News: Retailer revamps another Rotherham store

Grocery retailer Asda has announced that Rotherham will be the latest location to welcome its new stand-alone George concept store, as the retailer continues the transformation of its Asda Living portfolio across the UK.

Launching at 9am on Thursday 1 October, the Rotherham store will be the final George stand-alone opening of 2026. The store follows a succession of well received Asda Living store transformations across the UK, where customers have responded positively to the enhanced shopping experience, expanded product ranges and modern store environment.

Asda has already transformed its other Rotherham store at Cortonwood using the stand-alone George store concept.

Situated at the town’s Parkgate Retail Park, the latest store will offer a dedicated destination for fashion and home shoppers. It will bring together an extensive range of George clothing for women, men and children alongside a significantly expanded George Home collection.

Customers will benefit from larger clothing ranges across all departments, including substantial growth in the store’s womenswear and menswear offering. The home department will also feature a much broader selection of bedding and small domestic appliances, as well as expanded ranges across the wider George Home collection.

The store will also stock George’s exclusive new clothing collaboration with broadcaster and former premier league footballer, Micah Richards, which launched across selected stores on Monday 14 September.

Designed to make shopping easier and more inspiring, the new format will include dedicated homeware and bedroom displays and a combined character and toy shop.

The investment forms part of Asda’s ongoing commitment to growing the George brand and creating contemporary retail spaces that showcase its fashion and home collections while delivering a more convenient and enjoyable experience for customers.

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George commercial director Karl Doyle said: “We’re excited to bring our stand-alone George store concept to Rotherham and give local customers an even better way to shop our fashion and home collections.

“Our customers are loving the new stores and have responded particularly well to the expanded clothing and home ranges. The way the stores are presented creates an improved shopping experience, giving customers more opportunities to browse and find inspiration.

“This investment reflects our commitment to growing the George brand and continually improving the experience we offer customers and we look forward to welcoming Rotherham shoppers through the doors in October.”

To allow the transformation work to take place, the store closed at on Saturday 19 September before reopening as a stand-alone George store at 9am on Thursday 1 October.

On opening day, the first 500 customers to spend £5 or more from 9am will receive a golden ticket, with the chance to win £5–£500 to spend in-store.

Celebrations continue from 10am on Saturday 3 October with a high-energy cyclone challenge, where customers can win George gift vouchers and other prizes. There’ll also be a live DJ on both days to mark the occasion and create a party atmosphere for customers.

The Rotherham opening will be the seventh Asda Living store in the UK to be transformed into a stand-alone George store and the second in South Yorkshire, following the launch of the new George store in Barnsley in August.

It marks the latest milestone in Asda’s plans to strengthen the George brand and create exciting new shopping destinations for customers across the country.

George website Images: Asda

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News: The Food Warehouse gets opening date for new Rotherham location

The Food Warehouse has an opening date for its new store at a popular Rotherham retail destination.

Rothbiz revealed last year that, following TUI's relocation, The Food Warehouse was eyeing up the former TUI unit next to Morrisons at Parkgate Shopping.

The Iceland brand is set to open on June 30.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

The 12,500 sq ft store is a newly reconfigured store space to allow for The Food Warehouse's super simple store layout with wider and fewer aisles.

A spokesperson for The Food Warehouse said: "To celebrate our new store, we've got £1,500 worth of the Food Warehouse vouchers to giveaway to the first 150 customers, and more! The Food Warehouse brings you new and exclusive brands, great selection of bigger value packs, plus we're stocked up with all your favourite household essentials."

Another recent opening is mydentist which has relocated from Rotherham town centre.

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Looking ahead, a one of the last remaining vacant units is now listed as being under offer. The 11,000 sq ft unit was vacated by Sports Direct when the store relocated to a large Frasers Group unit at Parkgate,

At the current Poundstretcher unit, a planning application has recently been submitted by the site's owners that would split the unit in two seperate units. Agents for the applicants say that the works are proposed to enable the floorspace to be reoccupied.

Also at Parkgate the iconic steel tree sculpture that has welcomed visitors to the shopping park since 2018 has found a new home at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The six metre metal structure, has been relocated to the heart of the hospice’s memory garden – which helps to provide a peaceful space for families to reflect and remember their loved ones.

The bespoke piece of artwork was created by celebrated local sculptor Steve Mehdi who was inspired by Parkgate’s former logo. Following the leading shopping park’s rebrand in October 2025 – complete with a new logo – it was important to everyone at Parkgate that the sculpture was repurposed and found a home where it could continue to be appreciated by the community.

The relocation was made possible with the support of Parkway Sheet Metals, H.Askey Transport, Bramley Construction and Landscape Ltd and Holemasters Demtech Ltd whose teams played a key role in ensuring the safe moving of the sculpture.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: “We’re incredibly proud to be donating Parkgate’s tree sculpture to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. The steel sculpture has welcomed visitors to the park for nearly a decade, and we’re glad that it will remain part of the community in Bluebell Wood’s memory garden. The team at the hospice undertake incredible work caring for babies, children and young people, as well as providing vital support for their families. We’re so proud to partner with them through this addition to the memory garden."

Heidi Hawkins, CEO of Bluebell Wood commented: "We are delighted to welcome this new sculpture to Bluebell Wood. The garden is a very special and important part of our hospice and with summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for families to enjoy this wonderful addition. We are incredibly grateful to Parkgate for their support and look forward to sharing this feature with the families in our care."

The Food Warehouse website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Food Warehouse / Parkgate Shopping

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News: Parkgate partners with Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity

Parkgate, Rotherham’s leading retail hub, has announced a partnership with the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity which will see the partners co-ordinating to organise a series of fundraisers, activities and events for the community at Parkgate, that will raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity.

While the trust receives core funding from the Government, the charity was established to fund vital equipment, services and projects that go beyond the NHS budget to improve care and patient experience. Parkgate will work alongside the charity and its local community to support with a range of initiatives, the first was an incredibly successful appeal for the provision of toiletries for patients and families to use at the hospital in ward areas and end-of-life rooms. Further planned activities include an Easter fundraiser and an exciting and interactive event for Fathers’ Day, amongst other ideas.

The charity, now in its 30th year, is currently raising funds for their Dementia Appeal which aims to raise £250,000 to completely transform multiple hospital wards at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust into warm, welcoming and dementia friendly spaces. Unfamiliar surroundings, loud noise and disruption to daily routines can make a hospital stay distressing for people living with dementia. The charity team want to change that for the thousands of people in the Rotherham community facing dementia, who, at some point will likely require a visit to hospital. The enhancements include dementia-friendly upgrades of lighting and flooring to reduce confusion and promote safety, as well as a variety of calming and engaging activities designed to support wellbeing and reduce anxiety, such as a dementia-style café, games area, therapeutic rooms, a potting shed and welcoming rest spaces that allow family and friends to stay nearby for comfort.

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The partnership builds upon existing charitable partnerships for the park - as the latest commitment from Parkgate in support of local causes. It complements the long running – and continued - relationship with Rotherham Families First, who base themselves at Parkgate and run the hugely successful annual Toy Appeal from the park.

The past few weeks have seen this charitable activity raised up a gear with Parkgate’s recent tie-up with Andy’s Man Club – to promote the work of the mental health group at the park, and the Helping Hands campaign run before Christmas that invited local people to nominate worthy organisations and individuals in need of a “helping hand” over the festive season.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou, Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: “The community-mindedness we have witnessed here at Parkgate is admirable. We felt our role, at the heart of this community, uniquely positions us to bring that goodwill together to support an amazing community cause in this, their 30th birthday year.

“It is set to be an exciting year ahead and our team is working hard to deliver an exciting programme of events and activities that will bring people together. We really hope the plans ahead will give customers even more reasons to visit Parkgate and will allow us to raise a really meaningful sum of money for such an important charity, whose work touches so many in Rotherham and its surrounding area.”

Rachael Dawes, Head of Charity and Engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity said: “We are incredibly grateful to Parkgate Rotherham for choosing us as their charity partner for 2026! Their support means so much to us, not only in terms of raising funds for the NHS services we all rely on, but also in helping to shine a light on the vital work our NHS charity does in our community.

“We’re so excited about the fantastic line-up of events planned at Parkgate throughout the year, and the positive impact this partnership will have for patients and families in our community.”

Parkgate website
Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity website

Images: Parkgate

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News: New showroom opens at Rotherham retail park

It's a solid start to the year for a popular shopping destination in Rotherham with a furniture specialist taking one of the last remaining units.

And there could be more to come with the final empty unit now listed as being under offer.

Recently opening on Boxing Day, Oak & More's showroom is at Unit 12 on the Parkgate Shopping Park.

Oak & More has an enviable selection of products to suit customer tastes, including glass, marble and painted furniture products together with classic solid oak furniture. Furniture is created by a UK-based design team, and all wood furniture ranges have no chipboard, veneer or MDF and are delivered pre-built unlike flat-pack alternatives. The majority of Oak & More's products are available with a 48-hour delivery option.

The 15,000 sq ft showroom has taken over the unit in between TK Maxx and Shoezone. It was previously home to SCS Sofas.

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Oak & More’s Chief Executive, Paul Isom said: “Opening our Rotherham showroom gives us a great opportunity to showcase what Oak & More does best — exceptional solid wood furniture, marble and more. We’re passionate about craftsmanship, durability, and timeless design, and we’re excited for customers in Rotherham to experience the quality that sets our pieces apart.”

The retailer opened with a special customer promotion: Win Your Order Back - one lucky customer receiving the full value on their qualifying in-store purchase, up to the value of £2,000.

Last month, the owners of Parkgate Shopping confirmed that The Food Warehouse would open 12,500 sq ft store in 2026, a newly reconfigured store space in the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

Agents for the park, Curson Sowerby Partners, have the 11,110 sq ft Unit 2 down as being under offer on its website. The unit was vacated when Sports Direct moved in 2024 to a larger new multi-fascia unit for the Frasers Group comprising USC, Sports Direct and Everlast.

A tebabt for Unit 2 has not yet been announced.

Oak & More website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Oak & More

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News: The Food Warehouse confirmed for Parkgate

Owners of Parkgate Shopping have confirmed that The Food Warehouse will be opening at the popular Rotherham retail destination.

Long term tenants have also committed to new leases.

Rothbiz reported last month that following TUI's relocation, The Food Warehouse was eyeing up the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

The 12,500 sq ft store is a newly reconfigured store space that will be worked on over the coming months ahead of the store’s opening in 2026.

The news is paired with a series of recommitments from favourites including Asda Living, Boots and River Island, highlighting the confidence big retail brands have in the park.

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Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou, Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate, said: “We are so excited to be able to share the news that The Food Warehouse has signed to open up at Parkgate in 2026. Parkgate has become a true one-stop shop for our customers, offering a wide range of restaurants, big-name national and international brands, fitness facilities, and the convenience of getting everything in one place. The Parkgate experience has only been improved by the recent opening of the link road and the free-to-use park and ride on our doorstep. We’re looking forward to seeing our shoppers exploring the new store when it opens and we hope to confirm timings and share other exciting updates soon.”

mydentist is also joining the line-up, taking the former Superdrug unit. mydentist, the UK’s leading provider of affordable dental care, will be opening a brand-new facility at Parkgate and has been recognised as a CoStar Awards Quarterly Deals winner for top leasing deal in Yorkshire & Humberside.

Kanaris-Sotiriou, added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time here at Parkgate, as we prepare to welcome our very first dentist to the shopping park, further cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for our customers’ needs. Whether it’s fashion, groceries, fitness, or now dental care, Parkgate truly offers something for everyone. We’re also thrilled to be welcoming Iceland’s The Food Warehouse which we’re confident will be a favourite amongst our shoppers, giving them the chance to stock up on all their favourite products for less.”

The Food Warehouse website
mydentist website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Iceland / Parkgate Shopping

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News: Is Marks & Spencer planning to return to Parkgate?

M&S is searching for new, bigger food store sites as it aims to double the size of its food business. A new "potential location list" contains two areas in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2019 that the national retailer was closing its large Parkgate store when it confirmed plans to close over 100 stores in total in order to "radically reshape M&S's Clothing & Home space" alongside relocations, conversions, downsizes and the introduction of concessions.

The historic retailer made the decision to relocate its store on College Street in Rotherham town centre to Parkgate Shopping in the early 2000's. M&S opened a Rotherham Simply Food store at Cortonwood, which is also in Rotherham, in 2017.

Following the performance of the new food stores opened in the last three years, M&S is now expanding the number of locations in its search for sites, including areas where there is not yet an M&S store. It is also looking to expand the size of its food stores to stock a fuller range and attract more customers to do their weekly shop.

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Out of London, M&S requires edge of centre and out of town locations for units of 21,500 sq ft that accommodate its new renewal format. It has 500 areas across the UK on a new potential location list.

In Rotherham, Wickersley and Cortonwood have been identified as target locations.

The current M&S unit at Cortonwood is 11,000 sq ft whereas Wickersley is without a large foodstore, although it is close to neighbouring Bramley which has a Morrisons and an Aldi.

At Parkgate, where the former M&S is now occupied by an 18,500 sq ft Poundland, a planning application has been approved for a new 20,000 sq ft unit designed for a food retailer.

The plans discussed that it will be a "national multiple food retailer" that will be the new tenants but no occupier has been named. An analysis of the current market submitted with the application by agents, Savills, stated that this size of store is popular with secondary foodstores including Waitrose, M&S and Co-op, and discount foodstore retailers including Aldi and Lidl.

Rothbiz recently reported that commercial property agents are now showing that The Food Warehouse is taking the former TUI unit at Parkgate.

M&S website

Images: M&S

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News: Major food retailer sets sights on Rotherham retail park

One of Britain’s fastest-growing and most innovative retailers is looking set to open one of its large format stores in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in March on the owners of Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham submitting plans for Units 17 and 18 with the talk of new tenants.

The approval of the plans has enabled TUI to take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore and move its Rotherham operations.

One of the world's leading integrated tourism business has taken over the former One Below / One Beyond discount store. Launched by Poundworld founders, One Below opened its first Rotherham store in the former Maplin unit at Parkgate Shopping in April 2019. It still operates in Rotherham town centre.

The application at Parkgate was for the reconfigurement of the internal layout, including the mezzanine, a new trolley bay and new solar panels.

Following TUI's relocation, commercial property agents are now showing that The Food Warehouse is taking the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

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With a new mezzanine level, Unit 18 at Parkgate would provide 13,600 sq ft of space which will allow for The Food Warehouse's super simple store layouts with wider and fewer aisles.

The retailers have a huge range of exclusive brand products across some of the best-known names in the UK, including Slimming World, Greggs, TGI's, Chiquito's and more. It also offers multi-buy deals, including 5 for £5, 3 for £10 and 8 for £10 deals whilst homeware and seasonal specials are also available in larger stores.

Having launched in 2014. a major milestone for The Food Warehouse was reached last month with the opening of the 200th store.

Iceland currently operates in Parkgate already, and at Eastwood. Its products are also available through partnerships with the likes of Wilko and The Range.

Agents, Morgan Williams and CSP Retail list The Food Warehouse as a new letting in the last 12 months at Parkgate Shopping alongside Footasylum, Starbucks, Pavers, Superdrug and My Dentist. Just two large units remain vacant.

An opening date for the new Food Warehouse in Rotherham is not yet known.

Rothbiz also reported in January on approved outline plans for another new unit at Parkgate, on land next to Matalan which was previously used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train. No tenant has been announced here but the proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The Food Warehouse website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: The Food Warehouse

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News: Parkgate unveils the first phase of its rebrand

Shoppers visiting Parkgate in Rotherham will notice an exciting transformation as the retail destination launches the first phase of its rebrand. The refresh includes a modern, up-to-date logo and a brand-new website designed to make it easier for visitors to stay informed about everything happening at Parkgate.

The Parkgate team will be debuting new uniforms featuring the refreshed branding with new signage also planned. The rebrand is another clear sign of the positive energy and ongoing improvements at Parkgate, bringing together a dynamic new team, including Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou as Senior Operations Manager and Alex Parkinson as Operational Support Supervisor, welcoming exciting new brands, and continually enhancing the shopping experience for its loyal shopper base.

The new branding, launched at the end of October, will also be joined by brand-new Christmas decorative displays to welcome in the festive season.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: "We’re proud to launch the first phase of our new brand at Parkgate. Since joining the team in April, there’s been a real sense of positive change and energy with Alex joining us, the opening of a new link road and Park & Ride, and a range of new lettings. This new look reflects that momentum and our commitment to continually improving Parkgate for our shoppers and retailers."

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Parkgate recently launched the Families First Christmas Toy Appeal. Every year, the borough comes together to make sure no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning. Since 1991, the appeal works closely with schools, social services, and local charities to ensure toys reach children who need them most.

Shoppers pick an age tag from the trees at Parkgate Shopping for a child they’d like to buy for, from 0-18. Gifts to the maximum value of £20 can then be dropped off at any of the stores on Parkgate Shopping for the attention of the Christmas Toy Appeal.

Last year over 2,250 children in Rotherham had a present waiting under the tree thanks to the appeal.

The past twelve months have also seen a wave of new lettings, with popular names such as Footasylum, Wilko and a revamped Superdrug, and some more exciting announcements in the pipeline.

The latest move has seen TUI take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore to move its operations.

Plans have also been approved to enable My Dentist to open in the former Superdrug unit.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Parkgate Shopping / TUI

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News: New park & ride opens in Rotherham

A new 289-space free-to-use Park and Ride for Rotherham Parkgate Tram Train passengers has been opened next to Parkgate Shopping Park, and includes 14 EV chargers, cycle racks, disabled access spaces, and parking for solo motorcycles, as part of a scheme to help improve walking, cycling and transport connections across South Yorkshire.

The £12.9m project has been led by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), working with Rotherham Council, Parkgate development site owners Stadium and contractor Tilbury Douglas. It is one of several projects funded by SYMCA through the UK Government’s £166 million Transforming Cities Fund settlement for South Yorkshire.

It follows the completion of a new link road in December as part of the same project, to make it easier for people to reach the shopping park and reduce traffic congestion on the A633 and A6123. It’s the latest in a series of transport investments in Rotherham, which includes the new electric buses introduced on service 22x funded through SYMCA’s Zero Emission Bus bid.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "South Yorkshire deserves nothing less than a world-class public transport network so our communities can access the jobs and opportunities they deserve; and that we can all stay near and go far.

“We’re investing serious money into South Yorkshire’s tram system, through projects like the new Rotherham Parkgate Park and Ride. We’ve put £12.9m into this project, alongside over £100m going into the renewal and development of our Supertram network to build a bigger and more connected system that puts people first.

“We won’t get there in one big step, it’s about steady and consistent progress so that we have a network that drives growth and opportunity for the whole of our region.”

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Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, added: "The new Park and Ride is a real win for Rotherham – it’s about making everyday journeys easier, greener and more accessible for local people. Whether you're hopping on the Tram Train, cycling to the shops, or charging an EV, this investment helps us cut congestion, reduce emissions, and build a better-connected future for our town.

“By improving the travel options in the area, we not only make it easier for people to travel between Parkgate and the town centre – but also help to minimise air pollution and reduce reliance on cars.”

The project has received £11.5m of funding through the Transforming Cities Fund. The investment at Parkgate will ease pressure on the existing entrance and allow traffic to flow more freely in the Parkgate and Rawmarsh areas of Rotherham, reducing journey times for buses in the area.

Rothbiz reported last year how the completion date was pushed back as costs increased.

Mark Kanaris, Senior Operations Manager for Parkgate Shopping Park, said: “As one of the UK’s largest shopping parks, Parkgate attracts visitors from across South Yorkshire and beyond. Being a major employer in Rotherham, we share SYMCA’s ambition to improve journey times, ease congestion and make Parkgate even more accessible for everyone and we’re proud to have supported them in delivering this important infrastructure project.

“This investment will have a daily impact, benefitting the hundreds of people who work here and the thousands of visitors who enjoy our big name stores and restaurants each week. We’d like to congratulate everyone who has been involved in making this such a success.”

The land previously used as a park & ride car park at Parkgate Shopping has already been earmarked for development with plans approved for a 20,000 sq ft food store.

The Parkgate scheme is one of several infrastructure projects to be delivered over the next few years by SYMCA and its partners, including a new Tram Train station at Magna in Templeborough.

Images: SYMCA / Supertram

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News: Shoezone set to open new Rotherham store

Footwear retailer shoezone is due to open its new store in Rotherham this weekend.

Rothbiz reported back in 2023 that the retailer had begun recruiting for a new store opening based in Rotherham as it looked to expand in out-of-town retail locations.

Opening on May 31, a new space at Unit 13a, Parkgate Shopping Park, will offer a huge selection for customers and an exciting range of name brands.

To celebrate the launch of the store, shoezone has a number of special offers for customers, including savings on a selection of various styles and seasonal opening offers.

The store will open from 9 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday and 10.30 am – 4.30 pm Sunday.

In the weeks following the launch, the brand new shoezone store will continue to offer shoppers money-saving promotions. It will stock own brand styles and a huge range of exciting name-brands popular with online shoppers, such as Rieker, Skechers and Heavenly Feet.

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Store Manager Karl Burton also shares that the opening has created nine new jobs in the area.

Anthony Smith, shoezone Chief Executive said: “It’s exciting to be opening our new store in Rotherham, which will see the launch of new brands for customers to enjoy.

"We look forward to welcoming customers into our new store and hope they enjoy the new variety of products available.”

2024 saw a number of new openings at Parkgate including Wilko, Pavers, Starbucks and Footasylum. Superdrug expaned into a bigger unit on the popular park and Fraser Group moved into a large unit with its Sports Direct USC, GAME and Evans Cycles brands plus an Everlast Gym.

Shoezone website
Parkgate Shopping webaite

Images: Shoezone

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News: Plans to bring new tenants to Rotherham retail park

Planning applications are progressing at Parkgate that could lead to new tenants opening at the popular Rotherham retail destination.

With Superdrug moving within Parkgate Shopping, doubling the size of its previous store with a c. 10,000 sq ft unit, plans have been approved that will allow a new occupier to move in to the empty unit.

My Dentist (GB) Limited has had its plans for unit 10c checked by Rotherham Council and the authority has issued a Lawful Development Certificate, approving the use as a dentist clinic under the current planning permission.

The key issue was whether or not the existing use falls within use Class E and therefore doesn’t require a change of use application. Changes in 2020 grouped Commercial, Business and Service in Use Class E and includes both the retail sale of goods, other than hot food, as well as the provision of medical or health services.

Planners concluded: "It is considered that the proposed use of the Unit for a Dentist Clinic can be carried out without the submission of a full planning application, as the previous and proposed uses fall within the same wider use class and as such there is no material change in the use of the building."

Mydentist is one of the largest dental providers in the UK with a national chain of 534 dental practices. It currently operates in Rotherham town centre and Brinsworth. The group is jointly owned by management and Palamon Capital Partners.

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Across the park, owners, Threadneedle, have submitted plans for Units 17 and 18.

The applications are for the reconfigurement of the internal layout, including the mezzanine, a new trolley bay and new solar panels.

The units are currently occupied by the TUI Holiday Superstore and One Below but the correspondence talks of new tenants.

Agents, Savills, said: "The works are part of a package of works to enable the units to be occupied by new tenants. As can be seen from the proposed works shown on the submitted plans they are of a minor nature and do not raise substantial considerations."

Another new opening involves an unnamed food retailer taking a new build unit. Rothbiz reported in January that an outline planning application had been approved for a new 20,000 sq ft foodstore at the park.

Parkgate Shopping website
Mydentisit website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Plans approved for new Rotherham foodstore

An outline planning application has been approved for a new foodstore at a Rotherham retail park, capping off an impressive 2024 for the site's new owners.

Rothbiz reported in July on the proposals to expand Parkgate Shopping, the 2nd largest purpose-built retail warehouse park in the UK.

Having acquired the park for around £60m, new owners, Columbia Threadneedle, have assessed the potential for expansion with the development of the delayed £12m link road and Park & Ride.

The outline planning application was submitted for land next to Matalan which is currently used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train. The proposal was submitted in outline with all matters reserved except for access.

With the relocation of the Park & Ride to a larger facility which is still being completed, the new proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The plans discuss that it will be a "national multiple food retailer" that will be the new tenants, with the proposed store employing circa 50 full-time equivalent staff members.

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As the site is classed as out of town, a retail assessment and sequential test is also included.

Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

Planners at Rotherham Council agreed that there are no other preferrable sites within the Rotherham town centre or Parkgate district centres given the floorspace and car park requirement of foodstores.

Planning officers also concluded that the new store would only have a minimal impact on the Tesco store on Drummond Street, which would "still be trading at significant levels above its expected level."

Conclusions also add that "car parking capacity at the retail park, is not unduly affected by the development, as the loss of car park spaces is mainly spaces associated with the Tram Park and Ride which operates differently to the remainder of the retail park."

No occupier is named but an analysis of the current market submitted with the application by agents, Savills, states that this size of store is popular with secondary foodstores including Waitrose, M&S and Co-op, and discount foodstore retailers including Aldi and Lidl.

Parkgate Shopping has enjoyed a hugely successful year, in part thanks to the arrivals of a host of new brands and the opening of the new link road in December 2024. New owners, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, took the helm in January 2024, with plans to "better align the shopping mix with the wants and wishes of Parkgate’s customers."

New openings include the Sports Direct and USC combined store and Everlast gym, the reopening of Wilko, the expansion of Superdrug and new arrivals of Starbucks, Pavers and Foot Asylum. Negotiations are underway for more to come in 2025.

Visitor numbers were 6% up in the first week of December compared to the same period in the previous year.

Parkgate Centre Manager, Janet Drury, said: “It has been a phenomenal festive period here at Parkgate. Our shops and restaurants were buzzing with Christmas shoppers enjoying the season and making the most of the amazing range on offer, all in one place. It has led to some exceptional trading successes for our brands.

“Once again, the Parkgate community came together in support of Families First’s Toy Appeal, which it supported for a 14th year, just weeks after the charity was recognised with a King’s Award for Voluntary Service. We have such a lot to be thankful for and wish our loyal customers a very Happy New Year. Watch this space for more exciting news from Parkgate in 2025!”

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Columbia Threadneedle / Harris Partnership

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News: £11.5m new road opens in Rotherham

There is some Christmas cheer for shoppers and commuters as a delayed new link road in Rotherham opens.

The new 800 metre road between Aldwarke Lane and both Stonerow Way and Stadium Way provides a second access route to Parkgate Shopping, via a roundabout between the two railway bridges. It is designed to relieve existing congestion on the A633 around Parkgate Shopping and improve traffic flow and bus journey times on the corridor and wider road network.

In addition to improving the vehicular, walking and cycling infrastructure, also included in the scheme is a new 300-space Park & Ride facility for the Parkgate Tram Train terminus, including electric vehicle bays.

The Parkgate Link Road has opened to traffic creating a new entrance and exit from Parkgate Shopping for the festive season but work continues on the car park for the Park & Ride.

Contractors Tilbury Douglas began work on the scheme at the start of 2023 with an initial completion date of February 2024.

Rothbiz reported in July how the completion date was pushed back to "Autumn 2024" as costs increased.

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The majority of funding is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Transforming Cities Fund.

Tilbury Douglas' appointment was based on a competitive tender which was completed in December 2021 on a fixed price basis, held until April 2022. The contract was worth £8,420,930 but the planning application wasn’t submitted until August 2022 and the preferred contractor "could not hold their tendered price which was increased to £9,293,987.05."

Various issues with earthworks, drainage, design changes and statutory undertakers’ diversions have occurred during the contract and resulted in an increase to £11.478m.

It is not clear what effect the cost increases will have on the £1.7m needed for upgrades to Taylor's Lane roundabout that was highlighted in the initial scheme.

Rothbiz also reported on how the new road has spurred landowners and developers into action. Outline plans were approved for five units for B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution with a gross external area of 434,862 sq ft on a remaining 22 acre plot of undeveloped land bordered by Aldwarke Lane, Parkgate Shopping, the railway line and the new link road.

The Stadium Group successfully developed Parkgate Shopping retail park in the Enterprise Zone created on the former Parkage steel works. The remaining land was historically used to dispose of blast furnace slag associated with the former steel works and formerly contained coke ovens, a tarred slag works, railway sidings, liquid waste lagoons and a subsequent aggregate working plant.

Images: Tom Austen

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News: New Parkgate openings confirmed

Over 16,000 sq ft of retail park space has been leased at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

Rothbiz revealed in August that an international coffee chain and two national footwear retailers were taking steps to open at Parkgate. This follows a planned expansion by a current retailer.

Occupying a unit of just over 4,000 sq ft on a five-year lease, Pavers is one of the UK’s leading comfort shoe retailers, with over 150 stores in the UK, offering a range of quality Pavers branded footwear in addition to other brands such as Fly Flot, Skechers and Padders.

Meanwhile, Starbucks has secured a new c. 2,000 sq ft unit adding to Parkgate’s extensive Food & Beverage line up, which includes key brands such as German Doner Kebab, Nandos, Frankie & Benny’s and Popeyes.

Superdrug will be upsizing at the retail park, doubling the size of its previous store with a c. 10,000 sq ft unit.

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Footasylum, a leading footwear and sportswear omnichannel business, has also announced that it is accelerating its growth plans across the UK and beyond after securing a £35m Revolving Credit Facility from HSBC UK. The funding will be used to roll out a store expansion programme, which includes a new store in Rotherham opening later this year.

The brands’ decisions to open and expand at Parkgate underscore the appeal of the park’s evolving line up. Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ ongoing asset management strategy has seen a series of new occupational deals at Parkgate in recent months including Wilko and a new multi-fascia unit for the Frasers Group comprising USC, Sports Direct and Everlast.

Tom Hatfield, Asset Manager at Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, said: “In the two quarters since our acquisition of Parkgate, we have continued to diversify our retail offering for shoppers. Building on Columbia Threadneedle’s extensive experience within the retail park sector, Parkgate has welcomed eight new tenants and secured a key lease renewal – equating to over 94,000 sq ft of committed space - in just seven months. The arrival of these two new brands, alongside Superdrug’s expansion, is further evidence of the appeal of Parkgate. And with further tenant discussions already underway, we hope to make additional announcements soon.”

The leasing agents for Parkgate are Curson Sowerby Partners and Morgan Williams.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Curson Sowerby Partners

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News: More new openings at Parkgate planned

An international coffee chain and two national footwear retailers are taking steps to open at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in June that several new lettings, upsizes and relocations were close to being finalised at the 2nd largest purpose-built retail warehouse park in the UK.

American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks, is planning to open a new site, despite already operating less than a mile away.

Starbucks constructed a new Drive Thru store at nearby Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate and opened in 2020.

Now the Seattle-based chain wants to take on an empty unit at Parkgate Shopping that was previously home to rival chain, Costa.

Costa expanded at Parkgate Shopping when it built a 1,800 sq ft standalone drive-thru unit between Wilko's and Morrison's in the existing car park in 2017.

A planning application has been submitted for new signage for unit 32 that would see Starbucks slot in between Vision Express and Greggs.

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More shoe retailers have recently announced that they are coming to Parkgate.

With Deichmann opening in Rotherham in 2023 and Shoe Zone starting recruitiment but not actually opening, Pavers and Footasylum look to have got their feet in the door.

Founded in York in 1971, the family-owned business opened the first Pavers shop in Scarborough in 1981 and since then has grown to over 180 stores nationwide. One of the UK’s leading comfort shoe retailers, it offers a wide range of brands including Fly Flot, Skechers and Padders and the business now includes acquired brands, Jones Bootmaker, Herring Shoes and Van Dal.

Store manager and customer advisor roles are currently being advertised in Rotherham.

A unit for the retailer has not been announced but the job advert from Pavers confirms: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our BRAND NEW STORE at Rotherham Parkgate Shopping Park in September 2024!"

Footasylum, the streetwear and sportswear retailer, has also begun recruiting for a store manager for a Rotherham store.

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Rochdale, Footasylum had been owned by JD Sports since 2019 until it fell foul of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It was bought by Aurelius in 2022 and, backed by the German investment firm, has expanded through new store openings and upsizing existing locations.

Footasylum stock includes Nike, Adidas Originals, Under Armour, The North Face, and more.

Again, a unit for the retailer has not been announced but the job advert from Footasylum confirms that it is for "one of our exciting NEW stores opening at Parkgate Shopping Park in Rotherham."

Also at the park, current tenant Superdrug has seen its planning application for new signage at Unit 7 approved. This will allow for an expansion for the beauty and health retailer to expand into the unit vacated by Poundland.

Parkgate Shopping spans over 40 acres and has 577,837 sq ft of ground floor retail accommodation. The destination was sold for around £60m at the start of 2024.

Starbucks website
Pavers website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Pavers / One Fine Day Design

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News: What's happening with the former Wilkos at Cortonwood?

The former Wilko at Cortonwood in Rotherham remains empty but the retail park's owners are taking steps to attract new tenants.

Administrators were called in to the British high-street retail chain in 2023 after it was hit by incredibly challenging trading conditions, both throughout the pandemic and more recently as it has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis, resulting in increasing cashflow pressure and a deterioration in trading.

A deal to save hundreds of stores fell through and instead, B&M was reported to be acquiring 51 former wilko store premises and Poundland owner Pepco is taking on the leases of up to 71 stores.

The Range then agreed a deal to buy the Wilko brand, website and intellectual property.

The new owners launched a concept Wilko store at Parkgate in Rotherham ealier this year, reopening in the closed unit, but nothing has come forward for Cortonwood.

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A planning application has now been submitted to alter the unit, which is listed as being "under offer" with agents.

Zurich Assurance Limited / Threadneedle Portfolio Services Ltd are seeking permission to split Unit 1 into two separate retail units for separate tenants.

The plans involve changing the frontage, replacing the current doors and signage with two new entraces and signs.

Rothbiz reported in 2022 that B&M wanted to make changes at underused units at Cortonwood Shopping Park. Securing planning permission, the retailer took on Unit 9, which was formerly occupied by Outfit, and Unit 8, formerley occupied by New Look, combining the units, adding a mezzanine and a new garden centre to rear.

Plans for the 98,000 sq ft development at Cortonwood were only passed on appeal at a public inquiry in 2013 after earlier being refused by Rotherham Council.

Images: Napper / Workman

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News: Rotherham Families First receives official charity status

Rotherham Families First, an award-winning charitable organisation based in Rotherham has received official charity status, after over five years of tireless work providing essential support to the most vulnerable people in the community.

Families First was established in May 2019 to provide a one-stop emergency service providing basic necessities for some of the most vulnerable people across Rotherham. Since then, the charity has won the Community Project Achievement Award 2021, received a nomination for the King’s Award and supported more than 2,000 people across the region.

Many locals will probably recognise Families First for its highly successful Christmas Toy Appeal, where shoppers are invited to collect tags marked with an age range from Christmas trees around Parkgate and buy a present for a young person who otherwise would have nothing at all to open at Christmas. This festive programme is only the tip of the iceberg for the charity, which runs throughout the year delivering a lifeline to those experiencing financial difficulties.

Inside a unit at Parkgate, a wealth of essential household items, that have been donated by members of the public, are meticulously sorted through by a team of volunteers. Parkgate is proud to house and support Families First free of charge, which it has done for several years following the announcement that their original unit was due to be sold.

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Families First’s charitable status will provide a wealth of benefits to the charity and its service users, offering a higher level of public trust and confidence making them better able to raise funds from the public and grant-making bodies. The exciting news follows Families First’s successful application for a grant from the Freemasonry and Lieutenancies Partnership Fund who have awarded £3,000 to provide mattresses, cots and safety gates to families in need.

Janet Drury Centre Manager at Parkgate and Treasurer at Families First commented: “We are delighted that Families First has received official charitable status after over five years of helping people in need across Rotherham. Our charity status will better allow us to raise funds for the charity and continue to provide support to our anonymous service users, respecting their privacy and dignity”.

A joint statement from His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE and James H Newman OBE, Head of the Yorkshire, West Riding Freemasons, added: “We are delighted that this Fund, which has been established to support communities in Yorkshire, has been able to assist Rotherham Families First. The many Freemasons and their families from across the County, who regularly contribute to the Fund, via West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd., will be delighted to see their donations being spent assisting Rotherham Families First.”

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Parkgate

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News: Owners plan to expand Parkgate with new foodstore

Parkgate Shopping, the 2nd largest purpose-built retail warehouse park in the UK, could get even bigger if plans are approved for a new foodstore on the Rotherham retail park.

Having acquired the park for around £60m, new owners, Columbia Threadneedle, have assessed the potential for expansion when the delayed £12m link road and Park & Ride completes later this year.

A new outline planning application has been submitted for land next to Matalan which is currently used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train.

With the relocation of the Park & Ride to a larger facility when the road opens, the new proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The applicant is Sackville UK Property Select IV Nominee (1) Limited and Sackville UK Property Select IV Nominee (2) Limited c/o Threadneedle Portfolio Services Ltd.

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The plans discuss that it will be a national multiple food retailer that will be the new tenants, with the proposed store employing circa 50 full-time equivalent staff members.

No occupier is named but an analysis of the current market submitted with the application by agents, Savills, states that this size of store is popular with secondary foodstores including Waitrose, M&S and Co-op, and discount foodstore retailers including Aldi and Lidl.

As the site is classed as out of town, a retail assessment and sequential test is also included.

Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

The analysis concludes that are no suitable alternative sites in nearby town centres, highlighting that vacant buildings like the Howard Building or former bingo hall on Corporation Street in Rotherham town centre do not lend themselves to retail requirements.

When assessing the potential impact of the range of convenience goods proposed to be sold from the new foodstore at Parkgate on established town centres, the applicants say that "the only centre that the proposed development diverts trade from is Rotherham town centre," adding that: "the impact on convenience goods floorspace will be 3.1%, which cannot be characterised as significantly adverse under any reasonable threshold."

The principal location in the town centre that the proposal will draw trade from is the Tesco Extra store on Drummond Street. Analysis shows that the impact of the proposal on that store is 2.8%, which is considered minimal.

New analysis puts the Tesco Extra trading at £71.98m at 2029, double the estimate of £29.6m in a 2017 study. The proposed foodstore at Parkgate has an expected turnover of £16.86m at 2029.

Applicants add that the new proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on the Forge Island or markets redevelopments.

The plans state: "The impact of the proposal on existing convenience goods retail facilities in centres is not significantly adverse. The impact of the proposal on defined centres when taken as a whole is not significantly adverse. This conclusion is not considered be unusual [sic] given the modest scale of the foodstore proposed.

"Further, the ambition for Rotherham is for the revitalisation of that centre as a leisure-led location. The proposal has no impact on this ambition.

"The proposal will enhance convenience goods provision in the local area, affording local residents a greater choice of convenience goods shopping facilities. It will provide a modest foodstore at an accessible site in close proximity to surrounding residential areas."

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Columbia Threadneedle / Harris Partnership / Google Maps

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News: National retailer spots opportunity to expand at Parkgate

Signs are that a vacant unit at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham will have a new tenant soon as interest remains high at the UK’s 2nd largest retail warehouse park.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that Poundland was taking on the former Marks & Spencer unit at Parkgate to create one of the brand's largest stores.

Opening in March 2023, the 18,500 sq ft "supersize" store is over three times the size (6,000sq ft) of a normal Poundland and much larger than its previous Parkgate unit.

The move left a 9,900 sq ft Unit 7 vacant, but it appears to have enabled another brand to expand.

Plans have recently been submitted to Rotherham Council for a new shop front and signage showing that national retailer, Superdrug, is set to take on Unit 7, which is now listed as "Under Offer" with agents.

The leading beauty and health retailer currently occupies Unit 10c at Parkgate.

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Superdrug recently announced that it was opening 25 new locations, extending seven existing locations and refitting 60 stores over the course of 2024 - its 60th year on the high street.

Nigel Duxbury, property director at Superdrug, said: “We’ve changed a lot in the 60 years since the first Superdrug store opened in Putney high street, but we remain as committed as ever to providing a seamless shopping experience for our customers, offering the very best in accessible health and beauty.

"This investment into bricks-and-mortar means we can grow our footprint in key locations and highlights our ongoing commitment to high streets and retail shopping destinations, which are an integral part of local communities and the economy.

"2024 will see some of the largest ever Superdrug stores open their doors, which is something we are really excited about, as these larger retail units give us the space to be able to offer new and exciting services and even more of the latest health and beauty products."

Parkgate Shopping spans over 40 acres and makes up the 2nd largest purpose-built retail warehouse park in the UK. With 577,837 sq ft of ground floor retail accommodation, the destination was sold for around £60m at the start of 2024.

ESH, one of the agents who are acting for new owners, Columbia Threadneedle, confirmed that: "Several new lettings, upsizes and relocations are either agreed or in legals and will be announced shortly as 2024 looks set to be a landmark year for this busy regional shopping destination."



Images: Cube

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News: Parkgate employment plans passed

The development of 434,862 sq ft of new commercial space on brownfield land in Rotherham have taken a step forward.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 on outline plans from The Stadium Group, which successfully developed Parkgate Shopping retail park in the Enterprise Zone created on the former Parkage steel works, for the remaining 22 acre plot of land bordered by Aldwarke Lane, Parkgate Shopping, the railway line and the new link road.

With the delayed £12m link road and Park & Ride due to complete later this year, Rotherham Council has now approved the latest application.

Plans, drawn up by Tetra Tech and DLA Architecture, explain that the land was historically used to dispose of blast furnace slag associated with the former Parkgate Steel works and formerly contained coke ovens, a tarred slag works, railway sidings, liquid waste lagoons and a subsequent aggregate working plant.

Outline plans show five units for B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution with a gross external area of 434,862 sq ft.

With the new link road, access would be from Aldwarke Lane and Stadium Way / Stonerow Way.

Approved without going to the council's planning board, it comes with a number of conditions.

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Remaining undeveloped, the site was designated to be a mixed use area in the borough's local plan in 2018. As storage and distribution is not generally supported in mixed use areas, At this early stage, the developers envisaged that approximately 65% of the floorspace will be for B2 use, and 35% of floorspace will be for B8 use. A planning condition is included to limit B8 use to that percentage. The local road network and the presence of low bridges on Aldwarke Lane were also taken into account.

Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust objected to the loss of habitats and conditions have been included around some biodiversity enhancements on-site in the form of bat roosting features, bird nesting boxes and hedgehog holes.

Given the site's previous uses, another condition relates to carrying out Intrusive Site Investigations to assess for the potential presence and extent of contamination within the soils and groundwater.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) also requested that the Stadium Group look at re-opening an existing rail underpass off Waddington Lane. The developers declined to seek agreement with Network Rail, noting, that: “the railway underpass is third party land and is therefore outside the Applicants control, as well as being outside the application site boundary. As such, the Applicant has no authority to provide access under Network Rail (NR) land.”

Previous plans from the Stadium Group for the land have included a 2004 scheme based around an 11 pitch soccer dome with a health and fitness club and swimming pool, plus new retail and restaurant units.

The plans were recommended for approval but developers withdrew when the council included a condition that permission would only be granted with a £1.6m contribution towards the construction of a new road between Stonerow Way including a bridge over the railway line.

The outline approval comes at the same time as outline plans for land at nearby Aldwarke were approved. 330,000 sq ft of commercial buildings are proposed on land next to the Waste Water Treatment Works.

Images: Google Maps

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