News: Rotherham restaurants paired together

Two popular restaurants in Rotherham within yards of each other have confirmed plans to combine, according to Visit Rotherham

Rothbiz reported recently on The Garrison and The Olive Lounge in Wickersley, that both announced that they would close and both said that changes were on the menu.

The 1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison, opened in 2020 focusing is on British inspired local produce plus unique cocktails and proper beers. The Olive Lounge served authentic homemade tapas with quality wines, beers and original cocktails and the W Bars team announced at the end of 2025 that they had taken over the premises. The W Bars team are part of the same group that operates the W Italian Restaurant on nearby Bawtry Road.

An update on social media states that the team at The Garrison will be joining the team at The Olive Lounge as it transforms into Vida - a Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail bar, and music lounge.

Visit Rotherham reports that Elliott Vaughan, founder of The Garrison, said: "Roughly 1506 services later, that’s the last. Just short of 6 years of The Garrison and we’ve had a blast; for everyone who has joined us and supported us over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means everything to me, my team and my family, and you have been appreciated more than you know it.

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"We are incredibly excited to announce that we will be joining the team at The Olive Lounge (which has recently been taken over by W Italian). Together, we'll be bringing an exciting new lease of life to the venue as it transforms into Vida; a Mediterranean restaurant, cocktail bar, and music lounge. It's a project we're truly passionate about, and we can't wait to welcome both familiar faces and new ones through the doors. Keep an eye out for the launch of our social media pages and website where we'll be sharing more details over the coming weeks.

"As for The Garrison at 129 Bawtry Road, the future is still in the balance of what, or who is to come next. All will be disclosed upon finalising."

The Olive Lounge has recently seen its planning permission for an extension turned down by Rotherham Council.

Plans showed a single storey glass extension to the front facing Bawtry Road that would take the venue from 2,799 sq ft to 3,552 sq ft.

Planners objected to the appearance of the proposed extension concluding that it would be "a prominent addition which would materially affect the appearance and character of the host property and form an incongruous feature that would have a detrimental impact on the existing street scene."

In response, a new application has been submitted.

The latest plans are for a similar glazed front extension that would take the venue to 3,400 sq ft. The main difference between the two proposals is that the latest planned extension doesn't reach and follow the footpath boundary to the front of the property.

The former Garrison premises at 129a Bawtry Road benefits from planning permission for a change of use from a restaurant into a micropub and a decking area to front of the property.

However, as the premises is within the Cumulative Impact Zone, the current alcohol licence restricts the use of the premises so that it can only operate as a restaurant. Conditions state that the premises will not operate exclusively as a bar at any time and that alcohol shall only be served to customers seated.

Images: Olive Lounge / Google Maps

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News: Changes at The Garrison as Rotherham restaurant announces closure

An independent restaurant in Rotherham has announced its closure with a "small transformation" planned for later this year.

Elliott Vaughan opened his 1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison at Wickersley, in 2020 after securing financial help from alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise. However, within less than seven days, his plans were thrown into jeopardy when, along with the whole of South Yorkshire’s hospitality sector, the restaurant was ordered to close as South Yorkshire entered into Tier 3 lockdown.

The focus is on British inspired local produce plus unique cocktails and proper beers. Drawing on inspiration from the hit TV show Peaky Blinders, whilst giving a nod to the golden age of jazz and the roaring Twenties, Elliott re-imagined the former tearoom, transforming it into a cosy, atmospheric dining experience.

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An update on social media explained that: "The Garrison as you know it will be closing. We will be undergoing a small transformation, and our restaurant will be changing its identity. More details of what will be following will be announced in the next few months."

The premises benefits from planning permission for a change of use from restaurant into a micropub and a decking area to front of the property.

In his post, Vaughan said that the changes are "as exciting as it is upsetting" but added that "this is not a goodbye, but a see you later."

On the state of the restaurant sector, the founder said: "Please keep supporting your local independent businesses. We know it’s tough out there for everyone, and for the hospitality guys, we are all feeling your pain.

"First the Conservatives and then Starmer’s useless government sapped the living s*** out of our beautiful industry and economy on a whole (in my opinion) and I don’t have much hope that Burnham will save it."

The Garrison facebook page

Images: The Garrison / facebook

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News: Plans approved for Wickersley venue

A new restaurant in Rotherham has secured planning permission to operate as a drinking establishment, despite a cumulative impact zone operating in the area.

1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison, opened in Wickersley last October and has been popular for takeaway meals during lockdown.

The latest application sought permission for the change of use of the existing restaurant into a micropub with a secondary proposal for the installation of a decking area to front of the property which includes seating pods.

The property has recently been renovated internally and externally and was last used as a restaurant (The Branded Burger Company) with a reception bar area and has had various extensions and modifications carried out to the external area. Planning permission for change of use to a restaurant was granted in 2015. Some outside seating was approved in 2016.

Rotherham Council's licensing policy, approved last year, could limit the number of new or varied licences being granted in Wickersley, dependent on the individual merit of each application.

The Bawtry Road premises already has an alcohol licence but objectors, including Wickersley Parish Council and residents, wanted to use the work done for the new policy to show why the planning application should be refused. Licencing and planning applications are determined separately..

The Parish Council said that the proposals: "would intensify the use of these premises for consumption of alcohol and lead to an unacceptable impact on residential amenity. It would also add to the existing problems of noise and disturbance, crime and anti-social behaviour already being experienced by local residents from the high concentration of uses associated with the night time economy in Wickersley."

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Elliott Vaughan of The Garrison has been in discussion with the licensing department over the issues raised and explained that the venue will only operate table service, alongside a food menu to monitor capacity and work to licencing regulations. People will have to be seated to get served.

He said: "We will still be running a food menu, and always will be. The business will still be running as a restaurant; however, we simply want the flexibility to serve alcohol without food, to have a few drinks before a meal elsewhere in the area, or vice versa.

"Regarding the outside bar, this is simply to assist the bar situated inside during busy periods e.g., summer weekends. As we are a small venue, I do not feel the inside bar could cope during these times, however ... this will still be table service."

Planning officer, Emma Ottewell concluded that: "whilst taking into account the objections received it is considered that the change of use to a bar in this location would not in itself generate new amenity issues the positioning of the outdoor terraced area faces the roadside frontage rather than the more sensitive residential areas to north and it is not considered that a refusal could be substantiated in this instance."

A condition of the planning permission limits the use of the outside area up to 9pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Another condition states that no external music shall be played outside the premises.

The planning board at Rotherham Council voted six to four to approve the plans.

The Garrison facebook page

Images: The Garrison / facebook

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News: Twenties themed restaurant roaring to go

A young chef has shown all of his Yorkshire grit and determination to transform a former tearoom in Rotherham into his dream restaurant, despite being only able to welcome guests for one week since opening his doors for the first time.

Elliott Vaughan opened his 1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison at Wickersley, last October after securing financial help from alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise. However, within less than seven days, his plans were thrown into jeopardy when, along with the whole of South Yorkshire’s hospitality sector, the restaurant was ordered to close as South Yorkshire entered into Tier 3 lockdown.

Unable to welcome customers to his new venue, Elliott was forced to take matters into his own hands and decided to re-invent his restaurant by offering takeaway and delivery services, enabling customers to enjoy a preview of his innovative kitchen creations including his signature Yorkshire pudding wrap, or as some locals refer to it, a Sunday dinner in a sandwich. To Elliott’s surprise, his takeaway services have proved to be incredibly popular, and despite having enjoyed less than two weeks of welcoming customers to his restaurant, he is hoping they will finally be able to experience the unique environment he has created.

Drawing on inspiration from the hit TV show Peaky Blinders, whilst giving a nod to the golden age of jazz and the so-called roaring Twenties, Elliott re-imagined the former tearoom, transforming it into a cosy, atmospheric dining experience.

Despite his tender years, Elliott is no stranger to the hospitality industry. He picked up his first kitchen knife aged just 15. When he left school a year later, he headed straight to catering college, rising through the ranks as he worked alongside experienced chefs working in independently owned restaurants across South Yorkshire.

Elliott had always dreamed of running his own business. In 2019, he began making tentative plans to build and launch his own mobile catering business. His plans changed when, whilst browsing the Internet, he saw the tearoom being advertised for sale, so he reached out to the owner – someone who he’d worked with regularly during his career.

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A deal was agreed in principle and only one thing stood in his way: financing the new venture. Like many new entrepreneurs, Elliott struggled to access help from traditional high street lenders, and it seemed as if his entrepreneurial ambitions would be dashed. However, a former tutor came to his rescue and recommended that he should try approaching Finance For Enterprise for help.

Working with experienced start-up loan adviser Gillian Pickard, Elliott spent time carefully developing his business plans and was able to secure a Start Up Loan to help cover the costs of transforming the former tearoom into his dream destination.

Elliott Vaughan, Founder, The Garrison, Wickersley said: “I’d always dreamed of running my own business, and from the moment I spotted the pictures of the site on the Internet, I felt I’d never get a better chance. I liked the idea of creating a venue that combined a traditional, relaxed environment with great food. It was that which drew me to the idea of a 1920s themed bar.

“I knew finance may be a stumbling block, and the banks I first approached were quick to dismiss my ideas. Gillian was very different though. She listened to me, took me seriously and helped me to understand the different options to raise the money I needed, and she guided me through the application process. Once I’d written my business plan and financial projections, it helped me to understand how the business would work.

“I was never particularly academic at school, and although I liked the idea being my own boss, I never for one minute thought it would be possible. People like me tend to work in businesses, rather than own them! The help I received from Finance For Enterprise has given me the confidence to believe in my idea. I knew it was important to know my numbers; fortunately, my father-in-law is a business consultant and both he and Gillian were brilliant when it came to understanding what I needed to do to make the business a success.

“Since securing the start-up loan funding, I’ve been able to give the building a complete overhaul. The restaurant now employs three people, and even though we’ve only been able to open the restaurant for less than two weeks since I launched the business in October, we’ve seen our delivery services in high demand and received some terrific reviews. I’m really looking forward to meeting those customers in person!”

Gillian Pickard, Investment Manager, Finance For Enterprise said: “We always base our lending decisions on merit and affordability, Elliott’s passion for his business and determination to see the idea succeed, even during an incredibly uncertain time for many hospitality businesses, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination to make his restaurant a success.

“Like many new business owners, Elliott realised that he needed additional funding to secure the premises and transform them into his homage to the 1920s, but he was unable to access help from high street banks who simply dismissed his ideas. We discussed his plans, and it was clear that he had a solid grasp and understanding of what was involved in running the restaurant. Backed with his solid business plans, I didn’t hesitate to recommend his application, and as a result of the Start Up Loan funding Elliott has received, he’s been able to act on his ambitions, creating an incredibly atmospheric venue and one which I’m sure will be popular with food lovers for many years to come.”

The Garrison facebook page
Finance For Enterprise website

Images: Finance For Enterprise

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