News: Where next in Rotherham for McDonald's?

Early stage plans are being prepared for a new development on the edge of a town in Rotherham, featuring a new petrol station, McDonald's restaurant and a drive thru coffee shop.

The most recent McDonald's in Rotherham opened in Dinnington last year, creating 70 full time equivalent jobs.

Now a planning enquiry has been made to Rotherham Council regarding an unused piece of land close to Wath town centre.

Feasability plans from Valli Forecourts show a mixed-use development comprising a Petrol Filling Station (PFS), a drive-thru coffee shop and a drive-thru restaurant on land adjacent to the A633 Station Road near Wath roundabout.

On the opposite side of the road to the recreation ground, and backing on to the Cross Keys pub, the brownfield site is currently occupied by a Cadent gas works and undeveloped land, bounded to the north by commercial uses and undeveloped land to the east and south.

The plans, seen by Rothbiz, are for the construction of a twelve filling bay PFS, ancillary retail kiosk and associated parking provision, including six-bay Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub, as well as jet washing bays and rollover car wash.

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The proposals would also see the provision of a 3,300 sq ft drive-thru restaurant to the east of the site (identified on plans as a McDonald's), and a 2,150 sq ft drive-thru coffee shop to the south of the site (an operator is not shown on the plans). Separate dedicated parking provisions would be included within each plot.

The proposals would see a new access constructed into the site off Station Road, to the northwest of the site, including a new pedestrian refuge island.

The land is part of a much larger area designated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's local plan.

Rotherham Council planners recommended that the planning board reject the Dinnington proposals stating that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria [for industrial use]."

Planning permission was approved when the planning board at Rotherham Council went against the recommendation of officers.

Valli Forecourts website

Images: McDonald's / Google Maps

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News: New McDonald's in Rotherham opens

A new McDonald's restaurant has opened in Rotherham creating 70 full-time equivalent jobs.

Developer Keystone Yorkshire identified its site for a new Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington. At Campbell Way and Nobel Way the land is designated as employment land on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The development on the vacant plot comprises a modern freestanding single storey restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping and associated works.

With indoor and outdoor seating for customers, the proposals also include 60 on-site car parking spaces for customers, including 2 disabled spaces and 3 cycle spaces.

Applicants said that the plans would create 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs).

McDonald's Restaurants recently secured a licence to serve late night refreshment (Indoors & Outdoors) from 11pm to 5am, which effectively grants permission for the Dinnington restaurant to be in operation 24 hours a day.

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The Dinnington site was opened this week by franchisee Franco Ventura of Ex Animo Foods Ltd, alongside representatives of Rotherham Titans. Local lad Franco spent 30 years working for McDonald’s in various roles including Vice President of Operations North. Ex Animo Foods Ltd now has ten locations in South Yorkshire.

Planning permission for the new site was approved when the planning board at Rotherham Council went against the recommendation of officers.

Planners at Rotherham Council recommended that the planning board reject the proposals stating that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

Assessing the reaction to the plans from the local community, members of the planning board discussed how they disagreed with the officer and were instead satisfied that the range and quality of employment opportunities did meet the criteria for the land use allocation.

A motion was presented to grant approval for the plans, which also highlighted that the proposal would support the continued regeneration of Dinnington and add to the similar uses nearby - namely the Monk's Bridge Farm pub, Greggs, petrol filling station and takeaway units.

McDonald’s has more than 1,450 restaurants across the UK and Ireland and employs more than 135,000 people.

McDonald’s website

Images: McDonald’s Rotherham / Facebook

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News: New McDonald's in Rotherham opening soon as recruitment underway

Recruitment is underway for a new McDonald's restaurant being built in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that the planning board at Rotherham Council had voted to approve plans for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington - going against the recommendation of officers.

The location at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is designated as employment land on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The development on the vacant plot comprises a modern freestanding single storey restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping and associated works.

With indoor and outdoor seating for customers, the proposals also include 60 on-site car parking spaces for customers, including 2 disabled spaces and 3 cycle spaces.

Applicants said that the plans would create 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs) with positions currently available including crew member and dining area assistant.

Job adverts state that the new McDonald's in Dinnington will open in August 2025 with training provided at the nearby Bramley location whilst construction is completed.

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Planners at Rotherham Council recommended that the planning board reject the proposals stating that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

Assessing the reaction to the plans from the local community, members of the planning board discussed how they disagreed with the officer and were instead satisfied that the range and quality of employment opportunities did meet the criteria for the land use allocation.

A motion was presented to grant approval for the plans, which also highlighted that the proposal would support the continued regeneration of Dinnington and add to the similar uses nearby - namely the Monk's Bridge Farm pub, Greggs, petrol filling station and takeaway units.

McDonald's Restaurants has recently applied for a licence to serve late night refreshment (Indoors & Outdoors) from 11pm to 5am, which effectively would grant permission for the restaurant to be in operation 24 hours a day.

The job ad states: "McDonald's are one of the most recognised brands in the world, and the backbone of our brand is commitment to a set of core values: Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community and Family. We live by our values every day and are committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, providing quality jobs, and making opportunity open to all.

"Join us and you'll become part of a team in our brand-new restaurant, opening August 2025, that works together to provide the best customer experience."

McDonald's website

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: Planning board vote to approve new Rotherham McDonald's

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted to approve plans for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington - going against the recommendation of officers.

Rothbiz reported last week that the planning officer was recommending that the application be refused, questioning the type of jobs created by McDonald's compared to industrial occupiers as it relates to the planning policy regarding land use.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The board heard how the land was allocated for Industrial and Business Use and has been marketed since 2015 but had not received any significant interest due to significant remediation costs.

Applicants said that the plans would deliver a Drive-Thru restaurant, creating 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs) but the planner's report to the board on the proposals stated that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

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Assessing the reaction to the plans from the local community, members of the planning board discussed how they disagreed with the officer and were instead satisfied that the range and quality of employment opportunities did meet the criteria for the land use allocation.

A motion was presented to grant approval for the plans, which also highlighted that the proposal would support the continued regeneration of Dinnington and add to the similar uses nearby - namely the Monk's Bridge Farm pub, Greggs, petrol filling station and takeaway units.

The motion was approved unanimously, with approval set to be granted subject to various conditions to be agreed.

Before the meeting Cllr. Amanda Clarke, elected member for the Dinnington area, who has worked with fellow councillor ,Julz Hall, to support the application, said that the proposed Dinnington McDonald's was wanted, adding: "McDonald's Dinnington is supported by our council leader Chris Read, as well as myself and Jake Richards, our Member of Parliament. This new establishment is much anticipated."

Annie Newman, Senior Acquisitions Surveyor at McDonald’s said: “We have wanted to expand our offering of amazing value and high-quality food in Dinnington for some time.

“We appreciate that the Council’s policy allocates this land for employment use, but the number of jobs that our proposals will create is far more than many developments that would be defined as employment use."

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: Not lovin' it - New Rotherham McDonald's recommended for refusal

Planners at Rotherham Council are recommending that plans for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington be refused.

The authority is concerned over the loss of employment land.

Rothbiz reported last year that the fast food giant was working on proposals on the site of the former Dinnington Colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is surrounded by commercial and industrial units and is close to the Monk's Bridge Farm pub.

McDonald’s said that the plans would deliver a Drive-Thru restaurant, creating 100 jobs (70 full-time equivalent jobs) in the area and featuring indoor and outdoor seating, as well as on-site car parking spaces, cycle storage and new high-quality soft and hard landscaping.

The application is due to go before the planning board next week.

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The application site consists of 0.47 hectares of land allocated for Industrial and Business Use. Applicants say that if it is used for a drive thru then the Borough’s employment land supply would fall by 0.2% -from 252.59 hectares to 252.12 hectares. The application states: "It is clear, therefore, that even following implementation of the proposed development, Rotherham would have a large supply of land to meet its economic strategy and development needs – particularly when viewed in the context of the identified Local Plan requirement of 235ha."

Challenges associated with bringing the land forward for industrial use were also stressed. Applicants say that the site has been marketed since 2015 but did not receive any significant interest and suggest that the site is subject to significant remediation costs.

But planners at Rotherham Council say that the proposals go against the policies regarding non-employment use on land allocated for Industrial and Business Use.

The planner's report questions the type of jobs created by McDonald's compared to industrial occupiers. It states: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria."

Planners also believe that there is no valid evidence to indicate the site is no longer required for employment use as the applicant are not considering in detail the viability of the site but instead have provided a high level assessment.

The council's own Public Health department also raises concerns about the high concentration of hot food takeaways within the Dinnington area.

Planners conclude: "The introduction of the drive-thru restaurant on this allocated site employment site [sic] would result in the loss of employment land and would reduce the potential for future development of remaining employment land to the north of the site, with no significant benefit or adequate justification."

Members of the planning board are due to discuss the proposals on July 18.

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: Plans submitted for a new McDonald’s restaurant in Dinnington

McDonald’s has submitted plans for a new and attractive Drive-Thru restaurant in Dinnington to Rotherham Council.

Rothbiz reported in September that the fast food giant was working on emerging proposals on the site of the former colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is surrounded by commercial and industrial units and is close to the Monk's Bridge Farm pub.



The plans, if approved, would deliver a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant, featuring indoor and outdoor seating, as well as on-site car parking spaces, cycle storage and new high-quality soft and hard landscaping.

The proposals would also benefit the local economy by creating up to 120 new jobs and generating around £60,000 in business rates every year for Rotherham Council to use to fund key local services.

McDonald’s held a community consultation in August, where local residents were encouraged to provide their feedback on the proposals.

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The plans will now be considered by Rotherham Council’s Planning Department and residents will be able to provide their feedback on the planning application.

Andrew Crewther, Senior Acquisitions Surveyor at McDonald’s, said: “We are pleased with the positive response we have had from the community regarding our proposals for Dinnington. It is clear from the feedback we have received that a McDonald’s restaurant in this area would be welcomed by the local community.

“We have wanted to expand our offering of amazing value and high-quality food in Dinnington for some time and we are thrilled that our plans to regenerate this vacant, well-situated site have now been submitted.

“As part of our plans, we will submit detailed traffic impact assessments to account for the effects the development may have on local roads. Our operational plans will also explain how we will manage litter around the site, ensuring that we are a considerate neighbour.”

A transport assessment submitted with the plans concludes that "the proposed development would not result in any severe impact on highway capacity or road safety." Businesses nearby have asked for double yellow lines on Campbell Way to improve road safety.

McDonalds has more than 1,400 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, employing over 130,000 people. Opportunities for progression, training and apprenticeships are at the heart of McDonald’s’ offer to the local jobs market.

Images: McDonald's / Lichfields

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News: New drive-thru for Dinnington

Plans are being prepared for a new McDonald’s Drive-Thru in the Rotherham town of Dinnington.

The fast food giant is working on emerging proposals on the site of the former colliery which has been reclaimed and transformed as part of a successful regeneration scheme.

The proposed site at Campbell Way and Nobel Way is surrounded by commercial and industrial units and is close to the Monk's Bridge Farm that is operated by Greene King under its Farmhouse Inns brand.

A planning application is being put together and consultation is underway online.

The proposed development on the vacant plot comprises a modern freestanding single storey restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping and associated works.

With indoor and outdoor seating for customers, the proposals also include 60 on-site car parking spaces for customers, including 2 disabled spaces and 3 cycle spaces.

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The consultation states: "The proposed site is located to the west of Dinnington town centre on Campbell Way, within an established employment area. A new McDonald’s here would cater for employees of the nearby businesses as well as residents of Dinnington for whom the nearest McDonald’s is currently a significant distance away.

"The site is an ideal location for a new Drive-Thru restaurant, and benefits from safe, easy access from the local highway network.

"Subject to planning approval, our emerging proposals would regenerate what is currently an under-utilised, site with an attractive and sustainable McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant, helping to enhance affordable food choices locally.

"The creation of a new Drive-Thru in this location would also deliver a range of local benefits, including significant investment in the local economy and the creation of approximately 120 new jobs, in a range of full and part-time positions."

Best known for its burgers and fries, McDonald's is the world's largest chain of quick service restaurants, serving tens of millions of customers daily worldwide. Working with franchisees, it is looking to open 300 new restaurants in the UK over the next ten years.

The sinking of Dinnington Colliery began in 1902 and coal started to be raised in 1905. By 1911 the colliery was providing employment for 2,000 people. It closed in 1992 resulting in 1,000 job losses. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which played a key role in bringing the area back into use, estimated that a regenerated site could create 2,400 new jobs.

The area is home to firms such as United Caps, Macalloy and the state-of-the-art printing press operated by dmg media, the owner of The Daily Mail, the Metro and i newspapers.

St Paul's Developments plc and The HCA (now Homes England) completed a development agreement in 2014 to bring the second phase of the former colliery site forward for development after the success of Phase 1 which was developed and sold off in the mid to late 2000's by the then regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

McDonald's consultation website

Images: McDonald's / Google Maps

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News: Removal of takeaway policy hard to swallow

New hot food takeaways will be able to operate close to schools in Rotherham after a proposed Council policy was chucked out by the planning inspector.

Rotherham Council has been consulting on the Sites and Policies document within its Local Plan which sets out the detailed sites and development management policies to deliver growth over the next 15 years.

Policy SP 25 would only allow hot food takeaways in town, district and local centres if it didn't result in more than 10% of the ground floor units becoming takeaways; result in a high concentration of these A5 classed units on the same street; or negatively impact upon the amenity of surrounding businesses or residents.

A further part of the policy stated that hot food takeaways will not be permitted where they are within 800 metres of a primary school, secondary school or college, except where they are within a defined town, district or local centre and satisfy the requirements above.

Following inspection of the policies, the planning inspector, Christopher Anstey, asked the Council to remove the section about the distance to schools, stating that it "is not justified and is not consistent with national policy."

The Council said that the policy seeked to ensure that new hot food takeaways do not increase the exposure of school children and young adults to these uses. It added that the policy was in response to local health and wellbeing priorities and said that its approach was supported by a robust evidence base.

Damien Wilson, strategic director of regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, said: "Unfortunately the restriction on hot food takeaways within 800 metres of schools, which I think was an admirable attempt in improving public health and issues around schools, is something that the inspector has recommended be taken out."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, added: "The policy around takeaways close to schools was originally a scrutiny recommendation and so it would have been particularly nice to take it forward. It's frustrating when we know that similar restrictions have been put in place in other places."

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During the consultation, fast food restaurant chains KFC and McDonald's registered their opposition to the proposed new planning policy. KFC argued that the policy was unsound against national policy and didn't believe that a reasoned justification had been substantially provided. McDonald's described the policy as ambiguous, unjustified and unsound, also pointing out that no justification for 800m exclusion zones was provided.

The Inspector also asked the Council to identify and consult upon the additional housing sites in the Wath upon Dearne, Brampton Bierlow and West Melton area. This is to remedy a shortfall of around 500 homes against the Core Strategy housing target for the area.

Another policy to be removed surrounded the use of a Green Belt site at Todwick where the Council, land-owner and developers hoped to see a high quality business park with enough space to bring an estimated minimum of 1,500 jobs.

Damien Wilson added: "Local plans all across the country, for all sorts of reasons, have been thrown out by inspectors - made to go back to the start. So in a sense, the five years worth of research to come up with the sites and policies that sit within the local plan is a good news story. What the inspector is effectively saying is that "you've got this right" subject to a few minor tweaks.

"The majority of housing and employment sites have been accepted as far as the inspector is concerned. The addition of Green Belt housing has been accepted, windfalls have also been accepted as part of housing supply, the gypsy and traveller site at Kiveton Park has been retained.

"On a scale of things, and I've been through a number of local plans, this is not bad. There are plans that go through main modifications that are much more substantial than this. Generally speaking, if you can accommodate these changes, and the inspector will be happy to make the plan sound, then this will put us ahead of the game as far as some of our near neighbours are concerned, where plans are just at the beginning."

Images: Google Maps

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News: KFC objects to "unsound" Rotherham planning policy

Fast food restaurant chain, KFC has followed McDonald's and registered its opposition to a proposed new planning policy that would not permit new hot food takeaways opening close to schools in Rotherham.

Rotherham Council has been consulting on the Sites and Policies document within its Local Plan which sets out the detailed sites and development management policies to deliver growth over the next 15 years.

Policy SP 25 would only allow hot food takeaways in town, district and local centres if it didn't result in more than 10% of the ground floor units becoming takeaways; result in a high concentration of these A5 classed units on the same street; or negatively impact upon the amenity of surrounding businesses or residents.

A further part of the policy states that hot food takeaways will not be permitted where they are within 800 metres of a primary school, secondary school or college, except where they are within a defined town, district or local centre and satisfy the requirements above.

In response, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) considers the draft policy unsound against national policy and doesn't believe that a reasoned justification has been substantially provided.

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Consultants, SSA Planning Limited, on behalf of KFC, said: "The draft policy is not based on any objectively assessed development requirement. It effectively assesses the requirement for hot food takeaways within 800 metres of the boundary of a school or further education establishment as zero, but does so without evidence of either a link between the incidence of obesity and the proximity of hot food takeaways to such places or any particular distance at which that link is demonstrated.

"In fact, the distance chosen could have the effect of banning hot food takeaways from a majority of the Borough. No assessment has been made of the number of hot food takeaways that might be refused as a result of this or what the social, economic or environmental impacts of that might be, so it is not possible to balance these impacts.

"[KFC] cannot agree with measures that simply restrict choice for all members of the public and impact jobs and investment without good evidence of effectiveness."

McDonald's responded to earlier consultation, describing the policy as ambiguous, unjustified and unsound, also pointing out that no justification for 800m exclusion zones is provided.

Rotherham's policy states that it is guided by national planning policy which encourages local planning authorities to support local strategies to improve health and wellbeing and help create a healthier built environment. It adds: "Policy SP25 therefore seeks to ensure that new hot food takeaways do not increase the exposure of school children and young adults to these uses. Hot food takeaways will only be permitted within town, district and local centres. The Council is aware that proposals may be submitted as a departure to the plan and that other material considerations may be taken into account in determining planning applications.

"To ensure that access to hot food takeaways are controlled the policy also makes clear that such uses will only be permitted within 800 metres of a primary or secondary school or college where they are within a town, district or local centre and meet the requirements of the policy. For the purposes of this policy 800m will be measured in a direct line from the school/college gate used by pupils."

The KFC response discusses the negative assumptions of the policy regarding products sold by hot food takeaways and adds that "There is no evidence for a causal link between the incidence of obesity and proximity of hot food takeaways to schools or further education establishments and only limited evidence of any correlation at all, so it is unclear how refusing planning permission for hot food takeaways within 800 metres of such locations could ever be justified."

The proposed policy follows on from a case in 2012 when planning permission was secured for a KFC drive thru restaurant on a site close to Canklow Woods Primary School. Rotherham Council refused permission for the 300 sq m KFC on the site of the former Canklow Hotel pub off Centenary Way (pictured) due to the adverse impact on nearby residents.

The plans attracted objections from local councillors, residents and the School. Objections focused on a potential for anti social behaviour and an impact on the healthy eating ethos at the school.

However, the plans were approved on appeal when the inspector concluded: "I do not accept that the presence of a KFC restaurant/drive through would jeopardise the local healthy-eating initiatives."

The town centre branch of KFC closed on Corporation Street in 2015, a new build unit is set to open at Eastwood this year.

KFC website

Images: KFC / Google Maps

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News: McDonald's has beef with Rotherham planning policy

Leading global food chain, McDonald's has registered its opposition to a proposed new planning policy that would not permit new hot food takeaways opening close to schools in Rotherham.


Rotherham Council has recently concluded consultation on the Sites and Policies document within its Local Plan which sets out the detailed sites and development management policies to deliver growth over the next 15 years.

Policy SP 25 would only allow hot food takeaways in town, district and local centres if it didn't result in more than 10% of the ground floor units becoming takeaways; result in a high concentration of these A5 classed units on the same street; or negatively impact upon the amenity of surrounding businesses or residents.

A further part of the policy states that hot food takeaways will not be permitted where they are within 800 metres of a primary school, secondary school or college, except where they are within a defined town, district or local centre and satisfy the requirements above.

Rotherham's policy states that it is guided by national planning policy which encourages local planning authorities to support local strategies to improve health and wellbeing and help create a healthier built environment. It adds: "Policy SP25 therefore seeks to ensure that new hot food takeaways do not increase the exposure of school children and young adults to these uses. Hot food takeaways will only be permitted within town, district and local centres. The Council is aware that proposals may be submitted as a departure to the plan and that other material considerations may be taken into account in determining planning applications.

"To ensure that access to hot food takeaways are controlled the policy also makes clear that such uses will only be permitted within 800 metres of a primary or secondary school or college where they are within a town, district or local centre and meet the requirements of the policy. For the purposes of this policy 800m will be measured in a direct line from the school/college gate used by pupils."

McDonald's has responded to the consultation describing the policy as ambiguous, unjustified and unsound and adds that no justification for 800m exclusion zones is provided. It adds that the policy could impede sustainable growth and states that when McDonald's looks at the economic viability of a new site, it does not factor in predicted sales from school children or proximity to schools.

The response also states that there is a lack of evidence to demonstrate that purchases in fast food outlets are any more or less healthy than purchases in other premises and highlights the major steps that McDonald's has made in recent years to expand the range of healthy offerings.

The document submitted by Planware Ltd on behalf of McDonald's Restaurant Ltd states: "As a responsible business, McDonald's recognises it has a role to play to support its staff, customers, and the communities in which it operates to live healthier lifestyles. For this reason, McDonald's has invested significantly to evolve its menu over the last ten years – both to extend the range of choice, and to reformulate our products.

"The policy does not restrict the location of new A1, A3 or A4 [shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs] uses within the 800m zones and therefore the sale of food and drink will still occur. The proposed approach is therefore not effective and is unjustified. The policy will place a moratorium against one use class of development, but will not meet the ambition of the policy."

The new policy follows on from a case in 2012 when planning permission was secured for a KFC drive thru restaurant on a site close to Canklow Woods Primary School. Rotherham Council refused permission for the 300 sq m KFC on the site of the former Canklow Hotel pub off Centenary Way due to the adverse impact on nearby residents.

The plans attracted objections from local councillors, residents and the School. Objections focused on a potential for anti social behaviour and an impact on the healthy eating ethos at the school.

However, the plans were approved on appeal when the inspector concluded: "I do not accept that the presence of a KFC restaurant/drive through would jeopardise the local healthy-eating initiatives."

McDonald's opened its latest Rotherham outlet this week, a 24-hour restaurant and drive thru on the edge of Parkgate Shopping, offering employment to 114 local people.

McDonald's operates around 1,200 restaurants in the UK and has plans to open 400 more new drive thrus over the next ten years. Over 60% of restaurants are operated as local businesses by franchisees. Due to the growing success of the company, the intention is to increase the pace of acquisitions with a target of 40 new restaurant openings per year from 2014, which will create up to 2,400 new job opportunities annually.

McDonald's website

Images: McDonald's

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News: Burnt-out buildings brightened by artwork

The Gallery Town project has provided a blank canvas for local students as regeneration in Rotherham town centre continues.

In September 2011, Rotherham became Gallery Town when a group of local entrepreneurs got together to arrange for 60 large pieces of artwork – including work by Rotherham students, local artists and some of the world's greatest painters – to be installed in key outdoor locations around the town.

Now a row of derelict buildings on Corporation Street have been added to the open air gallery. Over recent years the buildings, including the Muskaan restaurant and Envy night club had fallen into disrepair, and so the decision was made to revamp one of the town centre's key streets.

The partnership between McDonalds Restaurants, Year 8 art students from Thrybergh Academy and Rotherham Borough Council's Shop Local and Gallery Town projects, gave the students a blank canvas to work with along the full length of the buildings' ground floors.

The students were given a brief to improve the look of the street and promote retail shopping in Rotherham Town Centre, especially the town's independent alternative offer. They came up with images for a colourful row of shops including a retro clothes shop, a sweets/cake shop and a florist.

Craig Buck of McDonald's said: "We jumped at the chance to be part of this project and were happy to help tidy up these empty units, including getting our hands dirty and painting! We even have a small version of the artwork inside our restaurant on Bridgegate, we liked it that much."

Bernadette Rushton, retail investment manager at Rotherham Borough Council, added: "Corporation Street is an important entry point into the town centre for shoppers and visitors alike. Much work has been done to the upper part of the street with the Minster Gardens and addition of new retailers, and the disused buildings are not up to the standard of the rest.

"It has been great to work with McDonalds and the Thrybergh Academy students, and we are very pleased with the results. Not only does it highlight the range of independent shops within the Town Centre but it is good to see the perspective from our younger Rotherham residents."

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that discussions are taking place between developers and Rotherham Council regarding a high quality mixed use development on the site of the two large burnt out buildings on Corporation Street.

As regeneration work continues on the High Street, decorative hoardings are also being used to highlight what the restored Three Cranes and Georgian town house could look like when complete.

Gallery Town website

Images: Gallery Town

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News: New McDonald's planned for Parkgate

Plans have been served up for a new 24-hour McDonald's restaurant and drive thru on the edge of Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham, with the potential for 65 new jobs on the menu.



The proposed freestanding 5,100 sq ft, two-storey fast-food outlet, which has been designed for customers to eat within or outside of the building, or to take away from the premises, would sit on a site between Rotherham Road and Stonerow Way that is currently home to industrial buildings.

The current buildings, which have also previously used for furniture sales, would be demolished and replaced by a building matching McDonald's new corporate style with a seating area for 115 covers. By using khaki green, timber and stone colours the aim is to achieve a subtle natural feel to the building. Glazing would be extensively used to "create a bright, lively, modern and contemporary feel for visitors to the restaurant."

The site would also include 29 parking spaces, a patio area and landscpaing.

The plans, drawn up by planning consultants, Planware Ltd, state that the "proposed McDonald's restaurant is expected to employ over 65 full and part time staff. With the exception of the management team, almost all of these will be recruited from the local community."

It adds that the out of town site lies within an allocated retail area in the council's latest Policies Map under the Local Plan and that "the site represents an appropriate location for a drive thru restaurant, which will be well placed to offer refreshments to passing customers on Rotherham Road and those in the wider retail area."

McDonald's operates almost 1,200 restaurants in the UK and has plans to open 400 more new drive thrus over the next ten years. Over 60% of restaurants are operated as local businesses by franchisees. Due to the growing success of the company, the intention is to increase the pace of acquisitions with a target of 40 new restaurant openings per year from 2014, which will create up to 2,400 new job opportunities annually.

Images: McDonald's

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