News: Have your say on the Millmoor Reborn project

Consultation is underway on a £9.5m vision for transforming the site of Rotherham United's former home into a new 2,000-capacity stadium, national women's football centre of excellence and community sports village.

Millmoor is currently being demolished and Rotherham United Women FC recently revealed its initial vision for the historic stadium, following discussions with owners the Ron Hull Group and meetings with representatives of Rotherham Council.

The proposals would see football return to Millmoor, which was home to Rotherham United for more than a century before the men's team departed in 2008.

At the heart of the plans is a national centre of excellence dedicated to girls' and women's football, with facilities designed to attract players, coaches and sporting organisations from across the UK and potentially further afield.

The initial £9.5m vision includes a 2,000-capacity football stadium – a new home for Rotherham United Women, featuring a 3G playing surface, spectator facilities, hospitality and potential for future expansion. Other facilities could include padel courts, a health and fitness hub, community and multi-sport facilities and a tribute to Millmoor's heritage.

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An update from the club states: "Millmoor Reborn is about giving the ground a new purpose for a new generation. The consultation invites ideas on how Millmoor could once again become a place where the community comes together, whether through matchdays, grassroots and youth football, community events or facilities open to local people all week long.

"For Rotherham United Women's FC, the opportunity is especially exciting. The women's game is growing faster than ever, and a revitalized Millmoor could offer a home that reflects that ambition: somewhere for our players to perform, for young girls to see a clear pathway into the sport, and for supporters to build matchday traditions of their own.

"The club believes the best future for Millmoor will be shaped by the people who know it best. That is why every voice matters, from lifelong fans with stories of the old terraces to families who have never set foot inside the ground."

The consultation is open now and closes on November 9. To take part, visit https://www.ruwfc.com/millmoor-consultation.

Rotherham United Women website

Images: RUWFC

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News: Millmoor talks held over "centre of excellence" idea

Early stage discussions have taken place over the future use of Millmoor, the historic home of Rotherham United that is currently being demolished.

Rothbiz reported first in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish Millmoor with plans explaining the poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user" of the stadium that last hosted league football almost 20 years ago.

The new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration. Plans said that "the client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Now, just months on from saving Rotherham United Women Football Club, the new owners there have started discussions regarding big plans for utilising Millmoor in the future.

Local business leaders Phil Smith and Scott Thorpe acquired the club in July when it was just days away from closure following a period of financial uncertainty.

Smith, the founder and former group CEO of Embark Group, and Thorpe of TMG Financial Services, have set out a bold vision to achieve back to back promotions and reach the Barclays Women’s Super League within five years.

With the plans approved for the demolition of Millmoor, talks have taken place about the club creating a sports village at the Masbrough site.

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Scott Thorpe, co-owner of Rotherham United Women Football Club, said: "We've had some really positive discussions with the council about the possibility of bringing one of Rotherham's most historic sporting sites back to life as a sports village and centre of excellence.

"And I don't want us to think small.

"Why shouldn't Rotherham become a genuine centre of excellence for girls' and women's football, with facilities that also support schools, other sports and the wider community?

"Imagine a place where a young girl can start playing football, develop through a proper pathway and potentially go all the way, without having to leave the town to find opportunities.

"And imagine bringing a historic sporting site back to life in a way that benefits thousands of people, not just those who turn up to watch 90 minutes of football.

"That's the sort of ambition I think we should have for Rotherham.

"We're at the beginning of those conversations, and there's a huge amount to work through, including funding, feasibility and listening to what the town actually wants.

"But everything starts with an idea and people willing to put the work in."

Rotherham United Women currently play home games at the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium at Parkgate. Doncaster Rovers Belles were the last team to play at Millmoor in 2025.

With regard to the future of the site, the CF Booth scrap yard was allocated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's 2018 local plan. The stadium and surrounding area was allocated as a Mixed Use Area appropriate for "business use (excluding offices), housing, residential and non residential institutions and assembly and leisure uses."

Rotherham United Women Football Club website
TMG website

Images: RUFC / RUWFC

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News: More Millmoor memorabilia is being saved, demolition company confirm

As demolition work continues on the historic former home of Rotherham United, parts of the old football stadium are being carefully saved.

Rothbiz revealed in May that new owners, the Ron Hull Group, planned to demolish parts of Millmoor with plans explaining the poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user" of the stadium that last hosted league football almost 20 years ago.

A second set of plans regarding the method of demolition were approved last month as work got underway on the stadium that has its origins dating back to 1890.

Contractors, Demex - part of the Ron Hull Group - have confirmed that memorabilia, seating, signage, turnstiles and the Derek Dalton Clock are being saved as they take down the stands, related buildings and lighting columns.

Demex said in a statement: "We understand that Millmoor holds a huge amount of history and sentimental value for the people of Rotherham, particularly the generations of supporters who have memories of watching Rotherham United here.

"A great deal of thought and consideration has gone into exploring what could be done to preserve the stadium and give it a new purpose, rather than seeing it demolished. However, after carefully considering the options available, demolition was ultimately the only viable way forward for the site.

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"Memorabilia, seating, signage, turnstiles and the Derek Dalton Clock are all being carefully saved for reuse, donation and preservation, helping to ensure that important pieces of Millmoor’s story live on.

"For us, this isn’t simply about taking a building down. It’s about handling a significant piece of Rotherham’s history with the care and respect it deserves, while helping create the opportunity for something new in its place.

"It’s a significant project for Rotherham, and one we’re proud to be delivering as part of the team."

Rotherham United confirmed last week that the iconic Derek Dalton Clock has been returned to the football club following its removal from Millmoor.

A Millers superfan, Derek, who died aged 45 in 1993, was struck down with polio at the age of two, and did a lot for putting Rotherham United on the map. He won the Shoot Magazine Fan of the Year in 1983 and during a Royal visit, presented The Queen with a Rotherham United pennant.

Discussions are ongoing regarding any necessary refurbishment works that may need to be undertaken to restore Derek’s clock to its former glory and further conversations are taking place internally to establish where the most suitable location is at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

The clock's short journey from Millmoor to the New York Stadium was not without its problems. More Bees Please, a local business dedicated to sustainability and the preservation of bees, was called in when it was discovered that a hive of honey bees had taken up home behind the clock. The experts were able to relocate the comb and colony.

Ron Hull website
RUFC website
More Bees Please website

Images: More Bees Please / RUFC

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News: How much Ron Hull paid for CF Booth, the massive Rotherham scrap yard, and Millmoor

An administrator's report has revealed further details of the deal which saw the sale of the business and assets of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited, to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, in January. A number of the company's subsidiaries entered administration in the following months.

All eight companies were acquired by Hu11 Limited in March. The transactions for subsidiaries, Demex and Albion Jones, were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

Administrators say that, following an accelerated marketing and sale process, six bidders were shortlisted based on value, confirmed funding and the ability to complete within the required timeframe. A sale of substantially all of the group's business and assets was concluded to Hu11 Limited for total consideration of £13.77m exclusive of VAT.

The administrator's report shows that £7.25m was for the freehold of the Armer Street premises - the 35-acre site at Masbrough which includes the Clarence Metal Works and Rotherham United's former home, Millmoor.

£3.4m was for plant and machinery, with the rest for other properties, stock and vehicles.

29 staff moved over as part of the demolition businesses but 149 were made redundant.

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As previously reported by Rothbiz, CF Booth had £46m debts when it entered administration.

The business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices.

One of the group's largest debt was with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators confirm that IGF has been repaid in full from a combination of book debt collections and the sale of business proceeds.

£1.24m remained outstanding to HMRC in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m was owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators say: "Based on current estimates, we anticipate that unsecured creditors should receive a dividend. We have yet to determine the amount of this, but we will do so when we have completed the realisation of assets and payment of associated costs.

"It is intended that the Company will be placed into creditors' voluntary liquidation in order to make a distribution to the unsecured creditors prior to the end date of the administration, which is 15 January 2027."

Unsecured creditors in administration are suppliers, customers, or contractors without security for their debt, ranking at the bottom of the repayment priority list.

The unsecured creditors list released previously included £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - Other HMRC and HSE Fines & Penalties. Company trade creditors were listed with the total owed at £8.2m.

Whilst trading, CF Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment dating back a decade was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. C F Booth Ltd was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

Administrators add that they are "reviewing the affairs of the Company to find out if there are any actions which can be taken against third parties to increase recoveries for creditors.

"We have considered matters raised by creditors, reviewed transactions involving connected parties, assessed the Company's governance and record-keeping practices, analysed information relating to asset disposals and creditor treatment, and investigated matters requiring further enquiry in accordance with our statutory obligations.

"Significant time has also been spent reviewing and assessing information received from third parties, including creditor representations, professional advisers and government agencies, together with preparing and submitting our report on the conduct of the directors to the Insolvency Service, which is confidential."

Since concluding the deal, Ron Hull moved quickly to take on the fully operational rail siding which has enabled the provider of a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services to offer decommissioned rail stack handling and the sale and loading of scrap metal via rail.

Buildings on the site, considered to be in poor condition and surplus to requirements, were earmarked for demolition and planning permission was secured to demolish the stands and structures at Millmoor. Work started on the historic football stadium last month.

Ron Hull website

Images: Google Maps / RUFC

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News: Second set of Millmoor plans sees all stands and buildings demolished at Rotherham United's former home

Having secured planning approval to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium in Rotherham, the new owners of Millmoor have applied to do the same to the rest of the structures.

Rothbiz revealed in May that the Ron Hull Group planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

Planning approval was secured for the method of demolition at Millmoor for the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Now a second application looks to secure approval for the method of demolition for the rest of the Millmoor Lane covered stand, the Railway End stand and a maintenance building in the corner of the ground. All floodlighting columns, and other football associated buildings would be flattened, as would related grassed areas.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

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The latest plans state: "The maintenance building is a reinforce concrete frame stucture [sic] with solid brickwork infill panels, steel beams supporting the metal clad roof structure. From appearance it seems to have been constructed in the 1950- 60's. Due to the possible changing nature and use of the site this building may become surplus to requirements with regard to any proposed future use of the site.

"The covered Millmoor Lane football stand (Stand 'D') has stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof cladding , and is now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football clubs relocation. There is no protection from falls to the rear of the stand either.

"The Railway End (Stand ' E' ) was the away fans section where over 2,000 fans were accommodated. This end is covered and all seated. The only access being via the narrow alleyway to the rear from Millmoor Lane .This stand has a stepped concrete ground slab with steel framed structures above with asbestos roof and wall cladding , all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club's relocation."

It remains to be seen what will happen to the pitch, famed for its quality in league football.

The plans add: "All the proposed buildings to be demolished will be taken down to the ground slabs. The ground slabs will be removed and the site tidied and left in a state where redevelopment will be possible. The client does intend to redevelop the site at a future date."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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News: Millmoor demolition plans approved

The new owners of Millmoor in Rotherham will be able to knock down large parts of the historic football stadium after Rotherham Council approved the method of demolition.

Rothbiz revealed last month that plans had been submitted with the Ron Hull Group stating that it planned to demolish parts of Millmoor due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user."

The works will see the site "left in a state where redevelopment will be possible at a future date."

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assets of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

The priority is to demolish the incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and part of the Millmoor Lane stand, lighting columns and then the other associated buildings.

Construction of a new Main Stand started in approx. 2005 and was intended to replace the earlier timber stand, but work ceased in late 2007 leaving the stand incomplete, resulting in the steel structure being left open to the elements. Applicants say that a lot of work would be needed to enable construction work to continue, all of which would be uneconomic given there is no use or future use for this structure. They add that it is unsafe to leave the stand in its current unfinished state.

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The Tivoli Stand, Millmoor Lane Stand (part), Uncovered Stand, and Terrace all have stepped concrete slabs with steel framed structures above with asbestos cladding, and all are now showing signs of neglect and disrepair as a result of having not being maintained since the football club’s relocation.

The 1950's admin building has a flat roof which has failed allowing moisture into the structure causing considerable damage.

The Tivoli with accommodation over is a 1960's building laterly used as a nightclub. This is also showing signs of disrepair and decay due to moisture ingress from the flat roofs.

The 70's press box is in a state of disrepair and showing signs of general decay due to a lack of general maintenance, whilst the floodlights are showing signs of decay, effecting possible safety.

Approving the method of demolition, Rotherham Council planners said: "None of the buildings or structures mentioned above have had any maintenance carried out on them for some considerable time, and especially so since the relocation of Rotherham United Football Club in 2007, when the ground became vacant with little further use. As a result, all the buildings are showing signs of disrepair and showing signs of general structural decay. The buildings and structures are proposed to be demolished, and future development of the site will then be considered."

The full demolition of the buildings and structures is expected to take approximately four months with the materials being processed within the Ron Hull Group.

The buildings will generally be demolished by tracked demolition machinery, equipped with demolition shear and selecta grab attachments. This is considered to be acceptable and will not cause any nuisance or long term disturbance to the neighbouring structures.

Planners add: "Furthermore, the current proposed restoration of the site is considered acceptable as it will allow for the site to be used in the future for development."

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps / Ron Hull / Eton Construction

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News: Why is demolition planned for Millmoor and what is the future of the former home of Rotherham United?

The new owners of Millmoor are looking to regenerate the site.

Rothbiz revealed first that a planning application had been submitted reagrding the demolition of what remains of the stadium that was previously home to Rotherham United.

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assests of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

The owners are working with local Rotherham firm, Eton Construction, on plans for the area - the 35-acre site that includes the ground and the large Booth operations at the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough.

The new owners said in a statement: "Ron Hull Group, are to demolish parts of the Millmoor Football Ground due to it’s poor condition. But there is no getting away from the fact that the football club now has a new home at the NEW York Stadium, and this ground has been vacant and under used since the club left.

"The buildings and structures selected in the current application to demolish are all in a poor condition due to years of neglect and are suffering from a general lack of maintenance, specifically elements like roof finishes and the structures themselves. It is assumed this situation accelerated in the period since Rotherham United Football Club vacated the site.

"The current main stand is only partially completed, and has been exposed to the elements since at least 2007. The high cost of repair, yet alone proceed to complete this stand would be excessive given that there are very limited numbers of possible users of the ground. Thus meaning it is unbuyable.

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"As stated in the application the Tivoli entertainment space, with its living accommodation over are in a high state of disrepair, the accommodation having being vandalised and a lack of roof maintenance has allowed water into the building and building structure causing decay and partial collapse due to long term exposure to this water. This is a similar situation with the Press Box / Police Office.

"The Tivoli Stand and part of the Millmoor Lane Stand are all clad in asbestos sheeting, which is beginning to breakdown / dislodge in places, all showing signs of decay due to a general lack of maintenance. The same lack of repair and general up keep is also true for the uncovered area and lighting columns. The condition of these parts of the ground, and the long term lack of a viable user for the ground is what has lead to their inclusion within the current demolition application.

"So at present the priority / order to demolish is : The incomplete main stand, Tivoli, Admin building, and Tivoli stand first, followed by the terrace, uncovered stand and Part Millmoor Lane stand , lighting columns and then the other associated building stated in application. As this process is at its very early stages. some decisions are still to be made, at present no decision has been made about the pitch, and the remaining stands which are not included in the current demolition application. There condition will be assessed, and any future use considered if it is viable, or demolition if necessary.

"Ron Hull Group, are looking to regenerate the site, but no decision has yet been made at this point."

With regard to the future of the site, the scrap yard was allocated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's 2018 local plan. The stadium and surrounding area was allocated as a Mixed Use Area.

The listing from 2018 stated: "The area remains suitable for a mix of uses and lies adjacent to the football stadium vacated when Rotherham United moved to their new ground. The car park has an extant temporary B8 storage plannig [sic] permission. As such it is proposed that the mixed use area is extended to include the former stadium and car park. The area remains appropriate for a mix of uses include business use (excluding offices), housing, residential and non residential institutions and assembly and leisure uses." A recommendation was made to retain the mixed use area and extend it to include the community allocation use covering the adjacent football ground.

Millmoor was featured in the recent draft of Rotherham's new playing pitch strategy. It is described as having "one good quality adult pitch that has spare capacity of 0.5 match equivalent sessions per week discounted due to unsecure tenure."

The strategy recommended low priority actions that would sustain the pitch quality and that long-term agreement is sought between the landowner and its site users to establish actual spare capacity for clubs.

Ron Hull website

Images: RUFC /

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News: Millmoor no more? Demolition plans for historic Rotherham United football stadium

It is getting on for 20 years since the last league game at Millmoor, the "spiritual home of Rotherham United," but the next fixture at the abandoned stadium could be a date with the wrecking ball.

Ron Hull Group said that it planned to demolish parts of the Millmoor Football Ground due to it’s poor condition and the "long term lack of a viable user".

Ron Hull Group, the new owners of CF Booth Ltd, took on the old football ground when it acquired the assests of the historic Rotherham firm that had entered administration.

Rothbiz reported last month that, having taken over the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough, Ron Hull has been assessing the buildings on the site, with many found to be in a state of disrepair. The company has engaged with the local planning authority, Rotherham Council, over the method of demolition for buildings on the site.

Now a similar planning application has been submitted for the football stadium which sits on the 35-acre site, alongside the huge scrap yard.

The application is "to determine whether prior approval is required of the method of demolition and restoration of the site re:- demolition of Admin Building, Tivoli club with accommodation over, Press Box, incomplete main stand, Tivoli Stand, Terrace and Uncovered Stand, part of Millmoor Lane stand, All pitch lighting columns, and other football associated buildings."

Despite its origins dating back to 1890, and the association with The Millers and their fans, Millmooor is not a listed building, or recognised on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List. Owners generally have permitted development rights regarding the demolition of buildings they own but are often required to get prior approval from the local council.

Applicants say that some decisions are still to be made. At present no decision has been made about the pitch and the remaining stands which are not included in the current demolition application.

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A statement on behalf of the Ron Hull Group, said: "The buildings and structures selected in the current application to demolish are all in a poor condition due to years of neglect and are suffering from a general lack of maintenance, specifically elements like roof finishes and the structures themselves. It is assumed this situation accelerated in the period since Rotherham United football Club vacated the site.

"The current main stand is only partially completed, and has been exposed to the elements since at least 2007. The high cost of repair, yet alone proceed to complete this stand would be excessive given that there are very limited numbers of possible users of the ground. Thus meaning it is unbuyable."

Rotherham Church Institute played at MIllmoor in the Sheffield Association League in 1890. Rotherham County obtained a lease at Millmoor from the Midland Railway Company in 1907 and scores of volunteers and donors were drafted in to help build a stadium for league football. When the Football League was resumed in 1919, Rotherham County applied successfully to join for the first time while Rotherham Town's application was turned down. The first league game took place at Millmoor as County beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in August 1919.

County and Town combined and Rotherham United was officially born on May 27, 1925. Millmoor was Rotherham United's home until the last game in 2008. It hosted the first Football League Cup in 1961 and even top flight rugby.

Rotherham United fell into administration for the second time in 2008 having previously been owned by the Booth family, owners of Millmoor and the large scrap business that surrounds it.

Local businessman Tony Stewart of ASD Lighting brought the club out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement but then came the decision to play home games at the now demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, after working hard to get a deal to carry on playing at Millmoor.

The club was charged with returning to play home games in its home town within four seasons by the Football League and the £20m AESSEAL New York Stadium, on the edge of Rotherham town centre and in view of Millmoor, hosted its first Millers game in 2012.

The Millmoor ground, famed for the quality of the playing surface and its compact size that often created a raucous atmosphere. was never glamorous and lacked many of the features of modern stadia. Since 2008 it is not exactly a "ghost ground" as it has been used for kickabouts, charity games and youth football.

In 2011 talks between Rotherham Rugby Club, Rotherham Council and CF Booth Ltd came to an end with the Rotherham Titans unable to stage home games at Millmoor again after "a commercially viable solution could not be found."

Last year Rothbiz reported that Doncaster Rovers Belles had arranged to play home games at Millmoor but they were forced to return to their nomadic existence before the end of the season.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps / DRFC

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News: New owners prepare to demolish CF Booth buildings

The new owners of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited, are sizing up how best to use the 35-acre site it has acquired.

Some demolition is proposed, but no plans have yet been revealed for Millmoor, the home of Rotherham United until 2008.

Administrators announced last month that they have concluded a sale of the company’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

The sale of substantially all the assets of eight interconnected companies included Demex and Albion Jones as going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

Taking over the Clarence Works at Armer Street in Masbrough, Ron Hull has moved quickly to take on the fully operational rail siding which has enabled the provider of a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services to offer decommissioned rail stack handling and the sale and loading of scrap metal via rail.

The Ron Hull Group has also been assessing the buildings on the site, with many found to be in a state of disrepair.

The company has engaged with the local planning authority, Rotherham Council, over the method of demolition for buildings on the site.

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The buildings set for demolition in the plans include the prominent main office building fronting Armer Street, and the large industrial buildings to the rear and side.

Further office buildings, factory units, a furnance and a maintenance workshop are also identified for demolition on maps submitted with the applications, allthough the applicants stress that the group is currently unsure exactly which buildings will remain and which will ultimately be demolished as they look to see if factory units and furnaces can be reused within the current business.

The plans explain that the three of the smaller buildings that are proposed to be demolished "are showing signs of a long term lack of repairs and maintenance, and are in poor condition. The buildings also are surplus to the requirements of the current owner's needs and business operations."

Industrial buildings are described as being in a state of disrepair, with the main office building's interior "very closed and unsuitable for modern open office use. The building is showing signs of water damage and general neglect." Other buildings are also showing signs of water damage and are in a state of disrepair.

Once demolished, the areas are set to store metals, which is as the current use of the site.

Ron Hull Group website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Administrator's report highlights £46m debts at stricken Rotherham firm, CF Booth

With the announcement of the sale of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited, an administrator's report shows how trade creditors are owed over £8m and are unlikely to see any of it.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, on 16 January 2026 and subsequently appointed Joint Administrators at a further five of the company’s subsidiaries on 20 January 2026.

Subsequently, on March 10, the same joint administrators were appointed to Demex Limited and Albion Jones Limited, also subsidiaries of CF Booth. Immediately following these appointments, the joint administrators completed a sale of substantially all the assets of all eight companies to Hu11 Limited. The transactions for Demex and Albion Jones were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

In January, 54 members of staff were retained to assist the administrators with 114 members of staff made redundant. The administrators only mentioned that 29 members of staff employed by Demex and Albion Jones have transferred to Hu11 Limited.

On entering administration there were 169 staff, 149 employed by CF Booth Ltd.

A February report from Interpath showed that staff members are preferential creditors and should share £144,022.

One of the group's largest debt is with IGF, which only provided a £20m asset-based lending facility in 2025. The debt totalled £14.2m and administrators expect IGF will be repaid in full.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is listed as a secondary preferential creditor in respect of £1.2m in outstanding VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contributions with Interpath expecting that they should receive a dividend.

£30.6m is owed to unsecured creditors. Administrators said before the sale that: "Based on present estimates, there may be a return to unsecured creditors. However, this is dependent on the value achieved from the sale of business and assets (which is not yet known), and the final costs of the administration which are also presently uncertain."

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Unsecured creditors in administration are suppliers, customers, or contractors without security for their debt, ranking at the bottom of the repayment priority list.

The unsecured creditors list include £3.5m - Employees, £14.3m - Intercompany creditors and another £2.2m - Other HMRC and HSE Fines & Penalties.

Company trade creditors are listed in a new update and the total owed is £8.2m.

The update also shows that the company had trade debtors owing them £12.8m when it went into administration, and that it owned property with a book value of around £3m that administrators now estimate could be realised at £11.5m. The company's main operation was at a 35-acre site at Armer Street, Masbrough.

Overall, administrators say that there is £17,319,045 as the estimated total assets available for preferential creditors, namely IGF and the HMRC. It goes on to say that when it comes to unsecured creditors, there is a deficit of £14,627,408.

In the unaudited management accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025, CF Booth Ltd recorded turnover of £107.3m and a loss of £5.3m. The company had recorded losses in each of the previous three years.

The February report explains: "Over recent months, the business experienced substantial operational and financial headwinds, including sharp rises in energy costs and pronounced volatility in copper prices. These market pressures materially undermined margins and generated a level of cost volatility that the business was unable to absorb.

"In addition, the company faced escalating cost burdens arising from increases to the National Living Wage and growing environmental compliance obligations. Additional strain was caused by VAT liabilities and penalties imposed by the Health and Safety Executive, all of which compounded the deterioration in cashflow and further weakened the Company's financial resilience."

CF Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment dating back a decade was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. C F Booth Ltd was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

Images: Google Maps

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News: CF Booth Ltd sold out of admin to the Ron Hull Group

The joint administrators of historic Rotherham firm, CF Booth Limited have announced that they have concluded a sale of the company’s business and assets to Hu11 Limited, a subsidiary of Ron Hull Jnr Limited.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, on 16 January 2026 and subsequently appointed Joint Administrators over a further five of the Company’s subsidiaries on 20 January 2026.

As reported by Rothbiz, subsequently, on March 10, James Lumb and Howard Smith were appointed joint administrators to Demex Limited and Albion Jones Limited, also subsidiaries of CF Booth. Immediately following these appointments, the joint administrators completed a sale of substantially all the assets of all eight Companies to Hu11 Limited. The transactions for Demex and Albion Jones were going concern sales, allowing the demolition business to continue operations.

An earlier update from administrators showed that there were six shortlisted bidders for the group.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth grew from a local metal trader into one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. With its 35-acre site at Armer Street, Masbrough, the business has been family owned and operated and once employed over 200 staff, trading both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and processes recycled materials for a wide range of customers across the UK and beyond.

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Founded in Rotherham in 1976, Ron Hull Group has grown to become one of Yorkshire’s most recognisable companies providing a range of metal recovery and waste recycling services. Its Ron Hull Jnr division is one of the largest scrap metal traders in the North of England, buying and selling all grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. It operates from large sites on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate.

As part of the transaction, all 29 members of staff employed by Demex and Albion Jones have transferred to Hu11 Limited.

James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “CF Booth is a big part of both the regional community and the UK and European metal recycling sector. The Ron Hull name is synonymous across South Yorkshire for scrap metal trading, so we are pleased to have concluded these transactions which not only preserve jobs for employees of Demex and Albion Jones but which we hope, in due course, will also see operations recommence at CF Booth’s sites in Rotherham.”

Nigel and Mark Hull, directors of Ron Hull Jr Limited, said: “As a business which has operated in Rotherham for 50 years, we’re pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which reaffirms our commitment and support to the local area. We are incredibly proud of what our father Ron Hull has achieved, and look forward to building upon this success as we welcome the Demex and Albion Jones team to the Ron Hull family.”

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Dinnington regen plans updated as demolition set to begin

A multimillion pound regeneration scheme in a Rotherham town needs updating but work on site is set to begin later this month with the demolition of burnt-out buildings.

The revamp of Dinnington market, approved in 2024, includes clearing derelict buildings, creating a new town square, and developing purpose-built commercial units to diversify the local offer.

The project, backed by £11m in Government funding, aims to improve the outdoor market, pedestrian routes, and public spaces - creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Revised plans are now being prepared for units on Laughton Road.

After detailed surveys revealed the buildings were in a worse condition than anticipated, the Council now intends to fully demolish and rebuild the buildings rather than refurbish them to deliver a safer, higher‑quality and future‑proofed space for businesses that will also better meet the needs of the community.

The scheme has also been designed to include an outdoor market presence in an improved location and environment, one with demountable stalls which is designed to limit the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and provide dedicated welfare and storage facilities.

The new building plans will be submitted for planning approval this month. A tender process to appoint a main contractor will begin shortly, with work expected to begin on site in the summer.

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Rotherham Council, who acquired the required properties last year, recently appointed local firm, Ron Hull Demolition, to carry out work on site. The demolition, which will start on February 23, will include the removal of the former florists and dance studio on Laughton Road, which were destroyed by fire.

Demolition work is expected to be completed by March.

The £12m redevelopment of the high street will include a new public square with a flexible pack-away market, purpose-built commercial units creating new opportunities for local businesses, and improved pedestrian links between transport hubs and the high street. Interest from businesses in the scheme is high.

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: “I’m delighted to see the first steps being taken in this exciting new chapter for Dinnington.

“The demolition marks a significant milestone, clearing away buildings that have long been seen as eyesores and signalling the start of real, visible progress.

“Our decision to demolish the remaining buildings rather than refurbish them means that residents, businesses and visitors to Dinnington can expect a brand-new development to be proud of. We want to make sure the regeneration of the high street is as cost-effective as possible and rebuilding the units now will mean we avoid costly refurbishment work in the future.

“This is just the beginning of a transformation that will bring lasting benefits to the town and its community. It’s all part of the Council’s commitment to ensuring places are thriving, safe and clean.”

The Government has confirmed that the spending on the project can be extended from 2026 to 2028.

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News: Ron Hull Group planning Rotherham expansion

Leading recycling firm, Ron Hull Group, has submitted a planning application that would enable the expansion of its Rotherham site.

Back in 2011. the company bought a vacant 4-acre former warehousing site just a few hundred yards from its Mangham Road base on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate. £4m was invested at the site's main 80,000 sq ft building with the installation of new plant and machinery.

Now plans show a new 54,000 sq ft unit between Greasbrough Road and the existing operations closer to Parkgate.

Application documents explain the the group acquired the land when Rotherham Council indicated that it would likely be used as employment use as part of the wider Bassingthorpe development. A previous application, since withdrawn, was to use the site for storage.

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The latest plans explain that the aim is to move certain processes indoors and "the proposal promises better working conditions and improved control over material quality — for instance, reducing the moisture content on wood that currently devalues its quality when processed in the open.

"Full skips would be delivered into the building where their contents are emptied. The skip contents will be moved via conveyors and be subject to optical, laser and magnetic scans and selection.

"Eventually via operative checks it will be split into different material streams. Materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, wood, plastics, and hardcore are then either processed on site or bundled for recycling elsewhere on site or other appropriate facilities. The aim is to extract whatever is of value from the waste and reduce to a minimum the residual that is sent for further recovery and recovered fuel (wood chip) production."

Applicants anticipate an increased throughput of the site is some 250 tonnes and due to the increase in capacity that the development will bring, there is likely to be an increase of approximately 80 HGV two-way trips over the course of the day. The council's transport officers "do not consider this to have a severe impact on the adjacent road network."

A noise assessment has also been included with the application.

If approved, the new development would increase employment by 30 members of staff.

The plans conclude: "The unit would not only provide 30 much needed jobs but also increase the percentage of recycled material recovered. This in turn would reduce raw material requirements and help increase sustainability. In short it would help meet the companies [sic] aim of 'Nil to Landfill'."

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Historic Rotherham manufacturing site set to be demolished

The former factory and office block of Robert Jenkins Ltd in Rotherham looks set to be demolished having been deemed beyond economic repair and unsuitable for conversion.

A planning application has been submitted detailing the method of demolition for the large Wortley Road site at Bradgate.

Robert Jenkins steel works was built in 1855, and established a year later, the company was one of the earliest firms manufacturing boilers in Yorkshire.

Owners of the site, Ivanhoe Property Development has carried out a number of surveys of the property and local experts at Ron Hull Demolition have been brought in to bring down the factory and offices.

The "Ivanhoe Works" warehouse is clad in asbestos cement sheeting. The offices have been used as a snooker hall and gym in recent years.

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Agents for the scheme, Davenport Consultancy, state in the plans: "The buildings are dilapidated and the roof is structurally unsafe, they are beyond economic repair. They also contain significant levels of asbestos that needs removing. The combination of these issues render the buildings unsuitable for reuse or conversion."

The area was assessed as part of the borough's new local plan which initially indicated that the mixed use area should be changed to light industrial.

Specialising in all types of wrought iron, steel and copper boilers, storage tanks and manhole covers, Jenkins expanded and by 1936 the output of the sprawling works had increased to over 500 tonnes of welded work per month.

Alongside another local firm, the Parkgate Iron & Steel Company, Robert Jenkins Ltd were involved in the manufacture of Bailey Bridge components throughout the Second World War.

In the 1970s Jenkins employed more than 1,000 staff in its five divisions but following a downturn it filed for voluntary liquidation in 2003 when two customers went in to receivership and bad debts caused cashflow issues. The firm employed only a handful of staff at the time of liquidation but a shortfall of £1m was left in the staff pension scheme.

Approval of the method of demolition is required but work could start in December. It is expected to last six months.

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News: IN ’n’ OUT takes last spot at Rotherham retail park

IN 'n' OUT is set to bring its completely new approach to car servicing, MOT testing and car maintenance to Rotherham when it opens at a popular retail development.

A US "drive thru" concept has been expanded to offer fixed price MOT, servicing and valet without the need for appointment. The expanding Northamptonshire company has plans for 300 UK sites over the next five years, primarily located on retail parks.

IN 'n' OUT has secured a 5,000 sq ft unit on phase two at Gate Park for its first site in South Yorkshire. It is the last remaining unit at Gregory Property Group's hugely successful retail venture on Great Eastern Way at Parkgate.

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Gate Park is now fully let with prime tenants including Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains with other tenants including Pizza Hut, Barnardo's and Formula One Autocentres.

Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects in 2014 to bring forward the retail development on the site of a former car showroom.

Andrew Foggitt, director of Gregory Projects said: "We are delighted to reveal the final occupier at Gate Park as we reach completion of phase two of the development. The project is testament to the quality of the location and the need for a range of discount shopping options for the Parkgate community."

The Leeds office of Bilfinger GVA and the Sheffield office of Knight Frank have advised Gregory on the lettings. Forward funding was secured from Bramall Properties Limited and Sheffield-based JF Finnegan was the main contractor.

IN 'n' OUT is expected to open in Rotherham in February 2017.

IN 'n' OUT website

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News: Temporary uses for nightclub site

Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull has acquired the site of a prominent Rotherham nightclub for future development.

The Liquid & Envy nightclub on the edge of Rotherham town centre closed in 2012 following a decline in trade. The previous operators, Luminar Leisure, went into administration in October 2011 after talks broke down with its banks on the restructuring of the group's debt arrangement. A subsequent £45m deal to save the operation included the purchase of the Main Street venue but it closed in the December of 2012.

The 22,000 sq ft, 2,000 capacity nightclub was put up for sale by Luminar before its administration. The 1.965 acre site also includes 150 car-park spaces and was advertised as an investment and a development opportunity.

Plans were submitted by the demolition arm of the Ron Hull Group last month for the prior notification of proposed demolition.

With the demolition almost complete, further plans have now been submitted that would enable the temporary use of part of the site as a car wash. It is expected that planning permission will also be sought for the use of the rest of the cleared site as a temporary car park. This interim use, for up to two years, is expected to ensure that the site is cleared and safe and "allows the owners to seek redevelopment opportunities for the site."

The latest plans show that Ron Hull Jr Ltd is the owner of the site.

Adjacent to the site, plans for a 245 space car park were only approved on appeal having initially been refused. In addition, CF Booth has recently secured planning permission to operate a 270 space car park for three years on its nearby storage land after the Council was legally unable to ask for a financial contribution to the new £5m road scheme at New York Junction.

Ron Hull has recently been involved with a multimillion pound brownfield regeneration scheme at nearby Parkgate. It teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to bring forward a retail development on the site of a former car showroom at Great Eastern Way. 50,000 sq ft of retail space is being created with occupiers including Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains now open.

The council's development plan for the Main Street area indicates that a number of uses are acceptable in principle. In the emerging Local Plan, the large area of land at New York, which includes Riverside House, New York Stadium, the former Guest & Chrimes foundry and the nightclub site, is being put forward for a mix of uses with the area "considered to be suitable for B1 office and hotel uses given its gateway location and proximity to Rotherham town centre and public transport interchanges. It is also considered suitable for assembly and leisure uses given its location, existing uses and proximity to Rotherham town centre."

A Rotherham success story, the Ron Hull Group was formed in 1976 by founder and owner - Ronald Hull - as a six acre site with six employees. Its growing recycling operations means that it now has 30 acres of premises, employing over 200 staff within Ron Hull Jnr Limited and Ron Hull Demolition Ltd.

In 2011, the company bought a vacant 4-acre former warehousing site just a few hundred yards from its Mangham Road base on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate and invested £4m to create a high-tech reprocessing centre. Diversification has seen the group move into property, running the Fitzwilliam Arms Hotel and a 250-acre farm, housing 40 horses.

For the financial year ending January 31 2014, turnover was reported at £34m, with profit before tax of £1.5m.

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Fit out at new Rotherham retail units

Opening dates have been pencilled in for the first outlets at "Gate Park," Gregory Projects' new 50,000 sq ft development at Parkgate in Rotherham.

The land owner, Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to bring forward a potential retail development on the site of a former car showroom at Great Eastern Way.

The first phase secured pre-lets from Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains. With Iceland already open, Aldi is set to open on October 8 with Home Bargains on October 10.

Gregory has also confirmed deals with Pizza Hut and Barnardo's to take the remaining two units to complete phase one at the four acre site. Development is underway for the second and final phase comprising 9,400 sq ft of space with 4,400 sq ft already pre-let to Formula One Autocentres. Completion is expected next month.

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Richard Tovey, director at Gregory Projects, said: "We are pleased to reach completion of the first phase, allowing prime tenants to fit out and open in time for the run up to Christmas. This project has proved to be a major success where we have managed to pre-let 90 per cent of the space well in advance of completion. This is testament to the quality of the location and the need for a new range of discount shopping options for the Parkgate community. We have just one 5,000 sq ft unit remaining with strong interest."

With funding from Bramall Properties Ltd, construction is being carried out by Sheffield-based JF Finnegan as the main contractor. The Leeds office of Bilfinger GVA advised Gregory on the pre-lettings and is marketing the remaining accommodation in conjunction with the Sheffield office of Knight Frank.

Gregory Projects website

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News: Demolition plan for Rotherham nightclub

The party definitely looks set to be over at a prominent Rotherham nightclub after plans were submitted to enable its demolition.

The Liquid & Envy nightclub on the edge of Rotherham town centre closed in 2012 following a decline in trade. The previous operators, Luminar Leisure, went into administration in October 2011 after talks broke down with its banks on the restructuring of the group's debt arrangement. A subsequent £45m deal to save the operation included the purchase of the Main Street venue but it closed in the December of 2012.

The 22,000 sq ft, 2,000 capacity nightclub was put up for sale by Luminar before its administration. The 1.965 acre site also includes 150 car-park spaces and was advertised as an investment and a development opportunity.

Now the demolition division of Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, has submitted a planning application for prior notification of proposed demolition. Demolition of a building is generally not classed as "development" and planning permission is not usually needed. However, the demolition of some large buildings does need approval from the local planning authority beforehand.

The plans, drawn up with Davenport Consultancy, state that planning permission will be sought for use of the cleared site as a temporary car park. This interim use is expected to ensure that the site is cleared and safe and "allows the owners to seek redevelopment opportunities for the site."

The plans add: "The [unnamed] owner acquired the site in order to redevelop it. The current building not only hinders that development but is also dangerous in so far that vandalism has resulted in a number of fires within the building representing a danger not only to the perpetrators but to the wider public."

In the short term the site is set to be levelled and turned into a temporary car park.

The council's development plan for the area indicates that a number of uses are acceptable in principle. This includes: retail; restaurants and cafés; offices and light industry; hotels; non-residential institutions such as health centres, schools, art galleries and places of worship; and "assembly and leisure" which covers cinemas, concert venues and skating rinks.

Similarly, in the emerging Local Plan, the large area of land at New York, which includes Riverside House, New York Stadium, the former Guest & Chrimes foundry and the nightclub site, is being put forward for a mix of uses with the area "considered to be suitable for B1 office and hotel uses given its gateway location and proximity to Rotherham town centre and public transport interchanges. It is also considered suitable for assembly and leisure uses given its location, existing uses and proximity to Rotherham town centre."

The plans add: "In parallel with the demolition the owner intends to seek planning permission to use the site as a temporary car park, whilst seeking longer term redevelopment opportunities in line with uses detailed above or others that may also be included in a mixed use area and are compatible with the public interest."

Ron Hull Group website

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News: Pre let confirmed at Parkgate retail development

Formula One Autocentres is set to open a new workshop and MOT centre at phase two of a new retail development at Parkgate in Rotherham after planning permission was secured and construction begins.

The land owner, Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to bring forward a potential retail development on the site of a former car showroom at Great Eastern Way. With funding from Bramall Properties Ltd, construction of the fully let 40,000 sq ft phase one is well underway with completion expected by July 2015. Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains are all committed.

The scheme is designed to complement existing occupiers in the established retail area, which include ASDA, Morrisons and The Foundry Retail Park, with a discount goods offering.

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Established in 1974, Formula One Autocentres has grown to become one of the UK's largest independent autocentre chains. It operates 70 state-of-the-art branches across England specialising in "fast-fit" products and services.

Richard Tovey, director at Gregory Projects (part of the Gregory Property Group), said: "We are pleased to secure planning approval for phase two of this development. The scheme is 90% let which is testament to the quality of the location and need for a range of shopping all to the benefit of the Parkgate community. We have just one 5,000 sq ft unit remaining."

Phase Two is for a 9,400 sq ft of space with 4,400 sq ft already pre let to Formula One Autocentres. One of the smaller, 1,250 sq ft units on Phase One is set to be taken by the children's charity, Barnardo's.

The Leeds office of GVA has advised Gregory on the pre-lettings and is marketing the remaining accommodation. Sheffield-based JF Finnegan is the main contractor.

At the established Parkgate Shopping retail park nearby, plans have been submitted that would enable the mezzanine floor at the unit currently occupied by BHS to be extended. Unit 14a has an existing mezzanine floor of 13,000 sq ft and, if approved, this could be extended to 20,000 sq ft. There is some uncertainty over the future of BHS stores since the department store chain was acquired earlier this year.

Gregory Projects website

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News: Further phase at Rotherham retail park

Gregory Projects Limited has submitted a planning application to progress phase two of its Rotherham retail development at Parkgate with charity Barnardo's and Formula One Autocentres the latest potential occupiers to show an interest.

The land owner, Rotherham recycling experts, Ron Hull, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to bring forward a potential retail development on the site of a former car showroom at Great Eastern Way. With funding from Bramall Properties Ltd, construction of the fully let 40,000 sq ft phase one is well underway with completion expected by July 2015. Aldi, Iceland and Home Bargains are all committed.

The plans for phase two, via Colliers International, are a change to the outline plans and would enable half of the 10,000 sq ft of space to be used as an auto centre rather than for retail. Incorporating workshop bays for carrying out vehicle repair and services, the centre is expected to attract "additional employment opportunities and indeed a range of jobs different from those on the rest of the retail development."

Richard Tovey, director at Gregory Projects (which is part of the Gregory Property Group) said: "We are pleased to progress to a planning application for phase two on the strength of an exceptional record of lettings for phase one. We have brought much needed discount retailers back to the area for the benefit of the Parkgate community."

Slight amendments are also being proposed that would enable one of the smaller, 1,250 sq ft units on Phase One to be taken by the children's charity, Barnardo's.

The Leeds office of GVA has advised Gregory on the pre-lettings and is marketing the remaining accommodation. Sheffield-based JF Finnegan is the main contractor with the development is due to be completed by July 2015 at which stage units will be handed over for occupier fit out.

Gregory Projects website

Images: Gregory Projects / Harris Partnership

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