buses and trams have been mentioned so far, despite SYMCA describing Rotherham Gateway has having "the potential to offer the most significant growth and regeneration opportunity across the North of England."

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Responding to the Spending Review, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "We’ve not seen the whole picture today. Next week, we’ll hear about the government’s plans for infrastructure, and I’ll be looking for a response to the proposals we put forward through the White Rose Agreement’s Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, and support for some of our key industrial strengths, including our steel and hydrogen sectors."

Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail is a phased plan to fix Yorkshire’s broken railways, published by Lord Blunkett last month. For Rotherham the plans reiterate the need for a new mainline station given that the borough is currently poorly connected to the rail network, with the town centre served via a loop off the main line, and only having two stopping trains an hour.

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: "A successful local and regional economy is built upon its transport infrastructure. Returning Rotherham to the main line will vastly improve connectivity to centres such as Leeds, London, Manchester and Birmingham whilst at the same time reducing journey times.

"The plan rightly identified that a rail journey must be at least 20% faster compared with a car journey to make in attractive alternative. At present it takes almost the same amount of time to travel between Rotherham and Barnsley via train, as it does to travel between Doncaster and Peterborough. Clearly this needs to change.

"We encourage the Chancellor to prioritise investment in South Yorkshire’s rail infrastructure, which in turn will bring about significant benefits for the local and regional economy.”

Images: RMBC

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