News: Consultation continues on £27m active travel schemes in Rotherham

More public consultation has been launched as Rotherham Council is set to spend a further £27.2m on active travel schemes where new cycle lanes are set to be a key component.

Rothbiz has previously reported on a £16.5m scheme that includes bike lanes, bus lanes and a built up roundabout at Eastwood, on the edge of Rotherham town centre. A similar £10.7m cycle lane and roundabout scheme is proposed for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

The schemes follow on from the the £6.4m Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor schemes and the £3.6m Broom Road Cycleways scheme.

The majority of funding for the latest schemes is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream.

As Rothbiz has previously reported, the funding is conditional on increasing active travel (hence the new cycle lanes) and increasing bus patronage and reducing bus journey times (hence the new bus lanes).

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The most significant change is at St Ann's Roundabout. The consultation explains: "We propose to retain all arms of St Ann's Roundabout, replacing the subways with signalised crossings, with cycleways incorporated along with increased greenery and improved street lighting. The existing roundabout would be filled in."

New street level pedestrian and cycle routes would then be created with new traffic lights with cyclist and pedestrian crossings.

On Fitzwilliam Road, new cycle lanes would be created all the way from St Ann's Roundabout to the fire station. A new bus lane would also be created on the approach to the roundabout.

Neighbourhood streets are also set for investment, including new cycle lanes and speed humps on Doncaster Road and Badsley Moor Lane and new raised crossings on Middle Lane.

At Stag Roundabout, segregated cycle routes and controlled crossing facilities would be introduced on each arm of the roundabout, replacing the current zebra crossings.

For the main roads, cycle lanes and bus lanes are planned, with the council still considering a number of options for Broom Road and Wickersley Road.

The consultation states: "The first of these proposals would create a combined bus and cycle lane to be shared by bikes and buses which would split on the approach to Stag Roundabout.

"The second proposal would introduce a separate bus lane and a separate cycle lane along Wickersley Road, from the junction with Middle Lane South to Stag Roundabout.

"The third proposal would only introduce a cycle lane, with no bus lane."

For the second option, some trees would need to be removed.

Neighbourhood streets are also set for investment in this area too, including Broom Lane where a zebra crossing close to Sitwell school is proposed to be replaced by a controlled traffic signal crossing.

Consultation on the Rotherham East proposed network improvements closes on June 5, and consultation on Broom Road / Wickersley Road proposed Extension Corridor closes on June 22.

A consultation event is being held at Broom Methodist Church on May 26 from 2pm to 6pm.

Rotherham Council consultation website

Images: RMBC

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News: More consultation on Rotherham £24m active travel schemes

More public consultation is required as Rotherham Council is set to spend a further £24m on active travel schemes where new cycle lanes are set to be a key component.

Rothbiz has previously reported on a £16.3m scheme that includes bike lanes, bus lanes and a built up roundabout at Eastwood, on the edge of Rotherham town centre. A similar £8m cycle lane and roundabout scheme is proposed for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

The schemes follow on from the the £6.4m Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor schemes and the £3.6m Broom Road Cycleways scheme.

The majority of funding for the latest schemes is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream.

Earlier consultation backed the authority's idea for St Anns roundabout, where the council is proposing to bring the crossings up to ground level and fill in the subways to make the space feel more welcoming. Consultation results also showed a clear preference for keeping all arms of the roundabout open, discounting an idea to close St Ann's Road to motor traffic and install bus gates.

At Stag Roundabout, segregated cycle routes and controlled crossing facilities would be introduced on each arm of the roundabout.

Funding has also been set aside for neighbourhood improvements.

Recent decisions by Rotherham Council have been made to undertake further stakeholder engagement on both schemes.

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A council report states: "Approval is granted for RMBC to engage with stakeholders, including residents, business owners and Ward Members on the updated designs for the active travel corridor, as well as allocated neighbourhood streets investment," with the report adding that the consultation is to "comply with required engagement process involving stakeholders as per funding requirements."

The report adds: "No significant consultation and engagement has taken place with the public since the end of July 2025. In addition, although previous consultation and engagement included reference to the Eastwood & Herringthorpe Active Travel Neighbourhood element, no designs of actual interventions have previously been shared with the public.

"In developing the scheme designs, consideration has been given to aligning with the Council’s objectives to listen, inform and work in partnership with its residents. With this in mind, further public engagement and consultation will now be undertaken."

Rothbiz reported last year that the Council had confirmed that if it wants to use government money to make multimillion pound investments in strategic transport routes in the borough, they will need to include cycle lanes.

For Fitzwilliam Road between St Ann’s Roundabout and Mushroom Roundabout the plan is to provide bus priority and separate cycleways.

A bus lane in the Rotherham-bound direction would make bus services faster and more reliable and the bus lane at Mushroom roundabout would be extended to Chesterton Road. Painted cycle lanes are set to be replaced with dedicated cycle tracks to separate cyclists from motor traffic and improve safety and new designated parking spaces are also included.

On the other scheme, bilateral unidirectional cycleways and bus priority measures are expected from the new Broom Road layout to Brecks Roundabout, as well as associated improvements to crossings and junctions.

Rotherham Council website

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News: Rotherham ready to Rise and Reform

A disused dance studio in Rotherham has been transformed by the owners of South Yorkshire's leading Pilates studios.

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on balance, posture, strength and flexibility. Reformer Pilates is a full-body, low-impact workout that uses a specialised machine (sometimes called a bed) with a sliding carriage and springs to add adjustable resistance and support to traditional Pilates exercises.

Rise and Reform, which already operates from studios in Doncaster and Barnsley, has been hard at work over the last few months on its new Rotherham premises at Stag roundabout.

Rothbiz reported on the potential new occupantts last month when the operator of the Roadhouse Bar & Bottles secured a change of use for 1,387 sq ft of space to create a wine and cocktail bar with a function room on the first floor. Next to existing premises on Wickersley Road, the unit was previously home to the Paws to Hooves pet shop before it relocated to Wickersley.

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The rest of the first floor, previously home to Moorgate Dance Academy, now has a clean and cosy look where experts at Rise and Reform can offer classes designed for all levels, including reformer Pilates and hot Pilates.

A post on social media about this week's opening said: "Rotherham… the wait is officially over! We’re so ready to finally welcome you into our brand new studio. We’ve poured so much time and energy into this one. Bigger, better, and cosier than ever. And yes… we now offer HOT Pilates! It’s been on our wish list for such a long time, and we’ve finally built the space to make it happen."

The latest tenants moving in marks a complete turnaround for the building. In 2024 both the Roadhouse and Rancheros restaurant said that they had closed in the Stag area for the "foreseeable future" "due to circumstances outside of our control." The reasons for both closures were been made public but a notice of peaceable re-entry by the landlord was on display at the premises.

Rise and Reform website

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News: Plans passed for new Rotherham wine & cocktail bar

A popular bar operator with two sites already in Rotherham has secured planning permission to open in a third unit.

Rothbiz revealed in September that the team behind the Roadhouse Bar & Bottles was preparing to expand alongside its premises at Stag roundabout.

Having opened a second Roadhouse micropub in a former opticians in Dinnington, in 2024 the Stag premises closed for the "forseeable future" "due to circumstances outside of our control" but reopened in the summer of 2025.

An application was submitted for a change of use with the Roadhouse operator hoping to use the 1,387 sq ft of space to create a wine and cocktail bar with a function room on the first floor. The unit was previously home to the Paws to Hooves pet shop before it relocated to Wickersley.

The plans also explain that the yard area that is currently in use as an external seating area for the Roadhouse bar will also be used in conjunction with the new bar. A removable canopy is to be installed above this area.

The plans were approved without going before the Council's planning board.

One letter of objection was received from a local resident raising concerns with regard to noise and disturbance and the planning permission comes with a number of conditions, mainly regarding operating hours and restrictions on noise, such as the playing of amplified music.

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Rotherham Council's planning officer concluded that: "This proposal is considered to bring an empty unit back into use and provide a service and social point for the local community.

"Environmental Health officers have assessed the application, and the concerns raised and acknowledge that there is the potential for disturbance to nearby sensitive receptors as a result of noise from raised voices and amplified music/audio from the proposed outdoor area. However, they also note that the background noise levels in that area are relatively high and the premises are in a block of commercial units, some with similar uses, in close proximity to the site.

"The Roadhouse bar is currently in use adjacent to this site and the Environmental Health officers state that no complaints have been received in regard to this.

"Notwithstanding the above they recommend that if planning permission is granted conditions are imposed to limit the opening hours and to restrict the use of music outside and the noise levels within the building."

Planning conditions mean that the premises will only be open to customers between the hours of 12:00 and 23:15 Mondays to Sundays with the courtyard area only open to customers between the hours of 12:00 and 22:00.

In addition, deliveries will need to take place the between the hours of 09:00 and 21:00.

Alongside the premises at the Stag, a new fireworks shop opened in time for bonfire night and work has begun to convert the former dance studio into a reformer pilates studio.

Roadhouse facebook page

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News: Three cheers! Rotherham operator planning third venue

A popular bar operator with two sites already in Rotherham is planning to open in a third unit.

The move marks a massive turnaround from being locked out of the original premises by previous landlords.

Rothbiz reported in June that Roadhouse Bar & Bottles was preparing to reopen its premises at Stag roundabout. In 2024 they had closed for the "forseeable future" "due to circumstances outside of our control."

A planning application has now been submitted that would enable the operators to take on an empty retail unit just next door.

Formerly the Paws to Hooves pet shop before it relocated to Wickersley, the application is for a change of use with the Roadhouse operator hoping to use the 1,387 sq ft of space to create a wine and cocktail bar with a function room on the first floor.

Currently the unit includes a sales area and store to ground floor level and at first floor level there is a further storage, kitchenette and WC facilities.

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A bar and tables would be installed downstairs with toilets for customers upstairs along with a function room.

Plans also show a proposal for a retractable canopy to the side in the seating area already used by patrons of the Roadhouse.

It is thought that the two venues would operate separately but share the outside seating area.

Roadhouse originally opened in 2021 in the former supermarket store room at the Stag site. It has hosted art events and live music and also operates as a bottle shop offering beers, wines and spirits.

Operators found themselves locked out just before Valentine's Day in 2024 with notices of peaceable re-entry by the landlord on display at both the Roadhouse and Rancheros premises.

The property which contains both, 154 - 156 Wickersley Road, was listed for sale with Crosthwaite Commercial in October 2023, expecting offers around £350,000 for the freehold interest.

London-based The Bampton Property Group Limited, secured planning permission at the end of 2023 to refurbish the building.

A second Roadhouse micropub opened in a former opticians in Dinnington in 2024.

Roadhouse Facebook page

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News: Why is The Stag pub in Rotherham closed?

The popular pub in Rotherham has been closed for most of September.

Originally called the Stags Head Inn and dating back to about 1736, the pub is in the area of the town known as Stag.

The pub held a closing party on September 5 and work has been going on since at the Wickersley Road venue.

Recently operating under the Stonegate Group, the closure is part of a move to the Craft Union chain.

Stonegate Group has been selling off pubs with Rothbiz reporting in June that the freehold of the Green Dragon was available for £400,000.

The group is the UK’s largest pub operator and its parent company, TDR Capital, had £2.6 billion of debts, even before it made a £250m shareholder contribution into the pub co last year. GMB Union had been warning that the financial sitaution at TDR could lead to Stonegate’s collapse that would put 4,400 pubs and thousands of jobs at risk.

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Craft Union Pub Company is a brand and division of Stonegate Group. It is an operator led managed format offering self-employment opportunities for landlords and managers to earn 20% of net revenue with costs business rates, utilities and sports channels covered.

The format aims to create community pubs and has been a success with the Craft Union estate growing to around 650 pubs across the UK having only formed in April 2015.

In Rotherham, Craft Union pubs can be found in Rawmarsh - Earl Grey and Horse & Jockey, in Rotherham town centre - The Plough, with the Park at Clifton and The Travellers Inn at Bramley.

Social media posts show that the team from the Alma in Conisbrough, another Craft Union pub, are taking over operations at the Stag.

An opening date is set for September 26.

According to its entry on the South Yorkshire Local Heritage List, in June 1924, most of the land and the Stag Inn were sold to Mappins Brewery of Masbrough. As well as the Inn, this entailed barns, stables, cow house, cattle sheds and outbuildings and fields totalling thirty three acres.

Mappins rebuilt the Stag Inn in 1934.

At Bramley, The Travellers Inn is currently under offer.

Craft Union website

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News: Why are new cycle lanes being created across Rotherham?

If Rotherham Council wants to use government money to make multimillion pound investments in strategic transport routes in the borough, they will need to include cycle lanes, the authority has confirmed.

With Rotherham Council set to spend a further £24m on active travel schemes, the issue was raised in a recent full council meeting.

Consultation is currently being carried out on a £16.3m scheme that includes bike lanes, bus lanes and a built up roundabout at Eastwood, on the edge of Rotherham town centre. A similar £8m cycle lane and roundabout scheme is proposed for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

The schemes follow on from the the £6.4m Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor schemes and the £3.6m Broom Road Cycleways scheme.

Sheffield Road Cycleways project has delivered over 2km of new cycle routes on the A6178 Sheffield Road and Westgate between the town centre and the borough boundary at Tinsley. Rothbiz reported how Rotherham Council was forced to explain the new road layout on Sheffield Road, which has introduced a single carriagway with cycle lanes that are not mandatory and instead indicate to drivers the distance they should leave when passing cyclists.

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The majority of funding is coming from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream. The funding requirements dictate that designs must promote decarbonisation by providing improved options for public transport, walking and cycling although Rotherham Council has earmarked funding for ideas proposed by the community for addressing isues in the neighbourhoods.

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, told the meeting: "Any decision on funding is ultimately a decision for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and the Department for Transport.

"If we only delivered the neighbourhood streets element of the scheme then potentially that would not be meeting the government's requirements for the funding. I should be clear that that requirement was set by the previous government and that requirement is to deliver a strategic route to enable people to walk, to cycle more and to help improve the speed and reliability of buses, to help people get about the borough.

"It is most likely, therefore, that if we to only do the scheme without the cycle lanes then it wouldn't be meeting that requirement"

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News: Roadhouse gets ready to reopen in Rotherham

After near neighbours Rancheros Bar and Grill announced plans to reopen its Rotherham restaurant, the operators of the Roadhouse Bar & Bottles are set to do the same.

Rothbiz has previously reported on how both venues posted in 2024 that they had closed in the Stag area for the "forseeable future" "due to circumstances outside of our control."

Roadhouse went on to open another micropub in a former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington but the Stag venues have remained closed.

Last week, a post on social media from Rancheros Rodízio Bar & Grill announced that they were getting ready to open on July 15.

Now, the operators of the Roadhouse have confirmed plans to reopen.

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A post on Facebook reads: "So the rumours are true, and we can finally confirm we got the keys back!

"The man in the red jumper [Chris Roadhouse, owner of Roadhouse Bar & Bottles] would like to welcome you all back.

"We're aiming for the pumps to be pouring by Friday the 18th of July, but watch this space for more updates and some special vip nights.

"Pub crawl between Dinnington and the Stag, anyone?

"Hoooooooray Rotherham!"

A craft beer specialist, Roadhouse originally opened in 2021 in the former supermarket store room at Stag Roundabout. It has hosted art events and live music and also operates as a bottle shop offering beers, wines and spirits.

Having signed a lease in 2019, operators found themselves locked out just before Valentine's Day with notices of peaceable re-entry by the landlord on display at both premises.

The property which contains both, 154 - 156 Wickersley Road, was listed for sale with Crosthwaite Commercial in October 2023, expecting offers around £350,000 for the freehold interest.

London-based The Bampton Property Group Limited, secured planning permission at the end of 2023 to refurbish the building, including a new pitched roof, demolition of first floor to the bar, and the replacement of first floor windows to the front elevation. It does not appear that the work has been carried out.

Images: Roadhouse / facebbok / Google Maps

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News: Date revealed for Rancheros reopening in Rotherham

Operators of a popular Rotherham restaurant that has been closed for over a year have confirmed when it will reopen.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on Rancheros Bar and Grill reactivating its social media accounts to announce that it would be firing up the grill.

The operators of Rancheros, and near neighbours, Roadhouse Bar & Bottles both posted in 2024 that they had closed their venues in the Stag area "due to circumstances outside of our control."

Roadhouse went on to open another micropub in a former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington but the Stag venues have remained closed.

A post on social media from Rancheros Rodízio Bar & Grill reads: "We are happy to announce that we are now working everyday getting ourselves ready to open our doors on 15th July at 5pm.

"We can’t thank you enough for your love and support."

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Activity has been taking place over recent weeks at the restaurant and operators have confirmed that the reopening will be at the same Wickersley Road unit.

Rancheros brought Brazilian and Latin cuisines to the borough, converting an empty retail unit into a restaurant and bar at Stag Roundabout. Opening when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place, the venue became a hit with TripAdvisor reviewers who made it the number one ranked restaurant in the town.

The restaurant was from Doncaster-based restaurant entrepreneur, Masud Rana, owner of La Boca and La Rustica in Doncaster town centre, and the La Fiesta tapas restaurant in Armthorpe. Whilst the Rotherham branch underwent a revamp in 2022, the Doncaster branch of Rancheros closed in 2023, within a year of opening.

A new company, Rancheros Rodizio Ltd, with a new director, was incorporated recently with Companies House.

Images: Rancheros / Facebook / Google Maps

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News: Rotherham restaurant announces reopening

A popular Rotherham restaurant, closed for over a year, has announced plans to reopen, setting tongues wagging amongst food fans.

A location has yet to be confirmed.

Rothbiz reported on a heart-breaking Valentine's Day for two popular Rotherham venues as they both announced shock closures at the same time in 2024.

The operators of Rancheros Bar and Grill and Roadhouse Bar & Bottles both posted that they had closed their venues in the Stag area "due to circumstances outside of our control."

Roadhouse has since opened in a former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington and now it looks like Rancheros is returning.

A post on social media from Rancheros Rodízio Bar & Grill reads: "The skewers are getting ready, the grill is heating up, and we can't wait to serve you that all-you-can-eat Brazilian flavour you’ve been missing. Rancheros is re-opening. Prepare your stomachs for this July!"

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The announcement comes a week after operators at another Rotherham favourite, The Big Smoke announced that they were closing with immediate effect, saying that its overheads and supplier costs had soared.

When asked if Rancheros would be taking on the Moorgate site, a quick reply came: "nope, we aren't" and instead operators said that they were "going home."

Rancheros brought Brazilian and Latin cuisines to the borough, converting an empty retail unit into a restaurant and bar at Stag Roundabout. Opening when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place, the venue became a hit with TripAdvisor reviewers who made it the number one ranked restaurant in the town.

The restaurant was from Doncaster-based restaurant entrepreneur, Masud Rana, owner of La Boca and La Rustica in Doncaster town centre, and the La Fiesta tapas restaurant in Armthorpe. Whilst the Rotherham branch underwent a revamp in 2022, the Doncaster branch of Rancheros closed in 2023, within a year of opening.

A new company, Rancheros Rodizio Ltd, with a new director, was incorporated last week with Companies House, with the same Wickersley Road address.

The reasons for the closures in Rotherham were not made public but notices of peaceable re-entry by the landlord were on display at the premises.

Leases often allow for landlords to take back possession of a property by physically entering it and changing the locks without court proceedings - if they think they have the right to do so - usually a breach of the lease by the tenant.

In 2023, The Bampton Property Group, secured planning permission for a scheme that involved a refurbishment of the 1960's building, including a new pitched roof, demolition of first floor to the public house, and the replacement of first floor windows to the front elevation.

Images: Rancheros / facebook

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News: £26m allocated for new Rotherham cycle schemes

The latest schemes aimed at improving options for public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling in Rotherham will cost around £26m, according to the latest update from transport bosses at Rotherham Council.

Consultation for a scheme in the Eastwood area began in October with the proposals for the installation of new bus lanes and cycle lanes to create a sustainable transport corridor incorporating Fitzwilliam Road and St Ann's Roundabout.

Last month, consultation began on a similar scheme for the Moorgate and Broom area which is also set to address issues at Stag roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds, Head of Transportation Infrastructure Service at Rotherham Council, recently updated elected members on the new projects, saying that £16m had been allocated for the Eastwood scheme and around £10m allocated for the Moorgate and Broom Network Improvements.

The funding is coming from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS), £570m from the government to the region to bring significant improvements to South Yorkshire’s transport system.

For the Eastwood scheme, the biggest change proposed is for St Ann's Roundabout, where the council is proposing to bring the crossings up to ground level and fill in the subways to make the space feel more welcoming. For Fitzwilliam Road the plan is to provide bus priority and separate cycleways.

A bus lane in the Rotherham-bound direction would make bus services faster and more reliable and the bus lane at Mushroom roundabout would be extended to Chesterton Road. Painted cycle lanes are set to be replaced with dedicated cycle tracks to separate cyclists from motor traffic and improve safety and new designated parking spaces are also included.

£4.6m has been set aside for additional ideas proposed by the community for improvements in the neighbourhoods - streetlighting, road resurfacing, new crossings, addressing parking issues around the local schools.

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The Broom Road / Wickersley Corridor Sustainable Transport Scheme includes work at Stag roundabout, sustainable travel measures on Wickersley Road, the extension of the recently completed Broom Road cycleway, and an Active Travel Scheme in the Moorgate area.

A segregated footway and cycle route is planned from the existing scheme at Clifton Roundabout, through to Brecks roundabout.

Matthew Reynolds explained that the cycle scheme at Eastwood was a very difficult scheme. He said: "It is probably going to be more difficult to deliver than any other scheme we have on the books at the moment."

The council confirmed that there are issues at St Ann's Roundabout such as the subways and for bus operators. There are also some "considerable implications" in the area such as utilities in the middle of the roundabout and that run down Fitzwilliam Road. Flooding and disruption during the works were also being taken into account.

Reynolds added: "We are working really closely with the community, as much as we can, to understand what the concerns are and how we can improve the project. We are at the absolute first stage of feasability - there is plenty of time to shape it and plenty of time to work with people. Ultimately, we want to do that because we want something that everybody understands and buys into, and can see the bigger picture as to why we are doing these kind of schemes."

The funding deadline for the £16m project is March 2027 and Galliford Try Construction Ltd is working on the scheme.

For the other scheme, Reynolds discussed the issues with the zebra crossings at the Stag roundabout adding that: "It is an opportunity to bring improvements to the Stag - we can do some public realm work for example, bring some planting and greening, benches - that neighbourhood focus on the shops and amenities that are there."

The completion deadline in the current programme for the £10m project is January 2027. Esh Councstruction has signed up to deliver the scheme.

Reynolds added: "Again we are at the very early stages of consultation and engagement so we want to hear everyone's views on this."

RMBC consultation website

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News: Rotherham Council starts consultation on new £8m active travel scheme

Local residents and road users can have their say on Rotherham Council's proposals for the Moorgate and Broom area.

The £8m scheme is also set to address issues at Stag roundabout.

Consultation for a similar £12m scheme in the Eastwood area began last month after Rothbiz revealed that the hope is for bus lanes and cycle lanes to create a sustainable transport corridor incorporating Fitzwilliam Road and St Ann's Roundabout.

The Broom Road / Wickersley Corridor Sustainable Transport Scheme includes work at Stag roundabout, sustainable travel measures on Wickersley Road, the extension of the recently completed Broom Road cycleway, and an Active Travel Scheme in the Moorgate area.

Consultation documents confirm proposals for separate cycleways and bus priority measures on Broom Road and Wickersley Road between Clifton Roundabout and East Bawtry Road, as well as improvements to crossings and junctions. The council say that this will make bus journeys quicker and more reliable, make walking safer and provide a safe route for those cycling.

A segregated footway and cycle route is planned throughout from the existing scheme to Brecks roundabout.

The segregated routes will continue through Stag roundabout where signalised crossing points will be introduced and design alignment should promote a reduction in vehicle speeds.

The consultation states: "We are responding to requests for new controlled crossing facilities on each arm of the roundabout. to make it easier for pedestrians to cross this roundabout. We will also provide a new cycle route around the roundabout."

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The council is also looking to introduce solutions identified by the community that have raised issues such as traffic levels, speeds and on-street parking in areas.

Funding is comimg from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and the authority added that: "to deliver the scheme we must meet the requirements set out in the funding to improve safe and accessible walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport access."

Rothbiz reported in September that Esh Councstruction has signed up to deliver the scheme.

Cllr. Taiba Yasseen raised the issue of active travel schemes at a recent full council meeting. The ward member for Boston Castle said that there was "no evidence of benefit — particularly in deprived areas that bear the disruption and negative impact while gaining no advantage."

Yasseen added that the claims made by the council of a modal shift (road users switching from using the car) were "a myth" and called on the council to "stop imposing infrastructure onto the most deprived communities without working with them."

In reply, Cllr. Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "I am going to disagree with you and say that you are wrong. There are national studies in places where schemes were far more embedded than in Rotherham that showed this. It was not fair to judge Wellgate for example that had not up and running for 12 months.

"There was an extensive consultation process and the communities were being engaged with. The fact that residents are coming to meetings and asking questions showed that information was getting through.

"Nothing is being imposed, we are talking about potential infrastructure changes. I urge members and residents to get involved with the consultation."

RMBC consultation website

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News: New Rotherham premises planned for Roadhouse

Craft beer specialist, Roadhouse, is moving ahead with plans to open in another location in Rotherham. It remains locked out by the landlords at its original site.

Rothbiz reported last month that both Roadhouse Bar & Bottles and Rancheros had announced that they had closed for the "forseeable future" and a notice of peaceable re-entry by the landlord was on display at the premises on Stag Roundabout.

An expansion into new premises was already being progressed by the Roadhouse team with a premises licence being recently secured for a former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington.

Now connected planning applications have been submitted for a change of use and new signage at the empty 1,600 sq ft unit.

The site is located close to the planned £11m regeneration scheme which is focusing on high quality place making to restore the cultural heart of the town centre, increase footfall, boost the local economy, and restore a sense of pride amongst the community.

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The application from Around our Gaf Ltd, trading as Roadhouse Bar & Bottles, would enable a change of use from Hudsons Opticians to licensed premises.

The premises licence, which has already been approved, is for opening hours of 11am and 11:15pm with the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises between 11am and 11pm. As at the Stag premises, live music is permitted on Sunday afternoons.

Back at the orignal site, where Roadhouse opened in 2021 in the former supermarket store room, both the restaurant and bar remain closed.

The 13,926 sq ft property is owned by London-based The Bampton Property Group Limited, the company issuing the notice, and a ten year lease was signed for the restaurant and bar in 2019.

The group secured planning permission at the end of 2023 to refurbish the building, including a new pitched roof, demolition of first floor to the bar, and the replacement of first floor windows to the front elevation.

Approving the plans, offices at Rotherham Council said that the proposals would create "a pleasant modern appearance and significantly improve the overall streetscene and the setting of Stag Roundabout. The cladding along with the roof improvements will also improve the buildings insulation and help to reduce heating costs."

Roadhouse website

Images: Roadhouse

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News: Two popular Rotherham venues announce closure

It was a heart-breaking Valentine's Day for two popular Rotherham venues as they both announced shock closures at the same time.

Tonight, the shutters were down and the locks were bolted with no couples enjoying a romantic meal or sharing a drink.

The operators of Rancheros Bar and Grill posted on social media that it had closed "due to circumstances outside of our control," just hours after the operators of neighbouring Roadhouse Bar & Bottles posted the same.

Rancheros brought Brazilian and Latin cuisines to the borough, converting an empty retail unit into a restaurant and bar at Stag Roundabout. Opening when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place, the venue became a hit with TripAdvisor reviewers who made it the number one ranked restaurant in the town.

The restaurant is from Doncaster-based restaurant entrepreneur, Masud Rana, owner of La Boca and La Rustica in Doncaster town centre, and the La Fiesta tapas restaurant in Armthorpe. Whilst the Rotherham branch underwent a revamp in 2022, the Doncaster branch of Rancheros closed in 2023, within a year of opening.

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A message on the restaurant's Facebook page reads: "With a heavy heart, Rancheros Rodizio bar & grill will be closed for the forseeable future due to circumstances outside of our control.

"We would like to thank all our beautiful, supportive customers for being part of our extended family, providing such great times and unforgettable memories.

"Rest assured, all booked customers who paid a deposit will be contacted and reimbursed.

"We will continue to work hard in providing a community space to be enjoyed by all in the future.

"Watch this space for more updates!"

The announcement message is similar to that posted by the team at the Roadhouse, the bar which opened in 2021 in the former supermarket store room near to Rancheros.

The reasons for both closures have not been made public but a notice of peaceable re-entry by the landlord was on display at the restaurant premises.

Leases often allow for landlords to take back possession of a property by physically entering it and changing the locks without court proceedings - if they think they have the right to do so - usually a breach of the lease by the tenant.

The property which contains both, 154 - 156 Wickersley Road, was listed for sale with Crosthwaite Commercial in October 2023, expecting offers around £350,000 for the freehold interest.

The 13,926 sq ft property was owned by London-based The Bampton Property Group Limited, the same company issuing the notice this week, when a ten year lease was signed for the restaurant unit in 2019.

The notice shows that the operators of Rancheros and Roadhouse came together to create a company and that is who has the lease.

For the team at the Roadhouse, plans were already underway for another venture in the borough. A premises licence was recently secured for an empty former opticians on Laughton Road in Dinnington.

Images: Crosthwaite Commercial / Tom Austen

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News: Police have "no confidence" in Pitches events proposal

Environmental health officers and South Yorkshire Police are both recommending that Rotherham Council's licensing board turn down an application that would enable a number of near 10,000 capacity outdoor events on a plot of greenbelt land.

Having been turned down planning permission for housing on the land close to The Stag known as The Pitches, the owners recently applied for an events and alcohol licence to cover the whole site.

If approved, a number of events a year would be allowed related to the performance of plays, exhibition of films, live music, recorded music and the perrformance of dance. The capacity for the events would be no more than 9,999 and would include the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, that is the open space. The hours sought in the application are between 12 noon and 10pm every day of the week, closing at 11pm.

The application, from Pocket Sports Bar Limited, which operates in Worksop and Mexborough, is due to be discussed by councillors on the authority's Licensing Sub-Committee next week.

Catherine Lunn, Community Protection & Environmental Health Manager at Rotherham Council, said: "Following a review of the above application I am unable to agree to the granting of this licence due to concerns regarding noise affecting the surrounding residential area. The premise is surrounded on all sides by residential properties and the area is densely populated. Allowing the licence is likely to breach licensing objective in relation prevention of public nuisance."

The representation adds that there is not enough detail in the application - for example regarding controlling noise and other nuisance, traffic management, including vehicular entrance and egress to the site and parking, maintaining blue routes for emergency vehicles and policies around alcohol, drugs, entry, security and staff training.

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The report adds: "The application relies on, an as yet unseen, event management plan to provide effective control. It fails to provide site specific information. There is no option for the Responsible Authorities to reject any event management plan submitted. This means that an event could proceed regardless of any concerns any of the Responsible Authorities may have.

"The applicant has employed a professional event management company to make the application on their behalf. It is accepted that the event management plans they have produced for alternative venues are comprehensive. However, should an application be granted, there would be no obligation on the part of the applicant to employ the services of a professional event management company.

"It is therefore critical that the detail of the intended operation of an event is clearly set out in the application. The Licensing Authority would reiterate the recommendation that the application is refused as it fails to demonstrate how the licencing objectives would be promoted should a licence be granted."

South Yorkshire Police is raising an objection based on crime and disorder, public nuisance and public safety.

Tracey Klein, Licensing Assistant at SYP, said: "The applicant has not provided enough evidence as to how the premise will operate and what measures will be put in place to enable to premise to operate within the guidelines set out in the Licensing Act.

"The applicant held a pre-consultation, where South Yorkshire Police provided additional conditions we would require, it was noted that the formal application would still have to be processed and other departments within South Yorkshire Police would be consulted to provide comments, unfortunately other than the conditions we initially requested no other conditions were offered. As a result South Yorkshire Police have no confidence that the premise will run within the guidelines set out in the Licensing act and uphold the four licensing objectives."

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years. However, the club house remains on the site, complete with alcohol licence.

A number of residents have made representations on the latest licence application. They raise concerns around crime, traffic, noise, safety and the impact on the green space.

Images: Google Maps

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News: 9,999 capacity events plan for Rotherham green belt site

A plot of greenbelt land where developers were turned down planning permission for housing could be used for a number of near 10,000 capacity outdoor events, if a newly submitted licensing application is approved.

Pocket Sports Bar Limited, which operates in Worksop and Mexborough, has applied for a new licence to provide a range of activities on land known as The Pitches, including live music and the sale of alcohol.

Newett Homes proposed a high-quality residential development comprising 124 dwellings on the land close to The Stag. Revised down to 116 dwellings, the council's planning board voted to refuse the plans - going against a recommendation by its officers.

Following a subsequent appeal, a planning inspector ruled that the site provides a "visual amenity role for the local community and area" and said that houses should not be built there. The land has since been placed on Rotherham Council's register of Assets of Community Value.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years. However, the club house remains on the site, complete with alcohol licence.

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Applicants say that: "The current licence would remain in force, likely to be subject to variation for plans and area" and have now applied for a licence to cover the whole site.

The application seeks to provide the following licensable activities, all of which will be provided outdoors in the open space:

- Performance of plays
- Exhibition of films
- Live music
- Recorded Music
- Performance of Dance
- Anything of a similar description to 3, 4, and 5 above
- The sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, that is the open space

The hours sought in the application are between 12 noon and 10pm every day of the week, closing at 11pm.

The application form adds: "This would be for a bespoke premises licence that allowed a number of events a year. For 2023 - 1 - 2, for 2024 - 1-3, from 2025 onward - no more than 6 events a year."

Applicants say that the capacity for the events would be no more than 9,999, adding that the site itself is 40,000 sq. m. (430,500 sq. ft.), "which without infrastructure could hold up to 100,000 people. (2.5 persons per sqm = 100,000). The planned capacity limit is roughly 10% of what the site could hold without infrastructure."

Pocket Sports Bar Limited, which already has its registered address at The Pitches, shares a director - Peter Eyre - with Pitches Developments Ltd, the firm involved in the housing scheme.

Representations to the application must be received by Rotherham Council no later than July 3 2023.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Controversial Rotherham land made asset of community value

A plot of greenbelt land where developers were turned down planning permission for housing is back on Rotherham Council's register of Assets of Community Value.

During the long-running planning battle, the authority reversed a decision to list The Pitches site.

Newett Homes proposed a high-quality residential development comprising 124 dwellings on the land close to The Stag. Revised down to 116 dwellings, the council's planning board voted to refuse the plans - going against a recommendation by its officers.

Following a subsequent appeal, a planning inspector ruled that the site provides a "visual amenity role for the local community and area" and houses should not be built there.

With an application imminent, Friends of The Pitches originally secured the site as an Asset of Community Value in 2019 but following an internal review at the request of the site owners, council officers overturned the original successful listing decision.

An executive decision was made in February 2023 to put the site back on the list.

The register of assets of community value enables town and parish councils, local voluntary and community organisations the opportunity to nominate local land or buildings if they consider them to be of community value.

The tool is often used to give groups the opportunity to step in to save an asset if it comes up for sale. Successful applications to Rotherham's register include pubs, youth centres, greenspace and former council buildings.

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The planning application for the site at Stag was being recommended for approval, so long as developers provided over £1m as part of a legal deal.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years.

Ruling on the appeal, planning inspector, Andrew McCormack, concluded last year that: "The potential and desire of the local community is sufficiently evident to support the case for the site to remain as protected Green Space. The amenity benefits to the local community and its people, as I have heard and seen them, are location specific and cannot be replicated or reproduced elsewhere. As such, this overall amenity value provided through the site as I have set out is considered to be irreplaceable."

During discussions over the plans, a figure of £912,000 was accepted by Sport England, due to go towards a replacement cricket pitch and field, replacement football facilities, a new bowling facility, tennis provision and to enable the Council to commission a new Playing Pitch Strategy. The inquiry showed that the total sum offered in the final Section 106 document was less than what it would cost to reinstate The Pitches site.

Concern and doubt was raised about the deliverability, nature and location of the sports mitigation package.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Popular Rotherham restaurant to add cocktail bar as part of refurb

Rotherham’s number one restaurant, according to Trip Advisor, is set to celebrate its first anniversary by opening a cocktail bar area, following a short closure for refurbishment.

Rancheros Bar and Grill, based in the Stag area, is closing on July 17 for refurbishment to create a new cocktail bar and live music space and will reopen on July 22.

Masud Rana, owner of Rancheros and four Doncaster restaurants said: “When we opened Rancheros Bar and Grill – Rotherham, the world was still under various Covid 19 restrictions, and this meant that the restaurant didn’t get the opening we had planned.

“Despite this we have had a great first year in Rotherham and are proud to hold the Trip Advisor number one slot for restaurants in the town. This is down to the hard work of our fantastic team lead by Sam our general manager and Barbara our assistant general manager with the support of Samuel, Mauro and Fabio who have continued to provide great food with a quality service.

“It has been fantastic to meet new people, see new customers enjoying our unique dining experience with our Brazilian-inspired menu including many cuts of meats on skewers cooked above hot coals and carved tableside.

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“Our refurbishment will see the entrance area transformed into a new cocktail area, bar and nibbles space for people who don’t want to dine but just want to have a relaxing drink and small bite to eat.

“We are looking forward to reopening on July 22 when we’ll be celebrating our birthday with a new look menu with a variety of price options, moving away from the one set price and adding even more options for vegetarians and vegans.”

Masud, who started his restaurant career in London almost two decades ago, owns four eateries in the Doncaster - La Rustica Italian Restaurant in the city centre, La Fiesta Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Armthorpe, La Boca – an Argentinian inspired Steakhouse on Netherhall Road and the newly opened Rancheros Bar and Grill – Doncaster.

Said Masud: “Our 1st anniversary is a great chance for us to celebrate in style and to welcome new customers and to offer those who’ve visited us before something different.”

Rancheros website

Images: Rancheros

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News: Appeal turned down for Rotherham greenbelt housing plans

A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal by developers wanting to build over 100 new houses on "irreplaceable" greenspace in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last year that the planning board at Rotherham Council voted to refuse the plans for The Pitches - going against a recommendation by its officers.

After consultation, Newett Homes reduced the proposals in scale, resulting in a proposal for 116 dwellings.

The application for the site at Stag was being recommended for approval, so long as developers provided over £1m as part of a legal deal.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years.

The hearing for the appeal focused on whether the development would be contrary to Rotherham's Local Plan with regard to the protection of designated greenspace; the effect of the proposed scheme on the provision of protected greenspace; and "whether the proposed scheme makes adequate provision for any existing and additional need for Green Space and recreational facilities arising from the scheme with regard to its quantity, quality and suitable location."

Having visited the site, and heard representations from the applicant, council and the local community, planning inspector, Andrew McCormack, concluded that: "From submissions and my observations, it is clear to me that the site provides a significant visual amenity role for the local community and area. Accordingly, having taken all relevant matters into account, I find the broad amenity function that the site has provided in the past and continues to provide environmentally, physically and visually to the local community to be irreplaceable.

"I find that the site provides significant amenity value to the local community in terms of environmental and physical benefits. Whilst opportunities for its continuing use in this way have been restricted in recent years, the potential and desire of the local community is sufficiently evident to support the case for the site to remain as protected Green Space. The amenity benefits to the local community and its people, as I have heard and seen them, are location specific and cannot be replicated or reproduced elsewhere. As such, this overall amenity value provided through the site as I have set out is considered to be irreplaceable."

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The inspector also concluded that there are "no substantive material considerations which overcome the significant harm that would result in the loss of the protected greenspace on the local area and its residents."

During discussions over the plans, a figure of £912,000 was accepted by Sport England, due to go towards a replacement cricket pitch and field, replacement football facilities, a new bowling facility, tennis provision and to enable the Council to commission a new Playing Pitch Strategy. The inquiry showed that the total sum offered in the final Section 106 document was less than what it would cost to reinstate The Pitches site.

The inspector found that the mitigation package does not propose to create any new sports land, such as pitches or courts, and is based solely on qualitative improvements to sports provision elsewhere in the Rotherham area. Concern and doubt was raised about the deliverability, nature and location of the sports mitigation package.

Having heard the evidence, McCormack concluded that: "The proposed mitigation does not include a new football pitch, cricket pitch, tennis courts or a bowling green. There is, therefore, no direct replacement provision of the facilities that are on the appeal site, irrespective of their condition, and which would be permanently lost to the proposed development.

"The appellant stated during the Inquiry that what currently exists on the overgrown appeal site does not equate to useable sporting facilities which were previously used. As such, they do not constitute current provision and do not need to be replaced by something equivalent or better. In my view, the potential for those facilities on the site to be used again, regardless of any reinstatement or maintenance work and cost that may be needed, is sufficient justification to ensure that such provision is at least equivalently compensated for in quantitative and qualitative terms.

"I find that the impact of the proposed scheme on amenity in the local area, its residents and the loss of existing sport and recreation facilities at the appeal site would not be appropriately and adequately addressed and mitigated overall."

Images: Google Maps

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News: Appeal goes up at The Pitches

Developers have appealed Rotherham Council's decision to refuse controversial plans to build over 100 new houses on greenspace.

Rothbiz reported in March that the planning board at Rotherham Council voted to refuse the plans for The Pitches - going against a recommendation by its officers.

The application for the site at Stag was being recommended for approval, so long as developers provided over £1m as part of a legal deal.

After consultation, Newett Homes reduced the proposals in scale, resulting in a proposal for 116 dwellings.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years, during which it has not been available for public or private use. The site also includes a club house.

Reasons for refusal were that the plans were contrary to Rotherham's Local Plan Policy SP38 "Protecting Green Space" which indicates that such sites will be protected from future development.

The second reason was based on the absence of an up to date Playing Pitch Strategy so there is "insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the proposed mitigation is sufficient to provide replacement sporting facilities of an equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality" in accordance with national planning policy.

£912,000 had been accepted by Sport England for new facilities.

A Government planning inspector will now make a decision on the application.

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Newett Homes has put forward its arguments through its consultants and will argue that the site "does not offer any form of irreplaceable amenity function; residential, visual or for sport and recreation," adding that the development would improve existing public amenities and create new ones both on and off-site.

On the second reason for refusal, the developer will argue that the "proposed mitigation strategy is entirely appropriate" and that "a Playing Pitch Strategy is not required before it can be determined whether the mitigation which is proposed is sufficient."

Quod Consultants said: "RMBC’s [Rotherham Council's] reasons for refusal are borne out of the perception that the site fulfils an irreplaceable amenity role and that its loss cannot be adequately mitigated.

"The Appellant will demonstrate that the site has no meaningful public recreational or other amenity value and that its development would, in fact, give rise to the creation of improved sports and recreation facilities in the area and new recreational amenities at the site, as well as other benefits for the local community that should all be afforded positive weight in the planning balance.

"The Appellant will also show that their mitigation proposals have been tailored to local sports needs and strategies and, as such, are entirely appropriate."

A date for a public inquiry has not been set but the Planning Inspectorate wants evidence to be submitted before October 12.

Images: Google Maps

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