News: Rotherham restaurant rebrands as sports bar & grill

A popular Rotherham restaurant that closed suddenly in May has rebooted its social media and online presence, hinting that a new future is about to kick off at the venue.

Rothbiz reported that "heartbroken" operators at The Big Smoke were closing the restaurant on the edge of Rotherham town centre in the face of rising costs.

Now The Big Smoke Facebook page has been rebranded as The Press Box - a new sports bar in Rotherham that is set to open in August.

The move makes sense given the family operators were also involved in the Sport Box in Rotherham town centre that has recently changed hands again.

Advertisement
A new website explains: "Rotherham just got its game-changer.

"Fourteen screens showing multiple sports at once, so you’ll never miss the action. Proper sports bar atmosphere with sports bar food, cold beer, and cocktails that will keep you coming back.

"But we’ve gone further than just screens and good grub. Golf simulator featuring world-class courses for when you want to test your swing. Two 22-foot shuffleboards perfect for group competitions. Three traditional dart boards plus one interactive lane. A fussball table. Pool tables for serious matches and friendly rivalries. The Press Box has everything you need for mate dates and competitive sessions that settle debates once and for all."

The venue promises to be the destination for big sporting events, from "Masters tournaments with prize competitions to Super Bowl parties with corn dogs."

With a 4,600 sq ft ground floor, The Big Smoke opened during COVID in 2020 "dedicated to the majesty of meats," taking on the former Florence Nightingale pub at Moorgate, which was previously turned into a restaurant and operated as Modern China.

A post regarding the closure, which was with immediate effect, said: "Due to rising costs and mounting financial pressures, we’ve found ourselves in an impossible position.

"Since April 1st, our overheads and supplier costs have soared, driven by changes brought in by a government that feels completely out of touch with the realities of small, independent businesses like ours. We’ve done everything we can, but the numbers just don’t add up anymore."

The Press Box Rotherham website

Images: Press Box / Google Maps

Read more...

News: Rotherham restaurant announces reopening

A popular Rotherham restaurant, closed for over a year, has announced plans to reopen, setting tongues wagging amongst food fans.

A location has yet to be confirmed.

Rothbiz reported on a heart-breaking Valentine's Day for two popular Rotherham venues as they both announced shock closures at the same time in 2024.

The operators of Rancheros Bar and Grill and Roadhouse Bar & Bottles both posted that they had closed their venues in the Stag area "due to circumstances outside of our control."

Roadhouse has since opened in a former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington and now it looks like Rancheros is returning.

A post on social media from Rancheros Rodízio Bar & Grill reads: "The skewers are getting ready, the grill is heating up, and we can't wait to serve you that all-you-can-eat Brazilian flavour you’ve been missing. Rancheros is re-opening. Prepare your stomachs for this July!"

Advertisement
The announcement comes a week after operators at another Rotherham favourite, The Big Smoke announced that they were closing with immediate effect, saying that its overheads and supplier costs had soared.

When asked if Rancheros would be taking on the Moorgate site, a quick reply came: "nope, we aren't" and instead operators said that they were "going home."

Rancheros brought Brazilian and Latin cuisines to the borough, converting an empty retail unit into a restaurant and bar at Stag Roundabout. Opening when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place, the venue became a hit with TripAdvisor reviewers who made it the number one ranked restaurant in the town.

The restaurant was from Doncaster-based restaurant entrepreneur, Masud Rana, owner of La Boca and La Rustica in Doncaster town centre, and the La Fiesta tapas restaurant in Armthorpe. Whilst the Rotherham branch underwent a revamp in 2022, the Doncaster branch of Rancheros closed in 2023, within a year of opening.

A new company, Rancheros Rodizio Ltd, with a new director, was incorporated last week with Companies House, with the same Wickersley Road address.

The reasons for the closures in Rotherham were not made public but notices of peaceable re-entry by the landlord were on display at the premises.

Leases often allow for landlords to take back possession of a property by physically entering it and changing the locks without court proceedings - if they think they have the right to do so - usually a breach of the lease by the tenant.

In 2023, The Bampton Property Group, secured planning permission for a scheme that involved a refurbishment of the 1960's building, including a new pitched roof, demolition of first floor to the public house, and the replacement of first floor windows to the front elevation.

Images: Rancheros / facebook

Read more...

News: Rotherham restaurant closes with immediate effect

A Rotherham restaurant that opened during the COVID-19 pandemic has closed with immediate effect.

A post on social media said the the operators were "heartbroken" to close its doors in the face of rising costs.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 on plans for The Big Smoke taking on the former Florence Nightingale pub at Moorgate, which was previously turned into a restaurant and operated as Modern China.

With a 4,600 sq ft ground floor, the transformed restaurant "dedicated to the majesty of meats" offered a menu featuring a range of burgers with names such as "The Italian Stallion" and "The Big Daddy." Seven types of steaks were joined by ribs, chicken, brisket and "The Yorkshire Sarnie."

Advertisement
A post on Facebook from The Big Smoke this week reads: "This is something we never imagined we’d have to write

"After almost five incredible years, we are heartbroken to announce that The Big Smoke Restaurant has closed its doors with immediate effect. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this place. As a family-run business, The Big Smoke has been more than just a restaurant, it’s been our dream, our passion, and our home. But sadly, due to rising costs and mounting financial pressures, we’ve found ourselves in an impossible position.

Since April 1st, our overheads and supplier costs have soared, driven by changes brought in by a government that feels completely out of touch with the realities of small, independent businesses like ours. We’ve done everything we can, but the numbers just don’t add up anymore.

To every single one of you who walked through our doors, shared a meal, brought your loved ones, celebrated milestones, or simply showed up to support us, thank you. Your kindness, loyalty, and love meant more than you’ll ever know. We’ve made memories that will stay with us for a lifetime, and we’re so proud of what we built with you by our side.

If there’s one thing we ask as we say goodbye, it’s this: please continue to support your local businesses. They are the heart of your community, and right now, they need you more than ever."

Big Smoke website

Images: Big Smoke

Read more...

News: New Rotherham restaurant fired up for opening

A new Rotherham restaurant is waiting to see if it will be allowed to open as planned next week.

Rothbiz revealed in September that The Big Smoke was taking on the former Florence Nightingale pub at Moorgate, which was most recently Modern China.

Operators recently set a date for opening of December 4.

But as we move out of a second national lockdown, the Government has announced that England will instead continue to use a sensible approach based on three tiers.

And if Rotherham and South Yorkshire are placed in the "very high alert" tier, as it was in October, it would mean that Big Smoke and other restaurants would be unable to operate as normal. In Tier 3, hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed but they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

Advertisement
A post on the Big Smoke Facebook page yesterday explained that they were waiting for the announcement today before making any decisions on what to do moving forward.

Before becoming "The Florence," the building and the site on the edge of Rotherham town centre links back to the former Moorgate Hospital, and before that the Rotherham Workhouse. It is within the Moorgate Conservation Area.

With a 4,600 sq ft ground floor, the transformed restaurant has recently launched its menu which features a range of burger with names such as "Return of the Mac" and "The Porky Peppered Pig." Seven types of steaks are joined by ribs, chicken, brisket and "The Yorkshire Sarnie."

Another new Rotherham restaurant, Rancheros, is also hoping to open next week at Stag.

Big Smoke website

Images: Big Smoke / Facebook

Read more...