News: Footfall figures up following first Forge Island openings

Footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 was 10% higher than the previous year and developers, Muse, point to the impact of the opening of the Forge Island leisure scheme in attracting visitors.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as food outlets which are yet to open.

Expected to be a catalyst for further investment and regeneration, the cinema and hotel opened last summer.

Formerly Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, before home to a supermarket, Muse say that Forge Island now has a "sustainable and long-term future as a dynamic place for the community and visitors."

Acquired by Rotherham Council, the most recent use was a temporary bus station and a COVID testing site. Developers say that they wanted to re-imagine the place and re-establish its economic and cultural importance within the town centre.

A case study from Muse said: "Whilst still developing as a destination, we are already seeing a positive impact on the community and the local economy.

"A brand-new eight screen cinema has opened, bringing film back to the town centre for the first time in 30 years. This is much more significant than simply a new place to watch a Hollywood block-buster.

"Hundreds of people descended on Forge Island to enjoy opening day, with screenings regularly sold out since it opened its doors. In fact, Forge Island was the best performing cinema in the Arc chain during December 2024."

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The cinema anchors a growing evening and night-time economy in the town centre with Vetro Lounge and Sygnature Dish set to open in adjacent units within months.

The aim is for more money to be spent in the town, fewer people travelling outside Rotherham for entertainment, and new customers drawn from across the region. Already, footfall across Rotherham town centre during 2024 has been 10% higher than the previous year.

The update from Muse added: "The opportunity at Forge Island was to create a long-term sustainable future for Rotherham’s industrial past. A place which could drive a modern economy, create jobs, and curate a destination for communities and visitors to spend their precious leisure time.

"It’s a plan which aligns with the wider vision for Rotherham town centre, with investments in attractive outdoor spaces, revitalised markets, and high-quality riverside and urban living.

"By working in partnership with the local authority, we have delivered in a way which creates something new and exciting for the community – a place to meet friends and recharge during evenings and weekends. It has brought families back into the town centre and underpinned a new energy and vibrancy which will permeate Rotherham’s future."

With funding for the project coming from Rotherham Council, the authority ensured that social value was high on the agenda through partners, Muse and lead contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland.

As a project, Forge Island saw 83 local people employed with 278 weeks of apprentice training and 69 hours of career and education support. £1,890,775 was spent with the local supply chain meaning that overall, the development created a social and local economic value of £4,361,703.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse

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News: Unlimited free parking coming to Forge Island

When new food and beverage outlets open on Forge Island in Rotherham, customers will be able to park for free, Rotherham Council has decided.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema and a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel but new food outlets are yet to open.

The development includes a 340 space car park, operated by the council, that was created on the main site with the new buildings on a podium above.

The current strategy for parking at Forge Island offers free parking for hotel customers between the hours of 4pm and 10am. In addition, those customers using the cinema are offered concessionary free parking for a period of up to 3.5 hours.

Now Rotherham Council has admitted that this is confusing for customers and has vowed to change the rules to offer unlimited free parking for all paying customers of Forge Island businesses.

A council report explains that this is being done "in order to support the continuing increased usage of Forge Island."

Rothbiz revealed at the end of 2024 that Loungers UK Limited had applied for a premises licence for a unit at Forge Island, indicating that it would operate under the Lounge brand.

Rotherham Council has said negotiations with operators for the empty units were in advanced stages "with the most likely timescale for opening, following operator fit-outs, being Spring 2025."

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A new free parking offer for the first hour is being introduced in Council-operated car parks in the town centre, and this includes Forge Island. Free parking is already offered in the town centre at most Council Off-Street car parks on Saturdays and Sundays.

Customers of Forge Island businesses will need to validate free, unlimited parking through receipts. This is to ensure that the parking remains available for users of the site and is not adversely impacted by town centre events such as football matches at the nearby New York Stadium.

The car park currently uses an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, which registers number plates upon entry. A 30-minute concession period for drop-offs currently operates.

The report states: "In order to support the continuing increased usage of Forge Island, consideration has been given to promoting access to Forge Island through the parking tariffs associated with those visiting Forge Island businesses.

"Representations have been received in relation to confusion associated with tariffs for customers of Forge Island businesses and as a result, it is recommended that to simplify the system, anyone visiting a Forge Island business is granted free car parking."

The cost to the council for implementing the change has not been made clear but the report states that it "will significantly impact" on the ability to meet the approved revenue income budget of £209,000 in respect of car parking income at Forge Island, adding: "however, this needs to be balanced against the wider requirement to ensure that Forge Island is a commercial success and full occupation of the commercial units on Forge Island is achieved."

Any shortfall is set to be covered by existing budgets.

In November, Rothbiz reported that the Forge Island development was fully-funded by Rotherham Council for the purposes of regeneration of the town centre, not as a commercial venture.

Funding was confirmed on the basis that the scheme would pay for itself over the life of the development. It was projected to do so through a complex financial model which included provision for periods of time when some of the units could be empty.

Providing and update on Forge Island, Cllr. Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "I understand from figures over the Christmas period that the Arc has been one of the best performing cinemas from that particular chain, so that is particularly good news.

"We work continuously to fill the rest of the development. Efforts continue at a great pace. It is no exaggeration to say that on a daily basis we are having those discussions and negotiations to hopefully occupy those particular units, because we appreciate how important it is for the regeneration of the town - it is the flagship development in the town centre."

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / Simon-Dewhurst

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News: First festive season at Forge Island

Visitors to Forge Island in Rotherham can now enjoy some extra special "sparkle" lighting up the new leisure destination throughout the festive season.

To mark its first Christmas since completion, nationwide place maker, Muse – who delivered the scheme in partnership with Rotherham Council – has funded a new light installation in the form of a giant present wrapped in a bow which is now in situ in the attractive waterside setting.

The new landmark development for the town, Forge Island, which officially launched with a special celebration event in September, is home to independent movie theatre, The Arc Cinema and Travelodge Hotel, with a host of eateries set to join the neighbourhood in the coming months.

Raife Gale, Senior Project Manager at Muse said: “We wanted to celebrate the first Christmas season here with something special, and we hope this striking light installation will help spread a little festive cheer. I know there will be lots of people heading to the cinema to enjoy a Christmas film or visiting from further afield to stay at the hotel whilst seeing friends and family locally – and this is a gift from us to welcome everyone coming to enjoy Forge Island.”

The new light installation is a welcome addition to Rotherham town centre’s colourful Christmas illuminations – with hundreds of local people attending the town centre’s official light switch on earlier this month. Forge Island played its part in the celebrations – with processional performances from Punjabi Roots Dhol drummers across the new pedestrian bridge; a sound and light installation entitled ‘Breathe’ by Sheffield-based theatre company Pif-Paf and Moon Palace – a former school bus converted into a mobile observatory and artwork - parking up to offer people an opportunity to ‘star gaze’ on site.

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Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council: "The light installation at Forge Island looks fantastic and we'd love to see shoppers visiting Forge Island to take photos with it. We'd like to thank Muse for gifting the installation to Rotherham this Christmas.

"Forge Island is a key part of Rotherham town centre's bright future and we can't wait to welcome new food and drink offers over the coming months to join Arc Cinema and Travelodge. There's lots of work going on behind the scenes and announcements will follow soon, but in the meantime, we'd urge everyone to try Arc Cinema - especially with Christmas blockbusters hitting the screens - with free 3.5-hour parking for cinema goers."

In addition to big name showings including Moana 2 and Wicked, Arc are getting into the Christmas spirit with classic Christmas films for £5, event cinema with The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol, discounted family tickets, and a prize draw.

Forge Island has been completely transformed from a derelict site – which has historical significance as a former foundry and an iron works – into a flagship leisure destination for the town. Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements at Forge Island are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans which are a catalyst for kickstarting new life into the heart of the borough.

It is hoped that Forge Island will continue to be a central hub for family-friendly activities year-round and the team are exploring opportunities for even more activities to complement other events across the town.

Forge Island is located next to Rotherham train and tram station and there is free parking available on site for cinemagoers and Travelodge users. It is also free to park in all other Council-owned off-street town centre car parks every weekend.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC

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News: "Operators signed up" for Forge Island

The empty units at the £47m Forge Island leisure development in Rotherham could soon be filled, according to the latest update from the Council.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as food outlets which are yet to open.

Rothbiz revealed in July that operators "have not been able to bring forward" outlets that had originally signed up for the development.

Deals for Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo, Sakku Samba, Caffé Noor, Cow & Cream and The Rustic Pizza Company appear to have fallen through with the authority saying that, working with its development partners, Muse, it was in discussion with a number of other potential operators who have expressed an interest in the site.

At a recent meeting of Rotherham's Town Board, council representatives were asked about the empty units at Forge Island.

The Town Board is a private-sector chaired board established to oversee regeneration progress of various projects backed by government funding. It contains representatives from a wide range of key sectors.

Minutes show that Simon Moss, Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, "confirmed that a number of operators have signed up and agreed to terms; more information will soon follow."

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Earlier this month Rotherham Council confirmed that it had fully-funded the scheme for the purposes of regeneration of the town centre, not as a commercial venture, adding that it wasn't concerned about the implications of the empty units as the scheme was designed to pay for itself over the life of the development.

In the meantime, space at Forge Island is being utilised by ROAR, a non profit dedicated to supporting creative practices and promoting the arts in Rotherham.

ROAR has established "Senspace" in the empty units where different artworks are being added to, manipulated and moved all the time.

Open for the recent Christmas Lights switch-on, the group describes Senspace as a "growing and changing interactive exhibition looking at the ideas of mindfulness and wellness in a creative capacity."

It is described as offering "a refreshing escape — a sanctuary where art, meditation, and mental health come together to nourish both mind and soul. Each work in the exhibit invites you to immerse yourself in a sensory journey, discovering moments of calm, self-reflection, and grounding.

"At Senspace, art is meant to be felt, breathed, and experienced. With interactive installations that evoke meditative states and ambient soundscapes that soothe, every element is crafted to help reduce stress, build resilience, and deepen personal insight. This isn’t just an art exhibit; it’s an experience designed to reconnect you with yourself through the gentle power of art and mindfulness."

Senspace runs until November 29.

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Images: ROAR

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News: £47m Forge Island development about regeneration, not commercial returns

The Forge Island development was fully-funded by Rotherham Council for the purposes of regeneration of the town centre, not as a commercial venture, the authority has confirmed.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as food outlets which are yet to open.

Work began on site in November 2022 after Rotherham Council agreed to fund the regeneration scheme itself when the the funding available its delivery partner, Muse, "significantly reduced" due to the volatility of the financial markets. The authority said it would save nearly £50m compared to an externally funded deal drafted in 2018.

At a recent council meeting Cllr. Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance & Safe and Clean Communities, was asked about the financial situation at Forge Island given that a number of food outlets were not now planning to open as expected.

Rothbiz reported first in July that operators "have not been able to bring forward" outlets that had originally signed up for the development.

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Cllr. Alam said: "The Council had agreed the Forge Island development for the purposes of regeneration of the town centre, not as a commercial venture. The Cabinet approval for the scheme was that it would pay for itself over the life of the development. The scheme was projected to do so through a complex financial model which included provision for periods of time when some of the units could be empty.

"The Council were negotiating with a number of potential new tenants and as such, were not concerned about the implications of this."

Cabinet approved an increase in the Council’s Capital Programme in 2022 to cover the £46.8m costs which were expected to be covered by the authority's own borrowing and capital resources.

The council expected that the repayment of capital costs will be met wholly or largely over the long term by revenue generated from commercial activity in the Forge Island development. At the time, the cabinet heard that the longer-term financial risks that the project presents related to the Council’s ability to maintain the incomes levels from the lettings, car parking and business rates.

Doncaster's Rustic Pizza Co looks to be the latest operator to pull out having signed up last year and despite signs at the site saying "coming soon." A social media post stated: "Unfortunately we have decided not to proceed with Rotherham. As the other restaurants have pulled out it would be a huge financial risk for us if it wasn’t to work."

Cllr. Alam added that negotiations were ongoing with a number of different tenants.

Forge Island website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Arc Cinema Rotherham officially opens

With the newly opened cinema taking centre stage, Rotherham Council is hoping that Forge Island will become a central hub for family-friendly activities.

The Arc Cinema Rotherham had an official opening last week having hosted a number of advanced screenings. It is the first cinema operating in Rotherham town centre since 1990.

The centre piece of Rotherham’s Forge Island regeneration project, work commenced on building the new multimillion pound cinema in January and since that time The Arc Cinema Group has left no stone unturned in a bid to bring a luxury cinema experience to South Yorkshire.

The new facility, features eight screens, has combined contemporary design, whilst also giving a nod to the golden age of cinema houses. Each screen is equipped with luxury reclining seats, designed to give film lovers the ultimate viewing experience.

The cinema also features two state-of-the-art HYPERSENSE screens. The latest development in cinema technology, the two giant wall-to-wall cinema screens have been carefully designed to provide the ultimate viewing experience and feature state-of-the-art 4K laser projection as well as boasting Dolby Atmos® surround sound to create a truly immersive viewing experience.

To celebrate the opening of The Arc Cinema Rotherham, throughout September all films can be viewed for just five pounds every Friday and before 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Laura Vickers is the general manager heading up a new 30-strong workforce at The Arc Cinema Rotherham. She said: “The opening of a new cinema in Rotherham is arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated events that the town has seen for many years. We’ve received a terrific amount of support from across the whole community.

“We believe that visiting the cinema is an experience which can and should be enjoyed by everyone and we’re looking forward to welcoming film lovers to our brand new cinema."

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Brian Gilligan, Director, Arc Cinema Group, added: “From the outset, our aim has been to create a place that belongs to the people of Rotherham, just as much as it belongs to us.

“Rotherham is an area with a large population that has been underserved by cinema facilities for a long time. We hope that the opening of our cinema, will not only create a location where film lovers can enjoy the latest blockbusters, but in time it will become an important part of the local community.”

The Arc Cinema group is a family-owned business which operates twelve cinemas across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Since its formation in 2014, the company has specialised in bringing cinema facilities to populations that are under-served. The company places emphasis upon playing an active role within the communities it serves by engaging with local good causes, schools and community groups.

Families can enjoy a day of free entertainment and activities at Forge Island on Saturday September 14. Activities include live music, street performers, art, face-painting and the chance to meet and greet some famous faces – from Minions to Paddington – to celebrate upcoming film releases this autumn, as well as special offers, balloons and giveaways throughout the day.

Rotherham Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read said: “Our vision was always to create a family friendly destination and with our fantastic new cinema, plus the Travelodge hotel now open, and the multi-million-pound investment into the public spaces and wider development complete, we couldn’t let the summer end without inviting people of all ages to mark this milestone.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone down to explore Forge Island, which has such historical significance for the town, as we celebrate the start of its new chapter as a place for people from Rotherham, and beyond, to visit and enjoy for years to come.”

The council added that: "It is hoped that Forge Island will become a central hub for family-friendly activities year-round and the team are exploring options for more activities later this year, to complement other events across the town."

Arc Cinema website Forge Island website

Images: Arc Cinema / facebook

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News: Film fans get an advance preview as Rotherham cinema opens early

The new Arc Cinema in Rotherham is open for bookings from this week as the Forge Island site welcomes film fans ahead of an official launch event next month.

The move coincides with National Cinema Day on August 31 and means that film fans will be able to catch summer blockbusters including Deadpool & Wolverine, Alien Romulus, Twisters and Bad Boys 4, along with family films such as Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4 with ticket prices starting from £4.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as two independent restaurants - The Rustic Pizza Company and Cafe Noor.

Rothbiz reported last week that the Irish cinema operator had confirmed that an advance preview of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set to take place on September 5, with an official launch on September 6 at the new site, the first cinema in Rotherham town centre for over 30 years.

Arc said that it was "thrilled to announce that we’ll be opening our doors a whole week earlier than planned for special preview screenings."

Arc has 12 locations spanning across the UK and Ireland with three more in the works.

Positioned at the south of the former home of the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the design of the new Rotherham cinema looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works.

The cinema will have two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.

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National Cinema Day has cinemas up and down the country, including Arc Cinemas, celebrating with £4 tickets.

Regular prices are around £6 for standard screenings and £8 for Hypersense screenings. Offers include £5 tickets for students and for Second Chance Cinema on Mondays, plus £5 prices for the over 60s on Thursdays afternoons. Thursday evenings are designated Date Nights with tickets at £14 per couple.

The Kids Club is £3.50 for family-friendly showings every Saturday & Sunday around 11am and every morning during school holidays. The chain also takes part in Meerkat Movies, offering 2-for-1 cinema tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday.

And cinema-goers will also be able to park at Forge Island for free.

Laura Vickers, the newly appointed General Manager of The Arc Cinema Rotherham, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to open our doors earlier than expected. This is a fantastic opportunity for our team to get to know our new community and for Rotherham to experience the unique cinematic experience we’ve worked so hard to create. We can’t wait to welcome you all and start sharing the magic of the movies with you.”

Arc Cinema website

Images: ARC / Facebook

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News: Showtime! Opening date for new Rotherham cinema

Over 30 years in the making, Arc Cinema at Forge Island has announced the opening date for its new site in Rotherham town centre.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as two independent restaurants - The Rustic Pizza Company and Cafe Noor.

The Irish cinema operator has confirmed that an advance preview of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set to take place on September 5.

The fantasy comedy horror film directed by Tim Burton is a sequel to 1988's Beetlejuice that may well have been shown the last time Rotherham had a cinema. Cannon, the last in the town centre, closed in 1990.

Positioned at the south of the former home of the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the design of the cinema looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

Arc has previously confirmed that the Rotherham cinema will have two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.

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Across the site, the first occupier to open at Forge Island, Travelodge Rotherham Central – the town’s first branded hotel, recently held an official opening.

The new design includes a redesigned reception, next-generation rooms, and a number of sustainable building features.

A new Bar Café welcomes both hotel guests and passers-by, offering an all-day dining service including breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and bar.

Travelodge Rotherham Central, situated next to Rotherham train and tram station, is set to have a positive impact on the town’s tourism economy. Located a short walk from the town centre, it is just a few miles from a host of major visitor attractions including Magna Science Adventure Centre; Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, Clifton Park and the Grade 1 listed Wentworth House stately home and gardens.

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director, Travelodge, said: “We are delighted to announce that our first hotel in Rotherham has now opened its doors. With its new premium design and great location, I have no doubt that our hotel in Rotherham will be a strong addition to the area. We have a fantastic hotel team in place and are already receiving very positive feedback from customers.

“Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is doing a great job in investing to regenerate the town centre. Its funding support has enabled the delivery of this development, at a time when private sector funding is in very scarce supply. This will be of great benefit to the Rotherham community for many years to come. Forge Island is a great addition to the town centre and will support the existing shops and attractions, such as Rotherham United’s AESSEAL New York stadium, so there is plenty for Travelodge’s business and leisure customers to enjoy.”

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, added: “The hotel opening marks the first opportunity to welcome people to Forge Island, and with other tenants working hard to complete their fit outs it won’t be long before more residents and visitors will be able to experience all that Forge Island has to offer.”

Arc Cinema website
Travelodge website
Forge Island website

Images: Arc Cinema

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News: First visitors stay over at new Rotherham Travelodge

The new multimillion pound Travelodge in Rotherham town centre has hosted its first overnight visitors ahead of an official opening.

The rest of the Forge Island development has reached the fit out stage.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as six independent restaurants on the riverside, including The Rustic Pizza Company, Estabulo, and Sakku Samba.

The hotel, the first Travelodge in the borough, has been bookable for stays since May and reviews on TripAdvisor describe a "pristine brand new hotel" and pick out the welcoming staff for praise.

The four storey hotel has been built by Bowmer + Kirkland on the north of the Forge Island site close to Rotherham Central station. It was designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. The new Rotherham hotel is in Travelodge's new-build budget luxe hotel brand, incorporating the new Bar Café concept offering unlimited breakfast, tasty evening meals and fresh barista coffee.

Standard rooms (with new décor and signature king size "Dreamer" bed) are priced at £68.99 for the saver rate and £75.99 for the flexible rate.

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With Rotherham Council stumping up the money for the whole scheme, "significant slippage" on its progress was reported at the end of 2023 but a recent update to the council's cabinet states that "delivery on site has progressed further than anticipated."

Construction is complete on the Forge Island cinema, which was handed over for fit out in May 2024 prior to a planned summer opening. The food and drink units were handed over on July 1 2024.

Arc Cinemas, which has been recruiting for a general manager, recently provided a sneak peek of the new cinema, the first in Rotherham for over 30 years. The update on social media showed signage on the exterior and work to create the screens inside.

State-of-the-art facilities will offer the ultimate blockbuster experience, while smaller screens provide a more intimate movie watching atmosphere. All screens feature VIP electric recliner seats as standard.

The next phase of regeneration in the area is the delayed Riverside Gardens scheme. A first stage contract has now been let and subject to costs, a full contract is expected to be agreed in September 2024.

Using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping, Riverside Gardens is creating a gateway to Forge Island on an area extending from the demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments. Corporation Street is also getting a revamp.

Travelodge website
Forge Island website

Images: Tom Austen / Arc Cinemas / Facebook

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News: Forge Island prepares for fit out as hotel opens for bookings

The new multimillion pound Travelodge Hotel being built on Forge Island in Rotherham has begun taking bookings for when it opens this summer.

Forge Island is the town centre's new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse. The £47m development includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel as well as six independent restaurants on the riverside, including The Rustic Pizza Company, Estabulo, and Sakku Samba.

The hotel, the first Travelodge in the borough, is now is bookable for stays from July 8 2024.

The four storey hotel is being built by Bowmer + Kirkland on the north of the Forge Island site. It was designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. The new Rotherham hotel will be in Travelodge's new-build budget luxe hotel brand. It has also been confirmed that it will incorporate the new Bar Café concept offering unlimited breakfast, tasty evening meals and fresh barista coffee.

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In 2022 Travelodge announced that it was evolving its core brand product to a new budget-luxe premium look and feel design which includes all the low cost efficiencies you would expect from Travelodge, but with the added benefit of thoughtful, stylish design and homely touches throughout its interiors.

Standard rooms (with new décor and signature king size "Dreamer" bed) are priced at £77.99 for the saver rate and £89.99 for the flexible rate.

Also on Forge Island, Arc Cinemas is currently recruiting for a general manager.

The job advert reads: "The Arc Cinema will be opening its doors to offer an ultra high specification luxury cinema experience to customers in Rotherham. A brand new build, scheduled to open in August 2024, with 8 screens, The Arc Cinema will offer something special for all movie lovers. State-of-the-art facilities offering the ultimate blockbuster experience, while smaller screens provide a more intimate movie watching atmosphere. All screens feature VIP electric recliner seats as standard.

"We pride ourselves in taking great care of our customers, and on becoming a central part of each community that we serve."

On the food and beverage offer, incoming outlet, Rustic Pizza Co has provided an update on Forge Island progress.

The Rustic Pizza Co was founded in 2017. Its base at Lakeside in Doncaster offers authentic Neopolitan style pizza, Italian hand-pulled coffee and rustic breakfasts.

A recent update to Facebook said: "We attended a site visit at Rotherham Forge island this week and to say we are excited would be an understatement! We will be starting our fit out in the next couple of weeks and we can’t wait to bring Rustic to Rotherham!"

Forge Island website
Travelodge website
Arc Cinema website
Rustic Pizza Co website

Images: Travelodge / Rustic Pizza Co / Facebook

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News: Forge Island recruitment underway

Local residents are being encouraged to explore the job opportunities on offer as part of Rotherham’s town centre transformation into a regional leisure destination.

Outlets from Forge Island – the town’s new landmark leisure destination being delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse - including Arc Cinema, who specialise in providing a VIP cinema experience and national hotel chain Travelodge, will be among the companies advertising roles at an event being held in the town centre this week.

Leisure and hospitality roles including chefs, waiting and bar staff, housekeeping, front of house will all be available at Rotherham Council’s annual recruitment event at Riverside House.

In addition, a wide range of established employers from across the borough will also be at the event on Friday 23 February from 10am until 2pm, including some who will be able to hold interviews on the day.

Both public and private sector employment opportunities are available including in construction, health and social care, customer services, administration, leisure and security. Other opportunities are also being showcased, including further education, training, volunteering and foster care.

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Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott said: “Our aim has always been to bring more people into our centre to live, work and play, restoring pride and activity in our town centre. Forge Island is a major milestone in our efforts to provide Rotherham with a family-friendly destination people can enjoy and be proud of, whilst providing hundreds of jobs.

“I’m pleased that we have been able to bring such a diverse range of employers together for this recruitment event. With people juggling different demands, it’s good to see a variety of working patterns will be available, which include part-time, full-time, working from home or evening working.

“Whether you’re looking for extra hours or pay, wanting to further your career or develop new skills through education and training, I’d encourage people to come along and see the wide range of opportunities available.”

The recruitment event takes place on Friday 23 February, 10am to 2pm, at Riverside House, Main Street.

Forge Island website

Images: RMBC / Muse

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News: Rotherham's Forge Island on track for 2024 completion

Building work is on track at Forge Island in Rotherham as the flagship development enters the final months of construction ahead of opening to the public towards the end of summer 2024.

The new landmark destination, which will bring a much-needed family-friendly offer to Rotherham as part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered in partnership with the Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.

Work began on site in November 2022 and construction has continued at pace, with all topping out milestones due to be reached early next year on the cinema, Travelodge hotel and retail buildings – set to house a mix of independent eateries. Once construction completes at the end of spring, the tenants will fit out their premises ready for the scheme opening.

Work has also recently got underway on the £30m+ markets redevelopment across town with Rotherham Council's cabinet approving the way forward this week.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Denise Lelliott said; “These developments form the main cornerstones of the council’s multi-million-pound investment in Rotherham’s future. A number of major milestones have been achieved at Forge Island over the last 12 months, including the installation of a new pedestrian bridge, which connects to the town centre and which nods to the town’s rich engineering heritage and is inspired by the world-famous Bailey Bridge designed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, during the Second World War. Thousands of local people also discovered more about the past, present and future of Forge Island at a dedicated marquee at the Rotherham Show in September.”

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Earlier this year, two giant cranes erected on site were named ‘Rotherham Rainbow’ and ‘Steely Crane’ by pupils at the local Thornbury Primary school following a ‘crane naming’ competition which received more than 70 entries. The cranes were dismantled last month as construction work nears completion, but children from the school were recently invited back to the site for a special ‘time capsule’ ceremony which saw books, school uniform, glasses and colourful drawings added to specially made capsule now buried on site.

Raife Gale, Senior Development Manager at Muse, said: “Developing a transformational scheme of this scale always comes with its challenges – not least the difficulties of building on an ‘island’ surrounded by water – so the fact we’ve remained on track is a testament to the hard work of the whole project team. It’s fantastic to see the impact Forge Island has already made on the town centre skyline, and we can’t wait for the community to come and enjoy all that it has to offer when it opens next year.”

Construction work on the £47m Forge Island scheme – which was announced as 100% let in October 2022 – is led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture. The new pedestrian bridge was designed by FaulknerBrowne Architects.

Arc Cinemas is the anchor tenant. The Rustic Pizza Co, Cow & Cream, Casa Peri Peri, Estabulo Rodizio, Sakku Samba and Caffe Noor will offer visitors a range of culinary flavours from across the world.

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / RMBC

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News: Rotherham's new cinema - what we know so far

National urban regenerator, Muse Developments, has provided an update on the new cinema at its Forge Island leisure scheme in Rotherham town centre that is slated to open in 2024.

The Arc Cinema signed a long-term lease with Muse in 2021 to become the leisure anchor at Rotherham's Forge Island. Construction work got underway last year after Rotherham Council stepped in to fund the scheme when the funding available to delivery partner, Muse, "significantly reduced."

Plans were approved in 2020 for the scheme which will also include a new Travelodge hotel and six food and drink outlets, which are already fully let.

Positioned at the south of the former home of the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the design of the cinema looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

A 340 space car park is also in the plans.

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The cinema is set to be an 8-screen boutique style cinema with initial plans for the 25,000 sq ft building showing five screens with between 125 and 143 seats and three smaller screens of between 50 and 83 seats.

Arc Cinemas are known for their top-class facilities at 12 locations spanning across the UK and Ireland. The new location at Forge Island will be no exception. Every seat will be a comfortable, leather, electric recliner with plenty of legroom, providing a luxury experience but at an affordable price.

Operators now say that the Rotherham cinema will have two flagship Hypersense screens, including Dolby Atmos sound, a giant screen and a 4K Laser projector – which creates a truly immersive experience. Additionally, it will also have six medium-sized screens that provide an intimate atmosphere for smaller showings – perfect for Arc's popular events like ‘Silver Screen’ and ‘Kids club’ which will be launching in Rotherham.

Last year, the operator applied for a premises licence, covering 8:00am to 3:00am to enable the cinema to stay open late to enable die hard film fans to watch new releases at midnight on the day they open. Up to 12 events per year for these cinema "all-nighters" were requested.

Prices at Arc Cinema in Beeston range from £2.95 for Kid's Club showings, to £7.00 for concessions and up to £10.50 for adults at peak times. Showings in the Hypersense screens are charged at the standard ticket price + £2.50. Family tickets are £30 for a family of four.

Brian Gilligan, director at Irish firm, Melcorpo, which runs The Arc Cinema, said: "At The Arc Cinema, we believe everyone should get to experience the magic of the movies on the big screen. Unfortunately, Rotherham has been underserved of cinema facilities for so long, with the nearest cinema over in Sheffield. We’re excited to open in Forge Island next year and bring something new to the town and make it easier for locals to experience movies how they were intended to be seen."

Cannon, the last town centre cinema, closed in 1990.

Arc Cinema website
Forge Island website
Muse Developments website

Images: Muse / Arc Cinemas

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News: Latest Forge Island plans approved

Updated plans for the Forge Island regeneration scheme in Rotherham town centre have been approved.

Forge Island is a Council-owned site which sits between the River Don and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal. Led by Muse Developments, it will host a new leisure scheme with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and beverage (F&B) outlets and car parking. It is set to be completed in 2024.

A hybrid planning application was approved in 2020 and since then, major hotel brand, Travelodge, has signed up alongside boutique cinema operator, The Arc, to jointly anchor the scheme.

The latest plans were submitted by Muse to include further exacting details for the two occupiers. They have been approved without going to the Council's planning board.

The previously approved plans are for a four storey, 69 bed hotel at the north of the site, designed with a metal top and brick base in grey. An adjoining restaurant (two storey) is also in the plans.

The hotel changes are largely internal and would result in a reduction in the floorspace of the restaurant. However, documents show that the commercial requirements for the restaurant require a minimum of 2,400 sq ft to be available so the floorplate of the restaurant building is proposed to be extended 3 metres further south.

Council planners say that this extension is not anticipated to have any adverse visual impact on the development proposed or its surroundings.

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2020 plans detailed the cinema - the largest building in the scheme at 25,000 sq ft, positioned at the south of Forge Island. Either side of the cinema's foyer are two restaurant units (2,500 sq and 3,000 sq ft), which have the potential for mezzanine levels. Plans show five screens with between 125 and 143 seats and three smaller screens of between 50 and 83 seats. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

The proposed amendments to the approved cinema drawings are at plant / roof level to allow for a minor increase to the size of the plant zone. This will allow equipment to sit at plant floor level, as originally intended, and therefore below the ridge of the proposed roof line and be visually concealed.

Another change is to the proposed pedestrian bridge which will need to be wider than the original design to allow for fire engine access from Corporation Street to the main Forge Island area.

The widening of the bridge has also meant that the cafe building proposed in the new public realm area replacing the Riverside Precinct has had to be relocated. Planners state that this area, to be known as Millgate Place, "will offer an attractive gateway/link between the Town Centre and Forge Island. The slightly altered location of the coffee pod enables an improved level access pedestrian link to the adjacent riverside walk and Riverside gardens."

Enabling works are underway on a replacement footbridge, with the contractor starting on site this month. Regarding the flood works, the canal barrier at Forge Island has been operational since mid August.

Muse has also submitted a Construction & Environment Management Plan for the leisure scheme. Drawn up by Bowmer & Kirkland, it is a big hint that it will be the Derbyshire company, one of the most successful and financially secure, privately owned construction and development groups in the UK, that will be taking on the construction of the Forge Island scheme.

The council heard earlier this year that Muse was looking to apoint a contractor with a negotiated price in order to produce the best possible price and greatest level of certainty around cost. Work to secure a funder for the scheme was also reported as being close.

An update to the Council's cabinet next week adds: "The detailed design of the flagship leisure development at Forge Island - comprising a cinema, hotel, and restaurants – is on track and expected this month (September 2022), allowing construction to begin."

Forge Island website

Images: Muse / Travelodge

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News: Operator applies for licence for new Rotherham cinema

It is not slated to open until 2024, but Arc Cinemas is working to ensure there are no hold ups with the paperwork for the new cinema on Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

Indeed, a brick has not even been laid yet for the eight screen cinema, but the chosen operator has applied to Rotherham Council for a premises licence.

Last year, Rothbiz reported that Arc Cinema had signed a long-term lease with national urban regenerator, Muse Developments, to become the leisure anchor at Rotherham’s Forge Island, which will see a key area in the heart of the town centre repurposed into a vibrant mixed-use destination.

Irish firm, Melcorpo runs The Arc Cinema, which has 11 sites operating or under construction in the UK and Ireland.

The extensive application for Rotherham shows that the operator wants a licence to cover a number of activities including: exhibition of a film, performance of a play, performance of live music, playing of recorded music and performance of dance, in addition to the provision of late night refreshment and the sale by retail of alcohol.

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The licence would cover 8:00am to 3:00am to enable the cinema to stay open late to enable die hard film fans to watch new releases at midnight on the day they open.

Up to 12 events per year for these cinema "all-nighters" are requested.

Plans were approved in 2020 for the Forge Island scheme which will also include a new Travelodge hotel, food and drink outlets and a car park. The new leisure facilities will be set within an attractive public square with a new pedestrian bridge connecting the scheme to the wider town centre, to create a real sense of place.

The plans detailed the cinema - the largest building in the scheme at 25,000 sq ft, positioned at the south of Forge Island. Either side of the cinema's foyer are two restaurant units (2,500 sq and 3,000 sq ft), which have the potential for mezzanine levels. Plans show five screens with between 125 and 143 seats and three smaller screens of between 50 and 83 seats.

The design approach developed by FaulknerBrowns Architects looked to the strong industrial heritage of the site which was historically home to a foundry and an iron works. The cinema design incorporates a saw-tooth roof profile with a metal cap and a robust brick podium base.

As flood alleviation and public realm work takes place around the site, Muse is currently working on detailed design in preparation for awarding a construction contract.

Legal discussions are also ongoing regarding leases and funding.

It is expected that construction will start in October 2022 allowing practical completion and handover to tenants for fitting out by January 2024.

Arc Cinema website
Forge Island website

Images: Muse

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