News: Australian retailer rebrands Rotherham store following acquisition

An out-of-town furniture store in Rotherham has rebranded following a multimillion pound acquisition.

Fabb Furniture at Parkgate is now operating under the Nick Scali brand - a new name to the UK but a popular store in its native Australia.

Rothbiz reported back in 2016 that AHF Furniture (Anglia Home Furnishings) was taking on a 20,000 sq ft unit at the Foundry Retail Park. AHF later rebranded to Fabb Furniture.

Last year, Nick Scali announced a deal to acquire Fabb Furniture to give it an entry into the large and attractive UK furniture market with an immediate 21 store network.

The origins date back to a family-run firm founded in the 1960's. Now a publicly listed Australian company, Nick Scali has grown to become one of Australia’s largest retailers and importers of quality furniture. It had a sales revenue of £223.8m in 2024.

Fabb Furniture was acquired for a consideration of £2 and all of the secured debt owed for £3.5m. Nick Scali paid £0.5m to exercise the option to exit the existing distribution centre arrangement and will provide a net working capital injection of up to £6m.

Advertisement
Further investment has been made in the existing Fabb Furniture network to establish the Nick Scali brand in the UK pursuant to its UK growth strategy, including via store refurbishments and rebranding, establishment of a new distribution centre and new store openings. The rebranded and refurbished store network will transition to the Nick Scali product range, and leverage the company's buying power and supply chain.

Anthony Scali, CEO of Nick Scali said last year: “The acquisition of Fabb Furniture provides an opportunity to enhance our geographic diversity and scale beyond Australia and New Zealand for the first time.

"The acquisition provides us an immediate entry point into the large UK market with a 21-store network across key locations; a scaled platform to establish the Nick Scali brand and product offering in an attractive new market."

Directors identified that Fabb Furniture’s gross margin is estimated to be approximately ten percentage points lower than larger UK competitors on a like for like basis and believe it can leverage the Nick Scali buying power, combined with its supply chain and logistics capabilities, to deliver significant gross margin uplift for the UK business.

Nick Scali website

Images: Nick Scali

Read more...

News: Gym fit for retail use

A weight has been lifted for the landlords of a Rotherham building who will now be able to fit out a former gym in Rotherham for retail use.

i-Motion Gym in Parkgate closed in 2023 when management said that a combination of factors, including the COVID pandemic and the energy crisis, "had made the business books difficult to navigate."

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that a deal for the operating company was secured after administrators were called in after the firm struggled in the challenging environment for low cost gym operators.

Since closing, the 12,266 sq ft Unit 10 at Stoddart Way, Foundry Retail Park, has been advertised to let with the agents, Knight Frank, explaining: "The unit has most recently been used as a gym but can be stripped out / refurbished to suit the requirements of an incoming occupier."

Advertisement
Rotherham Foundry RP Limited has recently asked Rotherham Council to confirm the potential usage of the site given changes to planning legislation.

Changes in 2020 grouped Commercial, Business and Service in Use Class E and includes both the retail sale of goods, other than hot food, and indoor sport, recreation or fitness uses including gyms.

A report from the planning officer at Rotherham Council, said: "In this case, the key issue is whether or not the existing use falls within use class E and therefore doesn’t require a change of use application.

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

Documents from the administration of i-Motion (Rotherham) Ltd has the landlords, Rotherham Foundry RP Limited, listed as an unsecured creditor, owed over £565,000.

The rest of the adjoining retail park, which was built as part of the enterprise zone and known as Great Eastern Retail Park, is now fully let after the 2024 openings of B&Q and Rotherham Hospice.

Images: Knight Frank

Read more...

News: New tenants celebrate with community day

New neighbours at a Rotherham retail park are celebrating opening with a special community day.

Rothbiz reported that B&Q had announced that it will open a brand-new store in Rotherham on Friday December 13. To celebrate the upcoming opening, B&Q colleagues hosted a event at the local charity, Rotherham Hospice, assisting in setting up its new charity shop ahead of the Christmas season.

The store will also be donating a Christmas tree and decorations to the hospice to help transform the space for the festive season.

The day was part of B&Q’s broader Community Days programme, where volunteers from local B&Q stores support the community by improving a local charity space, making a positive difference across the communities B&Q serves.

Rotherham Hospice is a dedicated local charity providing compassionate, holistic care to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families. The Hospice operates several shops that offer a diverse range of products, including antiques, DVDs, books, and designer clothing. Every purchase directly supports the Hospice’s mission, with all proceeds going towards enhancing their care services.

Located at Great Eastern Retail Park, B&Q’s new 22,000 sq. ft store will offer a wide range of home improvement essentials, along with a dedicated TradePoint area tailored to meet the needs of local trade professionals.

In addition to over 10,600 essential home improvement products, the store will offer a dedicated timber cutting service, B&Q’s popular Valspar paint mixing service, and a garden centre offering outdoor plants and gardening equipment. Items in store will be available for Click & Collect, and customers will also have access to an additional 22,500 product lines through B&Q’s next-day Click & Collect service.

Advertisement
Nicola Pickering, Unit Manager at the new B&Q Rotherham store, said: “We can’t wait to open our doors in Rotherham. My team and I are excited to welcome customers, share our knowledge, and inspire them to turn their DIY dreams into reality.

“Creating a sense of community is at the heart of what we do. It has been a true privilege to partner with our new neighbours, Rotherham Hospice and support the launch of its new charity shop. It’s a charity close to my heart, and the hospice provides vital care for people in the area, as an integral part of the community. We wanted to give back to a service that helps people that need it most.”

Rotherham Hospice's first-ever superstore is also at Great Eastern Retail Park in Parkgate and hosts an official opening tomorrow (November 30). The move follows new openings at Manvers and in Rotherham town centre at College Walk.

Debbie Coulson, Director of Income Generation at Rotherham Hospice, said: “On behalf of everyone at the hospice I would like to say a huge thank you to the team at B&Q for the time and effort dedicated to volunteering with us on your recent community day. The impact you have made through your involvement is truly invaluable, and we are extremely grateful you decided to support us in this way.

“It is only through the collective efforts of organisations like yours that we are able to continue our work and make a difference to the lives of those we care for. Your team's enthusiasm and hard work has had a direct impact, and we couldn't have achieved all we have without your support.

“Thank you once again for making a real difference in our community and ensuring we can continue to care for people affected by a terminal illness this Christmas."

B&Q website
Rotherham Hospice website

Images: B&Q

Read more...

News: Opening date announced for new Rotherham B&Q

Rotherham DIY enthusiasts and tradespeople will soon be able to get their fix closer to home with the opening of a new B&Q store in the borough.

Rothbiz reported at the end of 2023 that the retailer, part of the Kingfisher group, was eyeing up space at the retail park at Great Eastern Way in Parkgate.

A planning application was approved earlier this year that has enabled two units to be combined together to create a new large store and garden centre. The plans, from Rotherham Foundry RP Limited, involve Units 2 and 3, in addition to the existing rear service yard and a small area of car parking to the front of the units.

The retailer's website now shows that the new Rotherham store will open on December 13.

Currently operating at Cortonwood in Rotherham, B&Q closed its store at Northfields, Parkgate in June 2016 when it cut back its UK store numbers. The 51,000 sq ft unit was purposely built to enable a move from the edge of the town centre in 2009.

Advertisement
B&Q has also revealed what will be included at the new location.

Much of the 20,000 sq ft unit will be taken up by the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom displays and space for associated planning appointments.

Services offered from inside the store are set to include timber cutting, paint mixing and key cutting.

Click + Collect is also set to feature, both for DIY and TradePoint customers. TradePoint is a trade membership scheme from B&Q that offers exclusive services and discounts to tradespeople.

B&Q had a total of 309 stores in the UK & Ireland in July and identified approximately 50 catchments or geographic ‘white spaces’ in the UK where B&Q is currently under-represented.

Its latest financial results said that the group had carried out various tests and adaptations over the last three years to establish an optimum store size.

The update explained: "After being initially tested as a ‘small retail park’ compact store format, the validated format is between 2,000-4,000 sqm [21,500 - 43,000 sq ft], enabling more area in store to be dedicated to inspiration (for example, for kitchen, bathroom & storage), garden centres and addressing the needs of trade customers. B&Q currently has 13 retail park stores, and plans to open one more in H2 and up to four further stores in FY 25/26."

B&Q website

Images: B&Q

Read more...

News: New stores opening in Rotherham

Two national retailers are celebrating the opening of new stores in Rotherham.

At the Great Eastern Retail Park in Parkgate, rapidly-growing nationwide pet superstore, Jollyes, is hosting an official launch event on March 22 and 23.

Jollyes has now grown into one of the leading pet food superstores with over 100 locations across the UK. It started in Enfield as a single store in 1971.

Known as "The Pet People," the Rotherham store is the 101st in the country and so the launch event has a 101 Dalmations theme.

The Mayor will be accompanied by 101 Dalmatians, Cruella De Vil, a Dalmatian mascot, a Jollyes mascot, Local Rotherham ‘Ambassa-dogs’ Fenrir and Daisy and the store team.

Two charities have been chosen and will be at the store fundraising on opening day are Sheffield Retired Greyhounds and Adoptapaws UK.

The firm says that the new store has created ten new jobs.

Regional manager Kerry Midgley said: “As a business that’s potty about pets, there was only ever going to be one theme for the opening of our 101st Jollyes store - 101 Dalmatians!

“We can’t wait to open our doors and would love to see Rotherham families bring along their Dalmatian dogs, or even Dalmatians toys, and enjoy a packed weekend of entertainment!”

Advertisement
At Parkgate Shopping, wilko is set to reopen its Rotherham store on March 29.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the British high-street retail chain's brand, website and intellectual property after wilko fell into administration.

Opening in the same unit as before at 9am, the store will offer customers all the essentials needed to get their home and garden jobs done – great value wilko own-brand products, alongside popular named brands.

The first 50 people to enter the new store will get a goody bag.

The Rotherham site is one of the brand’s new concept stores and is among the first to open this year ahead of a continued roll-out of further store openings. When staffing the new store, priority was given to ex-wilko team members.

Ben Exall, Chief Digital Officer at wilko, said: “We’re delighted to see the return of wilko to the high-street in Rotherham. The team and I anticipate a great response from locals and visitors who are looking for all the products they need to get their home and garden jobs done.”

Jollyes website
wilko website

Images: Jolleyes

Read more...

News: B&Q bid for new Rotherham store

B&Q, the UK's leading home improvement and garden living retailer, could make a return to central Rotherham, if new plans are approved.

The retailer, part of the Kingfisher group, currently only operates at Cortonwood in the borough.

B&Q formerly occupied a 51,000 sq ft store at Northfields, Parkgate. It was purposely built to enable a move from the edge of the town centre in 2009 but it was vacated in June 2016 when B&Q cut back its UK store numbers.

Australian retail giant, Wesfarmers, opened and closed a Bunnings Warehouse in the unit in the space of five months before it returned to being a Homebase in 2018. The Trade Centre Group turned the site into a massive car showroom that opened in 2021.

Now the owners of the retail park at Great Eastern Way, also at Parkgate, are hoping to make space for B&Q by combining units together to create a new large store and garden centre.

The plans, from Rotherham Foundry RP Limited, involve Units 2 and 3, in addition to the existing rear service yard and a small area of car parking to the front of the units.

Advertisement
Unit 2 (at 9,880 sq ft) is currently occupied by Bensons for Beds and Unit 3 (9,930 sq ft) is currently vacant, having previously been occupied by Harveys Furniture prior to the company entering administration.

Agents, Montagu Evans, state: "This application proposes a series of external alterations to the elevations of Units 2 and 3, associated with the proposed amalgamation of the two retail units to create one new retail unit to be occupied by B&Q.

"The proposed works are minor in scale, and will result in the shopfront remaining in keeping with the design of the other shopfronts at the Retail Park. This application also proposes the creation of a garden centre within the existing rear service yard."

The application argues that the planning permission for the original scheme means that the units have an "open Class E use with no restrictions on the ability to amalgamate the floorspace" and that the extension for an outdoor garden centre is specifically to meet the requirements of incoming tenant B&Q and is sequentially preferable in planning terms.

Applicants conclude that creating a 20,010 sq ft store, with a 5,145 sq ft external garden centre for B&Q would: "result in the re-occupation of a vacant unit at the site, thereby bringing it back into an active economic use, generating a significant number of new employment positions.

"Further, it will bring a new national retailer to Rotherham, not currently represented in the town. The closest store to the site is currently over 10km away at Cortonwood Shopping Park in Brampton. The proposed development will therefore reduce journey times for residents, as well as improving the choice and competition in the DIY local market."

Kingfisher plc operates over 2,000 stores, including both B&Q and Screwfix in the UK. It reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £758m for the year January 31 2023, compared with £949m in the previous year.

B&Q website

Images: B&Q / Google Maps

Read more...

News: Furniture retailer in Rotherham expansion

Plans have been submitted to rearrange the units at a Rotherham retail park so that a Danish retail giant can expand.

Already one of the world's largest retail furniture groups, with more than 3,000 stores in 50 countries, JYSK opened at The Foundry Retail Park in 2014.

New plans show that JYSK wants to move next door to a larger vacant unit on the same retail park.

The application from Rotherham Foundry RP Limited is for a new 3,800 sq ft mezzanine level at Unit 8.

Selling "everything for the home," the brand entered the UK in 2008 and the Rotherham store was the first in South Yorkshire. It sells a range of beds, mattresses, duvets, sofas, dining table sets, housewares, home textiles and garden furniture all at affordable prices, thanks to clever and ethical global purchasing power.

Advertisement
If plans are approved, JYSK would go from a 8,600 sq ft unit to a 13,000 sq ft unit that has been vacant since Carpetright moved out in 2018.

The plans, drawn up by Montagu Evans, confirms: "The purpose of the application is to allow JYSK to relocate from their existing store in the adjacent Unit 7, to enable them to expand their offer at the site.

"The current store at Unit 7 employs around 7-8 full time members of staff. It is anticipated that this will increase to approximately 12 within the new store."

JYSK website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: New Starbucks opens in Rotherham

A new Starbucks Drive Thru store has opened in Rotherham creating 20 new jobs for the local area.

Operated by Starbucks licensee Soul Coffee, the long-awaited store has been constructed at the Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate.

Rothbiz reported back in 2015 that outline plans had been submitted for a 1,959 sq ft drive thru coffee shop by the owners of the retail park.

The store has already selected its charity partner, the Rotherham-based children's hospice, Bluebell Wood. Since 2008, Bluebell Wood has provided vital support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families, including residential care and activities, physiotherapy, and counselling. The Rotherham store team looks forward to supporting this important cause, including fundraising on opening day.

Advertisement

Beata Grabowska, district manager for Soul Coffee, said: "We are so excited to open this new Starbucks Drive Thru in Rotherham and look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to our new store. Our store team is proud to support Bluebell Wood in its important mission of caring for children in the local area suffering from illness and their families."

The store includes comfortable seating and free wi-fi. Customers looking to recharge while on the go can use the convenient Drive Thru lane.

With over 28,000 stores worldwide Seattle-based Starbucks plan to open 1,000 franchise stores in the UK over the next five to seven years, of varying asset types, partnering with a maximum of 25 franchisees.

Starbucks' first UK franchised business partner, 23.5 Degrees operates the first major outlet in Rotherham (after the one at Woodall Services) when it opened at the Beighton Link development in 2018.

Starbuck's UK website

Images: Starbuck's

Read more...

News: Fresh new Rotherham Starbucks on its way

Construction is nearing completion at a new outlet in Rotherham for American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks.

Rothbiz reported back in 2015 that outline plans had been submitted for a 1,959 sq ft drive thru coffee shop by the owners of the Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate.

Detailed plans were submitted two years later showing that the new Starbucks unit would be situated on the existing car parking on the north western side of the established retail park.

Franchisee, Soul Coffee House, has recently submitted plans for new signage that will see the iconic Starbucks logo go up at Parkgate.

Advertisement

Contractors J.P.Wild say that they are well on track to complete the construction of a new Starbucks drive-thru restaurant at Foundry Retail Park in Rotherham before Christmas but an opening date has not yet been announced.

The new development is expected to create 15 new jobs.

With over 28,000 stores worldwide Seattle-based Starbucks plan to open 1,000 franchise stores in the UK over the next five to seven years, of varying asset types, partnering with a maximum of 25 franchisees.

Starbucks' first UK franchised business partner, 23.5 Degrees operates the first major outlet in Rotherham (after the one at Woodall Services) when it opened at the Beighton Link development last year.

Starbucks website

Images: Starbucks / J.P.Wild

Read more...

News: Rotherham Starbucks plans served up

Detailed plans have been submitted to enable American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks, to open a new outlet in Rotherham.

With nearly 25,000 retail stores around the world and 900 in the UK, the US coffee chain unveiled plans to open approximately 12,000 new stores globally by 2021. In addition to traditional high street, retail park, kiosk and other concessionary activity in the UK, a growing number are expected to be drive thru operations.

Following outline planning approval in 2015 for a new Rotherham outlet, details have now been submitted showing a 1,959 sq ft building on the existing car park at the Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate.

The drive thru coffee shop unit is expected to create 15 jobs.

Advertisement

The plans state: "Due to increased demand, a new A3 pod unit is proposed to the north of the existing car park area adjacent to Great Eastern Way and opposite the main retail terrace, which will attract passing customer interest as well as provide refreshment opportunity for visitors to the retail park.

"The proposed building is of high quality design which will positively contribute to the street scene in this location, close to Great Eastern Way. Agreement has been reached with Starbucks to occupy the unit ..."

The 2015 plans were granted by Rotherham Council subject to conditions.

As the site is not located within a designated town, district or local centre, officers asked that a sequential test assessment be undertaken in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

Council planners agreed with the findings of a study undertaken by the applicants which concluded that there were no sites of a suitable size (0.2 - 0.3 hectares) available for development within Rotherham town centre or the Parkgate local centre. Planners also accepted that there were no more sequentially preferable edge-of-centre sites available between this site and the town centre.

Advertisement

The design, which includes glazed frontages, mirrors the more recently constructed unit that is occupied by Sofology.

The applicants, Rotherham Foundry Retail Park Ltd, appear confident of approval given that contractors, JP Wild are already on site where around 43 parking spaces are set to be lost to the new development, which will also include outdoor seating areas.

Starbucks is continually seeking sites for new company, franchised and licensed stores. It has been restructuring in the UK, moving towards more stores operated by licensed partners. Pre-tax profits were £13.4m in the year to October 2 2016, down 60% from the £34.2m reported in 2015. Turnover declined from £405.6m to £379.9m.

The first Starbucks in Rotherham is located within Woodall Serices on the M1. A drive thru unit from rival chain, Costa, recently opened on car parking land at the nearby Parkgate Shopping.

Starbucks website

Images: Starbucks

Read more...

News: Mattressman beds down in Rotherham

Mattressman, the UK's biggest online mattress specialist, has expanded its store network with a new store in Rotherham.

The Norfolk-based retailer has taken a 4,927 sq ft at the Foundry Retail Park in Parkgate, the first major deal announced since the retail park was sold in multimillion pound deal earlier this year.

Formerly known as the Great Eastern Retail Park at Parkgate, the 170,748 sq ft retail development with 813 car parking spaces, is home to The Range, Harveys, DFS, Wren Kitchens and B&M.

The site was bought in 2012 by a specialist joint venture partnership of Brockton Capital and Pradera in a deal worth around £22.1m. Earlier this year it was acquired as part of a £245m portfolio of nine well-located retail parks across the UK on behalf of Curzon Capital Partners IV (CCP 4), a "core-plus" style investment fund.

Advertisement

Launching in 2004, Mattressman was established as a predominantly online retailer, selling hundreds of mattress models from top manufacturers like Silentnight, Hypnos and Sealy. In 2015 the fast growing company appointed property firm Savills to advise on new acquisitions across the UK. The Rotherham store is the company's 21st location.

The brand has agreed a new ten-year lease on the property. The landlord, Rotherham Foundry RP Limited, is managed by Savills Investment Management and was represented by Morgan Williams and Zeitlyn Farrell.

Charlie Greenhalgh, out of town retail director at Savills, said: "Mattressman has undergone exceptional growth over the last couple of years and is an excellent example of a retailer successfully operating across the online and physical worlds. We are pleased to be supporting its ongoing expansion with this new store in Rotherham and look forward to announcing further acquisitions in the near future."

AHF Furniture is also set to open on the site later this year. The UK's largest employee furniture co-op was previously part of the Anglia Co-op. It specialises in the retail of quality home furnishings at affordable prices.

United Carpets, the second largest chain of specialist retail carpet and floor covering stores in the UK, moved into the large vacant unit 5 on the park. Plans have since been approved for the Rotherham-based retailer to move into a large unit at the nearby Tradeworld development.

Mattressman website
Savills website

Images: Mattressman

Read more...

News: Rotherham retail park sold in multimillion pound deal

The Foundry Retail Park in Rotherham has been sold to Tristan Capital Partners, the pan-European real estate investment manager, as part of a £245m portfolio deal.

Formerly known as the Great Eastern Retail Park at Parkgate, the 170,748 sq ft retail development with 813 car parking spaces, is home to The Range, Harveys, DFS, Wren Kitchens and B&M.

The site was bought in 2012 by a specialist joint venture partnership of Brockton Capital and Pradera in a deal worth around £22.1m. The partnership was established to selectively acquire a portfolio of retail parks throughout the UK and jointly committed sufficient equity to enable a gross portfolio value of approximately £250m to be acquired.

The Brockton portfolio of nine well-located retail parks across the UK was bought for £245m on behalf of Curzon Capital Partners IV (CCP 4), a "core-plus" style investment fund - managed funds which join 75% of core assets such as buildings, with higher risk short term investments.

Advertisement

Peter Mather, managing director of investments at Tristan Capital Partners, said: "We are seeing a big disconnect between the relatively strong occupational market and subdued real estate capital market for retail assets in the UK. This portfolio allows us to capitalise on this trend.

"While there are a number of planned asset management initiatives to add value, the long WALT [leases], affordable rents and strong covenant strength make this defensively positioned portfolio an ideal core-plus style investment."

CCP 4 has retained Savills Investment Management to continue managing the properties on its behalf. Advising CCP 4 on the purchase of the portfolio were Savills, Stephenson Harwood and Pricewaterhousecoopers.

Gowling WLG's real estate team advised the fund advised by Brockton Capital on the deal.

Sally Pinkerton, head of international real estate at Gowling WLG, said: "The deal is certainly significant as it's the first out-of-town retail park portfolio of this size and nature to come to market. We are delighted to have assisted Brockton Capital from acquisition through to disposal and ensure that their investors capitalised on the investment and hard work over the last five years."

The UBS Triton Property Fund, who bought the retail park at Parkgate in 2006, refurbished the properties in 2010.

Further refurbishment work has taken place and recent openings include Oak Furniture Land, JYSK and United Carpets. Plans have been approved for American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks to open a purpose built outlet in the park. United Carpets expanded on the park, enabling co-operative company, AHF Furniture to move in.

3.2 acres on the site has potential for further retail and leisure development.

Tristan Capital Partners website

Images: GVA

Read more...

News: Rotherham retail park up for sale - reports

The Foundry Retail Park in Rotherham has been put up for sale by its fund manager owners according to a report in a national property magazine.

Formerly known as the Great Eastern Retail Park at Parkgate, the 170,748 sq ft retail development with 813 car parking spaces, is home to The Range, Harveys, DFS, Wren Kitchens and B&M.

The site was bought in 2012 by a specialist joint venture partnership of Brockton Capital and Pradera in a deal worth around £22.1m. The partnership was established to selectively acquire a portfolio of retail parks throughout the UK and jointly committed sufficient equity to enable a gross portfolio value of approximately £250m to be acquired.

The joint venture with Pradera's retail warehouse team aimed to reposition out-of-town parks for the next generation of convenience-led consumer and within 36 months of being established in 2011, it had acquired around £300m of parks in towns from Cardiff to Warrington to Bangor to Milton Keynes and elsewhere.

Now Property Week is reporting that Brockton Capital has appointed JLL to market the portfolio which includes nine regionally located assets.

Advertisement

The UBS Triton Property Fund, who bought the retail park in 2006, refurbished the properties in 2010. At the time of the sale to Brockton, The Foundry had an annual rental income of £1.7m and the purchase reflected a net initial yield of around 9.25%.

Further refurbishment work has taken place and recent openings include Oak Furniture Land, JYSK and United Carpets. Plans have been approved for American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks to open a purpose built outlet in the park. United Carpets are also set to expand, enabling co-operative company, AHF Furniture to move in.

3.2 acres on the site has potential for further retail and leisure development and there's the prospect of a new mainline station being built next door.

In 2015, BMO Real Estate Partners (BMO) acquired the nearby Parkgate Shopping, which is one of the largest retail parks in the UK and home to over 40 shops, in a transaction worth around £175m.

Brockton Capital website

Images: GVA

Read more...

News: Space set to fill up at Rotherham retail park

Two tenants are planning to take space at the Foundry Retail park in Rotherham.

Formerly known as the Great Eastern Retail Park at Parkgate, the 170,748 sq ft retail development with 813 car parking spaces is home to The Range, Harveys, DFS, Wren Kitchens and B&M.

Plans have been submitted for new mezzanine levels in two of the units that would facilitate the requirements of the business models of Rotherham-based retailer, United Carpets - that would expand across the park - and co-operative company, AHF Futniture - that would move on to the development.

Currently operating from Unit 12 on a temporary basis having moved down the road last year, United Carpets, the second largest chain of specialist retail carpet and floor covering stores in the UK, is hoping to move into the large vacant unit 5 on the park.

The plans, drawn up by Montagu Evans, state: "The proposed development involves the construction of a 678 sq m [7,000 sq ft] mezzanine in Unit 5 and a 786 sq m [8,460 sq ft] mezzanine in Unit 12. Approval of these applications will enable United Carpets to relocate to Unit 5 on a permanent lease, and Unit 12 to be occupied by AHF Furniture. The applications represents an opportunity to make better use of existing floorspace to meet the needs of two bulky goods retailers, and to intensify the use of the Park through the provision of additional floorspace within an established retail park."

Advertisement

Unit 5 was previously part of a larger unit known as Unit 5/6 and occupied by Staples until it closed in 2012. It is being advertised by GVA. Unit 12 sits alongside the separate DFS unit.

The applicants argue that the installation of mezzanine floors at the location is established. With mezzanine floors, no rent of service charge is applicable for the extra space. If approved, the units would provide some 15,000 sq ft and 18,000 sq ft for the retailers.

The plans conclude: "The mezzanine floorspace requirement arises from the intention of our client to display more of their product line. Accordingly, their occupation of a unit which has stood vacant for a number of years, though temporarily leased to United Carpets, will provide Rotherham with a new bulky goods retailer that will provide additional choice and competition to consumers, and also result in economic benefits through job provision."

In its preliminary results for the year ended March 31 2015, Bramley-based United Carpets reported a 29% increase in profit before tax to £1.21m, with like for like sales up 2.7% for the year. Like for like sales increased by 2.7% with revenue for the year at £19.1m, down from £21.1m in the previous year.

Operating from retail parks and department store concessions, AHF Furniture is the UK's largest employee furniture co-op and was previously part of the Anglia Co-op. It specialises in the retail of quality home furnishings at affordable prices. With its nearest store in Mansfield, the holding company reported sales of £19.5m for the year ended March 31 2015.

Advertisement

As the site is not located within a designated town, district or local centre, a sequential test assessment is included in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

The applicants assessed a number of sequentially preferable locations, discounting sites for bulky goods retail such as Forge Island - earmarked for leisure development - and the vacant former NatWest Bank in the town centre - considered inflexible for a furniture store.

AHF Furniture website
United Carpets website

Images: GVA

Read more...

News: Plans in for new Rotherham Starbucks

American coffee company and coffeehouse chain, Starbucks is hoping to open a new outlet in Rotherham.

With 21,000 retail stores in 66 countries and around 800 in the UK, Starbucks had plans to open hundreds of stores in the UK over the next three to five years. In addition to traditional high street, retail park, kiosk and other concessionary activity, 200 were expected to be drive thru operations.

For Rotherham, a planning application has been submitted on behalf of Rotherham Foundry Pradera Ltd, the owners of the Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate for a 1,959 sq ft drive thru coffee shop which could create 15 new employment opportunities (full time and part time).

Advertisement

Situated on the existing car parking on the north western side of the established retail park, the unit would be situated to the east of Sofaworks and directly north of The Range and Bensons for Beds.

The plans, drawn up by consultants at Montagu Evans, state: "The development is proposed to complement, and be ancillary to, the existing retail and other facilities available at the retail park to improve the shopping environment for customers. The scale of the development and the type of occupier is commonly found on retail parks across the UK. Coffee shops enhance the shopping experience for customers in town centres, retail parks and elsewhere. The proposed unit will be sited centrally within the scheme, as well as close to the pedestrian access to the site from Great Eastern Way."

As the site is not located within a designated town, district or local centre, officers at Rotherham Council have asked that a sequential test assessment be undertaken in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

After assessing the potential for sites located within nearby Parkgate district centre, the applicants conclude that only one unit is of suitable size but is "not an appropriate location for the development of coffee shop, with a drive thru format."

The plans add: "Parkgate district centre, which is formed of many small, independent commercial ventures, is not realistically attractive to a national multiple trader such as Starbucks who seeks locations well related to other national operators. Were this application to be refused in terms of the sequential test, there is no realistic prospect of Starbucks deciding to invest in opening a coffee shop at 122 Broad Street instead of Foundry Retail Park. Accordingly, the objectives of the sequential test – to direct investment to the most suitable locations – would not be met by such a decision."

The first Starbucks in Rotherham is located within Woodall Serices on the M1. Here, plans are also being progressed to convert the former Police building into a standalone Starbucks outlet.

Starbucks partners with franchisees and developers such as EuroGarages and 23.5 Degrees Ltd and the Seattle firm made a pre-tax profit of £1.05m in the year to September 2014 in the UK, compared with a £20.5m loss the previous year. Gross profit for the year to 28 September 2014 rose 24% to £98.8m.

Starbucks website

Images: Eurograges

Read more...

News: Oak Furniture Land opens Rotherham Sofastore

Oak Furniture Land, the UK's largest retailer of solid hardwood furniture, has opened a branch of its specialist Sofastore arm in Rotherham, creating seven local jobs.

Taking on half of the unit vacated by Staples at the Foundry Retail Park in Parkgate, Sofastore showcases the full array of the company's sofa ranges which includes over 75 different ranges of high quality sofas, with a huge selection of colour and size variations to choose from, along with a selection of solid hardwood furniture.

Plans were approved last year for the creation of a mezzanine level inside Unit 6 to create extra space, increasing to a total of 1,100 sq m (11,900 sq ft) of floorspace.

The Wiltshire company has sustained remarkable growth in recessionary times and now operates 57 show rooms throughout the UK. With a business philosophy based on designing its own products and working direct with manufacturers, Oak sells large volumes of high quality oak, mango and mahogany furniture at internet prices. Last year sales increased 77% to £145.5m and this year they are forecast to exceed £190m.

Steve Knight, regional manager at Sofastore, said: “We are pleased with this latest addition to our estate. It’s a major investment, and plays a significant role in our on-going store opening programme across the UK, which will see us opening a store each month for the next three years. So far we have created over 350 jobs nationwide."

The Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor John Foden, who officially opened the store, added: "The new store is a welcome investment to the area, and is a nice addition to the choices of shops for local residents."

The park was acquired by Brockton Capital and Pradera for around £22.1m in 2012. Recent lettings include The Range and B&M Bargains with Danish retail giant, JYSK, opening in the former Dreams unit earlier this year.

Sofastore website

Images: Oak Furniture Land

Read more...

News: Home Bargains finds another home in Rotherham

The third unit at a new retail development at Parkgate in Rotherham is under offer to Home Bargains.

Details of the first phase of retail development on the site of a former car showroom on Great Eastern Way have recently been approved.


Land owners, Ron Hull, the Rotherham recycling experts, teamed up with Leeds-based developers, Gregory Projects to secure outline approval for a 16,000 sq ft discount food store together with 30,000 sq ft of additional retail and leisure facilities along with 200 car parking spaces.

The latest application seeks to develop approximately two thirds of the site. Aldi is taking the largest unit at 16,544 sq ft and Iceland taking the adjacent 7,000 sq ft unit. The third unit, of 15,000 sq ft is now under offer to Home Bargains.

TJ Morris, the Merseyside company that operates Home Bargains, has grown organically over the last 30 years to become one of the biggest privately owned companies in the UK. Opening approximately 50 stores a year, Home Bargains is bucking current trends in the industry. In 2013, turnover rose to £1.05 billion with profits of £111m.

The business operates on one key principle: to sell branded goods at the lowest prices possible. Carrying a wide range of high street brands – from health and beauty products to household goods, food and toys - it opened its first Rotherham store in 2012, taking on the former Internacionale store in the town centre. The latest store will join 350 outlets across the UK.

Developers anticipate to start on site in Autumn 2014 with completion in Spring 2015. GVA is agent for the scheme.

At the current Foundry Retail Park over the road, Scandinavian home furnishing retailer, JYSK is taking over a 6,000 sq ft unit and has set a date for opening of October 23.

Home Bargains website

Images: Home Bargains

Read more...

News: i-motion gym opens in Rotherham

The £1.2m i-motion gym has opened in Rotherham, the first location operated by a new venture launched by former professional rugby player, Gareth Evans.

Taking over the former 15,500 sq ft Energie gym on Stoddard Way in Parkgate, it includes over 160 pieces of new, state of the art premium Matrix equipment, new showers and changing rooms, an innovative functional zone and refreshed, contemporary décor.

One of London 2012's Olympians, cyclist and gold medallist Dani King MBE, was the guest of honour at the official opening at the Foundry Retail Park.

The sporting superstar, who won gold in the team pursuit alongside Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell saddled up and put a selection of gym members through their paces in the spinning studio, as well as demonstrating the wide range of Matrix gym equipment throughout the hour-long spin class also included members of the Matrix Fitness racing team and one lucky gym member Lyndsey Walker won the opportunity to take part in a one to one training session with Dani.

Gareth Evans, managing director of i-motion gym, said: "It was a great opportunity for members of our gym to train with an Olympian and hopefully take a lot from this memorable experience.

"Last summer Dani, who is a Matrix Fitness ambassador, and her teammates really did help inspire the nation to get more active and try something new, a legacy which we're keen to continue with our commitment to offering a monthly fee that makes fitness an affordable option for all."

Dani was joined on the day by Melissa Lowther, Jessie Walker, Penny Rowson and Hannah Walker part of the Matrix Fitness racing academy where she started her cycling career.

i-motion gym website

Images: i-motion gym

Read more...

News: i-motion gym to open in Rotherham

A former professional rugby player has chosen Rotherham to launch the first i-motion gym, an exciting new entrant in the premium, low cost gym sector.

Over £1.2m is being invested in the refurbishment of the former 15,500 sq ft Energie gym on Stoddard Way in Parkgate which will include over 160 pieces of new, state of the art premium Matrix equipment, new showers and changing rooms, an innovative functional zone and refreshed, contemporary décor.

Promising a new "interactive" fitness experience, the new gym is based close to The Foundry Retail Park and is due to open in November. It will feature functional, freeweights, studio and cardio zones and provide over 80 classes a week ranging from virtual spin to Zumba.

The new venture is led by Gareth Evans who moved into the health sector after a rugby union career that saw him play for his hometown club, Blackburn, and as far away as Lazio RUFC in Rome.

Gareth Evans, managing director of i-motion gym, said: "We're bringing something completely new to the Rotherham fitness market and we're very excited as this will be our first branch.

"We'll be open 24 hours a day, provide over 80 classes a week and will have an introductory monthly fee of £12.99 for early sign ups with no contract, which offers outstanding value and flexibility."

i-motion gym website

Images: i-motion gym

Read more...

News: Nike set to open new store in Rotherham

American sports brand, Nike, is planning to open a new factory store at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham.

Taking over the 10,000 sq ft unit vacated by fellow sports retailer, Sports Direct when it expanded into the former JJB Sports unit next door, the Nike factory store will offer authentic Nike products from previous seasons, at discounted prices. These include sports apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment.

This week also saw the first Early Learning Centre and Mothercare outlet store open within the current Mothercare unit on the park. Mothercare has been reducing the number of High Street stores for the ELC brand it acquired in 2007, with the aim of taking the best sites from both brands and creating more profitable stores with two brands in the one location.

A planning application has been submitted for new signage at the Nike factory store, the first in South Yorkshire, and recruitment is underway for store management.

Trade magazine Retail Week reported earlier this year that Nike was planning to double its UK store portfolio to 60 over the next few years with a focus on out-of-town expansion. One recently announced deal will see Nike open its first UK non-discount shopping park store at Broughton Shopping Park in Chester.

Owned by Hercules Unit Trust, which is advised by British Land and managed by Schroders, Parkgate Shopping is one of the largest retail parks in the UK, home to over 40 shops and attracting around seven million visitors a year.

The latest deal signifies an upturn for the park in terms of lettings after a difficult 2012 when it was hit by a number of retail administrations. Big names including Comet, JJB Sports, HMV, Birthdays, GAME, Peacocks and Shutopia left the park with Kiddicare and Frankie & Benny's the most recent openings. The park now has just three vacant units including the large unit vacated by Comet when the electronics retailer went into administration.

In July, planning permission was granted for the installation of a mezzanine floor adding 5,000 sq ft to the unit currently occupied by BHS. The unit to be taken by Nike will have its mezzanine floor removed.

Meanwhile, at the nearby Foundry Retail Park, the owners, Brockton Capital and Pradera, have recently submitted plans to sub-divide the large unit recently vacated by Staples in the hope of securing lettings for two smaller units.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Nike / Triplar

Read more...