News: Further uncertainty as Rotherham pub goes up for sale

The future of a pub restaurant in Rotherham is still unclear after its owners put the site up for sale.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on bosses at Whitbread, the leading hospitality business, putting in place a refocused growth plan in the UK to replace all remaining branded restaurants following a review.

The decision created uncertainty for many of the company's sites including The Brecks in Rotherham which is part of Whitbread's Beefeater portfolio and is connected to Premier Inn Rotherham East, part of the UK's biggest hotel brand that is also owned by Whitbread.

Now Whitbread has appointed expert agents Christie & Co to offload a raft of pub restaurants across the UK, including The Brecks.

Expanding its "Accelerating Growth Plan" Whitbread said that 197 branded restaurants would be replaced "with a more efficient and tailored F&B [Food & Beverage] offering for our guests."

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By April Whitbread said that it had already agreed the sale of 51 branded restaurants for £50m and agreed terms for the sale, subject to conditions, on a further 60 sites.

Around 100 remaining properties are being offered for sale as going concerns with trade fixtures and fittings included in the purchase price.

The freehold of The Brecks on Wickersley Road has been given a guide price of £750,000 + VAT.

The particulars for the "Prime Roadside Location" property states that it is an "opportunity to acquire a long-established food-led pub restaurant operating under the recognised Beefeater brand [that] benefits from consistent breakfast, lunch and dinner trade, strong family customer base, established wet and food operation [and] repeat local custom."

It adds that the adjacent hotel-related trade supports breakfast and evening demand for the pub restaurant that has 150 internal and 80 external covers.

The Premier Inn on East Bawtry Road secured planning permission last year for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

It has been widely reported that all Beefeater pubs will close in September.

Whitbread website

Images: Christie & Co

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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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News: Changes on the way at popular Rotherham pub restaurant

The future of a pub restaurant in Rotherham is unclear after its owners carried out a wide ranging review of its business.

The Brecks in Rotherham is part of Whitbread's Beefeater portfolio and is connected to Premier Inn Rotherham East, part of the UK's biggest hotel brand that is also owned by Whitbread.

Having undertaken a review, bosses at the leading hospitality business are putting in place a refocused growth plan in the UK to replace all remaining branded restaurants.

Expanding its "Accelerating Growth Plan" will see 197 branded restaurants replaced "with a more efficient and tailored F&B [Food & Beverage] offering for our guests."

The company said it had seen positive early results two years into the original plan to optimise the delivery of F&B at a number of sites by converting lower returning branded restaurants into a higher margin and more efficient, integrated F&B offering, and converting space into new hotel rooms.

Whitbread added that it had already agreed the sale of 51 branded restaurants for £50m and agreed terms for the sale, subject to conditions, on a further 60 sites.

The sales are expected to be as going concerns over the next 24 months with the investment into creating more efficient integrated restaurants set to take place in the 2027 financial year.

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An update from Whitbread said: "Moving to a 100% integrated F&B offering will improve the guest experience and add more higher returning extension rooms and we will deliver 15% - 20% returns on capital by FY31 [the 2031 financial year].

"With over 500 integrated restaurants already operational across our UK estate, it is clear that this F&B format is preferred by our hotel guests and delivers better margins and returns than the branded restaurant format."

Dominic Paul, Chief Executive at Whitbread plc, said: "Owning a significant proportion of our property is a unique strength which powers the growth of Premier Inn while supporting our resilience as a business, underpinned by a strong balance sheet. But we can improve our approach. We will refocus our capital spend and recycle more of our freehold real estate, driving increased margins and returns, reducing our capital intensity and increasing cash returns for shareholders.

"By making our assets work harder and focusing on the highest returning projects, we will be able to continue to take advantage of constrained supply to strengthen our position in both of our core markets, whilst at the same time deliver attractive financial outcomes for shareholders.

"In the UK, by reallocating some of our capital spend and building on the success of our Accelerating Growth Plan, we plan to convert all our remaining branded restaurants to an integrated food and beverage offer that is preferred by our hotel guests and will unlock the addition of more highly profitable extension rooms. Our continued efforts to drive our commercial plan and efficiencies will extend our market-leading position and allow us to take share from our competitors, many of which are struggling to grow."

The Premier Inn on East Bawtry Road secured planning permission last year for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would provide an additional 16 bedrooms but two current rooms would be lost to create a new corridor. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

The update from Whitbread added: "Against a backdrop of limited UK supply growth, we will open a further 3,000 higher returning extension rooms (including the original plan and the extension of the plan) that are being added in locations where we know from our trading data that, at certain periods, demand outstrips supply and so we are confident that these additional rooms will deliver highly attractive financial returns."

Whitbread website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham Premier Inn plans passed

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted to approve an expansion at a popular hotel, despite a number of objections.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 that Premier Inn had identified a "considerable demand" for additional accommodation at its Rotherham East hotel in the Brecks area. It came eight years after the operator secured approval for a similar scheme that was never built.

Rothbiz has also reported that the latest proposed development would lead to a net reduction of 15 car parking spaces and that the recent introduction of time limited restrictions and charges at the car park led to Rotherham's highways department raising concerns. 144 objections from local residents have also been submitted, almost all related to the loss of car parking or an excacerbation of existing parking problems in the area.

The latest proposal, drawn up by Walshingham Planning, is for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would provide an additional 16 bedrooms but two current rooms would be lost to create a new corridor. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76 and lead to a net reduction of 15 car parking spaces.

Following a number of surveys requested by the council, including assessing on-street parking nearby and the use of car park between the hotel and pub and the Sainsbury's convenience store, snooker club and dance school, the planners at Rotherham Council concluded that "the objections raised would not outweigh the judgement that the development would not cause unacceptable impact on highway safety, or a severe impact on the road network."

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It is concluded that, based on the survey’s undertaken, "there is the potential for some displaced parking to on-street parking to take place, for a short time period in the evening, though this is as a result of the activities of the adjoining convenience store, snooker hall and dance hall, where patronage exceeds their 18 allocated car parking spaces" with users also occupying spaces in the Whitbread car parking areas.

The planning board were told that even with the increase in the number of rooms and the decrease in parking spaces, the car park users visiting the hotel and pub could still be accommodated on the site without pushing the customers onto nearby streets.

Jonathan Vose of Walshingham Planning, said: "The proposal represents the expansion of an existing tourism asset on brownfield land, and will contribute to Rotherham’s tourism offer and economy via private investment by the UK’s largest hotelier."

Objectors discussed that shared parking arrangements ended when Whitbread introduced fees for car park users and that they feel that the survey fails to tell the whole story as it was only carried out for three days. Janet Mitchell of the nearby dance school warned that: "We may not be able to continue if people cannot find places to park or just drop and collect their children."

Simon Gammons, senior highways manager at Rotherham Council told the board: "This is an application for a private business on their own land, and their car park. In a perfect world it would be shared and everyone would operate together but, at the moment, Premier Inn own them 80-odd spaces and their hotel, and the facts are that they can accommodate their own traffic. The others can't."

Members of the board were told that it would be up to, and in the best interests of, the convenience store, snooker club and dance school to put in place some management of its parking spaces to prevent users of the hotel using them, but this was not part of the application.

Seven councillors voted to approve the plans, with one voting against and one abstention.

Images: Google Maps

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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: More micropubs in Rotherham

Rotherham's thirst for micropubs continues with new openings and plans being put forward for new venues and expansion.

At the end of 2024, a new bar / bistro opened in a parade of units in the heart of Ravenfield.

The Longbar's licensee has previously held licences for the Yellow Lion in Greasbrough and the Effingham Arms in Rotherham town centre.

The venue was designed to be a café/coffee shop and deli during the daytime and a small wine bar in the evening, with seating for 38 persons and is described as "a venue that local clientele can walk to and enjoy food and drink in a “high end establishment”".

In securing the alcohol licence, David Marshall explained: "During the day the premises will operate as a café, providing a warm and friendly environment for local people to get together and enjoy a coffee or a bite of lunch. The plan for the evening operation is to create a small, sophisticated bistro, a place where people will want to dress up to visit and enjoy a classy upmarket environment."

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At Brecks, planning is underway for a new venture aiming to create a vibrant local venue for quality coffee, craft ales, and social interaction.

A planning application has been submitted that would enable "Barrel & Bean" to take over an empty unit on Wickersley Road.

If approved, the change of use plans involve converting a vacant dental training centre into a combined coffee shop and craft ale bar.

The applicant, Anthony Marples, explains: "The idea for Barrel & Bean originated in 2024 during a golfing trip among eight friends who envisioned a local craft ale bar providing quality cask and keg ales in a relaxed setting. This vision expanded to include high-quality coffee, teas, and cakes, leading to the name "Barrel & Bean."

"Seeking an ideal location, the group identified the vacant premises at 263 Wickersley Road, Brecks, which had remained unused for some time. Given the limited coffee shop and bar options in the area, this location presents an opportunity to create a vibrant social hub without necessitating extensive travel."

Plans have also been submitted that would enable The Rawmarsh Tap to relocate over the road from its current premises.

A change of use application is in for a former beauty salon on Kilnhurst Road.

Applicant, Clair Meigh, explained the issues with the current premises: "Having recently submitted a pre-planning application it has become apparent that my business does not hold the correct permissions unbeknown to me on purchase. I served 23 years in the Royal Air Force and I am Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualified, therefore I pride myself on honesty and integrity, and would like the opportunity to rectify this and prove that my little business causes no harm/disturbance to my neighbours.

"My customer base is aged 40+, who enjoy the low level, calm environment that my business provides, rather than the loud "Tap room" environment associated with local public houses. I do not anticipate this to change. I have carried out a customer survey and all my customers are in support of the move."

Longbar facebook page
Rawmarsh Tap facebook page

Images: Longbar / Rawmarsh Tap / facebook

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News: Parking concerns raised again over Rotherham hotel expansion plans

Concerns have been raised about the impact of restrictions on the car park at a Rotherham hotel where operators want to expand.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 that Premier Inn had identified a "considerable demand" for additional accommodation at its Rotherham East hotel in the Brecks area.

Eight years after the operator secured approval for a similar scheme, the latest proposal, drawn up by Walshingham Planning, is for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would provide an additional 16 bedrooms but two current rooms would be lost to create a new corridor. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

2016 plans for an extension to the east was for a net increase of 21 bedrooms over three floors. It was approved despite objections regarding car parking and the impact on nearby businesses. However, the scheme was never built out.

The latest proposed development would lead to a net reduction of 15 car parking spaces but it is the recent introduction of time limited restrictions and charges at the car park that has led to Rotherham's highways department raising concerns.

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Nigel Davey, Highway Development Management Engineer at Rotherham Council explained that: "Since this [2016] application was approved, the owners of the hotel have introduced time limited restrictions on the car park(s) for those visitors to the restaurant, and additionally, there is now a car park charge for those visitors to the hotel. I note that the surrounding roads, with the exception of Bawtry Road, do not have any restrictions preventing parking.

"I have consulted with colleagues within the Council’s Transportation Unit, and they have indicated that the Council have received complaints made by the general public, regarding parking on Brecks Lane, which is adjacent to the application site."

Whitbread, which operates the hotel and adjoining pub / restaurant, has said that it has no intentions of amending the parking restrictions.

Highways are already concerned about parking on nearby residential roads and on the busy junction of Brecks Lane and Bawtry Road.

Davey concludes: "I am therefore concerned, that the effect of the car park management restrictions that have been introduced in conjunction with the application for the additional bedrooms at the hotel resulting in a loss of car park spaces should the application be approved, will result in additional vehicles parking on adjacent side roads, potentially having a detrimental effect on road safety and the amenity of nearby residents."

Premier Inn website

Images: Google Maps

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News: £26m allocated for new Rotherham cycle schemes

The latest schemes aimed at improving options for public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling in Rotherham will cost around £26m, according to the latest update from transport bosses at Rotherham Council.

Consultation for a scheme in the Eastwood area began in October with the proposals for the installation of new bus lanes and cycle lanes to create a sustainable transport corridor incorporating Fitzwilliam Road and St Ann's Roundabout.

Last month, consultation began on a similar scheme for the Moorgate and Broom area which is also set to address issues at Stag roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds, Head of Transportation Infrastructure Service at Rotherham Council, recently updated elected members on the new projects, saying that £16m had been allocated for the Eastwood scheme and around £10m allocated for the Moorgate and Broom Network Improvements.

The funding is coming from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), £570m from the government to the region to bring significant improvements to South Yorkshire’s transport system.

For the Eastwood scheme, the biggest change proposed is for St Ann's Roundabout, where the council is proposing to bring the crossings up to ground level and fill in the subways to make the space feel more welcoming. For Fitzwilliam Road the plan is to provide bus priority and separate cycleways.

A bus lane in the Rotherham-bound direction would make bus services faster and more reliable and the bus lane at Mushroom roundabout would be extended to Chesterton Road. Painted cycle lanes are set to be replaced with dedicated cycle tracks to separate cyclists from motor traffic and improve safety and new designated parking spaces are also included.

£4.6m has been set aside for additional ideas proposed by the community for improvements in the neighbourhoods - streetlighting, road resurfacing, new crossings, addressing parking issues around the local schools.

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The Broom Road / Wickersley Corridor Sustainable Transport Scheme includes work at Stag roundabout, sustainable travel measures on Wickersley Road, the extension of the recently completed Broom Road cycleway, and an Active Travel Scheme in the Moorgate area.

A segregated footway and cycle route is planned from the existing scheme at Clifton Roundabout, through to Brecks roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds explained that the cycle scheme at Eastwood was a very difficult scheme. He said: "It is probably going to be more difficult to deliver than any other scheme we have on the books at the moment."

The council confirmed that there are issues at St Ann's Roundabout such as the subways and for bus operators. There are also some "considerable implications" in the area such as utilities in the middle of the roundabout and that run down Fitzwilliam Road. Flooding and disruption during the works were also being taken into account.

Reynolds added: "We are working really closely with the community, as much as we can, to understand what the concerns are and how we can improve the project. We are at the absolute first stage of feasability - there is plenty of time to shape it and plenty of time to work with people. Ultimately, we want to do that because we want something that everybody understands and buys into, and can see the bigger picture as to why we are doing these kind of schemes."

The funding deadline for the £16m project is March 2027 and Galliford Try Construction Ltd is working on the scheme.

For the other scheme, Reynolds discussed the issues with the zebra crossings at the Stag roundabout adding that: "It is an opportunity to bring improvements to the Stag - we can do some public realm work for example, bring some planting and greening, benches - that neighbourhood focus on the shops and amenities that are there."

The completion deadline in the current programme for the £10m project is January 2027. Esh Councstruction has signed up to deliver the scheme.

Reynolds added: "Again we are at the very early stages of consultation and engagement so we want to hear everyone's views on this."

RMBC consultation website

Images: RMBC / Google Maps

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News: Rotherham Council starts consultation on new £8m active travel scheme

Local residents and road users can have their say on Rotherham Council's proposals for the Moorgate and Broom area.

The £8m scheme is also set to address issues at Stag roundabout.

Consultation for a similar £12m scheme in the Eastwood area began last month after Rothbiz revealed that the hope is for bus lanes and cycle lanes to create a sustainable transport corridor incorporating Fitzwilliam Road and St Ann's Roundabout.

The Broom Road / Wickersley Corridor Sustainable Transport Scheme includes work at Stag roundabout, sustainable travel measures on Wickersley Road, the extension of the recently completed Broom Road cycleway, and an Active Travel Scheme in the Moorgate area.

Consultation documents confirm proposals for separate cycleways and bus priority measures on Broom Road and Wickersley Road between Clifton Roundabout and East Bawtry Road, as well as improvements to crossings and junctions. The council say that this will make bus journeys quicker and more reliable, make walking safer and provide a safe route for those cycling.

A segregated footway and cycle route is planned throughout from the existing scheme to Brecks roundabout.

The segregated routes will continue through Stag roundabout where signalised crossing points will be introduced and design alignment should promote a reduction in vehicle speeds.

The consultation states: "We are responding to requests for new controlled crossing facilities on each arm of the roundabout. to make it easier for pedestrians to cross this roundabout. We will also provide a new cycle route around the roundabout."

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The council is also looking to introduce solutions identified by the community that have raised issues such as traffic levels, speeds and on-street parking in areas.

Funding is comimg from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and the authority added that: "to deliver the scheme we must meet the requirements set out in the funding to improve safe and accessible walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport access."

Rothbiz reported in September that Esh Councstruction has signed up to deliver the scheme.

Cllr. Taiba Yasseen raised the issue of active travel schemes at a recent full council meeting. The ward member for Boston Castle said that there was "no evidence of benefit — particularly in deprived areas that bear the disruption and negative impact while gaining no advantage."

Yasseen added that the claims made by the council of a modal shift (road users switching from using the car) were "a myth" and called on the council to "stop imposing infrastructure onto the most deprived communities without working with them."

In reply, Cllr. Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "I am going to disagree with you and say that you are wrong. There are national studies in places where schemes were far more embedded than in Rotherham that showed this. It was not fair to judge Wellgate for example that had not up and running for 12 months.

"There was an extensive consultation process and the communities were being engaged with. The fact that residents are coming to meetings and asking questions showed that information was getting through.

"Nothing is being imposed, we are talking about potential infrastructure changes. I urge members and residents to get involved with the consultation."

RMBC consultation website

Images: Google Maps / RMBC

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News: Rotherham hotel expansion plans checked in again

New plans are back in to extend a Rotherham hotel, eight years after the operator secured approval for a similar scheme.

Premier Inn has identified a "considerable demand" for additional accommodation at its Rotherham East hotel in the Brecks area.

The latest proposal, drawn up by Walshingham Planning, is for a 4,800 sq ft two storey extension to the east of the current hotel. It would provide an additional 16 bedrooms but two current rooms would be lost to create a new corridor. It would take the total rooms at the site from 62 to 76.

The Premier Inn was originally constructed in 1984. It underwent extensions and alterations in the 1990s and early 2000s and has been extended most recently in 2006.

2016 plans for an extension to the east was for a net increase of 21 bedrooms over three floors. It was approved despite objections regarding car parking and the impact on nearby businesses. However, the scheme was never built out.

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The latest application states: "The proposed development will meet Premier Inn's operational requirements at this location, and will help to address the identified bedroom demand.

"It is proposed to erect a two-storey extension to the east of the hotel to provide a net additional 14 bedrooms on the site. The extension will provide an additional 16 bedrooms, but two existing bedrooms will be lost to accommodate an internal corridor. The extended hotel will provide a total of 76 bedrooms.

"The extension will incorporate identical design features to the hotel and will represent a continuation of the building.

"As a consequence of the extension, the car park to the east of the hotel will be reconfigured. The extended hotel and restaurant will be served by a total of 83 car parking spaces including 12 disabled bays. This excludes the 16 spaces which are allocated to the Sainsbury's Local store."

The development would lead to a net reduction of 15 car parking spaces.

The application adds: "With the development in place, there is estimated to be a peak accumulation of 72 cars, assuming all hotels rooms are occupied. The total number of car parking spaces proposed to serve the extended hotel and restaurant (83 spaces) is therefore considered to be suitable to accommodate the likely demands generated by the uses, offering spare capacity for any intermittent peaks on unusually busy days."

Earlier this year, Premier Inn's parent company, Whitbread plc announced a move to "unlock 3,500 new room extensions" and increase the brand's total rooms to 97,000 across the UK within the next four years though extensions and by converting underperforming restaurant space - a c.£500m investment.

Premier Inn website

Images: Google Maps / Walshingham Planning

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News: Rotherham community hub seeks helping hands

An enterprising Rotherham mum is using her entrepreneurial skills honed as a personal fitness trainer and aerobics instructor to help strengthen a healthy sense of community.

Last year, Jodie Goodall “swooped in” to take over the lease of a long vacant community centre in the Brecks area of Rotherham and bring it back to life as a hub of activity – hosting everything from her own fitness classes to indoor bowls, craft clubs and charity events.

But now the hub on Brecks Crescent needs help if it is to continue to be a base for the local community.

Jodie, a director of the JRG Fitness and The Brecks Community Hub CIC, explained: “I used to hire the space for fitness classes and then the long-term tenant called time on their stewardship of the community centre and as a result of the pandemic the centre remained out of action for a few years.

“I’d always dreamed of owning my own gym and fitness centre so I swooped in and took on the lease of the building. Since then I have worked hard to bring the hub back to life and a centre for the community.

“Now we need extra pairs of hands to keep building on what we have.”

Other uses include baby and toddler sessions, classes for yoga, pilates and karate, and a diabetes support group. It operates as a community interest company – a not-for-profit organisation with the money generated ploughed back into the Brecks Community Hub.

JRG Fitness and Jodie’s Aerobics started eight years ago when Jodie trained in providing group exercise following the birth of her child. It also meant learning about how to start and run a business, in this case, a social enterprise.

The Social Enterprise Exchange has provided support around structuring the business and help with finding funding. The ERDF-funded programme promotes social entrepreneurship and provides support for start-up and established social enterprises through grants, mentoring and specialist advice.

Jodie said: “It’s always been in my nature to help others, whether that’s through helping people with fitness or training, or in previous work helping refugees with their English.

“With the classes and the hub I like the fact that I’m bringing people in, bringing people together, using the space. The more people that use it, you feed off that buzz.”

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Whilst rewarding, Jodie is conscious of the effect that taking on the management of a community centre alongside running her own business has had on her own health. She is looking for more volunteers to help keep the space open and available for the local community.

“Even if it is just opening up, making teas and coffees, a bit of cleaning or playing games,“ Jodie said.

“I don’t want to give the lease back but I have to think about me and burning out.

“A volunteer caretaker would be bloody amazing.”

Volunteers’ Week recently took place at the start of June. This year, as well as thanking people who already volunteer, the focus was on inspiring more people to take up volunteering.

As well as helping others, volunteering can help improve volunteers’ wellbeing too. It can help with learning new skills, gaining experience and boosting confidence.

The Brecks community will be on hand to support new volunteers. Recent activity has seen a large overgrown area of the site cleared by a group of volunteers from Voluntary Action Rotherham – the idea is to create an area for a community of growers and gardeners. A skilled woodworker also volunteered their time to make a new bench for outside the centre.

Jodie concluded: “People really like the space and I always hear comments about how good it is to see it back open. We just need people to keep using it, and more groups to use it. And that means we need more volunteers.”

Brecks Community Hub website
Social Enterprise Exchange website

Images: Social Enterprise Exchange / Bright Stars Play Space

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News: Planning granted for 70-home development in Rotherham

Avant Homes is set to bring 70 homes to Rotherham, after planning permission was granted by Rotherham Council for a new £20.7m development.

Named Brecks Lane Park, the 7.25-acre site is situated in Brecks. The development will feature a selection of three and four-bedroom homes across eight of Avant's most popular house designs.

Of the 70 new-build homes, 25% have been designated to affordable housing with Avant Homes also committing to a community contribution of more than £220,000 towards local education and transport, including bus services and sustainable travel.

Work is set to commence on the development in September, with the showhome expected to open at the end of March next year. The first homes are due to be ready for occupation in spring 2023. Overall, the development is expected to take two years to complete and will create hundreds of jobs.

Reserved matters were recently approved by the planning board at Rotherham Council. 40 objections were received and outline permission for housing on the agricultural land was approved in 2019. The recent approval includes an education contribution.

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Avant Homes Yorkshire managing director, Alastair Hart, said: "We're very pleased that planning permission has been granted to deliver Brecks Lane Park, allowing us to bring 70 high-quality homes to Rotherham."

Avant Homes' acquisition of Rotherham's Brecks Lane extends the housebuilder's existing presence in the town following years of success during the regeneration of Waverley, also in Rotherham.

Previously, the housebuilder has acquired six parcels of land at Waverley delivering almost 400 homes including its current Sorby Park development, which is set to deliver 144 homes.

Alastair added: "Rotherham is a thriving town and as we've seen with our previous developments in Waverley, there is a real demand for attainable, design-led homes for modern family living. We're excited to move forward with our plans on Brecks Lane with work set to start in in September."

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News: Premier Inn plans recommended for approval

A planning application for an extension to the existing Premier Inn hotel in Rotherham is being recommended for approval despite a number of objections.

Part of Whitbread plc, Premier Inn is the UK's biggest hotel brand. With 700 hotels in the UK and 59,000 rooms, the company's ambition is to have 85,000 rooms by 2020.

The site at Brecks includes the existing Premier Inn Hotel and Beefeater restaurant with landscaping and car parking spaces. The hotel provides 67 bedrooms and the restaurant provides 144 seats for customers. Operators say that the hotel is one of the group's best performing facilities in the region, as measured by occupancy and turn-away data.

The hotel dates back to 1991 and in 2006 the Council approved planning permission for the development of a three storey extension to the original premises.

Now new plans are set to go before the council's planning board this week. Drawn up by Walshingham Planning they propose the construction of a new three storey extension to the existing main block on an area comprising car parking in the eastern part of the site.

The materials and style of the extension proposed will replicate the existing hotel and boost the total number of rooms to 88. At the same time the number of parking bays will be reduced by 16 spaces in the eastern car park (from 45 to 29 spaces), with a total of 99 spaces remaining on the planning site.

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23 representations have been received, with nearby residents and users of the Sainsbury's Local store, snooker club and dance studio adjacent to the planning site raising objections on the grounds of loss of car parking, traffic and over-development.

Applicants state that, whilst patrons of the Premier Inn have use of the 19 spaces adjacent to Sainsburys, it is assumed that staff/patrons of the Sainsburys premises do not have a right to park in the Premier Inn car parks. That being the case, the pub restaurant and hotel would have a total of 80 No. spaces for their staff/patrons.

Demand surveys submitted with the plans reveals the maximum parking demand to be around 75 - 98 spaces. Planning officers at the Council admit that the proposed additional bedrooms will potentially increase parking demand and could result in on street parking in the area during peak periods. However, they go on to say that "mitigation in the form of a staff Travel Plan could reduce parking demand and a car parking management strategy could assist in making the most efficient use of the available spaces."

A report to the planning board concludes: "The hotel is a long established building and the principle of an extension is considered to be acceptable. In design terms the proposal reflects the architectural features and appearance of the existing building and it will not cause any loss of privacy or have an overly dominant effect on the living conditions of the occupiers of nearby residential properties.

"In terms of parking provision, whilst there is an overall reduction in the number onsite parking spaces, the applicant has provided additional details to indicate that the site currently has sufficient capacity even at peak times. The Transportation Unit have raised no objections on highway safety grounds.

"Overall the proposal is considered acceptable and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions."

Conditions include submitting a car parking management strategy and travel plans for staff.

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News: Rotherham Premier Inn extension plans checked in

A planning application has been submitted for an extension to the existing Premier Inn hotel in Rotherham to provide an extra 21 bedrooms.

Part of Whitbread plc, Premier Inn is the UK's biggest hotel brand. With 700 hotels in the UK and 59,000 rooms, the company's ambition is to have 85,000 rooms by 2020.

The site at Brecks includes the existing Premier Inn Hotel and Beefeater restaurant with landscaping and car parking spaces. The hotel provides 67 bedrooms and the restaurant provides 144 seats for customers.

The hotel dates back to 1991 and in 2006 the Council approved planning permission for the development of a three storey extension to the original premises.

Now plans are back on the table. Drawn up by Walshingham Planning they propose the construction of a new three storey extension to the existing main block on an area comprising car parking in the eastern part of the site. The materials and style of the extension proposed will replicate the existing hotel and boost the total number of rooms to 88.

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The plans state: "Whitbread has recognised a requirement for additional rooms in the area. The existing hotel is one of the group's best performing facilities in the region, as measured by occupancy and turn-away data.

"The provision of additional visitor accommodation at this brownfield site will therefore substantially improve the quality and offer of the town's visitor economy, for which there is an identified demand.

"The proposed extension will create new jobs, both during the construction phase and in the form of additional hotel/restaurant staff in reception, room maintenance, building maintenance and security that would be required as a result of a net additional 21 bedrooms at the site."

For the 2015 / 16 financial year, revenue for Whitbread's hotel and restaurant business was up 9.8% to £1.8 billion. Premier Inn grew total sales by 12.9% to £1.2 billion, with like for like sales growth of 4.2% as the group invested £165m on refurbishments and hotel enhancements.

Plans for a £9m 80-bed Premier hotel and restaurant at Templeborough were recommended to be refused by the council's planning board in 2012, in a bid to protect Rotherham town centre.

Premier Inn website

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