News: New Forge Island restaurant confirmed by Rotherham Council

Rotherham Council has confirmed the new food outlet signing up at Forge Island, promising bold flavours and a fresh dining experience.

Rothbiz reported last week that work had begun on a new branch of Smoke & Pepper in Rotherham town centre.

Delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse, the £47m Forge Island development in Rotherham town centre includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel. Food outlets include Vetro Lounge and Heavenly Desserts.

Smoke & Pepper, known for its contemporary street food-inspired menu, is planning to open in July at Unit 1, a 2,500 sq ft unit next door to Arc Cinema.

Its menu is set to include smoked meats, loaded dishes and indulgent comfort food, designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The venture marks an exciting addition for owner Daoud Tahir, who already runs Forge Island’s dessert parlour, Heavenly Desserts.

Daoud said: “We’re excited to be bringing Smoke & Pepper to Forge Island. The development has become a key destination in the town centre, and we’re proud to be part of that journey.

“We believe our menu offers something new to Forge Island, with bold flavours and a unique dining experience that we’re confident will be a real hit with visitors.”

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Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see Forge Island continuing to attract new and exciting businesses like Smoke and Pepper.

“The addition of another restaurant, particularly one offering something different, only strengthens Forge Island’s overall offer. We’re delighted to welcome this new venture and wish them every success when they open later this summer.”

Envisioned as a catalytic regeneration development, the council has faced challenges. The authority agreed to fund the scheme itself when the funding available its delivery partner, Muse, "significantly reduced" due to the volatility of the financial markets.

In 2024, Rothbiz reported on the liquidation of a company connected to the restaurant operator that the council had signed up in a pre-let agreement to open a number of brands at Forge Island. The leader of the council said that it was a "challenging business situation" for the operator.

At the start of 2026, Rothbiz reported on difficulties faced by the council with the scheme. A council report on parking issues also referenced the difficulty the authority was having in attracting businesses to the site and letting the units.

Rothbiz reported last month that Sygnature Dish, an independent restaurant set up by local entrepreneurs had closed within a year of opening at Forge Island.

With the cinema, hotel and first food outlets open, Rotherham Council's leader, Chris Read, said that there had been a million more visits in the town centre across the two years since 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: Smoke & Pepper / Tom Austen

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News: Smoke & Pepper to open new Rotherham restaurant

A fast-growing food brand is opening a new store in Rotherham, according to Visit Rotherham, promising a modern, vibrant, and flavour-driven restaurant.

What started in Leyton in 2022 as a burger joint has now turned into a raved-about restaurant. Smoke & Pepper has crafted a unique dining experience that seamlessly blends the allure of an Instagrammable restaurant with the convenience of fast-food dining.

Visit Rotherham reports that the brand has begun work on its new Rotherham location at Forge Island.

Delivered by Rotherham Council in partnership with Muse, the £47m Forge Island development in Rotherham town centre includes an 8-screen boutique cinema operated by The Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed Travelodge Hotel. Food outlets include Vetro Lounge and Heavenly Desserts.

The menu includes top chef-quality burgers and succulent flame grilled chicken, famous flavourful loaded fries and crispy fried wings and tenders tossed in signature sauces. Smoke & Pepper is also known for bringing the thickest shakes in town, thirst quenching mojitos and freshly baked divine milk cakes.

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The business is fast growing thanks to its franchise model. It has 16 stores currently trading with more in the pipeline.

Heavenly Desserts franchisee, Daoud Tahir, who recently picked up an award for his work on the Rotherham location, recently announced that he was looking to add a Smoke & Pepper franchise.

Smoke & Pepper is working on Unit 1 at Forge Island, a 2,500 sq ft unit next door to Arc Cinema.

Recruitment is underway with the restaurant currently looking for General Team Members and Back of House Kitchen Staff.

Social media posts for the brand explain: "Food is at the heart of Smoke & Pepper. Our menu centres on comfort food favourites such as smash burgers, grilled chicken, loaded fries, smoked meats and signature in house sauces, all built around carefully sourced ingredients and strong operational discipline.

"The Smoke & Pepper experience is about more than food. Our restaurants are designed to feel distinctive and engaging, so customers feel they have been somewhere, not just eaten somewhere.

"From design and music to service and flow, we focus on creating an environment people want to spend time in and return to. Every customer who chooses Smoke & Pepper is a privilege. They could have gone anywhere, and that choice is never taken lightly. We celebrate that trust by delivering great food, strong service and an experience that feels reliable, enjoyable and worth repeating."

Rothbiz reported last month that Sygnature Dish, an independent restaurant set up by local entrepreneurs had closed within a year of opening at Forge Island.

Smoke & Pepper website
Forge Island website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Chocoberry sets date for Rotherham opening

Chocoberry, one of the UK’s leading handcrafted luxury dessert cafés, has announced that its new dessert café in Rotherham will open later this month.

Rothbiz reported first on work getting underway in July to convert a former Chinese restaurant on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate.

Founded in Leicester in 2018, Chocoberry is known across the UK for its extravagant and unique desserts – from knafeh ‘Dubai Chocolate’ strawberries to tiramisu French toast – and innovative all-day brunch menu.

The Chocoberry menu also includes indulgent desserts such as various cakes and cheesecakes, kanafeh, cookie dough, crepes, waffles, macarons, churros, sundaes, hot drinks, milkshakes and mocktails.

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Quality is at the centre of Chocoberry’s offer. The brand only ever uses the finest ingredients, including premium Belgian chocolate and small-batch, speciality roasted coffee. Meanwhile, its baked goods use its own-developed recipes and are baked in-house at the Chocoberry Bakery, creating a truly unique customer experience.

Operators say that the new café in Rotherham will offer a "relaxing and highly aesthetic environment for customers to relax with friends or family. Its menu can also be ordered for takeaway or via local delivery partners, offering the perfect afternoon or evening indulgence."

The national brand, which is one of Deliveroo’s most ordered, will begin serving its extravagant desserts to customers on Friday December 19, with plans for a celebratory opening party with special offers and giveaways.

Ameer Nurmahomed, UK General Manager at Chocoberry, said: “When our doors open later this month, dessert lovers are in for a real treat. Our combination of delicious baked goods, speciality coffee, and extravagant and viral desserts will create a new go-to destination for unique dessert experiences and is unlike anything already in Rotherham. We look forward to introducing consumers to the brand and playing our part within the local community.”

At Rother Court on Mangham Road, the new location has most recently been home to Lin Palace. It was previously Lihoma and Papa Luigi's.

Chocoberry website

Images: Chocoberry

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News: Work underway on new food venue in Rotherham

One of the UK’s fastest-growing café brands has chosen Rotherham as its first South Yorkshire location.

Work is underway to convert a former Chinese restaurant on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate.

Chocoberry began in Leicester in 2018 and has grown rapidly on the success of its legendary chocolate-dipped strawberries. It now has over 25 locations across the UK and UAE, with upcoming openings in Canada and Turkey and plans to expand globally.

The Chocoberry menu also includes indulgent desserts such as various cakes and cheesecakes, kanafeh, cookie dough, crepes, waffles, macarons, churros, sundaes, hot drinks, milkshakes and mocktails.

Expanding through franchising, the Rotherham branch is listed as "opening soon."

At Rother Court on Mangham Road, the new location has most recently been home to Lin Palace. It was previously Lihoma and Papa Luigi's.

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Posting on LinkedIn, Ameer Nurmahomed, franchise development manager working with the brand, said: "The remarkable rise of Chocoberry has been nothing short of extraordinary.

"We have achieved the impressive milestone of becoming the '4th most ordered brand with Deliveroo', placing us right after iconic names such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Nando's. This resurgence in popularity showcases not only our delectable and innovative menu items but also highlights the enthusiastic response from our customers who are increasingly drawn to our unique flavours and experiences we provide.

"As we continue to capture the hearts and appetites of our customers, we eagerly look forward to building on this momentum and solidifying our presence in the competitive food market.

"Rotherham, prepare yourself for a delightful experience! Our new branch is currently being constructed with an new innovative design concept."

Chocoberry website

Images: Tom Austen / Chocoberry

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News: Geek Retreat to open in Rotherham

A growing national business that brings specialist experiences to the traditional retail environment has landed new premises in Rotherham.

Geek Retreat is a “geek culture” retailer, gaming cafe, and events hub rolled into one.

Work is well underway to transform a unit on Howard Street into a vibrant store that offers something for geeks and non-geeks alike.

In 2013, Geek Retreat’s founder, Stephen Walsh, opened the doors of the first store in Glasgow, it was only supposed to be a fun place to play ‘geeky’ games and grab a milkshake, but it quickly turned into something far more meaningful. Growing through a franchise model, there are now nearly 30 stores with plans for 60 shops by the end of this year.

The property in Rotherham taken on by the franchisees was previously used by bookmakers William Hill, a charity shop, and before that, outdoor equipment retailer, Millets. The property sold at auction earlier this year for £150,000.

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The family-friendly site is set to be home to a gaming café offering an extensive menu of tasty comfort food, and a shop section focusing on geek culture merchandise and games. Creating a safe, community space, the gaming side will offer free to play board games and video games and will host games such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer and Yu-Gi-Oh!

A spokesperson for Geek Retreat explained: "We believe the future of town and city centres lies in creating destination, experience stores. There is real demand in this type of offering as demonstrated by industry research, rate of successful Geek Retreat store openings, revenue growth and customer feedback.

"Over the next couple of years, we aim to open 200 stores in the UK and look to European expansion – everything we are building now will be scalable for our future.

"We are on a mission to become the friendliest place to meet, eat, shop and game in vibrant venues, with comfort eats and milkshakes made your way."

An opening event for the new Rotherham venue is scheduled for December 11.

Geek Retreat website

Images: Geek Retreat

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News: Rotherham Starbucks plans brewing

Plans for new units at a business park in Rotherham have been updated with a proposed Burger King outlet removed but the Starbucks unit remaining.

Rothbiz reported last year that Essex-based Burney Estates, commercial property developers with a nationwide portfolio of properties, was hoping to secure planning permission for a development at Swallownest, servicing the Beighton Link business park and passing trade.

Adjacent to the Elmwood Farm pub and large Pricecheck headquarters, the plans show updated proposals for on an undeveloped plot adjacent to the roundabout where Chesterfield Road and the A57 meet.

The proposal has a 1,800 sq ft Starbucks drive-thru situated to the north of the site. It is set to have a modern appearance with a glazed frontage positioned against timber cladding with grey cladding panels. A 1,200 sq ft A1 unit is planned to the south of the proposed development, replacing the proposed Burger King. Access is set to be from Chesterfield Road.

The plans, drawn up by Dovetail Architects, sate: "The development of Starbucks is a positive addition as it will provide jobs to the local community. Starbucks drive thru usually has an employment intake of 25 staffs with 15 Full time and ten part-time employees.

"Generally A1 units tend to employ five staff on both full time and part time basis. This brings additional employment to the local area and helps boost the local economy."

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As the site is out of town, a sequential test is included in the plans in line with "town centre first" 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 test concludes that there no sequentially preferable sites, discounting sites at Parkgate, Masbrough, and the town centre which are considered unsuitable for reasons of location, size of premises of site or layout of the premises.

The plans add: "The proposal simply provides a stopping off place before car drivers reach their destinations and have no reason to access the town centre. This will not interfere in any material way with the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre."

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 is hoping to operate the Beighton Link outlet. 23.5 Degrees, opened its first store in February 2013 and now have 50 stores across the UK with another 27 in the pipeline over the next year.

23.5 Degrees website
Starbucks website

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News: Taco Bell unwraps first Rotherham location

The first Taco Bell Mexican restaurant in Rotherham is set to open this weekend.

Rothbiz revealed last month that the world's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain was planning to open two new outlets in the borough - at Manvers and Eastwood.

The subsidiary of Yum! Brands, which also includes KFC and Pizza Hut, was founded in 1962 by Glen Bell, a former US Marine, who invented the preformed taco shell in 1951.

Serving more than 36.8 million consumers each week in approximately 6,500 restaurants worldwide, Brits got their first taste of tacos, burritos and quesadillas with the launch in the UK in the late 1980's. The Manvers location will be just the 12th UK site.

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The Rotherham restaurant is the seventh Taco Bell location that franchise group Northgate Fast Food will have opened in the space of two years, hiring local talent from the area and creating over 30 new jobs.

Arjun Patel of Northgate Fast Food, said: "We love being able to bring Taco Bell to the hungry North. Being locally from Yorkshire myself I always craved something a little different when eating out, and the response from the Taco Bell fans after each opening has reflected my sentiment, I can’t wait to see the response from Rotherham next!"

The single story, 46 seater Rotherham restaurant features an urban look with influences from Mexico and the brand's California based headquarters. It is located next to KFC off Manvers Way where the QFM Group secured planning permission for a two unit development back in 2011, shortly after it opened the large KFC restaurant, which now includes a Costa outlet.

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Opening on October 1, the firm is celebrating the occasion and keeping up the Taco Bell UK tradition by giving away "Manvers' First 100" T-Shirts to the first 100 customers on opening day.

Nick Dawson, general manager at Taco Bell Europe, said: "We are lucky to have such a great local partner who is driven to continue to bring Taco Bell to the people of Yorkshire. There is great passion for the brand up here and we're excited to show the people of Rotherham what it means to Live Más!."

At the site of a vacant car showroom at Eastwood, RJD Associates were appointed as principal designer for the next phase of a retail food led development. Plans have changed so that a KFC drive-thru restaurant will be joined by Costa Coffee and Taco Bell. Oakstone Construction is currently on site and recruitment via the QFM Group is underway.

Taco Bell website

Images: Taco Bell

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News: Signs Express celebrate ten years in business

Signs Express (Sheffield) has reached the milestone of ten years in business and is showing no signs of stopping yet.

In February 2004, Steve and Carol Morris opened their fully equipped sign making centre in Rotherham, since then, they have expanded their territory to include all of Sheffield, providing comprehensive signs and graphics solutions to companies large and small.

Based at Templeborough, Signs Express pride themselves on their expertise and innovative solutions to help businesses come up with perfect signage solutions, tailored specifically to their requirements.

Steve and Carol have received many commendations and awards over the years at the sign excellence awards; these include accolades for their work with Forgemasters, Sheffield Art Galleries and Museums and most recently the Sheffield Children's Hydrotherapy Pool.

The franchise was recently awarded a further four year contract as the preferred supplier of general signage to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, which will take them into their seventh year of working with the authority.

Carol Morris Franchise owner at Signs Express, said: "Our ongoing work with the council as their preferred supplier goes to show that hard work, dedication and understanding complex requirements goes a long way to building a successful relationship with your client, we are so pleased to have been awarded this contract again."

To celebrate their anniversary, Signs Express (Sheffield) is launching a competition to give back to the local community. They will be giving away ten pull up banners to local charities or community projects, as nominated by their Twitter and Facebook followers. They are asking people to tell them, in no more than 50 words, who should win and why. The centre's ten favourites will then receive a pull up portable banner stand with a design of their choice. This is a fantastic prize, enabling the winners to create an eye catching marketing opportunity to grab attention for their cause.

Signs Express website

Images: Signs Express

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News: Home Instead wins gold at national business awards

At-home care company, Home Instead Senior Care is celebrating after the company was named as the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisor of the Year.

The national network of offices, including an expanding base in Rotherham, specialise in the provision of non-medical care to the elderly. The company has been named as the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisor of the Year and collected the Gold award at a glittering awards ceremony in London.

Home Instead Senior Care provides affordable non-medical home care services to older people including companionship, home help, personal care and other domiciliary care. Its home care service enables older people to remain independent and avoid residential care homes.

Home Instead was recognised for business growth, the Rotherham office is one of 141 offices located across the country, and for the work it has done campaigning for better standards in the elderly care sector and working to directly influence and shape the way care is delivered.

David Coldrick, managing director of Home Instead Senior Care in Rotherham, said: "The work we do locally brings peace of mind to our clients and their families and it is hugely satisfying to receive national recognition for the work we do.

"We are thrilled to be part of such a successful and award winning company. The award bears testament to the excellent work we do with our clients."

"Our caregivers deliver exceptional quality of care and are totally dedicated, I would like to think that this award is in a large part down to their efforts."

Home Instead Senior Care was set up in the UK in 2006 and the Rotherham office opened in early 2012.

The company has created 36 jobs in the local area to date and is looking to recruit 50 caregivers in the coming 12 months.

Home Instead Senior Care website

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News: Spar sign up at Onyx Retail Park

Global food retail chain, Spar, is to open a convenience store at the Onyx Retail Park in Manvers, Rotherham.

The store has pre-let 4,000 sq ft of space under phase two of the successful scheme with more franchise businesses being targeted by the owners, Onward Holdings Ltd.

The retail park, comprising 17,500 sq ft of retail space, is based at the Manvers Waterfront development, the 285-acre mixed-use regeneration of the former Manvers Colliery by Anglo-Dutch developers, TCN UK.

Phase one is occupied by Domino's, Greggs, Subway, Motorworld and the Thai Garden Café, with one remaining unit under offer.

Hayley Granger, store manager at Subway, said: "We were thrilled about the business opportunities this franchise could provide but the outlet is already much busier than we originally expected."

Jay Ravel, Area Manager for Domino's Pizza who is responsible for five of Domino's establishments in the South Yorkshire area, added: "Head office is continually looking for high impact places and picked Onyx because of its prime location to existing and planned new housing.

"The site ticked all the boxes. Initially we hired 15 people but with the uptake in sales we are now recruiting a further 15 members of staff."

Dean Hughes, investment officer at RiDO, said: "This high quality scheme provides welcome jobs for local people. In the current economic climate successful retail developments like this one are good news for everyone.

"There is free support available to people looking to start up a business in the area and this may include financial incentives depending on the project detail."

The decision by Spar to locate on the Onyx Retail Park has enabled Onward Holdings to bring forward the second phase of the development, comprising 10,000 square feet, which was originally not planned to take place until later in the year.

Onward Holdings website

Images: Onward Holdings

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News: United Carpets shares suspended

Rotherham-based United Carpets, the second largest chain of specialist retail carpet and floor covering stores in the UK, has had its shares temporarily suspended after admitting it would not be able to publish its full-year results on time.

The Bramley-based business began action in June following a period of "extremely challenging" trading conditions for retailers.

In an update to the AIM stock exchange, United Carpets stated that a review of the group's 85 stores is being undertaken and this has led to the closure of six stores and a further 17 franchised stores being either taken back into the group or refranchised.

The review is ongoing and a further eight stores are expected to close over the next few weeks.

United Carpets believes that their franchise model is a critical advantage over more traditional retail networks as the business benefits from the entrepreneurial drive and motivation of the individual store owners.

However, the group stated previously that the: "challenging environment has led to a significant proportion of our franchise network finding it increasingly difficult to operate satisfactorily."

Negotiations have also commenced with the landlords of a number of other stores in an attempt to agree rent reductions in order to improve trading prospects and viability.

The statement added that: "the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with landlords is uncertain as is the possibility of further closures."

The impact of the closures will cost the group around £1m for impairment of property, plant and equipment as well as a significant non-cash increase in the provision against onerous contracts.

The company has decided to extend its current accounting period from March 31 2012 to September 30 2012. The board believes that "not taking this step would result in a set of accounts which would not give a truly representative picture of the group's ongoing operations."

The board concluded that they are disappointed by the need to take these actions.

United Carpets website

Images: unitedcarpetsandbeds.com

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News: United Carpets take action in difficult market conditions

Rotherham-based United Carpets, the second largest chain of specialist retail carpet and floor covering stores in the UK, has terminated a number of franchises as the difficult market environment continues.

The Bramley-based business reported "reasonable performance" in December but they have seen that, apart from occasional, short-lived, promotion-led activity, trading for retailers generally and for "big ticket" retailers in particular has been extremely challenging.

United Carpets believes that their franchise model is a critical advantage over more traditional retail networks as the business benefits from the entrepreneurial drive and motivation of the individual store owners.

However, in a trading update, the group stated that the: "challenging environment has led to a significant proportion of our franchise network finding it increasingly difficult to operate satisfactorily, with particular issues in meeting their liabilities to creditors and the group."

Since the year end, the group has terminated a number of franchises, a move that is expected to have a detrimental affect on the performance of the AIM-listed company.

The group had around 85 stores in the UK but a number of stores are being reviewed in order to ascertain whether they can remain viable under the current franchise model.

The statement concluded that: "the Board will also consider the impact of such a review on the Group's results for the year ended 31 March 2012. Whilst such impact could be material, the Board anticipates that, with appropriately adjusted central costs, the continuing core of locations will be able to operate successfully on an ongoing basis."

United Carpets website

Images: United Carpets / facebook

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News: Top franchisee award for Rotherham businessman

Ashley Smith, owner of Cartridge World, Wickersley Road, Rotherham, has been named Cartridge World Franchisee of the Year. The award was given to the Rotherham franchise following an exceptionally successful year, during which the business grew by more than 10 per cent. Mr Smith was also commended for his work on a number of Cartridge World steering groups, and his support and training of other franchisees. The company, which has opened 1400 stores in 45 countries since 1997 won the "Best International Franchise Expansion Programme" at the Franchise Marketing Awards 2007. Franchising in Yorkshire generated £1bn in turnover in 2007, according to new research by Natwest/British Franchise Association.
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