News: New operator for popular Rotherham tapas bar

A venue in Wickersley is under new management having been taken over by the operators of its near neighbours.

Based in the popular Rotherham suburb, The Olive Lounge serves authentic homemade tapas with quality wines, beers and original cocktails.

The W Bars Team have recently announced they have taken over The Olive Lounge.

The team are part of the same group that opertates the W Italian Restaurant on Bawtry Road. Formerly Don Guiseppe's, the warm and friendly restaurant also has a lounge bar area.

2018 plans were refused by Rotherham Council to change the use of the premises from a restaurant to a combined restaurant/drinking establishment, with planners concluding that the potential increase in the use of the premises as a bar could result in an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance for nearby residents.

Rotherham Council has a policy that affects the number of new or varied alcohol licences being granted in the Wickersley area.

A post on social media reads: "We’re excited to share that The Olive Lounge Bar is now under new management! There’s a brand-new energy in the air — warm welcomes, friendly faces, and a focus on creating the kind of evenings Wickersley deserves. Expect great cocktails, smooth music, and a relaxed, stylish atmosphere to unwind in. Come join us for a drink, say hello, and be part of this exciting new chapter."

Last month Rothbiz reported on the changes at Wickersley, including Stems Floral Design moving to Bawtry Road.

The changes continue over the road on The Tanyard where long standing butcher, Peter Cusworth, closed the store following retirement.

Reeds Rains has also relocated its Rotherham branch from the town centre to The Tanyard at Wickerlsey, describing it as a strategic move and natural step that places the branch on the doorstep of the local community it serves.

The branch is owned by LSL Estate Agency Franchising partner, Favsco23 Ltd, who is the biggest Reeds Rains franchise operating across the North West and Yorkshire.

Jamie Knights, Regional Director at Reeds Rains Rotherham, said “We’re excited for our relocation to Wickersley where we will continue to serve our local community from our new branch with the same high-quality service they deserve, within a more accessible location. “It’s a modern and inviting space where we can continue to welcome our existing customers from across Sheffield and Rotherham. We’re looking forward to growing its presence in Wickersley and building even stronger connections.”

Olive Lounge website
Reeds Rains website

Images: Google Maps / Reeds Rains

Read more...

News: Council calling time on more bars in Rotherham suburb?

Rotherham Council could knock back plans for a new bar after planning officers set out a position that it is not convinced that more drinking establishments are needed on the main street in a popular Rotherham suburb.

Rothbiz has previously reported on proposals that would enable current operators to expand in Wickersley.

A planning application was submitted earlier this year from the owners and operators of the Olive Lounge bar and restaurant that would enable a new real ale (craft beer) style bar to open in the former Village Butcher premises on Bawtry Road.

This was followed by an application from the owners of The Courtyard who want to expand the popular bar into an adjacent retail unit.

Applicants argue that retail units in Wickersley are not attractive to the market, and that occupation by other uses, such as A4 drinking establishments, would reduce vacancy levels, and improve the townscape and vitality and viability of the centre.

Local ward councillors have objected to plans stating that they had received "increasing numbers of complaints from local residents with concerns about late night noise nuisance, parking issues and anti-social behaviour relating to the night time economy."

Wickersley ward councillors said in February: "As we have seen the decline of Rotherham Town Centre Wickersley appears to have become the destination of choice for evening entertainment for a wide area of Rotherham, however, if Wickersley is to keep its successful residential and community feeling it needs to keep a mixed retail offer and not just become the drinking hub for the whole of Rotherham. After all Wickersley is just a village that cannot and should not have to put up with all these problems."

Advertisement

Neither application has been determined yet but a position statement has been issued from the Council's Planning Policy team. It sets out that the continued growth of Wickersley is likely to create ongoing demand in the future to support this district centre and that the evidence presented with the applications has not convinced them of the retail units being unattractive.

Adopted only this week, new planning policies in the borough's local plan only support specified alternative uses like new bars where proposals would not reduce the percentage of A1 (retail) uses below 65%, or further reduce them where they are already below this figure. It states that "in particular new drinking establishments and hot food takeaways are more appropriately located within other parts of town or district centres."

Retail currently comprises 67% of the uses within the primary shopping frontage in Wickersley.

Ryan Shepherd, senior planning officer at Rotherham Council, said in a memo: "Considering the potential cumulative impact of the two proposals, together the developments would result in the loss of two A1 units and reduce the overall number of units within the primary shopping frontage by 1. It would reduce lawful A1 uses to 64%, contrary to Draft Policy SP23.

"Even if a degree of flexibility regarding appropriate uses is employed the proposals, cumulatively, would reduce the percentage of A1 uses below the threshold set out in Draft Policy SP23 and therefore would not be supported.

"Furthermore I consider that there is flexibility within the Local Plan to consider the development of A4 uses in a number of locations outside of Primary Shopping Frontages. Finally I do not consider that the evidence presented regarding the vitality and viability of the centre outweighs my concerns regarding the compliance of the proposed developments with Local Plan policies.

"I remain of the view that the applications should be refused as contrary to Draft Policies SP22 Development Within Town, District and Local Centres and SP23 Primary Shopping Frontages (as proposed to be amended)."

The Courtyard Facebook page
Olive Lounge website

Images: Google Maps / Olive Lounge

Read more...

News: Plans brewing for two new Rotherham ale venues

The Rotherham suburbs are set to get a taste of the real ale and craft ale phenomenon as two sets of plans have been served up for new bars.

At Wickersley, which is already a popular destination for drinkers, a planning application has been submitted that would enable a new Real ale (craft beer) style bar close to The Courtyard.

Earlier this month, The Village Butcher on Bawtry Road, closed its doors. A post on the business' Facebook page said: "It has been a hard decision but financially the shop had to close."

Now, a change of use application has been submitted for the 1,600 sq ft unit on behalf of the owners and operators of the nearby Olive Lounge bar and restaurant.

Advertisement

The application explains: "We currently have a similar venue in close proximity to this building that serves beers / cocktails called the Olive Lounge, our establishment has operated for just over two years and has seen business growth month on month during this period. We now employ 26 local people and have gained an excellent reputation, we have noticed a significant increase in visitors travelling from further afield including Doncaster Sheffield and Bawtry to name a few.

"We feel that the proposed application for a Real ale (craft beer) style bar could be beneficial for Wickersley as there is no other venue like this in the area, we aim to source the majority of our produce from local smaller breweries.

"The theme of the bar will be in keeping with the local area with a heritage colour scheme to compliment the surrounding buildings, our goal is to create a venue where customers can relax and unwind whilst sampling local beers, foods, and wines."

If approved, the new bar could create four full time and eight part time jobs.

Advertisement

At the nearby Stag roundabout, a separate application has been submitted to create a micropub within the small parade of shops.

Applicant, Dragon Taps Ltd, is looking to the change the use of a 1,431 sq st unit - a former DIY shop.

The plans state: "Micropubs are small scale public houses that retail specialist cask ale to customers. The clientelle is generally over the age of thirty and come specifically for the product on sale. There will be no music or televised sports and our proposed licensed hours of sale are 12:00 to 22:59."

With its highly successful real ale and music festival back for its 25th year, Rotherham has a certain pedigree (and thirst) when it comes to real ale.

On the independent scene, the town's own Chantry Brewey, set up by former steelworkers in 2012, operates two "taps" in Rotherham town centre whilst Wath town centre is served by the Wath Tap.

Images: Magna Real Ale

Read more...