News: New openings in Rotherham town centre

A range of new food outlets and a play cafe are the latest openings in Rotherham town centre where current traders are also taking on new premises.

At Forge Island, the town's £47m leisure development, a new Smoke & Pepper franchise has opened a modern, vibrant, and flavour-driven restaurant.

Rothbiz reported in June that Rotherham Council had confirmed the letting for Unit 1, a 2,500 sq ft unit next door to Arc Cinema.

The menu includes smoked meats, loaded dishes and indulgent comfort food, designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes. This includes top chef-quality burgers and succulent flame grilled chicken, famous flavourful loaded fries and crispy fried wings and tenders tossed in signature sauces. Smoke & Pepper is also known for bringing the thickest shakes in town, thirst quenching mojitos and freshly baked divine milk cakes.

Across town, a unique independent cafe has brought a Brazilian flavour to the heritage High Street.

Little Rio Cafe at 20 High Street offers authentic Brazilian speciality coffee and freshly baked goods and traditional snacks.

A wide-ranging menu features Brazilian favourites such as pasteis (pastries) and coxinha (croquettes) plus desserts like brigadeiro, a Brazilian chocolate truffle. Larger meals include Brazilian breakfasts, acai bowls, various traditional corn couscous dishes and tapioca crepes.

The independent business has utilised support from RiDO via the Launchpad scheme and to introduce the new flavours to the community, Little Rio has also been hosting Authentic Brazilian Colonial Breakfasts on Sundays.

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On nearby Moorgate Street, a former estate agents has been transformed into a play cafe with a soft play area.

Wiggle & Wonder is described as an indoor play experience and family cafe "beautifully designed for little explorers and the people who love them."

Re-imagining the traditional soft play experience to be less chaotic and loud, the new opening focuses on active early-years development and genuine relaxation for parents, grandparents, and carers.

Wiggle & Wonder offers bookable designated play sessions throughout the week. The cafe and viewing area makes it just as enjoyable for the adults as it is for the children.

Within the Grade II listed Imperial Buildings, the latest opening is set to bring something sweet to the prominent Victorian mixed-use site.

From the team at Chaii Street on Westgate, Cafe Treats is due to open soon at Unit 4.

Pokilee's CardCade has recently opened at its new location on Howard Street when hundreds of loyal Pokemon fans queued up to visit the store on opening day.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that plans were approved for a change of use at 14 Howard Street, a former Argos store, as the new venue includes a shop, cafe and family friendly arcade.

With the opening of the new Market Hall this month, 37 independent businesses have found a temporary new home. Rotherham Council says that 96% of the stalls are let, with everything from fruit and veg and fresh meat to clothing, jewellery and more on offer.

Smoke & Pepper website
Little Rio Cafe facebook page
Wiggle & Wonder website
Cafe Treats facebook page
Pokilee's CardCade website
Rotherham Markets website

Images: RiDO / LinkedIn

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News: Pokémon-themed business trading up into long-vacant Rotherham unit

Plans have been approved that will enable the expansion of a Pokémon-themed shop and café in Rotherham town centre, reports Visit Rotherham.

Moving across town from the Imperial Buildings and transforming a vacant unit in The Old Town Hall in 2023, enterprising Lee Kucia has created a haven for Pokémon fans, offering cards, booster boxes, toys and graded cards. The theme continues into a Coffee House serving barista coffee, hot drinks, cake and sandwiches that also offers space for trading and playing.

Under the name, PokiLee, Lee has amassed over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube who catch him opening packs, interacting with customers and various other live streams.

Having also added a family-friendly arcade and renamed as PokiLee's CardCade, a new set of plans were submitted for a change of use at another retail unit in Rotherham town centre - a bigger building which will allow both businesses to operate cohesively from one location.

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Rothbiz reported in January on plans for 14 Howard Street, a former Argos store. The change of use application has now been approved.

Planners at Rotherham Council said: "Although the scheme introduces elements that move slightly away from traditional retail, such as café and gaming arcade, it is unlikely to result in any harmful impact on the Primary Shopping Frontage", it would "not detract from the existing appearance or character of the frontage and would instead make a positive contribution to Howard Street by reinstating an active and engaging street presence."

A post on social media from Pokilee's Cardcade said that: "Everything you love is coming together under one roof. Bigger and Better! We can’t wait for you to see it!"

The update added that the last day in the current Old Town Hall shop would be Saturday May 2 with a closure planned for around two weeks to get everything ready for the new space.

Pokilee's CardCade website

Images: Rees Denton / Pokilee's CardCade / Facebook

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News: Unique retailer ready to level up long-vacant Rotherham unit

Expansion could be on the cards again for a Pokémon-themed shop and café in Rotherham town centre.

Moving across town from the Imperial Buildings and transforming a vacant unit in The Old Town Hall in 2023, enterprising Lee Kucia has created a haven for Pokémon fans, offering cards, booster boxes, toys and graded cards. The theme continues into a Coffee House serving barista coffee, hot drinks, cake and sandwiches that also offers space for trading and playing.

Under the name, PokiLee, Lee has amassed over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube who catch him opening packs, interacting with customers and various other live streams.

Rothbiz reported last year on PokiLee's PokiWorld securing planning permission to enable an expansion into a next door unit within the historic Old Town Hall.

Having renamed as PokiLee's CardCade, now another set of plans has been submitted for a change of use at a new retail unit in Rotherham town centre - a bigger building which will allow both businesses to operate cohesively from one location.

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14 Howard Street is part of the Cascades Centre, opposite the Old Town Hall, in between the Rotherham Interchange and Rotherham Markets.

Formerly an Argos store, the unit features 8,500 sq ft over two floors.

In 2020, Sainsbury's, the owner of Argos, picked out the Howard Street outlet as part of a national programme of store closures.

It has been largely empty apart from a short period in 2025, operating as Big Deals Rotherham.

The planning application states: "The retail business is presently operated from Units 20-21, Old Town Hall, Rotherham, and has established a strong customer base, attracting visitors from across the wider region. An associated small-scale, family-orientated amusement use is operated from the adjoining premises at 18-19 Old Town Hall.

"Due to the continued success and growth of the business, the applicant is relocating to a larger unit at 14 Howard Street in order to consolidate the existing retail, coffee house and amusement elements into a single premises. As a result, the proposed use of the new property requires a change from a single retail use to a retail-led mixed use, allowing the business to operate cohesively from one location.

"The proposal retains retail as the principal use of the premises, with the shopfront and primary public-facing areas continuing to operate as a retail unit. The amusement machine elements are complementary to the main retail use and are intended to enhance customer experience and support town-centre vitality."

Pokilee's CardCade website

Images: Rees Denton / Pokilee

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News: New openings in Rotherham town centre

Something for your mind, body, soul and stomach! New openings in Rotherham town centre.

A new pilates studio is one of the first tenants to open in a converted Victorian mill in town.

Opening this week in Bridge Court, Opus Pilates has created a boutique studio which it describes as a "beautifully designed, high-end space where you can focus on strength, mobility, and well-being."

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on balance, posture, strength and flexibility. The new Rotherham studio offers expert-led classes including Reformer, Mat Pilates and Barre.

Directors of the business are Shannon Cant and Tyler Williams.

A post on social media about the opening states: "More than just a Pilates studio - Opus is your new go-to for movement, mindfulness and modern wellness. From expertly-led classes and genuine connection to wellness shots, cold towels and post-workout drinks - it’s all in the details. Come for the Pilates, stay for the experience."

Rothbiz reported in 2022 that the former mill building had gone up for sale.

Situated close to Rotherham Central Station, the interesting property on Greasbrough Road was called Bridge Mill and has now been renovated and converted into five units - all of which are listed as being let.

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Across town on Grove Road, offices that were planned to be converted into flats have instead been repurposed as art space for ROAR (Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance).

The non profit is dedicated to supporting creative practices and promoting the arts in Rotherham. Studio space is being offered to artists, makers, and creative professionals.

In the Old Town Hall, final preparations are being made for the opening of a new entertainment venue.

Rothbiz reported last month on PokiLee's PokiWorld securing planning permission to enable an expansion into a next door unit.

The Pokémon-themed shop and café is set to open the Evolution Arcade soon.

On the High Street, plans are in place (plaice?) to open a new fish and chip shop in a former barbershop.

At 21 High Street, in the middle of a row of restored heritage buildings, plans were submitted last year to add another storey and create three flats above the former Cutthroats barbers.

With Cutthroats moving to nearby Doncaster Gate, a planning application has recently been submitted regarding an extraction system at 21 High Street which explains: "The new proposed use is to be a Chip Shop and as such an extract duct is required to extract heat from the new fryers.

"This proposal will allow the ground floor of the building to be used and will help to bolster the town centre while hopefully bringing more custom to the high street."

The application is from SME Holdings Ltd and Mark McGrail, the businessman that spearheaded the restoration of the nearby George Wright building, creating a boutique hotel in the Grade II listed "hidden gem" of a building.

SME Holdings Ltd is also involved with plans for a new spa and a golf-themed bar complete with a simulator setup.

Rothbiz reported in March on the plans helping to bring Rotherham back to life, including The Bunka and The Bath House on Snail Hill.

At Forge Island, the town centre's new landmark leisure destination, Sygnature Dish, a new steak and seafood restaurant is "set to open in late June 2025."

Opus Pilates website
ROAR website
PokiWorld website
The Bunka website
The Bath House website
Sygnature Dish website

Images: Opus Pilates / Google Maps

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News: Rotherham Pokémon store looking to level up

Expansion could be on the cards at a Pokémon-themed shop and café in Rotherham town centre.

Moving across town from the Imperial Buildings and transforming a vacant unit in The Old Town Hall in 2023, enterprising Lee Kucia has created a haven for Pokémon fans, offering cards, booster boxes, toys and graded cards. The theme continues into a Coffee House serving barista coffee, hot drinks, cake and sandwiches that also offers space for trading and playing.

Under the name, PokiLee, Lee has amassed over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube who catch him opening packs, interacting with customers and various other live streams.

Now a planning application has been approved for a potential new expansion project at PokiLee's PokiWorld, converting storage space into an amusement arcade.

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Lee explained: "Families can come to purchase Pokémon products such as packs, cards etc and then open them in the coffee house seating area. This is Unit 20- 21 where we are currently trading. This does extremely well and has customers coming in from all over the country to visit.

"[I] currently use the next door unit (18 to 19 Old Town Hall) for storage, my plan is to add double doors to access the next door unit to open a small arcade section for families to enjoy.

"As the arcade would be accessible via our store area there will be minimal machine noise as not to bother customers or other businesses and more importantly to be able to monitor who is coming in and out of the arcade (along with the many security cameras we have installed).

"The opening times of the arcade will be the same as the store, meaning the earliest opening time is 10am and the latest closing time is 6:30pm, this ensures we are not bothering any other businesses at late hours - no sound pollution or annoyances."

Approving the plans, Rotherham Council officers said that the new use would not go against local planning policies and dilute the concentration of shops in the secondary shopping frontage below 30%. They added that it would reintroduce an active shop frontage and look to make a positive contribution to the units of the Old Town Hall, not appearing out of character, or cause harm to other units in the building.

Planners concluded that the proposal would enhance the viability and vitality of Rotherham town centre.

PokiLee's PokiWorld website

Images: Pokilee's PokiWorld

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