News: Council left £466,000 out of pocket by town centre developer

Cash-strapped Rotherham Council says that it has exhausted all the avenues in a bid to recover a £466,000, decade-old debt from a company it selected as a development partner for a high profile town centre regeneration scheme.

The Westgate Demonstrator Project was part of the much-vaunted Rotherham Renaissance programme that introduced apartments to the riverside in the Old Market and Keppel Wharf buildings and included the restoration of the Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building.

Now council documents show that the developer, Iliad, never paid a premium to the authority after the work was completed in 2013. The debt remains unpaid despite the developments being sold on behalf of client and original developer, Iliad, in a deal worth close to £4m in 2019.

The debt relates to the invoice for the lease premium and is listed as £466,360.22. The council is proposing to write it off having been unable to get it paid.

In a bid to kickstart housing and mixed use regeneration, and reduce the risks for a reluctant private sector, Rotherham Council sought a developer in 2005 to bring forward projects on authority-owned sites. Sale documents showed that all the completed blocks were held long leasehold on new 160 year leases from September 2006 from the Council at a peppercorn rent.

The multimillion pound schemes resulted in 61 new apartments and around 20,000 sq ft of ground floor retail space but the economic downturn following 2008 meant that a proposed Iliad scheme for the site of the former All Saints Building was scrapped.

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Council papers state: "The Council proposes to write off a debtor balance in relation to IIiad (Rotherham) Ltd, to the value of £466,360.22, dating back from 27.03.2013. The debt stems from an old regeneration scheme where RMBC entered into a Development Agreement with the developer Iliad to deliver the Westgate Demonstrator Project.

"Under the terms of the Development Agreement just prior to commencement of construction on site Iliad and the Council would enter into a long term lease. As the buildings were completed Iliad would then pay to the Council a Lease Premium. However, IIiad got into significant financial difficulty and were unable to meet the lease premium and ultimately fell into liquidation.

"The invoice/debt relates to the invoice for the lease premium. The Council has pursued this debt through a variety of channels over a significant period of time, however, it is now believed that all avenues have been exhausted and the debt should be written off."

The Council added that it has used normal debt collection routes and hired a legal firm to lodge its case, only to be told that "the Council is unlikely to ever see any return from this process."

According to Companies House, Iliad (Rotherham) Ltd continues to trade and there are no listings in the London Gazette regarding its liquidation.

Iliad Group continues to develop properties in its native Liverpool, most recently a 120-apartment project called "The Eight" in 2021, and the restoration of a Georgian Terrace, also in The Ropeworks area of the city in 2024.

The Council said that it will continue to monitor the case and added that there would be "no impact on the Council’s reported financial position" as provision had already been made in its accounts in preparation for the debt being written off.

Iliad website

Images: GVA

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News: Rotherham mixed-use schemes sold

High profile mixed-use retail and residential developments in the heart of Rotherham town centre have been acquired in a multimillion pound deal.

GVA's Leeds office has completed the sale of "Rotherham Central" on behalf of client and original developer, Iliad, in a deal worth close to £4m.

Purchased by Modernistiq Developments, the sale comprised 61 private-rented apartments and 23 retail units, distributed across three buildings, including the Victorian Imperial Buildings shopping arcade.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that a portfolio containing part of the developments in had gone on the market.

The Westgate Demonstrator Project saw developments like the Old Market and Keppel Wharf brought new apartments to the riverside. The scheme, part of the much-vaunted Rotherham Renaissance programme, also included the restoration of the Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building.

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A design competition was launched in 2005 by Rotherham Council to find a preferred partner to take forward a masterplan for the Westgate area. Liverpool developer, Iliad and Glenn Howells Architects were selected to deliver this "Demonstrator Project", a key town centre regeneration scheme comprising five sites in council ownership.

Income is derived from residential, retail, car parking and ground rent totalling £470,000 per annum.

Alex Sweetman at GVA, said: "We are delighted to conclude the sale of Rotherham Central as the scheme will play a pivotal role in the revitalisation of the town centre.

"The town is experiencing a healthy demand for high quality, PRS housing and with limited stock on the market, Rotherham Central presented a fantastic opportunity for potential purchasers.

"The deal was a fantastic start to the year for us and we anticipate a busy few months ahead."

Eversheds acted on behalf of Iliad, while Shoosmiths James Bielby of Bielby Associates represented Modernistiq Developments.

Modernistiq is already looking at its investments and recently submitted a planning application to convert the vacant commercial unit at Keppel Wharf into 13 residential properties.

GVA website

Images: GVA

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News: £60m Rotherham housing schemes up for sale

A trio of high profile property developments in Rotherham town centre have gone on the market.

It has been nearly eight years since the high profile Westgate Demonstrator Project was completed and developments like the Old Market and Keppel Wharf brought new apartments to the riverside. The scheme, part of the much-vaunted Rotherham Renaissance programme, also included the restoration of the Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building.

Now offers are being sought for the apartment and commercial space in five individual lots, although offers will be considered for the entire opportunity. No asking price has been published.

A design competition was launched in 2005 by Rotherham Council to find a preferred partner to take forward a masterplan for the Westgate area. Liverpool developer, Iliad and Glenn Howells Architects were selected to deliver this "Demonstrator Project", a key town centre regeneration scheme comprising five sites in council ownership.

Around £60m worth of development was carried out, creating The Old Market, Keppel Wharf and the Imperial Buidlings.

44 residential apartments and 7,000 sq ft of ground floor retail space is included in the four storey Old Market building (pictured, top), fronting the River Don on the site of the town's old covered market.

26 of the apartments, a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed flats, along with the retail space, which is fully let to bridal shop, WED2B, are up for sale.

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The Imperial Buildings (pictured, below) includes period glass shop frontages and internal galleries that complement the conservation area setting next to Rotherham Minster. 19 residential apartments were created on the upper floors.

The 19th century shambles were replaced in the early 20th century with the present Imperial Buildings. Six of the flats and the retail space, which is part occupied by a number of independent businesses, are up for sale.

Keppel Wharf, built on the former baths site overlooking the river, created 53 residential apartments and 5,000 sq ft of commercial space, plus 2,500 sq. ft of open terrace. It is currently home to a health food shop with the rest used as an art gallery and arts space.

29 of the 1 bed and 2 bed flats are up for sale, along with the commercial space.

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Property agents at GVA, have been brought in to progress the sale, with the client thought to be the developer, Illiad.

All of the residential apartments are managed by a single firm, Atollie Property Management Ltd.

The brochure for the investment describes the offer as "a rare opportunity to purchase recently developed town centre income producing residential and retail stock" and adds that there is an "extremely buoyant local demand within the private rented sector market."

It adds that the lots are "by far the largest-scale private rented sector-led development in Rotherham of recent years. The standard of construction, high specification of units and proximity to town centre infrastructure differentiate the three schemes from rival stock located elsewhere in the town, and further afield."

The brochure shows that all the blocks are held long leasehold on new 160 year leases from September 2006 from the Council at a peppercorn rent. The 61 apartments across the three blocks are let on assured shorthold tenancies and produce a current gross passing rental of £365,400 per annum.

The 20,608 sq ft of ground floor retail across the schemes, providing 23 units, is let on a mixture of agreement types and currently produces a gross annual income of £115,602 per annum.

The current owner also has a reversionary interest within the properties, providing potential buyers with the prospect of acquiring long-term stable ground rent income of potentially £23,200 per annum from a total of 116 residential units.

GVA website

Images: GVA

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News: ROAR to launch arts hub in Rotherham town centre

Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance (ROAR) are making the finishing touches to their "mini arts hub" in the refurbished Imperial Buildings in Rotherham town centre as they host a launch event on March 6.

Local artists will be taking up residence in units in and surrounding the internal central kiosk. They will offer a range of contemporary fine art and fine craft including textiles, jewellery, hand made books, painting and photography.

Artists will be opening their units for the first time showing their work for sale alongside offering a number of free activities, workshops, exhibitions & demonstrations to celebrate the launch.

Visitors will be able to make beautiful textile objects whilst enjoying tea & cake with textile artist Gemma Nemer, enjoy free drop in origami workshops with Anne Russell, get their portrait sketched by Sam Galbraith, have a go at making a hand made card with Shahin Shah, enjoy some story telling with your children with Mary Passeri, browsing Vicky Hilton's "Vintage & Collectables" table top stall or visit the exhibitions from The Design Consortium, Point & Shoot Gallery, Divergent Images and the residents artists.

The project is supported by The Arts Council, RMBC and in particular the town centre management team and their town centre business vitality grants scheme.

Karen Sherwood, Chief Executive, ROAR (Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance) said: "I am delighted to be able to launch this initiative in such a fabulous building. The artists are very excited about this opportunity to have space to work, show and sell their unique pieces and services in such wonderful surroundings."

The arts hub will join the newly opened Boo boutique in the Imperial Buildings, along with The Jeweller's Exchange, and women's clothing and accessories boutique, Yella Brick Road.

ROAR website
Rotherham

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News: Success for Rotherham in Yorkshire Property Industry Awards

Organisations and projects in Rotherham have been recognised at the Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2009 with a key Rotherham Renaissance project winning the Regeneration Award.

Organised by Insider Media, the awards aim to recognise achievements right across the property sector including the investors, developers, architects, contractors and agents, along with the buildings and developments themselves. The winners were announced at an event held at the at the Royal Armouries in Leeds this week.

The All Saints Quarter in Rotherham town centre secured the Regeneration Award in a category alongside developments in Shipley and Bingley. The judges praised the developer Iliad for its commitment to quality which has been rewarded by letting over 70 per cent of apartments and getting retailers in place.

The first phase of the £37m All Saints' Quarter is now complete and consists of the restored Imperial Buildings, award-winning Old Market and, most recently, Keppel Wharf.

Last month, 15 of the 19 in Imperial Buildings were occupied and all 44 apartments in Old Market had gone.

St Paul's Developments was named as Developer of the Year, recognising the string of sales and lettings secured in a difficult market. A key development by St Paul's is Brookfields Park in Manvers were this year Pegler Yorksire signed up for a 105,000 sq ft £7m warehouse to join current occupiers, Next and Maplin, on site.

Also recognised on the night, were Rotherham Council, shortlisted in the Local Authority of the Year category, an award it won at the the event in 2008.

The Environmental Energy Technology Centre in Rotherham was highly commended in the Sustainable Building/Development of the Year for construction company Allenbuild.

Now part of the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre, the centre offers office and workshop space for hi-tech advanced engineering, manufacturing and materials organisations.

The buildings include features such as ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic cells and grey water recapture systems. The recently installed wind turbine will provide power to the building as part of what is set to be the largest wind-to-hydrogen power system in the UK.

Insider website

Rotherham

Images: Rotherham Renaissance

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News: Riverside living in Rotherham town centre

Recently completed riverside developments in Rotherham town centre are proving a success, delighting Liverpool-based developer Iliad and Rotherham council.

The first phase of the £37m All Saints' Quarter is now complete and consists of the restored Imperial Buildings, award-winning Old Market and, most recently, Keppel Wharf.

Letting the apartments has proven to be a booming success – 15 of the 19 in Imperial Buildings are occupied and all 44 apartments in Old Market are gone.

Iliad director Bill Addy said: "We've been extremely pleased with the take-up of these apartments. In Rotherham we are fortunate as they are a first for the town centre.

"Keppel Wharf has only just completed but, with the enquiries received already – and with seven of the 53 already sold – we expect the development to be fully occupied by Christmas.

"With the national housing market as it is at the moment, we couldn't be more pleased with our investment in Rotherham town centre."

The council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "These apartments are achieving just what we hoped – people who work in the town centre now live in the town centre."

Ground floor retail space is also starting to see a boost with four retailers starting fit out next month to Imperial Buildings in time for opening for the Christmas Shopping period.

Rotherham Renaissance website

Rotherham

Images: Rotherham Renaissance

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News: Retailers granted success in Rotherham town centre

The first three businesses that have successfully received their Business Vitality Grant have been announced along with news that they will shortly be opening within the newly restored Imperial Buildings in Rotherham town centre.

The three successful applicants are Mark Fitzgerald, owner of regional coffee shop chain, Prego, Michelle Black owner of Boo Boutiques already operating in Mexborough and Lisa Middlemiss who is excited about expanding her Rotherham based bridal wear boutique, Bridal Affairs on Wellgate, by opening a second unit in Imperial Buildings.

Owner of Boo Boutique Michelle Black said: "I am thrilled that my business will receive this grant assistance. I've always wanted to expand my business and another unit in Rotherham town centre is just what I needed. The grant gives small business owners like me the chance to achieve that."

Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation Cllr Gerald Smith said: "I"m pleased to be welcoming these new businesses to the town centre and especially pleased to see that they are taking up units in one of our flagship Renaissance developments. The coffee house and boutiques have been awarded these grants as they are exactly the sort of high-quality niche businesses that adds to the Rotherham town centre offer."

The initiative was announced in March and is funded by Rotherham Borough Council and was developed by its Town Centre Management team.

As well as rental grants, seven grant offers to Rotherham's cafe's have also been made to help cover the cost of street-cafe furniture, canopies and outside areas.

It is also intended that the initiative will later be extended to include shop-front improvement grants for existing retailers in priority areas.

Rotherham Town Centre website
Rotherham Renaissance website
Rotherham

Images: rotherhamrenaissance.co.uk

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News: Public realm for site of All Saints' Building in Rotherham town centre

The cabinet of Rotherham Borough Council has agreed for a proposal to be put forward for a public relam development on the site of the All Saints' Building in Rotherham town centre.

Planning permission was approved in November for a contemporary four-storey building comprising office accommodation, retail/leisure space car parking spaces on the important Rotherham Renaissance site.

The cabinet heard that as the recession had deepened there was increased concern that the retail space proposed on the ground floor of a new build would not be filled when the new building opened for business.

Developers Iliad, have informed the Council that they are not prepared to develop the new offices because they were very unlikely to achieve a 60% level of pre-let in the new build and that in the current economic climate private sector funding would be very difficult to secure without a major pre-let.

The cabinet also discussed that the view of All Saints Minster had created a groundswell of public opinion that the Council should landscape the site, create public realm and leave the view of the Minster

Cabinet members agreed with officers who are of the view that the public realm option offers Rotherham an opportunity to improve the setting of the Minster and address the negative impact of poor public realm in Rotherham Town Centre, though they expressed concern about the long term implications for this site should it be required in the event of an economic upturn.

A meeting is being held at Clifton Park Museum on July 15 at 5pm to discuss the proposals.

Rotherham Renaissance website
Rotherham

Images: Flickr/Blade Man

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News: First residents move in to the Imperial Buildings in Rotherham

Following 18 months of restoration work on Rotherham’s much-loved Imperial Buildings, 2009 sees it come to life with new residents moving into two of the 19 new luxury apartments. The town centre’s ambitious £2bn Renaissance, part of Yorkshire Forward’s region-wide Renaissance Towns programme, set out in its Town Team goals the determination to populate the town centre – and Imperial is the first completed project to achieve this. The Edwardian, Grade II listed building at the top of the High Street has had extensive repairs and improvements made, as well as the introduction of living space above the ground-floor retail units. Bucking the trend of the current economic climate, the apartments have almost all been sold, and are now starting to be let. Mark Jarvis is the first to move into Imperial Buildings and was able to spend Christmas in his new two-bedroom apartment. "I chose Imperial Buildings as I wanted to live in Rotherham’s town centre so I was close to work and the local amenities,” he said. "When I viewed Imperial I was impressed by the quality and how central it was to the town centre. I am very excited about the changes occurring in this area and look forward to meeting my neighbours not only in this building, but in the apartments opposite in The Old Market development." Council leader Cllr Roger Stone, chairman of the Rotherham Renaissance Town Team, said: "It’s great to see these developments getting finished now. It is important in the Renaissance programme not only to concentrate on the new, but also to protect what we have."
Rotherham Renaissance website

Mike Jolly Estates
Rotherham

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News: Iliad’s Rotherham All Saints’ regeneration scheme gains planning approval

Liverpool based developer Iliad has successfully gained planning approval for All Saints’ building - the next project in the ambitious multi-million pound Renaissance plan to regenerate the heart of Rotherham town centre. Iliad already has outline planning permission to demolish the existing All Saints’ building and replace it with a contemporary four-storey building that will comprise two/three levels of office accommodation above prime retail space and create nearly 12,000 sq ft of retail/leisure space, 33,000sq ft of office space and 49 new lower-ground floor car parking spaces. Fronting All Saints’ Square and Rotherham Minster, All Saints’ building will use a palette of Rotherham Red sandstone and brickwork in a confident and contemporary manner that will complement its setting in a conservation area. The building is designed by architects, Falconer Chester Hall, and is set to achieve an environmental rating of excellent from BREEAM. Bill Addy, Development Director for Iliad said: "The approval of All Saints’ building represents another milestone in promoting the regeneration of Rotherham. With its close proximity to Rotherham Minster it was extremely important that the All Saints’ building was sympathetic to its surroundings and fitted in accordingly and we are delighted to have achieved this successfully." Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, Cllr Gerald Smith said: "The Renaissance programme is well under way and the new All Saints’ building will add another iconic development, providing the town with much needed quality office space as well as presenting another attractive, and hopefully award winning, building that complements the town centres proudest jewel – the Minster." Two of Iliad’s current projects in Rotherham are nearing completion and work will commence on All Saints’ building and Turnpike Wharf (subject to planning permission) early in 2009.

Iliad website

Rotherham Renaissance website
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham’s future looks bright despite gloom

Developers and key partners behind the £2bn regeneration Rotherham Renaissance programme are "desperately keen" to push ahead with their ambitious plans for transformation. Their positive take on the future of projects is in stark contrast to the global economic gloom. At an unveiling of an architect’s scale model of the vision for the town centre, driven by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and a broad-based Town Team, the partners agreed Rotherham was bucking the national trend, with a bright future ahead of it. Director of town centre development partner TCN UK Stephen Holme said: "What’s happening in Rotherham is exciting. Yes, we’re in this economic climate, and we’re not blasé about it, but we can’t change it except through our determination to press ahead with well-thought-out, soundly-funded, schemes. The opportunities the Rotherham programme offers are still viable and exciting and we are desperately keen to crack on with it." Much of that redevelopment is already under way, and much more will take place over the next five years. Already the first phase of the town centre transformation is taking shape. The £37m All Saints’ Quarter, providing a mix of new retail, leisure, office and residential space is bursting into life, with three of the five sites to be completed this year by award-winning Liverpool-based developer Iliad. Rotherham Borough Council’s strategic director for Environment and Development Services, Karl Battersby, said: "The town centre renaissance is mirroring the massive regeneration that has transformed the rest of the 110-sq-mile borough, spearheaded by the council’s regeneration arm, Rotherham Investment & Development Office. We’re bringing sustainable futures to former coalfield sites in particular. Major changes were needed, and they’re being delivered. The town centre model highlights the scale of what Rotherham and the developers have planned."

Rotherham Renaissance website
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham town focus

Excellent feature on Rotherham in the tenth anniversary issue of the Yorkshire Business Insider. Highlighting some of the major projects making the headlines, the article discusses TCN's Waterfront development in the Dearne Valley, RiDO's Fusion @ Magna Business Centre, the YES! Project, UK Coal's plans for Waverley and commercial developments at Templeborough and Dinnington. The regeneration of the town centre is also discussed with the number of projects currently underway including Iliad's developments in the All Saints Quarter, the redevelopment of the railway station, and the new health and leisure facilities all mentioned. Karl Battersby, the council's strategic director for environment and development services told Insider: "The developers here are committed to Rotherham and have spent a lot of time and money. They are genuinely excited by the scale of regeneration." Stephen Holme of TCN, another town centre developer, told Insider: "In terms of raising Rotherham's profile, there have been massive amounts of regeneration work going on since the early 1990's. "The town centre project is another five to eight years' worth of work. It is a great a lot of these projects are coming through and hitting the headlines at the same time, but there is still an awful lot of work to do and a few more years of headlines to come."
Insider website
Rotherham

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News: Iliad completes refurb of Rotherham landmark

Developer Iliad has announced the completion of the £3,750,000 refurbishment of the Imperial Buildings - part of the ambitious All Saints’ Quarter in Rotherham town centre. The magnificent Edwardian, Grade II listed buildings includes period glass shop frontages and internal galleries that complement the conservation area setting next to Rotherham Minster. Designed by architects Glen Howells, the refurbishment has created nearly 9,000 sq ft of retail space and 19 residential apartments. Bill Addy, Development Director for Iliad said: "The completion of the Imperial Buildings represents another major milestone in the regeneration of Rotherham. We expect the high quality mix of space within Imperial to significantly enhance the retail and residential offer that is currently available in Rotherham’s town centre." A key part of Rotherham Renaissance, the All Saints’ Quarter will provide 154 new apartments and 126,000 sq ft of mixed commercial, retail, leisure and office accommodation. Subject to planning permission work will commence on All Saints’ building and Turnpike Wharf early in 2009.

Iliad website

Rotherham Renaissance website
Rotherham

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News: The regeneration of the property market in the North

The Times provides national coverage for the regeneration of the property market in Rotherham in an article on property winners in the North's "regeneration game." As a former industrial town still with a mountain to climb, the article hears from Bill Addy, a director of the property developer Iliad Group, which is working with Rotherham Borough Council to transform the town centre under the Rotherham Renaissance scheme. Addy tells the paper: "The biggest challenge is getting credibility. "It is convincing people that Rotherham is a place where they can go and live, work and do business. There is the same challenge in a lot of smaller towns." The article discusses the redevelopment of the Imperial Buildings, which once completed in September will provide 19 high-quality apartments, plus space for new shops, cafes and bars on the ground floor.

Rotherham Renaissance website

The Times article

Rotherham

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News: Iliad's All Saints Project in Rotherham moves a step further

Liverpool based developer Iliad has submitted a planning application to build the All Saints building which will be the next project in their ambitious plans to regenerate the heart of Rotherham town centre. The proposed All Saints building will comprise two/three levels of office accommodation above prime retail space and create nearly 12,000 sq ft of retail/leisure space and 33,000sq ft of office space. Designed by Architects Falconer Chester Hall, the office spaces will offer panoramic views across Rotherham and the upper floor will feature a terrace which can be enjoyed by office workers. Environmentally the building is set to achieve an BREEAM rating of excellent. Iliad’s current ongoing projects in Rotherham are both nearing completion. The award winning Old Market building will be completed at the end of 2008 creating 44 one, two and three bedroom apartments on four storeys with ground-floor retail accommodation built around a raised internal courtyard. The magnificent Victorian, Grade II listed, Imperial Building will be completed and reopen for business in August 2008. Imperial Building comprises nearly 17,000sq ft of retail space and 19 apartments. Bill Addy, Development Director for Iliad said: "All Saints building will represent another milestone in the regeneration of Rotherham and subject to planning approval we look forward to starting on site early in 2009".
Iliad website
Rotherham Renaissance website

The Star article

2nd Star article
Rotherham

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News: Iliad tops out Renaissance building

At an event held in Rotherham last month, developer Iliad proudly announced the near completion of the Old Market building – part of the first phase of Rotherham’s major All Saints’ Quarter Renaissance project. The Old Market sees main contractor, ISG, build 44 one, two and three bedroom apartments on four storeys with ground-floor retail accommodation built around a raised internal courtyard. With a prominent frontage onto the River Don and in close proximity to the historic All Saints’ Minster, the building is at the core of Rotherham’s Renaissance. The Old Market building has recently been praised when architects for the building, Glenn Howells Architects, scooped the coveted, national ‘Project Winner’ award at the 2007 National Housing Design Awards. Bill Addy, Business Development Director of the Iliad Group said: “The topping out of Old Market marks a significant stage in the physical regeneration of Rotherham. We are very pleased with how well the scheme is progressing and the interest that it is creating locally and nationally. "I think this project is proving to be an excellent example of good practice in terms of how a public/private sector partnership can work successfully to bring about town-centre regeneration.” Addy also discusses the project in this month's Yorkshire Business Insider.

Illiad website
Rotherham Renaissance website
The Star article
Rotherham

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News: Rotherham’s vision is taking shape

Developer Iliad is insisting on nothing less than a top-quality niche retail offer for its Rotherham developments. The Edwardian-era Imperial Buildings aims to kick-start the All Saints’ Quarter scheme with a comprehensive restoration of nine retail units with apartments above that are due to open this summer and, with the opening of their award-winning development, the Old Market in October ensures that this area of the town centre is set to be completely changed. Iliad’s business development director Bill Addy said “We are very pleased with how well the scheme is progressing and the interest that it is creating locally and nationally. “I think this project is proving to be an excellent example of good practice in terms of how a public/private sector partnership can work successfully to bring about town-centre regeneration.” Another developer, TCN UK has submitted ambitious transformation plans to the council that will radically overhaul the town centre, turning it into a thriving vibrant hub, offering enhanced retail and leisure facilities on an unprecedented scale. TCN UK (Northern) managing director Stephen Holme said: “These plans are ambitious, but very achievable, with a great deal of thought having gone into their drafting. The town centre offers so much potential, and we want to do it justice."
Iliad website
TCN UK website
Rotherham Renaissance website

Rotherham

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News: National coverage for Rotherham retail schemes

A recent retail supplement in the Estates Gazette highlights a fashionable future for Rotherham and uses the case study of the new developments taking place as part of Rotherham Renaissance to show how putting new shops in less fashionable towns takes courage. The redevelopment of the Imperial Buildings and the new development at the Old Market are both mixed use schemes by developers, Iliad, who were selected by Rotherham Council to develop a number of sites in the town. The Imperial Buildings will include 16,000 sq ft of retail space and the Old Market, 7,000 sq ft and both due to open in the Summer. Iliad's development director Bill Addy told the Estates Gazette: "Clearly, there is a risk in speculative retail development in less-fashionable towns. Historically, Rotherham's problem has been that it is a poor relation to places like Sheffield. Meadowhall is just 10 minutes away, so we knew we had our work cut out, but development is about assessing risk and potential benefits and making these decisions."

Rotherham Renaissance website

Estates Gazette website

Rotherham

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News: Rotherham to share Renaissance best practice online

The team behind the massive town-centre programme, Rotherham Renaissance, is set to launch the UK’s first website aimed primarily at other regeneration promoters and practitioners. The idea is to highlight the lessons learned in how best to unlock complex schemes, get new markets moving and engage high-quality developers and architects. The new website focuses on the £60m Westgate Demonstrator Project. Visitors will see and hear experts talking about the practical issues that have gone into bringing the council's and its partners’ ambitions to reality. Yorkshire Forward's Rob Tranmer stated that "Rotherham has demonstrated its ability to be innovative and its initiative by being the first town to share its best practice in this way." The Westgate Project which will provide 1,160 apartments, is the first major mixed-use scheme to be built under the renaissance scheme.

Rotherham Westgate Demonstrator Project website

Rotherham Renaissance website

Rotherham Advertiser article

Rotherham

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