News: Dutch idea falls flat as Rotherham Council scraps another cycle scheme

A multimillion pound scheme to support active travel for pedestrians and cyclists and improve traffic flows at a busy Rotherham roundabout has been scrapped by the local council.

Rothbiz reported in 2024 that Rotherham Council was working up an improvement scheme at Ickles roundabout at Templeborough.

£7.5m was identified through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), a government funding stream administered by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

£1.05m of development funding was released and Rotherham Council began a tender proccess for a specialist transport consultant to determine whether a Dutch style signalised crossroads with at-grade pedestrian and cycle crossings could be accommodated at the Ickles roundabout with an acceptable impact on traffic.

Dutch-style junctions, or protected junctions, separate people travelling on foot, by cycle, and in vehicles. This approach reduces the likelihood of conflicts and simplifies the operation of the junction into fewer stages, resulting in a more efficient traffic flow.

The roundabout, which currently utilises underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists, is on the route of the Sheffield Road Cycleways project which has delivered over 2km of new cycle routes on the A6178 Sheffield Road and Westgate between the town centre and the borough boundary at Tinsley. The route provides a near seamless connection for cycling from beyond Meadowhall through to the Broom area.

Now an update to the council's cabinet confirms that a Dutch style scheme is not going ahead.

The cabinet paper states: "There is no beneficial scheme at Ickles Roundabout at this time on which the development funding could be usefully spent."

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The authority wants to reallocate a proportion of the funding "as this is no longer required to develop this project on account of its reduced scope."

The council's cabinet is being asked to approve a reallocation of £490,000 to the Rotherham Gateway Station project.

Rothbiz revealed last year that discussions were taking place over the pause of a number of proposed transport schemes in Rotherham in order to redeploy funding to the Mainline Station scheme,

The paper adds: "The Station at Rotherham Gateway is now a key priority for the Council. The mainline and tram-train station will be a catalyst for growth, improving local, regional, and national rail connectivity for all communities and businesses across the Borough, creating employment, and supporting the development of high-quality new homes. Therefore, it is recommended that the funding is transferred to support this scheme."

The move follows on from proposals being scrapped for a £10.7m cycle lane and roundabout scheme for Stag Roundabout and Wickersley / Broom Road.

This issue of cycle lanes was discussed at a full council meeting this week with a petition presented by opposition councillors, and backed by 3,600 signatures, called for a review of CRSTS Active Travel schemes, a reallocation of funding to focus on road safety, and a review of the council's Active Travel Strategy.

The vote was carried and the ruling Labour councillors agreed to accept the calls from the petition and talked of greater flexibilities now afforded the CRSTS.

The CRSTS programme requires that all current schemes be in contract before the end of this financial year, with SYMCA recently identifying a risk that schemes that are currently in development will not meet this timeline. Programme spend to date is £254m and SYMCA say that "available mitigations mean that the programme is forecast to be fully committed." The final year of CRSTS is set to be included in SYMCA's new £1.3 billion Integrated Settlement.

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News: £5m backing would bring world leading fusion technology test rigs to Rotherham

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is weighing up support for the acceleration of high priority test rig capabilities within an existing Fusion Energy Technology Centre in Rotherham.

The £5m investment would help create up to 25 jobs and four apprenticeships by the end of 2027.

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which has a mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit, opened a £22m facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2021. Now renamed UKAEA South Yorkshire, the facility has expanded operations and deepened industry collaborations on advanced engineering projects, strengthening UKAEA's regional presence in materials, components and robotics testing.

The next investment from the government research organisation, previously codenamed Project Caerus, would involve two rigs (experimental facilities).

A High Heat Flux (HHF) Laser Facility (HALO) enables researchers to expose materials and components to extreme thermal loads similar to those found in fusion environments and to rapidly cycle these loads. This capability underpins critical research into materials resilience and fatigue, as well as structural integrity which is essential for designing future fusion reactors.

The new rig should also support high-performance industries such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and next generation materials engineering, where understanding heat stress and failure modes is essential for innovation.

The second test rig is called Fusion Oriented Robotics Technology (FORT) - the first Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) rig located at the Rotherham facility, making it a significant milestone for the region.

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UKAEA’s work spans materials, technology and engineering research. Their robotics division specialises in remote handling in extreme industrial environments. The new addition to the AMP facility is expected to attract specialist engineering, controls, software, and mechatronics expertise into South Yorkshire.

Much like HALO, other industries are also set to benefit such as those that use precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and complex industrial operations, where remote manipulation and inspection have high economic value.

An update from the UKAEA said: "Together, these rigs represent a strategic, future-facing investment that supports scientific progress, economic benefit, strengthens regional competitiveness, and increases the UK’s ability to develop and export high-value technologies. This investment will contribute both to UKAEA’s national mission and UKAEA South Yorkshire’s economic ambitions."

The site’s expanded role aims to attract other UKAEA directorates to base teams in the region, leveraging the strong local talent pool, and deepening UKAEA’s presence in the north of England.

Professor Dennis Whyte has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of UKAEA Group which has 2,600 people across four sites - over 60 are based in Rotherham.

Prof. Whyte said: "I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at UKAEA, which has a compelling plan for delivering commercial fusion energy, developing key technologies for fusion energy extraction, and the largest workforce in the world committed to advancing the development of fusion science and engineering in its widest forms."

UKAEA website

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News: Demolition marks end of a chapter in Rotherham regen scheme

Demolition work is well underway to make way for a brand-new community hub in the heart of a Rotherham town.

Planning permission was granted for a new library at Wath in 2024 as part of a scheme that is backed by government funding.

A new two-storey building will be built on the site of the existing library, as part of a £9.9m community and commercial development being delivered by Rotherham Council. Last year a Stage 1 Pre-construction contract was awarded to Tilbury Douglas following a competitive tendering exercise.

The new Wath Library project is set to include a state-of-the-art library building, improved public realm, redesign of the site to enhance connectivity and visibility of town centre offer, and address perceptions of security, provision of a new commercial unit in prime location on the market square to attract new businesses, improvements to facilities for learning, working, and making, and improvements to the car park.

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Demolition work began in February and as it takes place, stage 4 design work is being carried out.

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: “It’s great to see real progress on site. This project will create a modern, welcoming space for the community and play a key role in Wath’s future.”

In May, Rotherham Council's cabinet approved a further £2.04m for the project which secured £9.9m from the government's Levelling Up funds.

A council report set out that detailed contractor pricing and refinement of the scheme following appointment had "identified cost pressures that cannot be accommodated within existing contingencies."

Cost increases were due to an increase in demolition costs of around £800k, largely due to the presence of previously unidentified and significant levels of asbestos.

An increase in construction costs and inflationary increases due to delays in tendering, contractual negotiations, design and cost assessments and additional design fees all added to the rising costs.

An option to stick with the original £9.9m budget was discounted as providing a smaller building footprint and changing to the external design would require a full redesign and new Planning approval, causing significant delays to the project.

The report adds: "The scheme for Wath Library was developed with the aim of transforming this prominent site in one of the Borough’s principal settlements, with high quality place making in order to restore the cultural heart of the town centre, increase footfall, boost the local economy, and restore a sense of pride within the community.

"The scheme includes demolition of the existing library and the creation of a brand-new library to deliver a modern, inviting, and inclusive community facility. The redevelopment is designed to enhance the visitor experience between Biscay Way and the High Street to encourage visitors into the town centre."

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News: Development partner search for massive Rotherham greenbelt scheme

Landowners are looking for a partner to deliver a proposed 2,000 home development on former greenbelt land in Rotherham, ten years after a previous search was discussed.

The vision is to create a "well-connected 21st century garden community" at Bassingthorpe Farm.

A Bassingthorpe Farm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was signed off by the Council's cabinet last year that provided detailed guidance to developers when preparing planning applications, to help bring forward development of the site in a way that meets the Council’s objectives.

A formal tender process is now underway with landowners, Rotherham Council and the Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estate, "seeking to identify and appoint a strategic development partner in connection with the planning, servicing, delivery and/or facilitation of the phased development of land at Bassingthorpe Farm, Rotherham."

As part of the Local Plan core strategy that was adopted in 2014, the 215 hectare area close to Rotherham town centre was controversially removed from the Green Belt and designated as a Strategic Allocation and the main location for new housing, employment and retail growth.

Around 57 hectares (26%) of the site is under Rotherham Council's ownership and the Council has been leading on the proposals for a number of years, working collaboratively with major landowner, Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates (FWE), on how to bring forward the project.

The allocation was for around 2,400 new homes, a primary school, a local centre, employment land and commercial opportunities. Work has been carried out to detail just where development platforms, new roads, the school and flood preventing reservoirs could be located.

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Regarding employment uses, the framework plan shows proposed employment uses on a dedicated site to the eastern edge of the allocation area. Development here could be integrated with the existing employment area at Mangham Road and would benefit from access from Greasbrough Road. Land to the west of Carr Hill, to the north of the recycling centre is also proposed for employment uses.

Tender documents state: "The procurement in intended to identify a strategic development partner capable of:

- working collaboratively with the landowners to optimise viability, deliverability and value;
- promoting and securing a comprehensive and deliverable planning strategy;
- coordinating and/or delivering enabling and strategic infrastructure;
- facilitating phased development delivery, including potential onward parcel disposals to housebuilders or other delivery structures; and
- supporting long-term stewardship and delivery objectives."

The precise commercial and contractual structure through which the development will ultimately be delivered has not yet been determined and the council says that this may include elements of development agreement, land disposal, phased land drawdown and related agreements.

The selected strategic development partner is expected to assume substantial development, delivery, market and implementation risk associated with the project.

Back in 2016, Council Commissioners were asked to approve the appointment of a "Promotion Partner" to bring skills and funding to facilitate the delivery of the site. Other options were considerd, such as selling Council-owned sites on the open market, to direct development between the landowners. In 2018, the authority was considering utilising a "Bare Trust" to pool its land together with that of other landowners in order to progress development.

Alongside the masterplan, the Bassingthorpe site was identified to spearhead the government's historic £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. For South Yorkshire, a indicative spend, subject to suitable bids, has been set out at £700m with Bassingthorpe Farm and Rotherham town centre sites put forward for Rotherham.

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News: Rotherham businesses urged to make the most of new £3,000 youth jobs grant

Businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of a new government-backed Youth Jobs Grant, offering employers £3,000 for every eligible young person they recruit.

The Youth Jobs Grant was launched following a Downing Street roundtable that brought together government ministers and leading hospitality businesses to support the rollout of the scheme. The funding aims to help up to 60,000 young people aged 18 to 24 take their first steps into work over the next three years while giving employers practical financial support to recruit new talent.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the initiative, recognising the opportunity it presents for businesses to invest in young people while helping to tackle ongoing recruitment challenges.

The Chamber also believes the grant comes at an important time. Recent findings from the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey show many businesses continue to face rising employment costs, increased taxation and weakening business confidence, making recruitment decisions more challenging despite a strong appetite to grow and create jobs.

Eligible employers can receive £3,000 for every qualifying young person they recruit. It is aimed at young people aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months or more. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last a minimum of four months.

The grant complements a wider package of employer support, including apprenticeship funding, employer incentives, wage subsidies and skills programmes designed to help businesses recruit, develop and retain talented people.

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Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: "Hospitality is a sector that offers opportunities for anyone, particularly when it comes to helping people back into work.

"The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive initiative to reduce the cost of employment, create more opportunities and support hospitality businesses.

"I’ve been pleased to work with the Government on this and bring together businesses today to discuss how the sector can engage with the Youth Guarantee. The Youth Jobs Grant and the Jobs Guarantee are the key measures in the Government’s £2.5 billion drive to back young people into jobs, skills and opportunity. The Jobs Guarantee, which provides fully subsidised jobs for six months, with the government covering 100% of employment costs, to eligible young people will support more than 1,000 young people across six areas as part of a pilot."

The Jobs Guarantee was set for a national rollout across Great Britain. In six pilot areas it provided fully funded six-month paid work for young people aged 18 to 24.

Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, said: “South Yorkshire businesses want to recruit, invest and create opportunities for local people, but many continue to face significant financial pressures. The Youth Jobs Grant is a positive step that reduces some of the cost of taking on new talent and could give many SMEs the confidence to create roles that might otherwise have been delayed.

“Supporting young people into work is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in the future workforce our businesses need. However, financial incentives work best when they are part of a wider, long-term approach to developing skills and supporting employers.

“Through the next phase of the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan, we are continuing to work with businesses, education providers and partners to ensure local training reflects employer needs. By combining initiatives like the Youth Jobs Grant with apprenticeships and local employment programmes, we can help businesses grow while creating more opportunities for young people across our region.”

As the designated Employer Representative Body for the South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber continues to work with employers, education providers and partners across South Yorkshire to ensure local skills provision reflects the needs of business. The next phase of the LSIP will build on this work by strengthening employer engagement, improving pathways into employment and helping address the skills shortages affecting key sectors across the region.

Alongside the Youth Jobs Grant, employers are also encouraged to explore local initiatives such as Pathways to Work Rotherham, which provides wage subsidy support to eligible employers while helping local people gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to move into sustainable employment.

Through the Employment Solutions team in Rotherham, the Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to recruit young people with a paid job role for up to three months that is intended to lead to sustainable employment.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website
Employment Solutions website

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News: Further delays for Dinnington regeneration project as tender fails

More delays have been experienced at a long awaited £12m regeneration scheme in a Rotherham town after the council failed to appoint a contractor to carry out the work.

Led by Rotherham Council, the revamp of Dinnington market, originally approved in 2024, includes clearing derelict buildings, creating a new town square, and developing purpose-built commercial units to diversify the local offer.

The council bid for funding for the project in 2022 and eventually secured £11m in Government funding. It aims to improve the outdoor market, pedestrian routes, and public spaces - creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

After delays were caused by a lengthy compulsory purchase order (CPO) process, the Government confirmed that the spending on the project can be extended from 2026 to 2028.

An update on the project from the Council reads: "The project has experienced some challenges during the recent tender process, which has unfortunately led to delays in progress. The Council has been working to address these issues and get the project back on track.

"As part of this process, the scheme is currently being re-tendered to ensure the right contractors are appointed to deliver the project."

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Demolition is underway on site and Rothbiz reported earlier this month on the updated plans for the scheme gaining approval.

The next steps involve site hoardings being installed around the site with the demolition of the indoor market expected to begin on site in early autumn, this is dependent on Northern Power Grid diversion works having been completed in advance. This will be delivered separately from the main construction contract.

The main works contract will be re-tendered, followed by the appointment of a contractor to deliver the wider redevelopment scheme.

The £12m redevelopment of the high street will include a new public square with a flexible pack-away market, purpose-built commercial units creating new opportunities for local businesses, and improved pedestrian links between transport hubs and the high street.

The scheme has been designed to include an outdoor market presence in an improved location and environment, one with demountable stalls which is designed to limit the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and provide dedicated welfare and storage facilities.

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News: Whitestone - the £600m planned investment in Rotherham that would create just 39 long term jobs

Planning documents for one of the largest solar farms in the country have been published - all 159 of them.

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans being updated for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Whitestone has been given a cost estimate of between £500m and £600m. It is being promoted by Green Nation but operates under Net Zero One Ltd.

Initial consultation documents from Green Nation showed that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm.

The northern site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites that are included in the proposed solar farm development are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

A three month pre-examination stage has now begun looking at the issues which will need to be discussed at the examination stage. This next stage is where the applicant, anyone who is registered to have their say, official bodies and people whose land is directly affected can comment on the proposed development or answer any of the questions at each deadline.

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Documents include numerous environmental statements on things like Landscape and Visual Impact (LVIA), contaminated land and transport, plus outline strategies for landscape and ecology management, surface water drainage and Public Right of Way (PROW) management.

However, much of the details are not yet known. Developers want to "maintain flexibility in the design" and instead specify parameter ranges, including details of the maximum, and minimum, size (footprint, width, and height, technology,) and locations of the different elements of the proposed development.

Plans also show that the developers are enacting a compulsory acquisition of land.

Applicants also say that they are proposing a large scheme due to its bulk generation potential and connection to the national grid that means that benefits are felt more widely. It discounts brownfield and rooftop sites due to thier unsuitability and related "ownership, occupation, and upkeep" issues.

On employment, planning documents say that: "During construction, it is anticipated that there would be 1,616 FTE jobs created as a result of direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities and that 538 of these would be from the local Study Area. Once operational, impacts on local labour market arising from operational and maintenance jobs would be more limited but still present, with 39 FTE direct, indirect and induced jobs created."

Promoters of the scheme, which they want to operate for 60 years, say that the proposed development is located on "grey belt land because the site does not strongly contribute to Green Belt purposes" but go on to say that "even if this position is not accepted, there are Very Special Circumstances that clearly outweigh any harm identified in terms of the five Green Belt purposes."

The applicants conclude: "The significant need for low carbon electricity generation infrastructure to meet the government’s decarbonisation objectives, and wider environmental benefits of the proposal, including the significant increase in BNG and creation of new permissive paths locally, would outweigh any harm identified to the Green Belt."

Rotherham Council does not agree that the site is "grey belt" stating that "this part of the Borough performs an important strategic and local function as open countryside in a relatively densely populated area, helping to maintain separation between settlements, prevent encroachment into the countryside and preserve a sense of openness."

Rotherham Council and the local MPs have raised issues with the scheme's consultation.

Rothbiz has detailed the issues raised by Rotherham Council with the Whitestone proposals.

Whitestone website

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News: Rotherham Council raises issues with Whitestone solar proposals

Rotherham Council's issues with a massive solar farm proposed in the borough have been published.

Plans have moved to the next stage for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Local councils are statutory consultees for NSIPs and a report on Rotherham Council's issues with the proposals has been published with the application documents.

At the earlier stage, the council has commented on 18 separate issues. Proponents of the scheme, Green Nation, address how the latest submission relates to the earlier issues raised.

On the use of Green Belt land, Rotherham Council set out that the solar farm conflicts with the Rotherham Local Plan and national policies, in that "the development would introduce substantial built form and industrialising features into land intended to remain open and to safeguard the setting and separation of settlements."

In response, promoters of the scheme say that the proposed development is located on "grey belt land because the site does not strongly contribute to Green Belt purposes" and go on to say that "even if this position is not accepted, there are Very Special Circumstances that clearly outweigh any harm identified in terms of the five Green Belt purposes."

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Rotherham Council has also raised issue with the loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land which it says is "valuable not only because of its productive capacity for food and other crops, but also because it forms part of a finite soil resource and supports the long-term resilience of rural land use within the Borough."

Applicants argue that the scheme is set to operate for 60 years so any loss is temporary.

On the issue of lifespan, Rotherham Council has raised the issue of the 60 year timescale given that national policy is 40 years. The council said: "Even if the development is technically reversible at the end of its life, the Council considers that reversibility after 60 years substantially reduces the practical weight that can be attached to "temporary" effects in the planning balance.

The council adds that the operation is likely to span more than one generation and that a more nuanced approach would be needed, It said that the "applicant has not yet demonstrated why a 60-year operational life is justified."

Applicants say that in "recent decisions the Secretary of State has confirmed that the 60- year consent lifespan is ""temporary and reversible for the majority of the land.""

Concern has also been raised relating to the "scale, concentration and persistence of significant landscape and visual effects", particularly the impact on settlements such as North Anston, Wickersley, Ulley and Harthill, and various public rights of way and recreational routes. Issues have also been raised with the submitted Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA).

Rotherham Council is also concerned about the harm to the setting of heritage assets and have asked for a robust assessment of setting impacts, including cumulative effects.

The authority is also unhappy with the inclusion of the Local Wildlife Site at Brampton Common within the limits of the scheme. Though applicants say that it is "not being managed to achieve the objectives for which it was designated," a strategy for enhancements has been drafted.

On Biodiversity Net Gain, a way of creating and improving natural habitats, Rotherham Council said that "expressing an intention to achieve a 10% minimum gain does not go far enough." BNG is not currently a legal requirement for NSIPs but applicants say that updated plans show that BNG metrics have calculated that area habitat units would see a 42.52% gain, hedgerow units, a 44.47% gain, and watercourse units, a 10.11% gain.

Rotherham Council has also raised concerns regarding the suitability and capacity of the proposed substation and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) location, along with issues regarding highways, drainage, glint and glare effects arising from solar panels, noise, and how the proposed cable corridor would interact with areas of landfill and potentially contaminated land.

Rotherham Council will now need to digest the 159 planning documents published with the application.

A three month pre-examination stage has now begun looking at the issues which will need to be discussed at the examination stage. This next stage is where the applicant, anyone who is registered to have their say, official bodies, and people whose land is directly affected, can comment on the proposed development or answer any of the questions at each deadline.

At the examination stage Rotherham Council will submit a Local Impact Report (LIR) which the Inspector must consider.

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News: Rotherham shortlisted to become first UK Town of Culture

From nearly 400 bids, Rotherham has been shortlisted to become the UK's first Town of Culture, reports Visit Rotherham.

Visit Rotherham reported on a bid to the national competition last week.

Adding to the UK City of Culture, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing towns’ local visions and voices - through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more - this competition brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone.

From 398 bids, Rotherham has made it into the final 15 towns still in the running to host the programme year.

It comes on the back of Rotherham's landmark year as the world's first Children's Capital of Culture in 2025, a pioneering, award-winning programme that put young people at the heart of arts, culture and creativity.

Rotherham's bid focuses on the real-life stories of place, saying: "We come from the England people don't put on postcards. We became the town people told stories about. The next chapter is where we stop asking whether Rotherham deserves a better future and start writing it."

Rotherham’s cultural offer is strengthened by a diverse network of organisations working both independently and in partnership. These include literacy charity Grimm & Co, which is set to become the national centre for folk and fairy tales, Flux Rotherham, part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, which works alongside communities across the borough to increase participation in arts and culture, and ROAR, which provides vital support for independent artists and creatives.

Together with major visitor attractions such as Magna Science Adventure Centre and Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, they contribute to an increasingly confident cultural environment.

Rotherham's outdoor venues further strengthen that landscape, including the award-winning Clifton Park, Rother Valley Country Park which has recently seen major investment, and Wentworth Woodhouse, one of Britain's grandest stately homes, which has become a major cultural and tourism destination following significant restoration work. In 2025, the historic estate welcomed thousands of visitors when it hosted the prestigious RHS Flower Show.

Rotherham's bid says: "Our Rotherham - and your nation - isn't defined by its past. It's driven by it. Join us as we become your UK Town of Culture."

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: "The shortlisting for UK Town of Culture 2028 is great news for Rotherham and great recognition of the hard work over many years of the whole partnership. From becoming the world's first Children's Capital of Culture to the Women's Euros and our growing local events programme, Rotherham has shown how cultural events can inspire people and bring communities together. Our bid was based not on some abstract art, but on the real experience of our community, the people who live here, and the highs and lows we've been through together.

"We have an incredible story to tell - and not necessarily the story others might impose on us. It's supported by iconic landmarks such as Wentworth Woodhouse and Clifton Park to events like the Rotherham Show that are woven into the fabric of our lives. This shortlist is a tribute to everyone who contributes to making Rotherham such a vibrant and welcoming place."

Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom, said: “Rotherham wears its Yorkshire identity with real pride, and they’re rightly proud of their incredibly rich cultural life. Like so many of our great industrial towns, its strength comes from that deep sense of community and from the creativity of the people who call it home. I'm very excited to see how Rotherham makes its case to be the first ever UK Town of Culture.”

15 towns will now compete for the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 title. The shortlisted towns are:

Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward
Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot
Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham

Shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 each to finalise their bids, which will explain how they would use culture to celebrate their town, showcase original storytelling, empower their local communities and provide more accessible culture in their local area.

From these fifteen shortlisted towns, an independent panel will recommend the best small, medium and large town from the full applications they receive. An overall winner from these three towns will be designated the “UK Town of Culture 2028” and receive a £3m grant from the government. The additional two towns, from the other two categories, will be selected as finalists and receive £250,000 each to carry out part of their programme.

The winner will go on to host a season of culture in 2028, which will help them to deliver a long-lasting legacy of cultural participation and local pride as has been seen in previous winners of the UK City of Culture competition; Derry-Londonderry 2013, Hull 2017, Coventry 2021 and Bradford 2025.

Chair of the independent panel, Sir Phil Redmond said: "The response to the competition has been, to say the least, overwhelming, quite literally from all four corners of the UK. It has been fantastic that nearly 400 towns have come forward, sharing their sense of pride, ambition and desire to demonstrate how much they have, and continue to contribute to our national story.

"That of course has made making the decision on the shortlist itself much more difficult, never mind the actual winners.

"I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn’t manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK’s cultural landscape. I’d like to thank them all for that."

Images: Children's Capital of Culture

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News: £100m regeneration contract for "Rotherham’s reboot"

Further work can get underway on transforming five underused council-owned sites in Rotherham town centre, with developers proposing bold designs for places where people can "live, work and hang out."

Rotherham Council has approved the use of external funding to take regeneration plans to the next stage.

Rothbiz reported last month on early details of the projects from social impact developer Capital&Centric, who have been awarded a contract that could reach up to £100m in value.

The next phase involves Rotherham Council using £2.42m from its remaining Local Regeneration Grant secured from the government for pre-development work and feasibility studies to create full business cases for each site.

The sites include:

- the cleared site of the burnt-out buildings on Corporation Street
- Snail Yard - the cleared site of the former Primark store on High Street, currently a small pocket park
- The Statutes - the cleared site of the former Magistrates Court, currently used as a car park
- two sites along Sheffield Road in the area designated as Riverside Residential

Describing the schemes as the next chapter in Rotherham town centre's transformation, Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, told councillors: "The five sites have the capacity to elevate the offer within the town centre. Some of these sites have been vacant or underused for many years but now have the potential to create quality homes, attract investment and provide new commercial opportunities. This will provide a platform to create new communities and support and strengthen the long term viability and vitality of the town centre."

The Statutes and the sites on Sheffield Road are for residential schemes that are estimated to deliver 225 new homes including both apartments and houses. The Corporation Street and Snail Yard sites are considered best suited to a development of mixed uses.

The outcome of Stage 2 feasibility work, and the potential move to stage 3 (the construction of the schemes) will be reported to Cabinet in Summer 2027.

Bramidge added that the phased approach is about ensuring that the council has "robust, deliverable and evidence-based controls to enable the realisation of these transformative regeneration opportunities in our town centre."

In a statement, Capital&Centric, said: "The vision for Rotherham’s reboot will see a key stretch of the riverside reimagined with three interlinked residential-led neighbourhoods and two urban schemes where people can live, work and hang out. Plans are being prepared for the delivery of high-quality new homes and private gardens, alongside space for indie businesses, with active commercial space being earmarked for cafés, bars, makers and creatives.

"The bold designs coupled with Rotherham’s outstanding connectivity to nearby towns and cities will celebrate urban living with a greener, more walkable, accessible vibe with plant-lined streets, attractive pocket parks, and spaces to sit and meet friends. A town centre that people don’t just pass through, but properly live, work and play in."

Cllr. Linda Beresford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council discussed the designs for the waterfront development describing them as "quirky" and reminiscent of the developments in Kelham Island in Sheffield. "It looks absolutely fantastic," she said. "If we manage to pull this off, I think this is really going to transform our town centre."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "The second theme in our masterplan was about having many more people living in our town centre. We have delivered some new homes but this, certainly in terms of those larger sites on Sheffield Road and Westgate, will be a huge step-change in the community in those areas.

"The quality that has been done at stage 1 on the design is exceptional - I think they are exciting designs and ideas from a highly-rated development partner. I'm really pleased that this is coming forward.

"There are the usual caveats that I hope this all goes well and the money is well spent. We don't want to end up with a product that no one wants of course but there is every reason at this stage that this is a really big moment for the next ten years of development in that part of the town centre."

Capital&Centric website

Images: Capital&Centric / ESH

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News: Rotherham bids to become the first UK Town of Culture 2028

Building on the success of the Children’s Capital of Culture programme, Rotherham is entering the race to become the first UK Town of Culture, reports Visit Rotherham.

Adding to the UK City of Culture, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing towns’ local visions and voices - through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more - this competition brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone.

Visit Rotherham reports on the sharing an official postcard on social media where Rotherham Council confirmed that Rotherham is running to become the next UK Town of Culture 2028.

The postcard reads: "Dear United Kingdom,

"Welcome to Rotherham - where our story is your story: the country of courage, not clichés.

"We come from the England people don't put on postcards. We became the town people told stories about.

"This next chapter is where we stop asking whether Rotherham deserves a better future and start writing it. Where culture is the engine of confidence, pride and belonging. Where creativity lives in every community that waited too long to be seen.

"Our Rotherham - and your nation - isn't defined by its past; it's driven by it. Join us as we become your UK Town of Culture."

The strongest bids for the UK Town of Culture will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3m prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.

Almost 400 towns have submitted a bid. Other South Yorkshire bids have come from Barnsley, Mexborough, Conisbrough and Bawtry.

Launching the competition earlier this year, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from - from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.

"We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special."

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In 2025, Rotherham became the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture. Over the year, there were events in streets, parks, schools and town centres. These included festivals, performances and creative activities for families to enjoy. More than half a million people took part.

Big events like the Roots Street Carnival, Uplift Urban Sports Festival and a special community opera brought thousands of people into the town centre. This helped support local shops and businesses and made the town feel more lively and welcoming.

The programme also helped young people build skills and confidence. It created 138 paid trainee roles and gave many children and young people the chance to try new things and think about future careers.

A Children’s Capital of Culture trainee said: “Many of the young people involved in Children’s Capital of Culture are now established photographers, illustrators, writers and artists, all making their mark in Rotherham and much further afield. Children’s Capital of Culture has shown Rotherham through the eyes, ears and actions of its young people, and we’ve loved our moment in the spotlight.”

The borough recently won the Best Culture and Arts Scheme at the Town and City Management Industry Awards 2026.

Andrew Bramidge, Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: “We are very proud to win this award. It shows the amazing ideas, talent and hard work of our children and young people.

“This programme has helped change how people see Rotherham and how people feel about living here. It has built pride, created opportunities and brought people together.

“It is also helping our town grow and improve, by bringing more people into the town centre and making it a place people enjoy visiting.”

"This award shows how culture and creativity can bring people together, improve confidence and help make Rotherham a stronger and more positive place for the future."

Images: Children’s Capital of Culture

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News: Work begins on new units at Rotherham business zone

Work is underway to develop a new business zone alongside a food and drink offer at a key development site in Rotherham.

Steelos Business Park at Templeborough will be delivered by HBC Construction Limited, in partnership with Magna Science Adventure Centre.

The £8.4m development has been funded by a Government grant – originally Towns Fund – secured by Rotherham Council.

Plans were approved in 2023 for the land between Magna and Sheffield Road confirming the demolition of the former "Cent" Building and the construction of six new employment units along with two food and beverage units.

Landscaped public spaces, improved pedestrian access and parking provision will establish an attractive and accessible environment for businesses, visitors and the wider community.

The development benefits from South Yorkshire Investment Zone designation and will also benefit from enhanced regional connectivity, directly linking to the new Magna tram-train station, which opened in April, and further strengthen links between Templeborough, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Templeborough is a key part of Rotherham’s industrial story, and is of course already home to numerous small business sites. Today it lies at the heart of the Don Valley Corridor, our new Mayoral Development Zone, as a shared local priority for future growth.

“So it’s great to be on site with Magna as work commences on this next phase of business space. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen our local economy, now of course with direct links to the tram-train network and, in the future, Gateway Station.

“Working with Magna and HBC Construction Limited, we’re delivering on our commitment to making sure our places are thriving.”

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Lee Powell, Managing Director, HBC, added: “We’re proud to be delivering this key business project in Templeborough, an iconic industrial area in the region and one with incredible potential.

“The project allows us to build on our relationship with Rotherham Council, while we continue work on the Rotherham Markets redevelopment, and deliver a high-quality and collaborative public/private scheme alongside Magna.”

Richard Hammill, Chief Executive of Magna, said: "It’s fantastic to see work now underway on this exciting development. This investment will help transform the area, creating new opportunities for businesses while enhancing the experience for everyone who visits Magna." "We’re especially pleased that the name ‘Steelos’ has been retained. It reflects the proud industrial heritage of Templeborough and keeps alive an important part of the history of Magna, the former steelworks site, and the wider community.

"As the project progresses, we look forward to seeing this become a thriving business area that celebrates our past while supporting future growth."

A funding gap for the project was identified in 2024 and a £1.78m grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) gainshare pot was added to around £6.5m in governmnet funding from the Town Deal secured in 2021.

It was envisaged that the charity operating Magna would receive compensation, and retain ownership of the completed development.

Images: RMBC

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News: Updated Dinnington regeneration plans approved

Updated plans for the long awaited multimillion pound regeneration scheme in a Rotherham town have been approved.

Rothbiz reported in March on the submission of updated plans for Dinnington at the sime time as work on site began with the demolition of burnt-out buildings.

Led by Rotherham Council, the revamp of Dinnington market, originally approved in 2024, includes clearing derelict buildings, creating a new town square, and developing purpose-built commercial units to diversify the local offer.

The project, backed by £11m in Government funding, aims to improve the outdoor market, pedestrian routes, and public spaces - creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Some £2.2m in capital funding was spent on the £12m scheme in the 2025/26 financial year, council accounts show.

In the original plans, commercial units, the indoor market, a burnt-out building, the Dinnington Colliery Band building, and the fixed outdoor market stalls were proposed for demolition.

The latest plans are for the demolition of the existing retail units at 46-56 Laughton Road and the proposed replacement being a two storey building consisting of six retail units.

After detailed surveys revealed the buildings were in a worse condition than anticipated, the Council now intends to fully demolish and rebuild the buildings rather than refurbish them to deliver a safer, higher‑quality and future‑proofed space for businesses that will also better meet the needs of the community.

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The design matches the architectural style of the adjoining previously approved scheme and will considerably improve the character of the area. The planned scheme will now provide two, two storey pitched roof buildings fronting Laughton Road on either side of a new public square where the market will take place, surrounded by commercial units.

The latest additions see 4,300 sq ft of ageing commercial space replaced by new build commercial space totalling 4,900 sq ft. 

A report from planners approving the scheme without going to the planning board reads: "The level of intervention required to refurbish the buildings was deemed extensive and costly, leading to the conclusion that demolition and replacement would provide a more viable and beneficial outcome

"As a result, the development evolved into a proposal for a purpose-built replacement that closely aligns with the approved masterplan while improving quality, safety, and functionality. The new scheme maintains the existing footprint, scale, servicing arrangements, and public realm strategy, ensuring consistency within the wider regeneration project while introducing modern retail units that meet current building regulations.

"The design incorporates enhanced accessibility, stronger security measures, improved environmental performance, and upgraded materials to create a cohesive and sustainable high street environment. This approach ensures the development not only integrates with the surrounding context but also delivers long-term benefits for the town centre, businesses, and the local community."

In February, Rotherham Council said that a tender process to appoint a main contractor would begin "shortly", with an expectation that work would begin on site in the summer.

Images: RMBC

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News: Talks continue over Speciality Steel sale

Talks remain underway with the preferred bidder for Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), the Minister of State for Industry has confirmed.

Last August, a judge approved an application from creditors to place SSUK, previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation. Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were brought in as Special Managers whilst a formal sale process takes place.

The government committed £50m to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open throughout the bidding process. Multiple companies came forward with the government confident a buyer can be found.

In April, the official receiver announced a period of exclusivity with a preferred bidder. Marking the next stage of a future sale agreement, the announcement said that talks were "expected to last approximately five weeks, during which the preferred bidder will progress their bid."

Rotherham MP, Sarah Champion has received confirmation from Chris McDonald MP that those talks remain underway. Champion added: "He made very clear that he does not want the works to close and he is keen for the site to start production at the earliest possible time."

The Financial Times is reporting that Blastr is the preferred bidder.

The steel industry has been a hot topic in Westminster this month with a recent debate on the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill where Sarah Champion used the opportunity to highlight the importance of steel to Rotherham.

The MP said: "Rotherham is a steel town. It has seen the consequences of past Governments’ neglect up close. Speciality Steel, which is based in Rotherham—and Stocksbridge—should be a crown jewel in our economy, but it has been allowed to lurch from crisis to crisis, choked of investment and left at the mercy of unscrupulous ownership, unfair competition and a lack of vision. The plants currently stand still, shuttered amid the fallout of Liberty’s collapse. The workers are furloughed and uncertain about what their futures hold.

"My concern is not limited to Speciality Steel. Steel in Rotherham is at the centre of our local economy, and the crisis has had a substantial impact up and down the supply chain. The Minister’s ambition for steel’s renaissance could also be a rebirth for local businesses and local communities, but that requires investment, foresight and commitment. The Government’s steel strategy sets out a strategic vision for the industry and, crucially, delivers real and profound change for the sector as a whole. With £2.5 billion of investment in the sector and an ambitious but achievable target of 50% of the steel used in Britain to be produced here, the strategy is a blueprint for a revitalised domestic steel industry; it is one that has been roundly welcomed by the sector."

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In the same debate Chris McDonald MP, said: "That business [SSUK] shows the power of a productive Government intervention, working carefully with industry, because the Government have underwritten the costs of the official receiver to allow a proper sale of the business. The official receiver is in exclusive discussions with a potential buyer, and there was a high level of interest in the business from the market.

"As we look forward to the potential sale of the business, we can see the vital role that the Government have played in recognising that steel undertakings are complex, that it can be difficult and can take time to assess them, and that they require high levels of working capital. That contrasts significantly with Governments in the past, who allowed steel companies to close simply by not allowing that process to continue."

In a subsequent debate on steel tariffs, the minister said: "We all understand the position with Speciality Steel UK in Stocksbridge and Rotherham. That business is going through administration, and it was impossible for it to compete in the UK while there was an influx of subsidised steel.

"This Government have decided that we want to have a full aerospace supply chain, including our own speciality steels production. That is a different choice from the one that the previous Government made when they were approached by industry, offering to co-invest in that site and keep it open. They rebuffed all those responses, because their view was, “Leave it to the market, let the steel plants close.” We are making a different choice."

Images: SSUK

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News: Gulliver's brings Great British Summer Savings to Rotherham

The big name operator of a family theme park in Rotherham is backing the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme designed to help people enjoy days out for less.

Visit Rotherham reports that from June 25 to September 1 2026, VAT will be slashed on eligible activities, helping families "enjoy the weekend treats, the days out, the small plans that make life enjoyable during the cost of living squeeze while supporting the businesses that depend on summer footfall."

Great British Summer Savings will be a targeted and temporary scheme, introduced alongside free bus travel for children that will run from August 1 to 31 and covers participating local bus services across England.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: "I want families to be able to enjoy the little treats this summer. Great British Summer Savings will help families enjoy time making memories together while boosting business across the UK.

"This comes on top of support we’ve already put in place including freezing fuel duty, taking off £117 off energy bills, and freezing prescriptions and rail fares – all to help families with the cost of living."

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The VAT rate on eligible activities will be cut from 20% to 5%. The reduced rate will apply to:

- Children’s menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises
- Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
- Admission tickets, for both children and adults, to a range of attractions, including: amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions.

The scheme is estimated to cost about £300m with £100m to fund the free fares scheme.

Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, said: "Government support for the UK’s visitor economy is always welcome, so it’s great to see the launch of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme which will help families get out and enjoy the fantastic attractions on their doorstep.

"At Gulliver’s, we’ve already applied these savings to ticket prices across our four UK resorts - Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath, Gulliver’s World in Warrington, Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes and Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham – so combined with our latest summer ticket offer, the next few weeks are the perfect time for families to come and enjoy great value days out with us.

"As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of providing affordable days out and short breaks for children, parents and carers and we’re proud to have been creating these fun-filled adventures and lasting memories for the last 48 years."

Opening adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park in 2020, Gulliver's Valley is the company's fourth park aimed at families with children aged two to 13-years-old and each offering a great variety of rides, attractions and accommodation options, as well as a calendar packed full of special events throughout the year.

Gulliver's Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

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News: Supporting female founders in South Yorkshire

The first cohort of female founders of tech businesses from South Yorkshire are benefiting from dedicated support to help them start, grow and scale.

TECH SY, a programme funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to grow the region’s tech ecosystem, has developed a new initiative called The FoundHERy.

With funding from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the British Business Bank, the launch follows a report that tells us that female-founded businesses outperform, generating twice the revenue per £1 invested, showing stronger valuations and faster growth. In six years, the estimated valuation of female-led companies has increased to £198m. Female founders also say that community, visibility and connection remain central to their journey — but barriers like funding access and systemic inequity persist.

FoundHERy is a pilot programme aimed at female tech founders at start-up, early growth and scaling stages. The programme comprises an eight-week intensive support period, a curated mission to London Tech Week, one to one support, group accountability calls, bespoke support to address a core challenge, connectivity with investors and a final pitch event with investors.

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Tracey Johnson, Project Director for TECH SY, said: “South Yorkshire has a strong and growing community of women building ambitious tech businesses, but we know there is more we can do to support them to scale. The FoundHERy is a practical response to that challenge, providing targeted support, stronger networks and the confidence founders need at key moments in their journey.

“It also marks an important first step in a broader commitment to strengthen support for women in tech and investment across the region, helping to build a more inclusive and investable ecosystem where talent from South Yorkshire can thrive.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard added: “South Yorkshire has everything it takes to be one of the UK’s leading places for innovation - but we know we won’t reach our full potential unless everyone has the chance to succeed.

“Female founders across our region are already building brilliant tech businesses, but too often they don’t get the same access to investment, networks or opportunities as men. That’s not just unfair - it holds our whole economy back.

“The FoundHERy is about changing that dynamic. It’s about backing talented founders, opening doors, and making sure South Yorkshire is a place where anyone with a good idea and the drive to succeed can build a great business. That’s how we create good jobs, grow our economy, and build a stronger, more equal region for everyone.”

The first cohort brings together female founders and co-founders from across South Yorkshire working at the forefront of tech, spanning robotics, quantum sensing, software and data platforms, biotechnology and digital health solutions.

Tracey Johnson,added: “This cohort is packed with expertise and knowledge spread across a diverse set of sectors and skills. From quantum, to robotics, to medtech and everything in between, we’re proud to have them on board the FoundHERy.”

TECH SY website

Images: TECH SY

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News: New 100-seat studio space for Rotherham town centre

Rotherham's civic theatre has been successful in securing funds from a £130m government pot that aims to protect cultural venues, museums, and libraries for present and future generations.

Visit Rotherham reports that Rotherham Council says that it will use the funding to make the theatre a more welcoming space for audiences and performers.

The creation of a studio space is also on the cards.

The theatre accommodates a range of touring and local musical, comedy and theatrical performances. The building on Catherine Street in the town centre is a converted church and was purchased by the Council prior to being converted into a theatre in 1960.

£540,000 was allocated by the authority in 2012 to carry out much-needed repairs and refurbishment of both the interior and exterior of the building. The works were expected to bring the theatre up to a condition which would give a further ten years life. Further government funding was secured during the COVID lockdown when the theatre was closed and the decision was taken to carry out a refurbishment of the front of house and bar areas at the Civic.

A list of 130 organisations has recently been announced marking the first projects receiving cash from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund.

Earlier this year, the Culture Secretary committed up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector over this parliament, with the Arts Everywhere Fund aiming to save more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.

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Through the Creative Foundations Fund (CFF), Rotherham Civic Theatre has been awarded £200,000.

An update from operators, Rotherham Council explained: "We are thrilled to have been awarded funding from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund along with 15 other cultural venues, museums, and libraries across Yorkshire and the Humber.

"The funding, will help to provide welcoming, affordable spaces for communities to visit, come together and celebrate what makes their local area special. We are set to receive £200,000 to help us make Rotherham Civic Theatre a more welcoming space for our audiences, and performers. It will enable us to create a studio space and provide better accessibility for everybody.

"We have been part of the cultural activity in Rotherham for over 65 years, and we hope this funding will enable us to continue providing performances in a welcoming space that all generations can enjoy."

At the start of 2026, Rotherham Theatres began recruitment for and Performing Arts Programme Manager and made mention of an "exciting new 100-seat studio space launching in Autumn 2026."

The previous Rotherham Arts Centre Studio Theatre closed in 2011 as the authority relocated the library to Riverside House in order to sell its land to developers who brought forward the large Tesco store on Drummond Street. A new library is being built within the new markets development nearby after the number of visitors reduced following the Riverside move.

Arts Council England Chair Sir Nicholas Serota said: "Arts organisations, museums and libraries are the beating heart of our communities.

"After significant financial pressures in recent years, this vital investment will help organisations to secure futures where they thrive and not just survive.

"We look forward to seeing these cultural spaces flourish as they continue to provide access to excellent art and culture for everyone, everywhere, for many years to come."

Rothbiz revealed in 2023 that a new theatre was included in Rotherham's place-based investment strategy, and was given an investment figure of c.£28m.

Rotherham Civic Theatre website

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News: Developers get on board following Rotherham mainline station announcement

Developers are showing an interest in Rotherham on the back of the government's commitment to support plans for a new mainline station in the borough.

Tom Riordan CBE, Northern Growth Envoy, told MPs that an unnamed developer had signed an agreement to start investment in the Rotherham.

Although full funding is "not a done deal" Rotherham Gateway Station and the electrification of the Sheffield - Leeds line were included in the first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) announced in January.

Over £11m of local transport funding has been agreed to develop a full business case for a new station at Parkgate. A 20-year programme of transformation includes more than 355,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 sq ft of green spaces and public realm. It is a £300m regeneration project with proponents aiming to have the station open by late 2030.

The idea is to use a mainline station integrated with a tram-train stop to further develop the advanced manufacturing cluster within South Yorkshire as part of the UK’s first Investment Zone and the Don Valley Corridor.

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At a recent Westminster meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on Northern Powerhouse Rail, Tom Riordan CBE was asked if the partnerships between government and regional mayors and local councils was going to deliver NPR. Asking the question, Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East raised concerns over a situation where "no one is responsible and everyone blames everybody else."

Riordan, a former Chief Executive of regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, said: "I am really confident about this because we have tested it already. We could be sat here talking about what we are going to do to try to come to an agreement about Northern Powerhouse Rail in the future, but what we actually did in practice last November was say, “We’re going to do this, but we’re going to do it with the mayors.”

"The Secretary of State, working with officials, myself, Jo [Shanmugalingam - Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport] and others, worked to try to come to an agreement about the sequencing and the overall approach for this with the mayors. That has got to the point where joint compacts have been signed with Ministers where mayors have committed to put their own resources in to the agreement. It gives me confidence that we have done that once.

"It is really hard to agree stuff across the north of England, as we all know. It is not a single place; it is a group of different places. But we did that and it stuck. People have stuck with it. We have got further agreements about how we are going to move forward. We have a good partnership emerging around growth as well and the private sector is really interested in it.

"The week after the announcement, I went to Rotherham and met the council there. The fact that the Rotherham announcement had been made had led a developer to sign an agreement to start investment. That gives me confidence. A lot of times in the past, those of us in the north of England have maybe not had the confidence that things would happen. I really do think they are going to, and I think this is an innovative and different approach and it is working to date."

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham markets revamp goes over budget again - reaches £46m

With the first phase due to open in a matter of months, the cost of completing a long-awaited revamp of the markets in Rotherham town centre has risen again and is now at £46.84m, more than double original estimates.

An increase in demolition costs, inflationary increases linked to delays with extended periods of clarifications and amendments, and "an overestimation of project readiness" when the contract was awarded are being highlighted in a series of challenges in the delivery of the project.

The council's chief executive is commissioning an investigation into the project, which, for town centre schemes, is second only to the £47m Forge Island development in terms of total investment.

The redevelopment of the Drummond Street site also includes a modern central library, a new community hub, improved public spaces, and links to the town centre and college. The renovations will build upon the existing mix of shops and services with the addition of a new food hub and dining area on the first floor. Flexible space is also being created which can be used for exhibitions and events when required.

Henry Boot began works at the end of 2023 and have since made progress on the construction which has a total contract price of £36m.

The revamp was originally scheduled to finish in December 2025 but this was pushed back to 2027. When government funding was originally confirmed, the estimated cost of the project was £22m.

Having secured a further £6.5m from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) last year, Rotherham Council's cabinet is being asked to approve an allocation from various council funding pots to fill a funding gap following an increase in the total budget from £40.894m to £46.844m.

£200,000 is set to come from the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) surplus, £1.66m from the council's Town Centre Investment Fund and £4m from the authority's Capital Contingency Fund.

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A cabinet paper states: "Over the course of the project’s development, a number of challenges have arisen which has rendered the achievement of this scope undeliverable for the current agreed budget. Further, the delivery of the Outdoor Covered Market and Library has continued, in line with the agreed contract, resulting in insufficient budget to complete the project to the agreed scope.

"The Chief Executive of the Council will commission an investigation into how these challenges have arisen and what lessons can be learnt."

On delivery, the council admits that it tendered and entered into a contract before key assumptions had been confirmed, "resulting in an overestimation of project readiness. At contract award, the design and specification were insufficiently developed to be construction-ready, with undue reliance on value engineering assumptions and provisional sums. Contingency was underestimated, and an excessive level of risk was transferred to the Council."

A lack of detail on the council's specifications required further definition following the award of the tender, with the paper stating that: "This was in part due to a lack of stakeholder engagement early in the scheme." Extended periods of clarifications and amendments to layouts and servicing caused delays and increased contractor costs.

Outstanding design work required the appointment of additional design expertise, leading to significant delays and rising costs. "The volume of design work, clarification and consolidation between numerous design teams led to further delay and cost," the paper added.

When the design was completed, value engineering opportunities were anticipated to bring down costs but these assumptions did not happen.

The project also included unconfirmed budgets against which actual costs would be attributed as the project progressed. The risk of any cost increase in these provisional sums was accepted by the Council and contingency was insufficient.

Costs were also increased by Health & Safety and Compliance, as the council was unable to carry out invasive surveys before the contract was awarded. A "significant presence of RAAC and of asbestos" in the building, which opened in 1971, was previously blamed for cost rises.

The paper also sets out that, on governance and resourcing: "Fundamental aspects were lacking at crucial stages of the project, which led to uncertainty in decision-making and meant the scheme was not prioritised for oversight, management and resource in a way that properly reflects its multi-faceted nature and scale."

Also included in the report is the latest contractor programme which indicates the completion of various parts of the scheme:

• New Market Hall: June 2026
• Library: Autumn 2026
• Public Realm: Spring 2027
• Market Gardens: June 2026
• Library: December 2026
• Market Square: Spring 2027
• Indoor Market: Autumn 2027

Images of how the new Rotherham markets might look inside when complete, were published last year.

Images: Henry Boot Construction / LinkedIn

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