News: Rotherham-based firm leading the "weigh" since 1926

Rotherham-based medical device market leader, Marsden Group, is celebrating its centenary year and is continuing to push new industry boundaries.

With its headquarters at Templeborough, Marsden Group already offers a range of proven medical devices to help healthcare professionals deliver high quality assessment in hospitals, care homes and community settings. The company is perhaps best known for its pioneering work within weighing devices, used as an essential monitoring and diagnostic tool.

The company was established in Sheffield and opened the doors to its very first shop on the Harrow Road in London in 1926. It has grown to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of medical weighing devices and has been responsible for delivering services to the NHS for more than 50 years. In 2001 the company opened a dedicated manufacturing facility in Rotherham.

Along with 200+ contracts with NHS Trusts, Marsden now supports customers across more than 50 countries and in the widest range of sectors, including medical, industrial and commercial, veterinary and gym and health.

Advertisement
Innovation has been a strong suit for Marsden with the Patient Transfer Scale instrumental in a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2021 and new products such as the body composition scales - a weighing scale that provides a calculation of body health based on a number of metrics. The scale will provide a weight reading and usually a BMI measure.

Lewis Davis, General Manager at Marsden Group, said: “Reaching our centenary is an incredible milestone and testament to the generations of people who have helped shape the business over the last 100 years. What began as a small shop in London has grown into an industry-leading company renowned for providing our customers with reliable, accurate weighing solutions they can depend on.

“The world has changed enormously over the past century, and our ability to adapt, innovate and listen to the needs of the industries we serve has been central to our success. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. Our ambition is to continue building on the foundations laid over the last century by investing in new technologies, expanding our product range and ensuring Marsden remains a trusted sector-wide partner for precision weighing for many years to come.”

Marsden Group website

Images: Marsden

Read more...

News: More Millmoor memorabilia is being saved, demolition company confirm

As demolition work continues on the historic former home of Rotherham United, parts of the old football stadium are being carefully saved.

Rothbiz revealed in May that new owners, the Ron Hull Group, planned to demolish parts of Millmoor with plans explaining the poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user" of the stadium that last hosted league football almost 20 years ago.

A second set of plans regarding the method of demolition were approved last month as work got underway on the stadium that has its origins dating back to 1890.

Contractors, Demex - part of the Ron Hull Group - have confirmed that memorabilia, seating, signage, turnstiles and the Derek Dalton Clock are being saved as they take down the stands, related buildings and lighting columns.

Demex said in a statement: "We understand that Millmoor holds a huge amount of history and sentimental value for the people of Rotherham, particularly the generations of supporters who have memories of watching Rotherham United here.

"A great deal of thought and consideration has gone into exploring what could be done to preserve the stadium and give it a new purpose, rather than seeing it demolished. However, after carefully considering the options available, demolition was ultimately the only viable way forward for the site.

Advertisement


"Memorabilia, seating, signage, turnstiles and the Derek Dalton Clock are all being carefully saved for reuse, donation and preservation, helping to ensure that important pieces of Millmoor’s story live on.

"For us, this isn’t simply about taking a building down. It’s about handling a significant piece of Rotherham’s history with the care and respect it deserves, while helping create the opportunity for something new in its place.

"It’s a significant project for Rotherham, and one we’re proud to be delivering as part of the team."

Rotherham United confirmed last week that the iconic Derek Dalton Clock has been returned to the football club following its removal from Millmoor.

A Millers superfan, Derek, who died aged 45 in 1993, was struck down with polio at the age of two, and did a lot for putting Rotherham United on the map. He won the Shoot Magazine Fan of the Year in 1983 and during a Royal visit, presented The Queen with a Rotherham United pennant.

Discussions are ongoing regarding any necessary refurbishment works that may need to be undertaken to restore Derek’s clock to its former glory and further conversations are taking place internally to establish where the most suitable location is at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The clock's short journey from Millmoor to the New York Stadium was not without its problems. More Bees Please, a local business dedicated to sustainability and the preservation of bees, was called in when it was discovered that a hive of honey bees had taken up home behind the clock. The experts were able to relocate the comb and colony.

Ron Hull website
RUFC website
More Bees Please website

Images: More Bees Please / RUFC

Read more...

News: Progress for restoration of the South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse

Visit Rotherham is reporting that work will soon get underway on a unique holiday let in Rotherham after a fundraising target was reached.

A planning application has now been submitted regarding the restoration and future of the South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on leading preservation and heritage charity, The Landmark Trust, launching fundraising for plans to create a "truly elegant place to stay" at the Grade-I listed mansion.

Founded in 1965, The Landmark Trust works to save historic buildings in danger of being lost forever. Sensitive restoration offers "landmarks" a new future by making them available to everyone for self-catering holidays. The lettings income from the 200+ extraordinary buildings in the charity's care supports their maintenance and survival in our landscape, culture and society.

A campaign to raise £500,000 launched last year with plans to restore the secluded eyrie and a rare survival of 18th century feminine taste within the monumental Rotherham mansion and create a holiday let for two people.

According to Visit Rotherham, 937 individual Landmark supporters and charitable trusts are supporting the Wentworth Woodhouse plans.

Advertisement
The detailed planning application, drawn up by Donald Insall Architects, states: "The proposals aim to restore the historic character of the South Tower’s upper chamber while reconfiguring adjacent rooms to provide essential facilities for a holiday let. The scheme supports Landmark’s wider objectives of sustainable reuse and public engagement with heritage, contributing to the longterm stewardship of this nationally significant building.

"The proposals aim to sensitively adapt the interior of the South Pavilion to provide holiday accommodation, while retaining and enhancing its historic character to the high quality expected of a Landmark Trust property. The upper chamber will be restored and presented as a sitting room, reflecting its late 18th century decorative scheme and historic use.

"Secondary spaces within the South Quadrant will be reconfigured to provide a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, with a restrained decorative approach appropriate to their historic function.

"Access to the accommodation will be via a discreet route from the rear of the building, avoiding disruption to the principal elevations and respecting the historic setting. The works are designed to be conservation-led, materially appropriate, and aligned with Landmark Trust’s commitment to sustainable heritage management.

"The proposals support the long-term stewardship of the building, enabling public engagement with a historically significant part of the estate while ensuring its continued use and maintenance."

The Landmark Trust commissioned detailed preparatory research and analysis on the interior, and plans include reinstating the magnificent decorative ceiling, lost in the 20th century.

As the two trusts wait on planning approval, the main contractor for the project, Dobsons of Ilkley, has been selected following a competitive tendering process.

Correspondence from 1778 between the estate steward Benjamin Hall and architect John Carr reveals that the upper room of the South Tower was being fitted out for private use. The work was overseen by Lady Rockingham, who also directed the furnishing and decoration of other ancillary buildings such as the Conservatory and Tea Room which is now known as the Camellia House.

The son of the Fourth Earl Fitzwilliam, Charles Viscount Milton, used the top floor as his study in the years leading up to his inheritance of the title in 1833, with the 1832 plans labelling the room as such. The room was likely then used as a study or archive store until the house was leased for use by Lady Mabel College in 1949.

Comprehensive external repairs were carried out by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), which completed in June 2022 and earlier ideas to utilise all three storeys of both the Pavilion and Quadrant were discounted, judged to be too invasive.

Plans, which also require Listed Building Consent, show the upper chamber as a sitting room, the reconfiguration of secondary spaces within the South Quadrant to provide a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, and the integration of sustainability measures to improve thermal performance and energy efficiency.

Wentworth Woodhouse website
Landmark Trust website

Images: Wentworth Woodhouse / Donald Insall Architects

Read more...

News: Second set of Millmoor plans sees all stands and buildings demolished at Rotherham United's former home

Having secured planning approval to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium in Rotherham, the new owners of Millmoor have applied to do the same to the rest of the structures.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

Planning approval was secured for the method of demolition at Millmoor for the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Now a second application looks to secure approval for the method of demolition for the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground. All floodlighting columns, and other football associated buildings would be flattened, as would related grassed areas.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

Advertisement
The latest plans state: "The maintenance building is a reinforce concrete frame stucture [sic] with solid brickwork infill panels, steel beams supporting the metal clad roof structure. From appearance it seems to have been constructed in the 1950- 60's. Due to the possible changing nature and use of the site this building may become surplus to requirements with regard to any proposed future use of the site.

"The covered Millmoor Lane football stand (Stand 'D') has stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof cladding , and is now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football clubs relocation. There is no protection from falls to the rear of the stand either.

"The Railway End (Stand ' E' ) was the away fans section where over 2,000 fans were accommodated. This end is covered and all seated. The only access being via the narrow alleyway to the rear from Millmoor Lane .This stand has a stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof and wall cladding , all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club's relocation."

It remains to be seen what will happen to the pitch, famed for its quality in league football.

The plans add: "All the proposed buildings to be demolished will be taken down to the ground slabs. The ground slabs will be removed and the site tidied and left in a state where redevelopment will be possible. The client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Ron Hull / Eton Construction

Read more...

News: Rotherham Council knocks back padel plans

Plans to introduce padel courts to Rotherham town centre have been refused by the local council.

The counci's 2017 masterplan placed a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported in May on a planning application for two padel courts to be constructed over the car park of the boutique hotel in the historic George Wright Building on the heritage High Street.

Developers took on an unused underground building next to the George Wright where The Bunka opened earlier this year - a premium underground VIP golf simulator and leisure venue located on Snail Hill featuring state-of-the-art TrackMan technology, in-house PGA coaching and a members-only bar. A spa in the building is set to follow.

The latest plans from applicant, Mark McGrail of SME Holding Ltd, are for the installation of a simple metal deck for two padel courts over the existing car park.

The courts would be surrounded by fencing and protective panels, plus LED lighting, with plans stating that the proposal "represents a sensitive and sustainable development opportunity that respects its historical context, makes efficient use of underutilised urban land, and delivers an additional element to this urban entertainment venue."

Advertisement
Given that the site is within the town's conservation area, and the George Wright is a listed building, the plans state that the height and massing have been sensitively designed. The required fencing and protective panels around the courts will be covered by canopies, which the plans state: "although quite high in relation to the GW Hotel it will have little impact upon the GW Hotel given its semi-transparent nature." The development is also easily reversible due to its construction.

Refusing the plans without going to the council's planning board, officers took issue with potential noise and disturbance, and with how the courts would look in proximity to the Grade I listed Rotherham Minster, and Grade II listed George Wright Hotel.

A report from planners states: "The proposed Padel Courts would introduce an incongruous form of development to this commercial Town Centre Location that would cause noise and disturbance to local residents and occupants of commercial properties harming their amenity.

"Due to the visual prominence, height and materials of the proposed Padel Courts the development would appear incongruously within this Town Centre location and would materially harm the setting of the Grade I listed Rotherham Minster and would lead to less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Rotherham Town Centre Conservation Area.

The proposed development would also lead to less than substantial harm, at the higher end to the setting of the adjacent Grade II listed building known as the George Wright Hotel. Whilst some public benefit has been identified from the proposals, it is considered that it does not outweigh the harm to these identified designated heritage assets."

To fit in the courts, the structure would go over the Snail Hill access road. Council planners said that this would create "an intimidating environment for pedestrians."

Images: Google Maps / SME / Just Architecture

Read more...

News: Millmoor demolition plans approved

The new owners of Millmoor in Rotherham will be able to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium after Rotherham Council approved the method of demolition.

Rothbiz revealed last month that plans had been submitted with the Ron Hull Group stating that it planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

The works will see the site "left in a state where redevelopment will be possible at a future date."

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

The priority is to demolish the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Construction of a new Main Stand started in approx. 2005 and was intended to replace the earlier timber stand, but work ceased in late 2007 leaving the stand incomplete, resulting in the steel structure being left open to the elements. Applicants say that a lot of work would be needed to enable construction work to continue, all of which would be uneconomic given there is no use or future use for this structure. They add that it is unsafe to leave the stand in its current unfinished state.

Advertisement
The Tivoli Stand, Millmoor Lane Stand (part), Uncovered Stand, and Terrace all have stepped concrete slabs with steel framed structures above with asbestos cladding, and all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club’s relocation.

The 1950's admin building has a flat roof which has failed allowing moisture into the structure causing considerable damage.

The Tivoli with accommodation over is a 1960's building laterly used as a nightclub. This is also showing signs of disrepair and decay due to moisture ingress from the flat roofs.

The 70's press box is in a state of disrepair and showing signs of general decay due to a lack of general maintenance, whilst the floodlights are showing signs of decay, effecting possible safety.

Approving the method of demolition, Rotherham Council planners said: "None of the buildings or structures mentioned above have had any maintenance carried out on them for some considerable time, and especially so since the relocation of Rotherham United Football Club in 2007, when the ground became vacant with little further use. As a result, all the buildings are showing signs of disrepair and showing signs of general structural decay. The buildings and structures are proposed to be demolished, and future development of the site will then be considered."

The full demolition of the buildings and structures is expected to take approximately four months with the materials being processed within the Ron Hull Group.

The buildings will generally be demolished by tracked demolition machinery, equipped with demolition shear and selecta grab attachments. This is considered to be acceptable and will not cause any nuisance or long term disturbance to the neighbouring structures.

Planners add: "Furthermore, the current proposed restoration of the site is considered acceptable as it will allow for the site to be used in the future for development."

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps / Ron Hull / Eton Construction

Read more...

News: Why is demolition planned for Millmoor and what is the future of the former home of Rotherham United?

The new owners of Millmoor are looking to regenerate the site.

Rothbiz revealed first that a planning application had been submitted reagrding the demolition of what remains of the stadium that was previously home to Rotherham United.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assests of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

The new owners said in a statement: "Ron Hull Group, are to demolish parts of the Millmoor Football Ground due to it’s poor condition. But there is no getting away from the fact that the football club now has a new home at the NEW York Stadium, and this ground has been vacant and under used since the club left.

"The buildings and structures selected in the current application to demolish are all in a poor condition due to years of neglect and are suffering from a general lack of maintenance, specifically elements like roof finishes and the structures themselves. It is assumed this situation accelerated in the period since Rotherham United Football Club vacated the site.

"The current main stand is only partially completed, and has been exposed to the elements since at least 2007. The high cost of repair, yet alone proceed to complete this stand would be excessive given that there are very limited numbers of possible users of the ground. Thus meaning it is unbuyable.

Advertisement
"As stated in the application the Tivoli entertainment space, with its living accommodation over are in a high state of disrepair, the accommodation having being vandalised and a lack of roof maintenance has allowed water into the building and building structure causing decay and partial collapse due to long term exposure to this water. This is a similar situation with the Press Box / Police Office.

"The Tivoli Stand and part of the Millmoor Lane Stand are all clad in asbestos sheeting, which is beginning to breakdown / dislodge in places, all showing signs of decay due to a general lack of maintenance. The same lack of repair and general up keep is also true for the uncovered area and lighting columns. The condition of these parts of the ground, and the long term lack of a viable user for the ground is what has lead to their inclusion within the current demolition application.

"So at present the priority / order to demolish is : The incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and Part Millmoor Lane stand , lighting columns and then the other associated building stated in application. As this process is at its very early stages. some decisions are still to be made, at present no decision has been made about the pitch, and the remaining stands which are not included in the current demolition application. There condition will be assessed, and any future use considered if it is viable, or demolition if necessary.

"Ron Hull Group, are looking to regenerate the site, but no decision has yet been made at this point."

With regard to the future of the site, the scrap yard was allocated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's 2018 local plan. The stadium and surrounding area was allocated as a Mixed Use Area.

The listing from 2018 stated: "The area remains suitable for a mix of uses and lies adjacent to the football stadium vacated when Rotherham United moved to their new ground. The car park has an extant temporary B8 storage plannig [sic] permission. As such it is proposed that the mixed use area is extended to include the former stadium and car park. The area remains appropriate for a mix of uses include business use (excluding offices), housing, residential and non residential institutions and assembly and leisure uses." A recommendation was made to retain the mixed use area and extend it to include the community allocation use covering the adjacent football ground.

Millmoor was featured in the recent draft of Rotherham's new playing pitch strategy. It is described as having "one good quality adult pitch that has spare capacity of 0.5 match equivalent sessions per week discounted due to unsecure tenure."

The strategy recommended low priority actions that would sustain the pitch quality and that long-term agreement is sought between the landowner and its site users to establish actual spare capacity for clubs.

Ron Hull website

Images: RUFC /

Read more...

News: Millmoor no more? Demolition plans for historic Rotherham United football stadium

It is getting on for 20 years since the last league game at Millmoor, the "spiritual home of Rotherham United," but the next fixture at the abandoned stadium could be a date with the wrecking ball.

Ron Hull Group said that it planned to demolish parts of the Millmoor Football Ground due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user".

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assests of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

Rothbiz reported last month that, having taken over the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough, Ron Hull has been assessing the buildings on the site, with many found to be in a state of disrepair. The company has engaged with the local planning authority, Rotherham Council, over the method of demolition for buildings on the site.

Now a similar planning application has been submitted for the football stadium which sits on the 35-acre site, alongside the huge scrap yard.

The application is "to determine whether prior approval is required of the method of demolition and restoration of the site re:- demolition of Admin Building, Tivoli club with accommodation over, Press Box, incomplete main stand, Tivoli Stand, Terrace and Uncovered Stand, part of Millmoor Lane stand, All pitch lighting columns, and other football associated buildings."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Applicants say that some decisions are still to be made. At present no decision has been made about the pitch and the remaining stands which are not included in the current demolition application.

Advertisement
A statement on behalf of the Ron Hull Group, said: "The buildings and structures selected in the current application to demolish are all in a poor condition due to years of neglect and are suffering from a general lack of maintenance, specifically elements like roof finishes and the structures themselves. It is assumed this situation accelerated in the period since Rotherham United football Club vacated the site.

"The current main stand is only partially completed, and has been exposed to the elements since at least 2007. The high cost of repair, yet alone proceed to complete this stand would be excessive given that there are very limited numbers of possible users of the ground. Thus meaning it is unbuyable."

Rotherham Church Institute played at MIllmoor in the Sheffield Association League in 1890. Rotherham County obtained a lease at Millmoor from the Midland Railway Company in 1907 and scores of volunteers and donors were drafted in to help build a stadium for league football. When the Football League was resumed in 1919, Rotherham County applied successfully to join for the first time while Rotherham Town's application was turned down. The first league game took place at Millmoor as County beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in August 1919.

County and Town combined and Rotherham United was officially born on May 27, 1925. Millmoor was Rotherham United's home until the last game in 2008. It hosted the first Football League Cup in 1961 and even top flight rugby.

Rotherham United fell into administration for the second time in 2008 having previously been owned by the Booth family, owners of Millmoor and the large scrap business that surrounds it.

Local businessman Tony Stewart of ASD Lighting brought the club out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement but then came the decision to play home games at the now demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, after working hard to get a deal to carry on playing at Millmoor.

The club was charged with returning to play home games in its home town within four seasons by the Football League and the £20m AESSEAL New York Stadium, on the edge of Rotherham town centre and in view of Millmoor, hosted its first Millers game in 2012.

The Millmoor ground, famed for the quality of the playing surface and its compact size that often created a raucous atmosphere. was never glamorous and lacked many of the features of modern stadia. Since 2008 it is not exactly a "ghost ground" as it has been used for kickabouts, charity games and youth football.

In 2011 talks between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and CF Booth Ltd came to an end with the Rotherham Titans unable to stage home games at Millmoor again after "a commercially viable solution could not be found."

Last year Rothbiz reported that Doncaster Rovers Belles had arranged to play home games at Millmoor but they were forced to return to their nomadic existence before the end of the season.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps / DRFC

Read more...

News: Howard Building plans approved

Plans have been approved that would bring back into use a historic building in Rotherham that has been empty for over a decade and wrapped up in a legal battle.

Rothbiz reported in February on plans submitted by Manchester-based SH Capital for the Howard Building in Rotherham town centre.

Through its SH Care brand, SH Capital works in the vulnerable accommodation sector in the UK and works with leading care home providers. A key completed project for the firm was for Rotherham-based Exemplar Health Care and its 40-bed care home, Leger Grove in Doncaster.

Work related to previous applications for the Howard Street property has never been carried out, and so planning permission lapsed. The new plans concentrate on a change of use for part of the lower ground floor and full second floor of the existing building from office use to residential use under permitted development rights.

The application proposes a total of 23 units over the two floors (six on lower ground floor and 17 on second floor floor) - a mix of one-bed studios, one-bed 2-person units, two-bed 3-person units and two-bed 4-person units.

The building is within the Rotherham Town Conservation Area, but no external changes are proposed. However, mitigation measures include upgraded glazing to windows facing Howard Street, with standard glazing deemed sufficient to other elevations.

Advertisement
Approved without going before Rotherham Council's planning board, officers confirmed that the proposed change of use from Commercial, Business and Service Use (Class E) to Dwellinghouse is permitted.

Having secured permission for lower ground floor and full second floor, a second planning application was submitted relating to the the ground floor, first floor (including mezzanine level), and part of the lower ground floor for the creation of 49 self-contained residential apartments, with all matters reserved except access and layout. However, this application was later cancelled.

In 2018, Rothbiz reported that quick progress on converting the Howard Building was unlikely after a court injunction was granted that prevented its sale. Liquidators were trying to prove that sham charges related to a number of properties were being used to wrongfully divert funds away from investors. Claims from creditors were in excess of £68m.

A year later, the Insolvency Service concluded an investigation into Absolute Living Developments Limited which sold apartments in England off-plan to investors who were largely based in Asia.

In Rotherham, with little evidence of the conversion of the former college building into twelve, one bed apartments and 60 studio apartments at "Howard Residencies", applicants, AVRO Developments headed into insolvency and the property passed to another connected company.

That company, 2380 REVERSIONS LTD, has now been renamed as Waverley Residencies Limited with the charges satisfied and the directors replaced.

SH Care website

Images: Tom Austen

Read more...

News: Padel court plan to enhance urban entertainment venue in Rotherham

Plans have been submitted to create padel courts on the heritage high street in Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported last year on plans for some exciting new projects, including a new spa and a golf-themed bar complete with a simulator setup, from a local developer that specialises in restoring listed buildings and creating residential and commercial spaces.

The 2017 masterplan places a greater emphasis on town centre living and leisure, as opposed to traditional retail uses, in continuing the regeneration of Rotherham town centre.

Having previously converted the former Post Office on Main Street, created a boutique hotel in the historic George Wright Building, and restored the Empire Theatre, attention turned to an unused underground building next to the George Wright.

The Bunka opened earlier this year - a premium underground VIP golf simulator and leisure venue located on Snail Hill featuring state-of-the-art TrackMan technology, in-house PGA coaching and a members-only bar. A spa in the building is set to follow.

With the underground conversion well underway, things are looking up, with applicant, Mark McGrail of SME Holding Ltd, now unveiling plans for two padel courts to be constructed over the hotel's car park that sits above the Bunka.

The plan involves the installation of a simple metal deck for two padel courts over the existing car park.

Advertisement
Plans, drawn up by Just Architecture, state: "The site is currently underutilised and offers an opportunity to enhance the character of the area.

"The development includes two padel courts accessed from the GW [George Wright] courtyard. It is believed that with this part of the development a sense of cohesiveness will be achieved given the access to the GW Hotel, Spa and simulated golf, all located within the same complex.

"The proposal for 2 No Padel Courts represents a sensitive and sustainable development opportunity that respects its historical context, makes efficient use of underutilised urban land, and delivers an additional element to this urban entertainment venue."

Given that the site is within the town's conservation area, and the George Wright is a listed building, the plans state that the height and massing have been sensitively designed. The required fencing and protective panels around the courts will be covered by canopies, which the plans state: "although quite high in relation to the GW Hotel it will have little impact upon the GW Hotel given its semi-transparent nature." The development is also easily reversible due to its construction.

LED lighting is also proposed and to fit in the courts, the structure would go over the Snail Hill access road "but at a height that would not have any impact on vehicle access."

Rothbiz reported last year on initial plans and the disposal of the property that Rotherham Council deemed to be of "low strategic value and limited potential for income."

The Bunka website

Images: SME / Just Architecture

Read more...

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 process 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.

Advertisement
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

Read more...

News: What's the use? Still no viable scheme announced for listed building

Rotherham Council has set aside £701,390 to secure an art deco former cinema in the town centre until a new use can be found.

Vandals have previously caused "significant damage" to the fabric of the former Regal Cinema and Mecca Bingo on Corporation Street. The empty Grade II Listed building was acquired in 2022 and has been added to the Council’s own Heritage at Risk Register.

Rothbiz reported last year that a contract, worth £451,694, was awarded to Blackpool-based F Parkinson Ltd for the internal clearance, external roofing and refurbishment.

Planning approval has recently been secured for the latest part of the scheme that aims to ensure that the building remains safe, secure and compliant whilst a review of future use is undertaken. Intervention is necessary to secure the building whilst it vacant and help it to be safely and securely mothballed.

The latest works are described as relatively minor and involve replacing double timber doors on the side elevation facing the car park to the north, with double steel security doors. The existing cast iron rainwater goods on the building have also failed and it is proposed to replace them with cast aluminium rainwater goods painted in an off-white colour.

Advertisement
A planner's report states: "The building is currently vacant and has been since the 2020 pandemic. The premises have been broken into in the past with metal theft and vandalism having occurred. The owner of the premises Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) have confirmed that they intend to mothball and secure the building until a viable scheme for its re-use can be found.

"With regards to the replacement timber doors, these are not of special interest and look to have been inserted at a later date to provide a fire escape for the building. Whilst the replacement steel doors will look defensive, it is acknowledged that they are necessary to stop break ins of the building whilst it is being mothballed. It is considered that the replacement doors would lead to less than substantial harm to the listed building. As such, public benefit needs to be provided to outweigh the identified harm.

"It is accepted that the building is vulnerable to vandalism and break-ins due to its vacant state. Significant damage has already occurred to the building fabric from vandalism, and this is only likely to continue unless the building is fully secured.

"It is considered that there is clear public benefit in providing security to the building whilst it is vulnerable to break ins by being vacant and the use of steel security doors is a reasonable and expedient measure to protect the building. As such, it is considered that there is clear public benefit to justify the proposal in security terms."

In addition to new paintwork, the council's plans for the building also include using a vinyl treatment on the metal shutters of the existing windows and doors to create the illusion of the original windows and entrances. Where original cinematic posters would have been displayed interchangeable advertising will again be displayed.

Rotherham Council's capital programme 2025/26 to 2029/30 has £701,390 assigned to the Mecca Bingo project.

At the end of 2021, Rothbiz revealed that a campaign to save the building had been successful with the site now protected by Grade II listed building status. This meant that earlier proposals from Sunshine Homes Ltd to erect a new residential building consisting of 45 dwellings and three ground floor commercial units was withdrawn. The plans would have involved knocking down the building as converting the existing property was found to be not a viable proposal.

When a new theatre was included in Rotherham's place-based investment strategy, it was given an investment figure of c.£28m. Rotherham Council has previously used regeneration funding to carry out market testing and an options appraisal for the provision of a performing arts venue in Rotherham town centre as the current Civic Theatre building has challenges in terms of capacity, opportunity for growth and its general condition. A Feasibility Study was undertaken in 2022 to determine a suitable location for a new venue and a site was subsequently acquired by the Council.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Wentworth Woodhouse chosen as film set again

Turner, Churchill and now Faraday. The glorious setting of Wentworth Woodhouse has been chosen as the filming location for another biopic, reports Visit Rotherham.

Parts of the grade I listed mansion in Rotherham have been closed in recent weeks, including the house and gardens, so that a film production company can make movie magic.

The charity that looks after the big house, the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), has revealed that it has been hosting the cast and crew of Power & Glory, an upcoming biopic about Michael Faraday.

Faraday is known as the "Father of Electricity" for discovering electromagnetic induction, the principle behind electric motors and generators.

The film is based on the play, Fire from Heaven: Michael Faraday and the Dawn of the Electrical Age by playwright and director, Murray Watts. Described as one of the greatest true stories it follows Faraday, a boy from the back streets of London, as he overcomes impossible odds to become one of the greatest experimental scientists of all time.

Advertisement
An update from WWPT said: "We're thrilled to have been chosen as the main filming location for the majority of the sets. Hosting filming is a very important source of income for the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust as it supports the huge task of restoring and regenerating this important historic site and our work to make it truly a House for all.

"The movie magic isn't quite over yet - so watch this space for further updates! See you on the big screen!"

Wentworth Woodhouse has previously stood in for the Royal Academy in London for Mike Leigh's Mr Turner, and for Oscar winning feature film, Darkest Hour, the Whistlejacket room was used as interior of Buckingham Palace. The famous Marble Saloon also played host to the Downton Abbey movie.

in recent years, the income from filming has been reduced at the trust, in great part to the actors and writers’ strikes in America, which seriously impacted the UK film industry.

The house was closed to the public in April 2023 for the filming of major HBO production The Regime starring Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant. This was the only major film contract in the 2023/2024 financial year, with no major film contracts in the following year.

An update from the trust at the time said; "Our reliance on filming income carries an element of risk, as it is somewhat out of our control, so our aim is to move to a situation where it is a bonus if it happens, rather than a budgeted necessity."

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT

Read more...

News: Flying start for fundraising for Wentworth Woodhouse holiday let

A fundraising appeal to support the restoration of the South Tower at Wentworth Woodhouse has reached £240,000 in a matter of weeks.

Rothbiz reported last month on the Landmark Trust launching a campaign to restore a secluded eyrie and a rare survival of 18th century feminine taste within the monumental Rotherham mansion.

The charity works to save historic buildings in danger of being lost forever. Sensitive restoration offers "landmarks" a new future by making them available to everyone for self-catering holidays. The lettings income from the 200+ extraordinary buildings in the charity's care supports their maintenance and survival in our landscape, culture and society.

Following years of decay, the derelict Grade I mansion was bought in 2017 by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT), who have embarked on the herculean task of restoring the place back to its former glory in a multi-phase project.

The Landmark Trust are now working with WWPT to save the South Tower, which sits at the most southerly tip of the building’s vast frontage. The tower’s fine upper chamber offers outstanding vistas of house and grounds and is reached via its own private footbridge.

WWPT carried out urgent external repairs to the South Tower in 2022. Yet inside this quiet hideaway, the once opulent plasterwork is crumbling, an exquisitely decorated ceiling has been lost and an elegant staircase is undermined by dry rot.

Advertisement
The Landmark Trust plans to repair the grandest room with traditional 18th-century skills using the finest craftspeople and their apprentices. As of now, the plaster ceiling has come down and black plastic sheeting fills its place, a marble panel by the brilliant English sculptor Joseph Nollekens had been removed for safety and dry rot is already engulfing the timber floor.

The Landmark Trust are now poised to act - to take on a long lease for £135,000 from the WWPT and develop a holiday let for two.

The parlour would become the drawing and dining room, and a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom would be created in the adjacent rooms. The approach would be, as it was from the first, via a handsome private footbridge from the elevated rear terrace.

Within the parlour, traditional 18th-century techniques would be used to re-create the Marchioness’s lost ceiling, guided by historic photographs, and drawing on the inventory to furnish her elegant chamber to evoke its character in its prime.

Without Landmark’s intervention, the South Tower will linger in dangerous deterioration at the furthest reach of the building, as this elegant room succumbs to damp and decay. This upper chamber is describes as a rare and exciting survival of undiluted female taste in the 18th century.

Dr Anna Keay OBE, Director of the Landmark Trust, said: "There really is nowhere that compares to Wentworth Woodhouse. This monumental Palladian palace in South Yorkshire is a miraculous survival. When I first saw this fascinating room a few years ago, I was struck by its combination of grandeur and intimacy, the glorious views south and west from its soaring sash windows, and by the perilous condition in which it stood. Two things were immediately clear: it needed urgent action to arrest its decay and – if we could just raise the necessary funds – it would make the most spell-binding place to stay."

Funding has already been made available to the project thanks to the H B Allen Charitable Trust and generous donations from early project Guardians means that over 70% of the necessary funds have already been secured.

Landmark Trust website
Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT / Landmark Trust / Olivia Brabbs

Read more...

News: Wuthering Heights sees Rotherham back on the big screen

More recognition, exposure and prestige is being garnered by Rotherham as it once again provides the filming location for another big screen blockbuster, reports Visit Rotherham.

A 2026 reimagining of Emily Brontë’s classic, Wuthering Heights trades traditional gothic gloom for a provocative, synth-pop-infused fever dream and was filmed across various breathtaking locations, many in Yorkshire.

Some scenes were captured in Kent, such as at Knole Park, a medieval deer park in Sevenoaks, and on the dramatic moorlands of the Yorkshire Dales - including Swaledale and Bridestones Moor, and the villages of Reeth and Low Row. Visit Rotherham reports that a couple of key scenes were filmed here in Rotherham.

The Needle's Eye is one of a number of follies surrounding Wentworth Woodhouse, a magnificent Grade I listed mansion that has itself provided the backdrop to a number of big screen productions.

On a former avenue to Wentworth Park's North Lodge, The Needle's Eye is a pyramid structure pierced by a narrow, ogee carriage arch.

Advertisement
For Wuthering Heights, this is where a young Cathy and Heathcliff take shelter from the rain in childhood, and where they reunite as adults, played by Robbie and Elordi, to confess their love for each other. It's where Heathcliff utters the line: "So kiss me and let us both be damned."

Production trucks and fake rain machines were spotted in the area last year.

Talking to Cosmopolitan, Aurelia Thomas, Supervising Location Manager for Wuthering Heights, said: "It was a process finding that, because it needed to feel like a bit of a landmark, that the children rush to in the rain, and then the adults go back to. So we shot in Kent, and then we travelled, this travelling circus of trucks, up to South Yorkshire."

Wentworth Woodhouse has previously stood in for the Royal Academy in London for Mike Leigh's Mr Turner. And for Oscar winning feature film, Darkest Hour, the Whistlejacket room was used as interior of Buckingham Palace. The famous Marble Saloon also played host to the Downton Abbey movie.

Wuthering Heights is also not the first film to choose a Wentworth folly either. For example, Hoober Stand became "Santa's magic postbox" in the 2014 British Christmas comedy film, Get Santa, starring Jim Broadbent and Stephen Graham.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: Warner Bros.

Read more...

News: Restored Rotherham theatre goes up for sale

The iconic Empire Theatre in Rotherham town centre has been made available for sale following a multimillion pound restoration.

Advertised as a live events and venue hire business, the freehold of the prominent building has been given a guide price of £2.5m.

The former cinema on Ship Hill / High Street in the town centre is a large restoration project. It is also known as the Essoldo building and was built in 1913 as the Empire Theatre. It has since operated as a cinema, snooker hall and nightclub.

Taking on the historic restoration, SME Holdings Ltd, secured permission for the change of use of the premises from a night club use to a theatre / music venue use class and the first events took place in 2025.

Agents say that the building would be ideal for experienced leisure operators, investors, or groups seeking a scalable regional venue.

Spanning 12,000 sq ft and with a capacity of up to 1,200, vendors say that in excess of £1.8m has been invested in the project which has included uncovering the first cantilever beams (designed by a local architect) that created the impressive "Gods" - the building's uppermost balcony.

Advertisement
The advert states: "A landmark live events and venue hire business occupying a prominent corner position in Rotherham town centre.

"Originally opened in 1913, the building is of genuine architectural presence, featuring a Classical-style foyer frontage finished in white faience (glazed terracotta) and a large-scale auditorium arranged over three principal levels. The layout provides exceptional flexibility for live performance, ticketed events and private hire.

"The current owner acquired the property in 2023 in a derelict condition and has since invested in excess of £1.8 million in an extensive restoration and upgrade programme. The principal public, trading and operational areas have been fully refurbished to a high standard, with certain ancillary rooms and storage areas remaining in a functional condition.

"The venue benefits from two fully fitted bars across the ground and first floors, together with high-spec finishes throughout and modern customer and back-of-house facilities, all configured for efficient event operation. The sale includes stage, lighting and sound equipment, bar and catering equipment, and all tables, chairs and loose furniture, with the majority of fixtures and fittings approximately one year old and in excellent condition. A full asset list will be provided.

"The venue reopened in November 2025 and has already secured direct promoter relationships, with ticketing operated via Skiddle and forward bookings in place for 2026. These bookings support a forecast turnover in excess of £2 million, generated through ticketed live events, venue hire and bar sales retained by the operator, providing strong income visibility and reducing trading risk.

"The property offers further growth potential, including the creation of an outdoor terrace fronting Ship Hill, activation of currently under-utilised internal areas, and enhanced marketing and programming to drive increased utilisation and bookings at both a local and national level.

This offers an opportunity to acquire a restored, income-generating live events venue with early trading momentum and clear growth potential. Opportunities of this scale, condition and positioning rarely come to market, and as such an early viewing is strongly advised."

A series of events are in the calendar for 2026 including East 17 on Valentine's Day, further Northern Soul events and a larger operator bringing a number of themed daytime events.

Empire Theatre website

Images: Veritas Business Sales

Read more...

News: Fundraising begins for unique holiday let inside one of the largest and most famous 18th century houses in England

A leading preservation and heritage charity has begun fundraising for plans to create a "truly elegant place to stay" within the historic mansion at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Founded in 1965, The Landmark Trust works to save historic buildings in danger of being lost forever. Sensitive restoration offers "landmarks" a new future by making them available to everyone for self-catering holidays. The lettings income from the 200+ extraordinary buildings in the charity's care supports their maintenance and survival in our landscape, culture and society.

When Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) took over the Grade I listed mansion in 2017, decades of neglect had left one of the finest homes in the UK in a sorry state.

The roof of the south wing, known as the "Bedlam" wing, was one of the first to be tackled when £7.5m of Capital Works/emergency repairs began in late 2018. But whilst repairs having taken place to the exterior of the South Tower, the interior is in urgent need of repair.

The Landmark Trust has worked out the details of a scheme to take on a long lease from the WWPT to make a Landmark (a holiday let) for two in the South Tower.

Rothbiz reported on the plans fro holiday lets in 2024 and now a campaign is now underway to raise £500,000.

Work by both trusts has uncovered that in around 1770, the upper chamber of the South Tower was adopted by Mary, 1st Marchioness of Rockingham, as her parlour. She had it decorated with fine plasterwork and wall plaques on Classical themes, and the scheme is an important survival of feminine taste in the Georgian period.

The plan is to use the finest craftspeople and materials to recreate the glory of the South Tower and to recreate the decorative finishes of the upper chamber to as they were in the 1770s. The parlour would become the drawing and dining room, and a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom would be created in the adjacent rooms. The approach would be via a handsome private footbridge from the elevated rear terrace.

Advertisement
Proposals also include heating and hot water being delivered via an Air Source Heat Pump sited on the adjacent roof, to feed underfloor heating in the upper chamber and cast-iron radiators in the other rooms. The large windows in the upper chamber will be given slimline heritage glazing.

Updates from the Landmark Trust explain: "The glorious parlour used by the Marchioness of Rockingham needs urgent action. Inside the secluded South Tower, the once opulent plasterwork is crumbling and an exquisitely decorated ceiling has been lost to water ingress.

"With your help we will repair the grandest room with traditional 18th-century skills using the finest craftspeople, to evoke its character in its prime.

"This secluded eyrie in one of England’s most notable houses will, we hope, become a truly elegant place to stay."

Caroline Stanford, a historian at the Landmark Trust, said: "Acting in partnership with the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust, Landmark has been developing this project for some time and we've just launched our appeal for the restoration of this secluded hideaway.

"The Landmark Trust aims to restore the upper chamber to how it looked under the second Marchioness in the 1770s and to convert adjoining rooms on the upper floor of the quadrant as bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.

"This will turn these rooms into a magnificent and very special place that anyone can book for a self-catering holiday. There'll also be regular access to the upper chamber for day visitors. If the money can be raised, we can be on site in summer 2026. But the Landmark Trust needs your help to do so. If you can, please support the appeal to ensure the revival and survival of this unique part of the Wentworth Woodhouse story."

Landmark Trust website Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT / Landmark Trust

Read more...

News: Plans revived for historic Rotherham building

A set of plans are back on the table after the future of a historic building in Rotherham town centre was secured.

Rothbiz has reported on the revival of the iconic Empire Theatre, a former cinema on Ship Hill / High Street that has successfully undergone a large restoration project. It is also known as the Essoldo building and was built in 1913 as the Empire Theatre. It has since operated as a cinema, snooker hall and nightclub.

With SME Holdings Ltd securing planning permission for the change of use of the premises from a night club use to a theatre / music venue use class, a new set of plans has been submitted for another part of the building.

The three storey property known as Essoldo Chambers on High Street has long had an active ground floor as the location for the Italian Pizza Oven in years gone by.

Advertisement
Improvements were carried out to the Essoldo Chambers building more than a decade ago as part of Rotherham Council's Townscape Heritage Initiative but the upper floors have remained vacant. They could now be brought back into use, if new plans are approved.

The plans from Imran Javed are for the conversion of the first and second floors to create eight flats and echo previously approved plans from 2008. Further plans in 2020 to make alterations and change the use of the ground floor shops were refused.

The latest plans, drawn up by YS Design Services Ltd, show three, 2-bed flats on the first floor and two, 2-bed, and three, 1-bed flats on the second floor.

The building is not a listed building but sits within the town centre conservation area. The latest plans do not include any alterations to the exterior with access already provided from the front, seperate to the commercial units.

The Rotherham town centre masterplan of 2017 confirmed the need for more housing and leisure uses as a way to develop economic vitality, bringing more life, activity and spending back into the town centre and moving away from the traditional retail market.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Plans approved for conversion of listed building in Rotherham town centre

An empty former townhouse in Rotherham town centre can be brought back to life following the approval of a change of use application.

12 Wellgate, close to Rotherham's heritage High Street, was granted grade II listed building status for its traditional Georgian façade with symmetrical proportions, sash windows, and stone detailing exemplifying the restrained elegance of the late-18th to early-19th century period.

In recent years the ground floor and first floor has been in commercial use - most recently as Bluebell Wood's retail operation, and before that, Eton menswear.

Rothbiz reported last year on the application from Mr Ashraf and Goldnest Property Solutions that showed that the ground floor would stay in commercial use and introduces four residential flats on the upper floors.

Two 1-bed studio flats would be on the first floor, with a 2-bed apartment on the second floor and a 1-bed apartment on the third floor.

Council planners approved the proposals without the need to go before the authority's planning board as they involved no significant external alterations and access to the residential part of the building would be seperate to the access to the remaining commercial unit fronting Wellgate.

Advertisement
Planners concluded that: "The proposed conversion of the retail use (Use Class E) of the first and second floors of the building to a residential use of 3 no. apartments (Use Class C3) is acceptable in this Retail Area, due to the fact that the retail unit at ground floor level would be completely unaffected by the proposals. The proposed apartments would provide an acceptable degree of amenity to future occupiers and would not harm the amenity of neighbouring residents in terms of overlooking."

Regarding conservation, planners added that "the development would not harm the special character and appearance of the Grade II listed building and would not impact on the Rotherham Conservation Area."

Further detail was included in the listed building consent application which showed that proposals for the conversion of the roof space and construction of the dormer window were removed from the plans.

A planning report said: "The first and second floor storage areas have been greatly altered over the years with original walls having been removed and the historic room layout having been changed, in particular at first floor level.

"The applicant has confirmed that existing structural walls would remain in situ with new partition walls constructed to allow for the conversion of the building. However, due to extensive internal changes much of the original room layout is no longer legible.

"There is little historic fabric of interest remaining inside the building and it is considered that the proposed conversion works, would not harm the special character and appearance of the Grade II listed building."

Having previously been up for sale at £185,000, the three-storey property with a loft provides 2,501 sq ft of space.

Images: CPR / Google Maps

Read more...

News: The challenge of restoring pride in Rotherham with £20m

A £20m regeneration fund has been welcomed in central Rotherham but the leader of the council admits that it will be a challenge to spend it so that each resident feels the benefit.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on the regeneration plan being developed for the government's Pride in Place Programme.

Previously called the Long-Term Plan for Towns and then renamed as Plan for Neighbourhoods, £20m is for the next ten years for the central Rotherham area where interventions in line for funding will need to come under the themes of: regeneration, high streets and heritage; health and wellbeing; education and opportunity; cohesion, safety and security; or work, productivity and skills.

The plan has been shaped through extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders and will be delivered in partnership with a newly formed Neighbourhood Board, which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors, as well as South Yorkshire Police, local councillors and Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham.

The first period of delivery is expected to begin in April 2026, with further investment plans to follow in 2030 and 2033.

Advertisement
Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “This is welcome investment in communities that have gone without for too long. And while it will certainly not fix all the challenges faced by our residents it will help us create safer, healthier, and stronger communities where we hope people will feel proud to live and work.

“We’ve listened to residents and built a plan that reflects their priorities. Over the coming months, we will be able to set out plans in more detail to ensure we are getting the best value from this funding.”

The vision statement for the Pride in Place regeneration plan states that regeneration will bring back purpose to cherished buildings, create safe and welcoming public space and breathe new life into the town centre. It adds that: "The success of Rotherham’s plan will be felt by the Rotherham community who will feel empowered to participate, and recognise a growing sense of belonging and pride, as they come together more to celebrate where they live."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council said: "We've managed to end up with a fund, that whilst it is welcome, is on its third name before we've managed to spend any of it - which I think is unprecedented. It is absolutely welcome funding, it was welcome funding under the last government and it is welcome funding under this government. The long term nature of it is particularly welcomed as a sustainable fund over the course of the decade.

"It is worth refelecting that it is largely capital funding, funding for "stuff" - goods, items and buildings, rather than people's wages and the provision of services. And inevitably, given the geography of the area, that means that something doesn't get built in every one of those places. It would be a very small thing that would be built in each of those places.

"We need to look at that geography as a whole in order to be making decisions alongside the neighbourhood board about where it should be spent. We are particularly keen to be working with those communities on their priorities around its spend to ensure that we are getting the most sustainable benefit for improving lives of people in the central Rotherham area. That does meen that it is a complicated scheme to administer. It isn't the same as getting a chunk of funding to build, for example, some provision at one of our country parks in the way that we are currently delivering.

"It really is good that it is sustainable over a period of time and not just a one off but it will be more of a challenge given the geography and the scale of the area covered to be able to produce an impact that each resident will feel directly in a way that we would want them too. It is a big, and quite difficult, piece of work to administer, this particular fund, for the benefit of residents in the central Rotherham area."

Images: RMBC / Don Catchment River Trust

Read more...