News: Forge Island prepares for fit out as hotel opens for bookings

The new multimillion pound Travelodge Hotel being built on Forge Island in Rotherham has begun taking bookings for when it opens this summer.

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 six independent restaurants on the riverside, including The Rustic Pizza Company, Estabulo, and Sakku Samba.

The hotel, the first Travelodge in the borough, is now is bookable for stays from July 8 2024.

The four storey hotel is being built by Bowmer + Kirkland on the north of the Forge Island site. It was designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. The new Rotherham hotel will be in Travelodge's new-build budget luxe hotel brand. It has also been confirmed that it will incorporate the new Bar Café concept offering unlimited breakfast, tasty evening meals and fresh barista coffee.

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In 2022 Travelodge announced that it was evolving its core brand product to a new budget-luxe premium look and feel design which includes all the low cost efficiencies you would expect from Travelodge, but with the added benefit of thoughtful, stylish design and homely touches throughout its interiors.

Standard rooms (with new décor and signature king size "Dreamer" bed) are priced at £77.99 for the saver rate and £89.99 for the flexible rate.

Also on Forge Island, Arc Cinemas is currently recruiting for a general manager.

The job advert reads: "The Arc Cinema will be opening its doors to offer an ultra high specification luxury cinema experience to customers in Rotherham. A brand new build, scheduled to open in August 2024, with 8 screens, The Arc Cinema will offer something special for all movie lovers. State-of-the-art facilities offering the ultimate blockbuster experience, while smaller screens provide a more intimate movie watching atmosphere. All screens feature VIP electric recliner seats as standard.

"We pride ourselves in taking great care of our customers, and on becoming a central part of each community that we serve."

On the food and beverage offer, incoming outlet, Rustic Pizza Co has provided an update on Forge Island progress.

The Rustic Pizza Co was founded in 2017. Its base at Lakeside in Doncaster offers authentic Neopolitan style pizza, Italian hand-pulled coffee and rustic breakfasts.

A recent update to Facebook said: "We attended a site visit at Rotherham Forge island this week and to say we are excited would be an understatement! We will be starting our fit out in the next couple of weeks and we can’t wait to bring Rustic to Rotherham!"

Forge Island website
Travelodge website
Arc Cinema website
Rustic Pizza Co website

Images: Travelodge / Rustic Pizza Co / Facebook

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News: Partners see inside £47m Forge Island leisure development

Project partners were given a sneak peek inside the new leisure spaces at Forge Island, ahead of the development reaching practical completion in the spring.

The landmark leisure destination in Rotherham town centre is being delivered by teams from Rotherham Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor, Bowmer + Kirkland.

Last week, Council Leader Chris Read; Cllr Denise Lelliott, Cabinet member for Jobs and the Local Economy, Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, and Hamza Sayed, Operations Director of Thistle Group Holding – who are opening three food and drink eateries at Forge Island - headed to site for special ‘behind the scenes’ tour. This was an opportunity for a first look inside the buildings ahead of them being handed over to the tenants to begin their fit-outs in a few weeks’ time.

The family-friendly destination is set to add to Rotherham town centre’s foodie offering, with Thistle opening Portuguese and Southern African eatery, Casa Peri Peri, created by Masterchef finalist, Bobby Geetha; Estabulo Rodizio, a concept honouring the Gaucho style of cooking and luxury coffee shop Caffé Noor. Other Yorkshire independents coming to Forge Island also include The Rustic Pizza Co.

Forge Island will also include an 8-screen state-of-the-art boutique cinema, delivered by The Arc Cinema, alongside a 69-room Travelodge hotel, complemented by stunning public realm and a new riverside park. Hundreds of local people recently flocked to Rotherham Council’s annual recruitment fair to find about employment opportunities at Forge Island, who will become a substantial local employer once open creating around 100 jobs.

Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans aimed at breathing new life into the heart of the borough.

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Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Cllr Denise Lelliott said: "To see the development today rising up out of the old Forge Island site is really something and we’re firmly on track to putting a sense pride back into the town centre. This presents a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to be part of one of the most attractive leisure destinations in the region. This site will offer high quality restaurants, a hotel on a scale of which has not been seen in the town centre before, and a new cinema bringing blockbuster movies back to the town centre for the first time in over 30 years. With spring having sprung, and summer round the corner. we’re on track and very much looking forward to celebrating an amazing launch.”

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said: “It’s exciting to share with our partners the work that’s been going on inside these spaces: the project team have done an amazing job of keeping us on track to open this summer. We’re looking forward to handing over the keys to the new tenants so that they can begin their fit-out works and bring us even closer to realising Forge Island – which will soon be a new leisure destination for everyone to enjoy.”

Hamza Sayed, Operations Director of Thistle Group Holding added: "We are thrilled to introduce these new culinary experiences to the community. Each restaurant embodies our passion for food, service, and creating memorable dining experiences. We can't wait to welcome guests and share our vision with them."

Forge Island is due to open to the public in summer 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC

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News: Construction milestone reached at Forge Island

Workers celebrated a major milestone on Forge Island recently with popcorn and deckchairs as the shells of the cinema and hotel completed on the flagship development.

Rothbiz reported last month that the Rotherham town centre leisure-led development was on track to open to the public towards the end of summer 2024.

The £47m development is being delivered by teams from Rotherham Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor, Bowmer + Kirkland. During the topping out event –which marks the last beam being placed on top a structure during its construction – builders enjoyed the sweet success of completing the final building on site.

Once fitted out, the building will host an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema. It will also be the first cinema in the heart of Rotherham for more than 30 years and will be a major part of Forge Island’s family-friendly offer.

Brian Gilligan, Director of The Arc Cinema, who attended the topping out, said: “We’re very excited to open on Forge Island later this year and it’s fantastic to be here today and see our cinema taking shape. The Arc Cinema is known for their top-class facilities and we’re proud to say that the new location at Forge Island will be no exception. We also place a strong emphasis on building personal connections within the community – which includes recruiting locally – and our aim is to create a meaningful place that belongs to the people of Rotherham just as much as it belongs to us.”

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Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans aimed at breathing new life into the heart of the borough.

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “It’s just over a year since we broke ground and here we are topping out these amazing buildings with more exciting milestones to come. Forge Island is the single biggest investment in our town centre for decades and will provide residents from across Rotherham with a family-friendly destination they can enjoy and be proud to have on their doorstep.”

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, added: “We’re thrilled to have reached this significant and very visual milestone that shows just how far this scheme has progressed over recent months. We have been working closely in partnership with the Council to create something special for the people of Rotherham and this will undoubtedly help to bring families into the town centre and enjoy it as a leisure destination once again.”

The cinema will sit beside a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as six independent restaurants on the riverside, including The Rustic Pizza Company, Estabulo, and Sakku Samba.

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge, UK Development Director said: “We can't wait to open our new hotel later this year and it's fantastic to witness this significant milestone in development. Rotherham is growing at pace and has one of the fastest growing economies in Yorkshire. Our 69-room Travelodge hotel will also have an on-site restaurant and car parking. With the railway station, the town centre amenities and Rotherham United's AESSEAL New York Stadium within an easy walk, the Travelodge will be ideally located for business and leisure guests. This ground-breaking scheme is an excellent, new leisure destination that I'm sure will be of great benefit to the Rotherham community and visitors to the area for many years to come."

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / Joe Horner

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News: Rotherham's Forge Island on track for 2024 completion

Building work is on track at Forge Island in Rotherham as the flagship development enters the final months of construction ahead of opening to the public towards the end of summer 2024.

The new landmark destination, which will bring a much-needed family-friendly offer to Rotherham as part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered in partnership with the Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.

Work began on site in November 2022 and construction has continued at pace, with all topping out milestones due to be reached early next year on the cinema, Travelodge hotel and retail buildings – set to house a mix of independent eateries. Once construction completes at the end of spring, the tenants will fit out their premises ready for the scheme opening.

Work has also recently got underway on the £30m+ markets redevelopment across town with Rotherham Council's cabinet approving the way forward this week.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Denise Lelliott said; “These developments form the main cornerstones of the council’s multi-million-pound investment in Rotherham’s future. A number of major milestones have been achieved at Forge Island over the last 12 months, including the installation of a new pedestrian bridge, which connects to the town centre and which nods to the town’s rich engineering heritage and is inspired by the world-famous Bailey Bridge designed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, during the Second World War. Thousands of local people also discovered more about the past, present and future of Forge Island at a dedicated marquee at the Rotherham Show in September.”

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Earlier this year, two giant cranes erected on site were named ‘Rotherham Rainbow’ and ‘Steely Crane’ by pupils at the local Thornbury Primary school following a ‘crane naming’ competition which received more than 70 entries. The cranes were dismantled last month as construction work nears completion, but children from the school were recently invited back to the site for a special ‘time capsule’ ceremony which saw books, school uniform, glasses and colourful drawings added to specially made capsule now buried on site.

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said: “Developing a transformational scheme of this scale always comes with its challenges – not least the difficulties of building on an ‘island’ surrounded by water – so the fact we’ve remained on track is a testament to the hard work of the whole project team. It’s fantastic to see the impact Forge Island has already made on the town centre skyline, and we can’t wait for the community to come and enjoy all that it has to offer when it opens next year.”

Construction work on the £47m Forge Island scheme – which was announced as 100% let in October 2022 – is led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture. The new pedestrian bridge was designed by FaulknerBrowne Architects.

Arc Cinemas is the anchor tenant. The Rustic Pizza Co, Cow & Cream, Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo Rodizio, Sakku Samba and Caffe Noor will offer visitors a range of culinary flavours from across the world.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC

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News: New Rotherham cinema in the frame

The new cinema in Rotherham town centre has started to come into view at the £47m Forge Island development.

The town has gone nearly 35 years without a cinema. Cannon, the last town centre cinema, closed in 1990.

The new Arc Cinema is slated to open in 2024 with contractors, Bowmer & Kirkland making swift progress for Rotherham Council and its development partner, Muse Developments. Indeed working hours were extended to include more time for construction on Saturdays (except when there's a Rotherham United home game).

As shown in the image above, the platform for the development has been installed with the 340 space car park underneath and the new structure being built on top.

Plans were approved in 2020 for the scheme which will also include a new Travelodge hotel and six food and drink outlets, which are already fully let.

Positioned at the south of the former home of the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the design of the cinema looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

Rothbiz reported in May that operators Arc are set to bring two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.

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Also on the construction site, two eye-catching cranes have been named by children at Thornhill Primary School.

More than 70 pupils from the school in Masborough submitted names for the cranes, and a range of colourful pictures of their crane characters, to Forge Island site developers, Muse.

After a long and difficult deliberation, the two winning entries were "Rotherham Rainbow" by Redwanella, aged 7 and "Steely Crane" by Selda, aged 9.

The competition winners were invited down to the construction site for a hard hat tour with the project team and to see their winning names attached to the 37-metre and 25-metre-high cranes.

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said: “We had so many wonderful entries that it was difficult to choose just two names, so thank you to all the pupils who took part. Our winning names really capture the essence of Forge Island, with Rotherham Rainbow representing a bright future for the town, and Steely Crane a nod to the site’s heritage as a steel forge.

“We’ve also decided to have a selection of the other pictures made into colourful hoardings around the site – a brilliant daily inspiration for the project team who are working hard to create something quite special here for families who live in and visit Rotherham. We plan to work with more local schools and community groups over the next year to bring them on the journey with us and build anticipation before the scheme opens to the public in 2024.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Victoria Cusworth, said: “It is great to see the borough’s young people getting involved in this flagship scheme and it really underlines the fact that, once opened, Forge Island will be a family destination.

“Forge Island will be a space for residents of all ages to enjoy and socialise, while accessing some brilliant amenities and restaurants. Along with Riverside Gardens, it will provide a gateway to Rotherham’s riverside where residents will be able to enjoy urban wildlife and nature. Overall, it will be hugely beneficial to residents by promoting a strong economy, good mental and physical wellbeing, and strengthening our communities.”

Forge Island website

Images: Tom Austen / Muse

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News: New bridge lifted into place at Forge Island

A striking new pedestrian bridge has been successfully lifted into place at Forge Island in Rotherham linking the flagship development with the town centre.

The Forge Island development, part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered in partnership with the Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor Bowman + Kirkland.

The bridge will offer a vital connection from the town centre to the new family-friendly leisure destination – as well as a link to the town’s remarkable engineering heritage.

The 46-meter-long bridge, weighing 86 tonnes, was manufactured and installed by S H Structures, specialists in the design and manufacture of complex steel structures. Over a period of two days, a crane was erected and rigged, ready for the careful installation of the bridge which took one hour, in a military precision operation watched by local residents from vantage points across the town centre.

The design takes inspiration from the world-famous Bailey Bridge; a portable, steel-truss bridge, designed and developed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, which was used by the military throughout Europe during the Second World War.

Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, the new bridge is a celebration of Rotherham’s engineering heritage, taking inspiration from the original design to create a contemporary permanent gateway structure for the town.

The diamond truss steel design that is synonymous with Bailey Bridges is clad with red/brown perforated steel panelling to fit with the colour of planned Forge Island buildings, another nod to the history of the area, which originated as a steel forge in the 19th century.

The bridge will be illuminated at night, to make a striking visual feature of its unique structural elements to enhance the experience of everyone who visits Forge Island.

The bridge will provide pedestrians and cyclists with an eye-catching crossing from the town centre across the River Don, to the new waterside destination, which will feature a mix of independent and family-friendly eateries alongside boutique cinema operator, The Arc and national hotel chain, Travelodge, all set within attractive new public spaces.

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Andrew Fairest, Project Director at Muse, said: “This is an important milestone for the whole Forge Island development, as we link this new waterfront destination to the Rotherham community, making sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy what Forge Island has to offer.

“Rotherham’s engineering heritage was a wonderful starting point for the Muse team, offering a rich seam of inspiration and shaping our thinking around Forge Island. The bridge is a key part of this exciting new chapter in Rotherham’s story, linking the past with the present and future.”

Over the next few weeks, a podium is being built on site, which will elevate the scheme out of the floodplain of the River Don. Work will then begin to construct the buildings and new landscaped public spaces, including a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “This major milestone not only shows that the Forge Island development scheme is forging ahead, is it also showcases a symbolic connection between Forge Island and the heart of the town centre. Once Forge Island opens, this bridge will be the main gateway from the cinema, hotel and restaurants to the rich heritage and culture of the town centre, and I am sure that my footsteps will be a few of thousands.”

Construction work on the £47m Forge Island scheme – which was announced as 100% let in October 2022 – is led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture.

Forge Island is set to open to the public in 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: B & K / Reach Timelapse

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News: Demolition begins on former Wilkos site in Rotherham town centre

Demolition work on the former Wilkos building on Corporation Street is under way as the regeneration of Rotherham town centre continues.

As reported by Rothbiz, the Council acquired the building at 4 Corporation Street in January 2023 to prevent it from becoming a long-term empty building, after high street household, DIY and homewares chain, Wilkos, closed the store after 127 years in the town centre.

The authority said that the site will be utilised to enhance the Town Centre Masterplan, and over the next 18 months will be part of the Forge Island site compound.

A planning application for demolition showed that the site was earmarked as the potential location for a new theatre.

The 20,423 sq ft property was vacated by the value general merchandise retailer at the start of 2022. It sits alongside the former Riverside Precinct and Chantry Buildings - again acquired and demolished by the council as part of regerenation works - and the former Mecca Bingo, another authority acquisition "that will contribute to the further regeneration of the Leisure & Cultural Quarter."

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A new theatre is included in a new place-based investment strategy outlined by the council and has been given an investment figure of c.£28m.

Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed to do the demolition work as they are the main contrator on the Forge Island scheme.

Heavy plant machinery is currently in operation on the back of the building and will continue to demolish the rest of the structure in sections over the next six weeks.

After being removed, the materials will be recycled and reused in other projects across the UK.

Prior to the demolition starting, the building was stripped inside to ensure that all asbestos was removed.

Cllr Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economy said: “With the crane now towering over the ongoing works on Forge Island and more town centre homes becoming occupied, we’re making progress on our plans to regenerate Rotherham town centre. The closure of Wilko’s after such a long time was clearly a loss but sadly this is a pattern seen in other town centres across the country. So rather than leave the building empty we want to use the space to help facilitate the wider Forge Island development over the coming months.”

Images: RMBC

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News: Contracts awarded for Rotherham town centre regen projects

Private sector contractors have been appointed to progress Rotherham Council-led regeneration schemes in Rotherham town centre.

On Corporation Street, where the authority has acquired the former Wilko's retail unit, Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed to do the demolition work.

The construction and development group is in town having been awarded the £33.9m construction contract via Muse and the council for the nearby Forge Island development – bringing a state-of-the-art cinema, 69 room hotel, and six restaurants providing food from around the world to the town centre.

With work underway, a council report shows that transport bosses have indicated that they will not support the closure of Corporation Street for a prolonged period, meaning the only workable access is from the Forge Island side.

The report also shows that Bowmer & Kirkland has raised concerns over the demolition of 4 Corporation Street "stating that there is a real danger of both delays to the programme and a risk to health and safety if another contractor is brought into the scheme to work in the same space at the same time as the main works are progressing.

"Bowmer & Kirkland have a wealth of experience in completing demolition and refurbishment schemes and would be looking to commence the works as soon as possible to minimise the impact to the HV /substation installation and the works around the entrance. Logistically, they would be able to incorporate the demolition whilst carrying out works on site B [part of the Forge Island site], this would take a large amount of planning in terms of access and egress, however if they had control over both sites this would be manageable."

The site had been earmarked as the potential location for a new theatre.

A figure for the contract has not been disclosed.

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Meanwhile, at the delayed pocket park on the High Street, local firm, SME Environmental Services Ltd has been appointed to carry out works including some remaining site clearance, along with blocking up access between the adjacent building, and the installation of vehicle barriers to the adjacent car park. The contract value is £49,880.

The plans for the former Primark store have been scaled back as the council wrestles with delays and rising costs.

Along Sheffield Road and Westgate, where Rotherham Council has purchased further properties and plots of land for housing, Esh Construction Ltd has been awarded a contract for enabling works.

A council report on the £483,842.47 contract states: "As part of Rotherham’s continued diversification of and investment in the town centre this scheme contributes to the delivery of a new residential quarter in the town centre. This contract will facilitate the progression of the Riverside Residential Quarter through the development of an engineering design solution and delivery strategy for a new riverside walk and realignment and infrastructure works to Water Lane."

Images: Google Maps

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News: Forge Island construction contract awarded

One of the most successful and financially secure, privately owned construction and development groups in the UK is to build the long-awaited Forge Island regeneration scheme in Rotherham.

Ground works recently began on the Forge Island development – bringing a state-of-the-art cinema, 69 room hotel, and six restaurants providing food from around the world to the town centre.

Bowmer & Kirkland has bagged the £33.9m construction contract.

The Derbyshire company was founded in 1923 and for 2021 had a turnover of £1.2 billion.

Forge Island is a Council-owned site which sits between the River Don and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal. The Council's Cabinet recently approved an increase in the Council’s Capital Programme to cover the £46.8m costs of the scheme which is expected to be covered by the authority's own borrowing and capital resources.

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The funding deal cemented the contract with the Council's delivery partner, Muse, for the delivery of Forge Island, and subsequently the construction contract with Bowmer & Kirkland.

A spokesperson from Bowmer & Kirkland, said: "No longer will the people of Rotherham have to leave their town to watch a movie as we have started work to build an eight-screen cinema , food and drink units, a 69-bedroom hotel, car parking for 340 cars and a new pedestrian bridge spanning the River Don.

"Working for Muse Developments on the Forge Island area in the town, we will be building a podium level above the flood level of the site to provide the ground floor of the buildings and all will be completed by Spring 2024."

Bowmer & Kirkland website
Forge Island website

Images: RMBC

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News: Latest Forge Island plans approved

Updated plans for the Forge Island regeneration scheme in Rotherham town centre have been approved.

Forge Island is a Council-owned site which sits between the River Don and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal. Led by Muse Developments, it will host a new leisure scheme with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and beverage (F&B) outlets and car parking. It is set to be completed in 2024.

A hybrid planning application was approved in 2020 and since then, major hotel brand, Travelodge, has signed up alongside boutique cinema operator, The Arc, to jointly anchor the scheme.

The latest plans were submitted by Muse to include further exacting details for the two occupiers. They have been approved without going to the Council's planning board.

The previously approved plans are for a four storey, 69 bed hotel at the north of the site, designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. An adjoining restaurant (two storey) is also in the plans.

The hotel changes are largely internal and would result in a reduction in the floorspace of the restaurant. However, documents show that the commercial requirements for the restaurant require a minimum of 2,400 sq ft to be available so the floorplate of the restaurant building is proposed to be extended 3 metres further south.

Council planners say that this extension is not anticipated to have any adverse visual impact on the development proposed or its surroundings.

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2020 plans detailed the cinema - the largest building in the scheme at 25,000 sq ft, positioned at the south of Forge Island. Either side of the cinema's foyer are two restaurant units (2,500 sq and 3,000 sq ft), which have the potential for mezzanine levels. Plans show five screens with between 125 and 143 seats and three smaller screens of between 50 and 83 seats. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

The proposed amendments to the approved cinema drawings are at plant / roof level to allow for a minor increase to the size of the plant zone. This will allow equipment to sit at plant floor level, as originally intended, and therefore below the ridge of the proposed roof line and be visually concealed.

Another change is to the proposed pedestrian bridge which will need to be wider than the original design to allow for fire engine access from Corporation Street to the main Forge Island area.

The widening of the bridge has also meant that the cafe building proposed in the new public realm area replacing the Riverside Precinct has had to be relocated. Planners state that this area, to be known as Millgate Place, "will offer an attractive gateway/link between the Town Centre and Forge Island. The slightly altered location of the coffee pod enables an improved level access pedestrian link to the adjacent riverside walk and Riverside gardens."

Enabling works are underway on a replacement footbridge, with the contractor starting on site this month. Regarding the flood works, the canal barrier at Forge Island has been operational since mid August.

Muse has also submitted a Construction & Environment Management Plan for the leisure scheme. Drawn up by Bowmer & Kirkland, it is a big hint that it will be the Derbyshire company, one of the most successful and financially secure, privately owned construction and development groups in the UK, that will be taking on the construction of the Forge Island scheme.

The council heard earlier this year that Muse was looking to apoint a contractor with a negotiated price in order to produce the best possible price and greatest level of certainty around cost. Work to secure a funder for the scheme was also reported as being close.

An update to the Council's cabinet next week adds: "The detailed design of the flagship leisure development at Forge Island - comprising a cinema, hotel, and restaurants – is on track and expected this month (September 2022), allowing construction to begin."

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / Travelodge

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