News: Capital&Centric timetabled to talk up Rotherham regeneration

The managing director of social impact developer Capital&Centric is set to share a stage with officials from Rotherham next week at the UK’s leading forum for real estate, investment and infrastructure.

Although it has not been announced why, the appearance suggests that the Manchester company is in line to take forward more development opportunities in the region.

Capital&Centric specialises in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighborhoods. It is currently working on £2bn of development across commercial, residential, hotel and leisure sectors. In neighbouring Sheffield it has secured millions to progress plans at the Cannon Brewery site.

John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric is due to take part in a panel at UKREiiF – The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum, which is entitled: "Next Stop Rotherham - The Gateway To The Future."

Moffat is set to join John Edwards, chief executive at Rotherham Council, Katharine Hammond, chief executive of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), to discuss how Rotherham is delivering an ambitious growth agenda, uniting major regeneration with world-leading innovation at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Property professionals, investors, developers and senior decision-makers are set to discover "how Rotherham is helping shape Northern Powerhouse Rail and South Yorkshire’s future - creating a national transport hub, accelerating housing delivery, and unlocking prime opportunities for investment."

A 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate shows how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

Rotherham Gateway will reconnect the town to the mainline rail network for the first time since the 1980s, delivering faster connections to major cities including Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham, while unlocking new regional and national routes.

Representing a long-term investment in Rotherham’s future, the £300m project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs locally, with a further 8,000 across the wider South Yorkshire Investment Zone - delivering an economic uplift of over £100m through new employment opportunities.

The project is a key part of SYMCA's portfolio for UKREiiF. The mayoral authority describes it as having "the potential to offer the most significant growth and regeneration opportunity across the North of England.

"A new main line rail station with tram-train stop situated within the heart of a new advanced manufacturing innovation campus, and in an area of housing growth, will ensure rapid and reliable connectivity to regional and national economies, providing ease of access outside the Borough."

Investors and developer interest is being sought to deliver the necessary infrastructure for a new Station Anchor Building and Innovation Campus.

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Investors and developers are also being courted to take on the opportunity for around 400 new homes adjacent to a new mainline station. Rotherham Council offers the opportunity to acquire land and de-risk investment while seeking developer and investor interest in the creation of a new residential led community.

The station is also being positioned as the scheme that unclocks the wider Bassingthorpe development nearby - a proposed 2,000 home development on former greenbelt land. Rotherham Council recently approved the appointment of a specialist consultant to provide commercial advice for the scheme in order to "progress the delivery of a residential development scheme on the strategic allocation site of Bassingthorpe Farm jointly with the majority landowner."

Rothbiz reported last month that following the announcement on Rotherham Gateway being in the first phase of Nothern Powerhouse Rail, a developer signed an agreement to start investment.

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has also been active in relation to Rotherham Gateway, entering into a £70,000 contract for a feasibility study.

Homes England has also been looking to appoint a solicitor to act on its behalf on "entering into an Investments Loan Agreement with a borrower where providing finance for residential development in Rotherham."

Homes England recently entered a strategic joint venture with Swiss Life Asset Managers and Capital&Centric to deliver more than 2,250 homes in underinvested areas in England.

In March, Rothbiz reported that Rotherham Council was appointing a private sector developer for the next phase of large scale house-building in the town centre.

The "Strategic Sites" programme "aims to bring forward high-quality mixed-use development across the Council’s strategic town centre sites, creating a new community supported by integrated services, leisure uses and commercial opportunities. Its objectives include securing a long term positive legacy for the town centre, accelerating progress on complex brownfield sites, attracting credible private sector partners, and addressing viability challenges in a low value market through targeted public sector intervention."

Rotherham Gateway Station website
Capital&Centric website

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News: Council forced to take action on burnt-out Wetherspoons in Rotherham

Rotherham Council has taken action over a fire-damaged pub in Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported last year that the former Rhinoceros pub on Bridgegate was listed as being sold subject to contract off a guide price of £249,995.

Known locally as "Rhinos," it was one of 16 pubs put up for sale by J D Wetherspoons in 2019. It had been operating independently from Wetherspoon but was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The units were in the proccess of being refurbished and the initial intention was for the rear wing of the building to be converted into residential apartments, but two subsequent fires caused considerable damage to the existing building and structure.

Proposals for a new "Georgian inspired" mixed use development to replace the pub were approved in 2924.

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An update from Rotherham Council states: "Work is taking place to partially demolish the former Rhinoceros (Rhinos) building on Bridgegate in the town centre, to make the site safe and allow the pedestrianised area in front of the building to be re-opened.

"The building had been left in a poor condition following fire damage, so the Council has stepped in to take action. We're working with the owners of the building to carry out the remainder of the demolition work."

"We’re continuing to take positive steps to improve the town centre and create a place we can all feel proud of."

Planning documents showed that Rotherham Council served a s215 notice on a previous owner of the site in an effort to address the eyesore of a wrecked building. Local authorities have the power to take steps requiring land to be cleaned up when its condition adversely affects the amenity of the area. The notice was served "due to the dilapidated and poor state the building is still in after the fire and given the site is located in a prime location in the town centre conservation area."

If the owner/occupier fails to carry out the works specified within the prescribed time period, councils have the power either to prosecute, or where appropriate, to carry out the works itself. Councils can seek to recover the costs through the courts or by placing a charge on the property through HM Land Registry to recover the costs should the property be sold.

No longer listed for sale, agents for the property, BRH, said that it "presents an exceptional opportunity for investors and developers. With full planning permission granted for 22 self-contained flats and 2 x large ground floor commercial units, it offers significant potential for redevelopment."

BRH gave it an estimated post-development value of approximately £3m.

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Rotherham Council vows to help traders as move to new £46.8m market development nears

A rent free period and other support has been promised to market traders in Rotherham town centre as operators, Rotherham Council, prepare to open the New Market Hall next month.

The authority's budget included proposals to freeze charges linked to specific scenarios such as the markets, given the transition that will take place and the re-location of traders whilst the regeneration of the market is carried out.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction, began enabling works on the Drummond Street site in 2023. The redevelopment of the markets is divided into two areas, an outdoor covered market, which is being rebuilt, and an adjacent indoor market, which is being revamped.

Rothbiz reported last month that the overall budget for the scheme, which also includes a new library, has risen again and is now at £46.84m.

Sarah Champion MP raised a number of concerns with the council from market traders, and pointed out the number of stall holders forced to close.

In response, John Edwards, chief executive at Rotherham Council explained that: "Fees for the temporary outdoor covered market have now been shared with all traders.

"A rent-free period has been agreed to assist with the move to the Market Hall, fees have already been halved since COVID for traders, and no one will pay more than they currently pay during the forthcoming 2026/27 financial year.

"In addition, funding has been set aside to support traders with their marketing to help them attract new customers. A communications plan has been developed to help promote the temporary market and this will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

"We are in regular dialogue with the traders and will continue to work with them whilst the works continue until full completion next year."

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Island stalls at Rotherham Market currently cost between £204.50 and £237 per month to rent, with the rent for perimeter stalls at between £150.50 and £237 per month, before other charges are added. New traders can get a three month rent free incentive.

These rents and charges have been frozen for 2025/2026, however the council has increased charges for the Street Market, which is held on the main streets in the town centre. Outdoor market traders have moved on to the street market temporarily as construction work takes place.

Fees for "RMBC Casual Traders/ Multiple Trading Days" has increased from £23.50 to £24.40 per day. "Regular Traders" on the street market have seen fees increase from £33.75 to £35 per day.

Traders in the current indoor market are expected to move temporarily into the New Market Hall until the revamp is complete.

Simon Moss, Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, recently updated councillors on the issues. He said: "The traders are obviously really key to what we are trying to do. With no traders, there is no market, so we have been working extremely hard to keep the traders involved. In fact, the premise of the proposal to decant into the new market hall to provide a temporary market, that was an idea that was introduced into the project to address trader's concerns. Quite an investment went into that, because they were really keen to stay on site and so we've built that in.

"Obviously the rent levels have been a concern and recognising the disruption that the construction has caused and impacted on some traders so the 50% rent concession remains in place. We've also made a commitment that no trader will be paying more than they currently are during that period.

"We've also been working really hard to reduce the closure period, which was a real concern for traders who would have lost income during that period. We've reduced that to one week and we've increased the rent free period to three months.

"It's also worth noting the new markets team that we've brought in since the start of the year and that's had a real impact, and fresh energy and ideas, and that has really improved the dialogue that we've had with traders.

"I don't want to downplay the level of disruption and some of the concerns that some of the traders will have, but overall we've put a lot of effort into that, and I believe we are in a much stronger position in terms of that dialogue with traders."

Moss added that the move will take place in the summer this year with traders kept up to date on when that will be. He added: "We are obviously in a difficult moment with the costs and the challenges on the project but we believe that it is going to be an exciting moment for the town centre. We have seen that whenever we have invested heavily in the town centre, that has had the impact on footfall, as we've seen with Forge Island. We are hopeful that [the market] will drive footfall and create the kind of vibrant town centre that we all want to see."

A council report explains the importance of investing £46.8m in revamping the markets and library that will enable it "to once again become the beating heart of Rotherham town centre supporting economic vitality, increasing footfall, and reinforcing the town’s identity and sense of place."

The report adds that markets act "as traditional anchors that support independent traders, foster entrepreneurship and provide accessible, affordable shopping rooted in local character. When combined with high-quality public spaces, a food and drink offer and flexible spaces for events and social activity, markets help generate footfall, animate surrounding streets and create inclusive, vibrant destinations. Together, these elements underpin a resilient town centre that supports local businesses, strengthens community life and contributes to economic vitality, civic pride and overall wellbeing.

"The Markets complex was recognised as a key anchor in the town centre, both for its historic significance and the potential to be a modern, attractive destination to draw people back into the heart of the town.

"Modern markets are evolving into vibrant, multifunctional destinations that offer far more than traditional retail. The new Market Hall and its surrounding outdoor spaces will create opportunities to use the markets in fresh and imaginative ways, building on the success of feature events like the Bazaar while also providing a welcoming location for a wider range of gatherings, activities, and a traditional food offer. At the same time, collaboration with the College opens the door for the new market and library spaces to support partnership and enterprise adding real value to this part of the town centre."

The latest timetable for the new markets has the New Market Hall on the site of the outdoor covered market opening in June 2026 and the revamped Indoor Market completing in Autumn 2027.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: Adept Consulting Engineers Ltd / LinkedIn / Neimen Blume / RMBC

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News: Second Rotherham outlet for growing chicken brand

Visit Rotherham is reporting that a family run fast-food franchise has opened its second branch in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that the Wingers brand was opening at the successful Olive Lane scheme on the Waverley development in Rotherham.

Now Visit Rotherham states that Wingers has recently opened at a unit at Manvers, in the north of the borough.

Amran Sunner and his brother Dylan and dad Bill, set about creating their own delicious, fresh fried buttermilk chicken recipe for customers to enjoy and the idea quickly developed wings! They formed Wingers – the Chicken Wing Company – a family run fast-food franchise business creating delicious, fresh fried buttermilk chicken recipes that got Midland folk drooling.

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The first restaurant opened in Lichfield, quickly followed by more successes around the Midlands. Recent investments can support up to 75 Wingers franchised restaurants across the UK with the firm hoping to open 50 restaurants by the end of 2027. The company said that the Rotherham opening is "another step towards building a truly national, homegrown UK chicken brand."

The Manvers outlet is at the Onyx Retail Park, taking the 1,250 Sq Ft Unit 1A that was recently home to online designer babywear business, Forever Sewing.

Specialising in "top notch buttermilk fried chicken," the menu includes tenders, wings, wraps, burgers and loaded fries.

A spokesperson for Onward Holdings, the owners of Onyx Retail Park, said: "This addition strengthens the diverse tenant mix at Onyx and is expected to significantly increase footfall, benefiting the entire retail ecosystem at the site.

"Congratulations to the team on a successful launch."

Wingers website

Images: Wingers

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News: Consultation continues on £27m active travel schemes in Rotherham

More public consultation has been launched as Rotherham Council is set to spend a further £27.2m on active travel schemes where new cycle lanes are set to be a key component.

Rothbiz has previously reported on a £16.5m scheme that includes bike lanes, bus lanes and a built up roundabout at Eastwood, on the edge of Rotherham town centre. A similar £10.7m cycle lane and roundabout scheme is proposed for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

The schemes follow on from the the £6.4m Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor schemes and the £3.6m Broom Road Cycleways scheme.

The majority of funding for the latest schemes is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream.

As Rothbiz has previously reported, the funding is conditional on increasing active travel (hence the new cycle lanes) and increasing bus patronage and reducing bus journey times (hence the new bus lanes).

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The most significant change is at St Ann's Roundabout. The consultation explains: "We propose to retain all arms of St Ann's Roundabout, replacing the subways with signalised crossings, with cycleways incorporated along with increased greenery and improved street lighting. The existing roundabout would be filled in."

New street level pedestrian and cycle routes would then be created with new traffic lights with cyclist and pedestrian crossings.

On Fitzwilliam Road, new cycle lanes would be created all the way from St Ann's Roundabout to the fire station. A new bus lane would also be created on the approach to the roundabout.

Neighbourhood streets are also set for investment, including new cycle lanes and speed humps on Doncaster Road and Badsley Moor Lane and new raised crossings on Middle Lane.

At Stag Roundabout, segregated cycle routes and controlled crossing facilities would be introduced on each arm of the roundabout, replacing the current zebra crossings.

For the main roads, cycle lanes and bus lanes are planned, with the council still considering a number of options for Broom Road and Wickersley Road.

The consultation states: "The first of these proposals would create a combined bus and cycle lane to be shared by bikes and buses which would split on the approach to Stag Roundabout.

"The second proposal would introduce a separate bus lane and a separate cycle lane along Wickersley Road, from the junction with Middle Lane South to Stag Roundabout.

"The third proposal would only introduce a cycle lane, with no bus lane."

For the second option, some trees would need to be removed.

Neighbourhood streets are also set for investment in this area too, including Broom Lane where a zebra crossing close to Sitwell school is proposed to be replaced by a controlled traffic signal crossing.

Consultation on the Rotherham East proposed network improvements closes on June 5, and consultation on Broom Road / Wickersley Road proposed Extension Corridor closes on June 22.

A consultation event is being held at Broom Methodist Church on May 26 from 2pm to 6pm.

Rotherham Council consultation website

Images: RMBC

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