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.

Images: RMBC / HYAS / Google Maps

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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

Images: Pexels / Cemrecan Yurtman

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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: Rotherham printer announces £2m investment

Rotherham-based instantprint has announced a £2m investment in its stickers and labels production, expanding its premium product range and introducing new technology to help businesses create more impactful packaging, branding and promotional materials.

The Manvers company has previously invested in its large format category.

The latest investment includes the installation of new HP Indigo technology alongside an ABG DigiLase Duo digital finishing line with Dual Bar DigiJet, significantly increasing instantprint's capability to produce high-quality stickers and labels with premium embellishments, custom shapes and specialist materials.

As demand for standout packaging and branded products continues to grow, the investment enables instantprint customers to access a wider range of premium options without compromising on affordability, speed or ease of ordering.

Laura Mucklow, Head of Brand at instantprint, said: "Whether it's product packaging, branded giveaways or promotional materials, stickers and labels are often the finishing touch that helps a business make a memorable first impression.

"Our latest investment is all about giving customers more opportunities to create something unique. From premium finishes and specialist materials to custom shapes and reel labels, we're continuing to expand our range so businesses of every size can access professional-quality print that helps them stand out."

At the heart of the investment is the installation of the ABG DigiLase Duo and Dual Bar DigiJet, working alongside new HP Indigo technology to expand instantprint's premium stickers and labels offering.

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The advanced production line allows instantprint to produce more intricate custom shapes and shorter print runs with greater efficiency, while introducing premium embellishments including foil, Spot UV and tactile finishes. Combined with new thermal lamination capabilities, customers can create labels with enhanced durability and a premium look and feel, all through instantprint's easy-to-use online platform.

The investment also supports an expanding range of materials and formats, including transparent and silver metallic polypropylene, custom-shaped stickers and labels supplied on reels for businesses with specialist packaging requirements.

Alongside the investment in production, instantprint has continued to improve the online ordering experience with AI-powered artwork tools, streamlined proofing and enhanced ordering journeys, making it even easier for businesses to create professional stickers and labels with confidence.

Laura added: "Businesses expect more from their print than ever before. They want packaging and marketing materials that reflect the quality of their brand, and they want them quickly. We're continually investing in both our technology and our customer experience to make sure businesses can access the latest print innovations without the complexity traditionally associated with premium print."

The £2m investment marks the latest stage in instantprint's ongoing commitment to innovation, strengthening its stickers and labels range while giving businesses access to more premium products, greater creative freedom and the fast, reliable service they're known for.

instantprint website

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News: Priority projects for Rotherham Gateway regeneration scheme

Rotherham Council is using a twin track approach to progress key projects in the first phase of the masterplan for the proposed new mainline station in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported on the 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway last year which showed how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider £300m regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

Integrated with a new tram-train stop, the station would bring faster rail connections. A new mainline rail station at Forge Way would deliver faster links to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Doncaster, unlocking wider regional and national connectivity. The aim is for journey times to Leeds to be cut from 60 minutes to 30 minutes and to be 75 minutes to Birmingham.

Station opening has been pencilled in for "late 2030" with the four-phase masterplan showing two platforms, with passive provision for four, to support future growth.

A phased approach starts with the Station Quarter, on land which is currently Northfields Business Park, which features the mainline station, tram-train station, public realm, car parking, northern access via new bridges, and the station anchor building - essentially covering the development of the station core area.

Outside the core area, an active travel route along Effingham Street will connect the town centre to the station as Phase 1a.

A Rotherham Council report states: "To maintain momentum and ensure the alignment of phase 1 schemes, the Council proposed utilising Gainshare funding. This will fund the three priority workstreams, plus resource capacity."

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Gainshare funding refers to the money committed to South Yorkshire through the Devolution Deal agreed by the Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), South Yorkshire local authorities and government.

The development of the three priority projects will cost over £2m.

£400,000 is being used to develop the outline designs for the space surrounding the station. The plans "will ensure the Station area is a welcoming transit interchange with good design and high-quality public realm that will create a ‘sense of place’ and act as a gateway into Rotherham."

£624,000 is set aside for work on the Innovation Gateway Anchor Building. A council report states: "This should be a high-quality, flagship building of architectural merit with an anchor tenant to act as a gateway into Rotherham. It would also be an anchor building for the Innovation Campus and incorporate the required station facilities into the ground floor."

£1.03m is for the full design of an Effingham Street Masterplan and Active Travel Route. A comprehensive scheme has been proposed that would incorporate a new cycle / footbridge, landscape improvements, Active Travel provision, and improved pedestrian crossings. A 20 minute walk from the town centre, the plan is to complement the tram-train stop at the new station site and enable commuters to connect quickly and easily into the town centre.

Recruitment recently got underway for the project team including a Land Acquisition Project Manager, a Rail Project Manager and a Station & Public Realm Project Manager. Further consultants are set to be appointed with timetables showing that project design work on the early phases will continue to December 2027.

The work is to support and compliment the Full Business Case which has already secured £11.38m via SYMCA for its development. £10m was previously secured for land acquisition.

Further phases of the masterplan involve the creation of an innovation campus on plots of land near the station, and the introduction of new housing in the area.

Rotherham Gateway station website

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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: Trading up - Rotherham stall-holders look ahead to market move

Rotherham’s new Market Hall opens this week - the first phase of a £46.8m redevelopment project in the town centre.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction are putting the finishing touches to the Drummond Street site whilst traders from the indoor market temporarily move into the brand new space.

Alongside a new modern central library, the redevelopment of the markets is divided into two areas, an outdoor covered market, which is being rebuilt, and an adjacent indoor market, which is being revamped.

Paul from P&P Cobbler & Keys, said: "I'm a shoe repairer and key cutter. I can pretty much put my hand to anything. Done it for years, to be honest, since I left school. And here I am today!

"This building has been open since 1971, and it's tired. It's old. It's an old building. It's been a great building. I've been here since 1985 and I think having a new building is good. It's going to be great. Most important to me is that we move forward. I think that's going to be a breath of fresh air that we need. Come down, check the place out."

Andy, from Joe's Butchers, added: "Personally, I've been in market 28 years. We pride ourselves in a lot of home-produced things and try and produce the best quality meats we can, at an affordable price. People do come to us on a regular basis, which I'm very grateful for. We have a bit of a laugh and a joke and things like that. If you're in a supermarket, you look on shelves, you pick things up, chuck it in your trolley, and away you go. They just lack the personal touch.

"When we move into new market, the the main entrance is going to be on Drummond Street, which is straight across from Rotherham College. It's got nice steps leading down into it, landscaped gardens, and a big open space outside. It's going to be all singing, all dancing, all looking nice. We're all moving up there, all brand new stalls, clean, tidy, and all we need is the customers to follow us, which I'm sure they will."

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James from Milk from the Hills is a relative newcomer to Rotherham Markets. He said: "We sell milk and milkshakes directly from the farm. The younger generation love it because they've never had it before. They're used to supermarket milk, which is homogenized, quite highly processed, and the older generation love it because it reminds them of what they used to have, when the cream used to rise to the top of the bottle.

"We could see what was happening with Rotherham Market, the investment that was being put in, the rejuvenation of the market. So, we thought, you know what? We'll play the long game and get involved from the very beginning. A new space, a fresher space to bring, well, the youth back into the market again and rejuvenate it is pretty much essential now. Quite proud to be part of it, to be honest."

Hash from Hash's Mobile Phones And Accessories, is one of the longest serving traders at Rotherham Market. He said: "We do repairs. We sell the full range of accessories. We sell phones. We deal in tablets, iPads. I think in a market hall, I think you become a family. That's the reason we don't leave the market. A very friendly atmosphere, I personally think. We offer a good service. I know people put us down because they think we're just market traders and just small businesses, but I think they get a better service from us than the the bigger shops.

"Keep supporting us, keep coming. We'll keep doing what we can do."

With the entrance facing Rotherham College, access is through a new outdoor space where a number of market stalls will be based. A temporary mobility access entrance will also be available on Henry Street opposite Tesco, and clear signage will help residents, shoppers and families find their way.

Parking is available nearby, including three hours free in Tesco, and up to one-hour free parking, Monday to Friday, in the Drummond Street car park operated by Rotherham Council, which also offers free parking in all its off-street car parks on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Rotherham Council's latest timetable has the library planning to open later this year with the indoor market completing in Autumn 2027.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: Tom Austen / RMBC

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News: Manvers whitewater course plans submitted

A planning application has been submitted for a new whitewater course at Manvers Lake in Rotherham.

The £14m project involves a new 250m channel for both paddlesport and public recreation, together with an additional channel for the training and education of professional and volunteer swift water rescue training.

Rothbiz reported on the official launch event last year at the Waterfront regeneration project that has transformed the area following the closure of the Wath Main & Manvers Main colliery complex. It now includes 450 homes, business parks, a hotel, pub, retail outlets and neighbourhood facilities. Operated by a trust, a boat club provides facilities for sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and other activities, while the lake also supports open water swimming, fishing, and cycling.

The proposed new facility is based on a new channel running along the North East bank of the lake. The channel would cut into the bank along the line of the existing footpath that runs around the lake.

A pumphouse will lift water at a rate of up to 10 cubic metres every second, 3 metres [10 feet] from the lake into a start pool out of which the water will flow down the course back into the lake. The facility makes use of the existing water resource of Manvers Lake, recirculating water through the channel without the need for significant additional water supply.

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The application sets out: "The course and the channel system is designed to accommodate two main user groups:

1) Water safety and flood rescue training, education, demonstration and research.
2) Whitewater canoeing, kayaking, rafts and duckies (small inflatables); both recreational and competitive.

"This venue has the potential to become a national centre for flood rescue training with Fire crews from the whole of the UK attending. The whitewater course is also suitable for all capabilities all the way up to international competitions.

"The facility represents a significant investment in the area and will make a meaningful contribution to the appeal of the Dearne Valley as a visitor destination, while also supporting the operational readiness of rescue services.

"The facility will attract visitors from across the region, create employment opportunities and contribute to the ongoing regeneration narrative of this former industrial landscape."

The plans also involve a new launch area for the dragon boats on the main lake with terraces behind for picnicking and views of the lake. An extension to the existing parking is also proposed, as is a replacement of the existing footbridge and a new access for the emergency vehicles to the east.

The proposals will result in the loss of some modified grassland and scrub habitat so applicants say that habitats accross the site will be improved.

With the plans going through the system, the Trust continues to focus on securing the £14m capital investment required.

Manvers Lake Trust website

Images: Manvers Lake Trust / Alistair W Baldwin Studio

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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: Planning board votes to approve Rotherham padel plans

Plans for new padel courts at a cricket club have been approved by the planning board at Rotherham Council, going against the recommendations of the planning officers.

Rothbiz reported in January on plans from Upper Haugh Cricket Club for four new courts at its site off Wentworth Road, near Rawmarsh.

The plans showed how four new padel courts and a new two lane fully enclosed cricket net facility would replace the existing cricket nets which are over 20 years old and considered to be no longer fit for purpose. The application has now been reduced to three courts which are located adjacent to each other.

The proposals also included assessments covering issues such as noise, lighting, biodiversity and traffic.

The hours of operation were expected to be between 8am and 9pm with the noise impact assessment recommending the installation of an acoustic barrier.

A number of objections were received, including from the council's own Environmental Health team. A decision on the application has already been deferred to allow for the attendance of the relevant Environmental Health Officer.

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In recommended refusal, council planners said that: "The independent assessment finds that the proposed three outdoor padel courts at Upper Haugh Cricket Club would create significant adverse noise impacts for nearby residents" - disrupting the use of gardens for relaxation and forcing residents to keep windows closed.

Consultants for the applicants say that the officer's concerns are overstated and that residents already experience high ambient noise from Wentworth Road.

Having heard from applicants, local residents and specialist officers, the board went against the recommendation of the planning officer in voting to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions.

A post from Upper Haugh Cricket Club and the newly formed Rotherham Padel Club, said: "After a lengthy and at times difficult process - padel is coming to Upper Haugh CC. Our sincere thanks to all those who have offered their support.

"Whilst incredibly happy to be able to share the news we want to take a moment to acknowledge the concerns raised by some of our closest neighbours. Whilst committed to the project our intention was never to cause upset. We have a difference of opinion but know their concerns to be genuine and will work hard to ensure any disruption is minimised."

Rotherham Padel Club Facebook page

Images: Rotherham Padel Club

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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: Developer "buzzing" to land Rotherham regen contract

Leading social impact developer Capital&Centric, has talked up the potential of its regeneration schemes in Rotherham town centre that aim to be "characterful, independent and full of life."

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that the Manchester company, a specialist in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighbourhoods, had been awarded a contract that could reach up to £100m in value.

This week, A Rotherham Council cabinet paper confirmed the appointment and released details of the design concepts for five council-owned sites across the town centre.

Cabinet will be told how three of the five sites - Westgate, Sheffield Road and the Statutes – could be used to create a new riverside residential neighbourhood.

Early plans suggest around 225 new homes could be delivered across these sites, forming a significant new community within walking distance of the town centre.

The developments are expected to focus on high-quality apartments and houses, with a strong emphasis on modern town centre living and a “premium lifestyle offer” aimed at attracting new residents and increasing spending in the local economy.

If approved, construction on these sites could begin as early as 2028.

The remaining two sites - Snail Yard and Corporation Street - could focus on smaller-scale, mixed-use developments designed to bring activity back into the heart of the town centre.

Plans include office and retail space alongside new residential units, with Snail Yard centred around a courtyard concept and Corporation Street featuring duplex apartments above ground-floor commercial uses.

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John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: "We’re buzzing about the opportunity to bring the Capital&Centric approach to Rotherham. All five sites are brimming with potential, and our ambition is to create a connected neighbourhood that complements Rotherham’s best bits and feels characterful, independent and full of life.

“The mix of riverside homes, green spaces and commercial space for residents and local businesses to do their thing is how we plan to create a lasting community.”

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added: “These plans represent what could be a major step forward for Rotherham town centre and show just how much ambition we’ve got for these sites. We’ve been working closely with Capital&Centric, and we’re absolutely delighted to be continuing that partnership - they’ve brought real creativity and energy to the plans so far.

“What I’d say is, this isn’t just about buildings, it’s about creating new communities, new homes and new opportunities right in the heart of Rotherham. We’re looking at a future where people choose to live, work and spend time here, and that’s something we can all be proud of.

“This is all part of our commitment to creating thriving town centres.”

Capital&Centric website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Capital&Centric's initial proposals for Rotherham town centre regeneration

Rotherham Council has published further details of a multimillion pound regeneration scheme that involves social impact developer Capital&Centric, leading on construction projects across a number of council-owned sites.

Rothbiz revealed earlier this month that the Manchester company, a specialist in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighbourhoods, had been awarded a contract that could reach up to £100m in value.

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

A cabinet paper explains that the design concepts for 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 paper adds: "At this stage of the feasibility work, the option proposed by Capital and Centric on which the current funding strategy is based is for the new homes to be developed for private rent with Capital & Centric acting as landlord.

"Capital & Centric are exploring a proposal to fund the development of these sites through their Impact & Places Partnership, which is a joint venture between Swiss Life Asset Managers, Homes England and Capital & Centric. It should be noted that while some viability modelling has taken place and that this indicates the development can be fully funded through this partnership, there remains a risk that the schemes will require additional capital funding outside of the partnership."

The Corporation Street and Snail Yard sites are considered best suited to a development of mixed uses. For Snail Yard, the concept proposes office, retail and four residential units around a courtyard space. Concepts for 3-7 Corporation Street consists of ground floor commercial space with ten duplex residential properties above.

A previous £6m council scheme with 19 1-bed and 2-bed flats and three commercial units on Corporation Street received no interest from the market when it went out to tender.

The latest cabinet report states that these schemes are not considered viable without some form of public sector funding and the council is set to work with Capital&Centric to find gap funding.

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With the first phase underway, the second phase involves the creation of full business cases for each site and stage three is the actual development.

Following cabinet approval, Rotherham Council is proposing to meet the pre-development costs at stage 2 of £2.42m from its remaining Local Regeneration Grant secured from the government. The outcome of Stage 2 feasibility work will be reported to Cabinet in Summer 2027.

Risks have been identified relating to viability, finding gap funding and disposing of the land at nil value. The cabinet report states: "In considering these risks it is important to understand the rewards that are possible to be gained for Rotherham Town Centre should the development of these 5 Strategic Sites be supported. In contrast, doing nothing would leave 5 prominent Town Centre sites undeveloped and unable to achieve their full potential to transform the town centre offer and potentially undermine the ability of other key regeneration projects to generate the greatest impact. Cabinet will have the opportunity to decide whether to proceed or not after the completion of the Stage 2 development work."

Other options, such as putting the land up for sale on the open market, or proceeding to development led by the authority are not recommended.

The report concludes: "In developing the procurement strategy for the 5 Strategic Sites the Council determined that the procurement of a Developer Partner, as opposed to in house or consultancy developed proposals, was the most effective route to ensuring buildability from the outset given the complexity of the sites. The phased approach gives the Council greater control over the evolution of the schemes.

"It enables the Council to ensure proposals are fully tested, costed, and aligned with the agreed vision for Rotherham. Advancing to Stage 2 at this time maintains the original plan and keeps momentum, maintains Council influence over the sites, and ensures decisions are based on detailed evidence rather than assumptions, giving the town centre the best chance of achieving high-quality, coordinated development in line with the Council’s Placed Based Investment Strategy, Town Centre Masterplan and Town Investment plan."

Capital&Centric website

Images: Google Maps

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News: What the new £8m café means for Rother Valley

Kier Construction has delivered an incredible new café and events facility in Rotherham which stands to be an important asset for the future of Rother Valley Country Park.

Work began on The Waterfront in 2024 creating a new state of the art building housing a new eatery and indoor function space with views extending over the lake.

Opening in April and set in a stunning lakeside location, The Waterfront Café has been thoughtfully designed to deliver an exceptional visitor experience, with over 200 covers in a modern, light-filled setting that makes the most of the surrounding views.

Alongside the café, The Waterfront Function Space offers a versatile venue for events, celebrations and community gatherings, all within a striking contemporary building that connects seamlessly with the natural landscape.

It is envisaged that the new building will help host a million visitors per year who come to the park for events, food, and the many leisure pusuits and water sports on offer.

Tom Hague, senior site manager for Kier, said: "This building matters for a number of reasons. First of all, this site is very well visited. It offers a range of activities and opportunities for people in the local area. But it's seen very little investment since it opened in the early 80s. And this creates more opportunities. The existing facilities are starting to become a little bit tired. And there is opportunity here to get more people in and offer a greater offering for the wider public within this area.

"I think getting people outdoors and into this sort of environment is quite key. This site is situated between Rotherham and Sheffield, and it draws upon that area and the larger region. It's well known for the activities on offer down here, such as the water sports, various different biking and walking opportunities as well. And this facility enables people to come down and enjoy that space and get outdoors.

"This project means a lot to me because I've got a lot of memories and history here. I've spent many weekends here on the water sailing, undertaking various different water activities. I'm often running around the lake as well. I'm a local person to this project. I live in Rotherham, so it's fantastic to be able to deliver projects here where I live. And it's a facility that I'm going to use and bring my family down as well."

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Funding for the project came from the government's Levelling Up Fund, where Rotherham Council was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry.

Neil Best, Head of Commercial Development and Visitor Experience at Rotherham Council, said: "The project is really important not only for the borough but specifically for Rother Valley in that, since post-COVID, green spaces, as you'll know across the country, have seen a massive influx of visitors, and this is no exception. We get nearly a million visitors a year here now. And the facilities that have been here previously just clearly weren't sufficient to deal with that number of visitors.

"So, we had a fantastic opportunity through what was then the Levelling Up Fund to invest in the park, and this project is the result of several years of endeavour along with [architect] AHR and Kier.

"We are now able to cater for visitors all year round. We have an opportunity to develop a new strain of business in the park through our events programme. We will also be able to cater for bigger events within the park, and obviously, it's an asset in its own right — people will come to visit it."

The Waterfront website

Images: Kier

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News: S2S Group achieves record growth, surpassing £5m turnover milestone

The Rotherham-based S2S Group has reported a record year, achieving £5.6m turnover for the year ending December 2025, reflecting our continued year-on-year growth.

S2S Group at Manvers is one of the leading players in electronics manufacturing, asset recovery and electronics recycling, specialising in the disposal and management of IT assets at the end of their lifecycle, offering a certified and eco-friendly IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) service.

The performance marks another period of strong expansion for us, supported by a £500,000 investment from Bailie Group to accelerate growth.

The funding has enabled the group to strengthen its operational capability, including the addition of a new 18-tonne truck, enhancing its nationwide on-site data destruction service offering.

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S2S Group’s workforce has also grown, with seven new employees joining in 2025, bringing the total headcount to 42. The team comprises nine IT technicians whose specialist capabilities ensure data security and asset recovery through secure processing, testing, sanitisation and refurbishment.

Last year, S2S also expanded iys European presence through a joint venture with Irish data destruction specialist All-Star Shredding, strengthening cross-border capability and reinforcing the focus on compliance, security and service resilience.

Chris Hare, Chief Commercial Officer at S2S Group, said: “2025 has been a year of significant progress for S2S Group, with strong growth across our customer base, operational capability and service offering. Surpassing £5 million turnover is a major milestone and reflects the dedication of our team. This year, our focus is on scaling further, investing in our fleet, and enhancing our systems to support continued growth and efficiency.”

The group processed more than 50,000 IT assets for recycling in 2025 and securely destroyed over 380,000 data-bearing devices. A 51.4% reuse rate was achieved through the refurbishment and redeployment of more than 28,000 IT assets back to customers. In addition, 78% of internal waste was recycled, with zero waste sent directly to landfill.

S2S Group website

Images: S2S Group

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News: Big changes made to Waverley scheme

Waverley in Rotherham, often cited as being Yorkshire's largest ever mixed-use development, may not be as big as originally envisioned, with master developers confirming that over 1,000 less homes will be built at its flagship site.

The changes are in response to "evolving site circumstances, changes in surrounding highway infrastructure, and updated development forecasts."

Harworth Group submitted a planning application for the new community on the site of the former Orgreave Colliery & Coking Works in 2007 and consent was granted in 2011 for 3,890 new homes, alongside over two million sq ft of advanced manufacturing space at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP). Following the adoption of the overall masterplan, Harworth has since continued to develop design codes for each area of Waverley along side its housebuilding partners and made changes to aspects of the scheme.

A new updated masterplan submitted to Rotherham Council by Harworth explains that the overall number of homes at Waverley will not reach the original maximum capacity of 3,890 homes.

This then has implications for "trigger points" and other commitments secured through the original planning approval using a Section 106 agreement (a mechanism which makes a development proposal acceptable in planning terms, that would not otherwise be acceptable). A proposed second school, for example, now looks unlikely to be built.

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The documents, drawn up by planning consultants, Stantec, state: "The original outline consent was based upon the provision of up to 3,890 homes, however due to market changes, design standards and housing needs, the overall homes at Waverley will not reach the modelled maximum capacity (3,890 homes).

"By the completion year of 2036, it is assumed that the residential development at Waverley will be fully completed with a total of 2,783 new homes under the outline consent, along with 254 additional homes at Highfield Commercial, development at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Highfield Commercial comprising 32,515 sq.m [350,000 sq ft] of additional employment floorspaces and a mix of local centre uses at Olive Lane being open and constructed."

Harworth has already sold 2,727 plots to housebuilders. The AMP is almost full, 1.9m sq ft of commercial space has been built or sold from the 2.1m sq ft consented.

The scheme for Highfield Commercial replaced the original 645,000 sq ft office scheme designed to house government departments relocating out of London. Plans for Olive Lane were scaled back in 2021 after "a contraction in investment in new retail developments following a recession, Brexit and the COVID pandemic."

Developers are now asking to amend transport obligations, where work has already been carried out to J33 of the M1 nearby and relating to a link road that was scrapped after Rotherham and Sheffield Councils could not agree on a route.

The original scheme and legal agreement also included two, two-form entry primary schools. Waverley Primary Academy opened in 2020 and was extended last year.

The latest plans remove reference to a second school.

In its Full Year Results for the year ended 31 December 2025, Harworth Group saw its total revenue drop 29% to £129.8m, down from £181.6m in the previous year, while pretax profit reduced 75% to £14.7m from £69.4m.

Harworth Group website

Images: Harworth

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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: Where next in Rotherham for McDonald's?

Early stage plans are being prepared for a new development on the edge of a town in Rotherham, featuring a new petrol station, McDonald's restaurant and a drive thru coffee shop.

The most recent McDonald's in Rotherham opened in Dinnington last year, creating 70 full time equivalent jobs.

Now a planning enquiry has been made to Rotherham Council regarding an unused piece of land close to Wath town centre.

Feasability plans from Valli Forecourts show a mixed-use development comprising a Petrol Filling Station (PFS), a drive-thru coffee shop and a drive-thru restaurant on land adjacent to the A633 Station Road near Wath roundabout.

On the opposite side of the road to the recreation ground, and backing on to the Cross Keys pub, the brownfield site is currently occupied by a Cadent gas works and undeveloped land, bounded to the north by commercial uses and undeveloped land to the east and south.

The plans, seen by Rothbiz, are for the construction of a twelve filling bay PFS, ancillary retail kiosk and associated parking provision, including six-bay Electric Vehicle (EV) charging hub, as well as jet washing bays and rollover car wash.

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The proposals would also see the provision of a 3,300 sq ft drive-thru restaurant to the east of the site (identified on plans as a McDonald's), and a 2,150 sq ft drive-thru coffee shop to the south of the site (an operator is not shown on the plans). Separate dedicated parking provisions would be included within each plot.

The proposals would see a new access constructed into the site off Station Road, to the northwest of the site, including a new pedestrian refuge island.

The land is part of a much larger area designated as Industrial & Business Use in the borough's local plan.

Rotherham Council planners recommended that the planning board reject the Dinnington proposals stating that: "by virtue of its range and quality of employment opportunities, it has little positive contribution to the borough and would not meet the criteria [for industrial use]."

Planning permission was approved when the planning board at Rotherham Council went against the recommendation of officers.

Valli Forecourts website

Images: McDonald's / Google Maps

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News: Capital&Centric awarded £100m Rotherham regeneration contract

Leading social impact developer Capital&Centric, is set to play a key role in delivering "high quality, legacy developments" in Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported in March that Rotherham Council was appointing a private sector developer for the next phase of large scale house-building in the town centre.

The contract, which could reach up to £100m in value, has been awarded to Capital&Centric.

The Manchester company specialises in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighbourhoods. It is currently working on £2bn of development across commercial, residential, hotel and leisure sectors. In neighbouring Sheffield it has secured millions to progress plans at the Cannon Brewery site.

Rothbiz reported last month on John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric taking part in a panel at UKREiiF – The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum, which was entitled: "Next Stop Rotherham - The Gateway To The Future."

In Rotherham town centre, the first phase of the contract will involve the creation of Strategic Regeneration Plans which will then be used to identify the methodology to bring various council-owned sites forward.

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.

To be completed by next month, the contract for stage one is worth £397,442.

The second phase involves the creation of full business cases for each site and stage three is the actual development.

Tender documents show that a total estimated contract value across all stages is given at £100,000,000 but add "however this final sum will be determined as approvals to progress into Stages 2 and 3 are agreed." A total contract duration at this stage is not yet known and will also be determined by the first two stages.

Tender documents state: "This arrangement relates to the appointment of an experienced developer to work in partnership to accelerate the development of key town centre sites in the pursuance of the physical, social and economic regeneration of Rotherham town centre. The chosen partner will be expected to bring a commercial skill set, excellent track record and innovative concept and vision to enable the development of these strategic sites at pace.

"The partner requires a strong track record of working in similar locations and share the Council's vision to create a legacy of high-quality mixed-use developments. This will mean a commitment to creating communities, not just homes and demonstrable evidence of embedding a social value approach in all activity to ensure local people and businesses will benefit from this investment."

Earlier this year, the Government announced a £2.3bn City Investment Fund that will bring together different types of finance, deployed flexibly to accelerate projects, expand city-centre housing and office markets, and support major regeneration schemes across the North. Documents show that it is expected to be used in "developing projects in the Don Valley Corridor, Sheffield city centre Innovation Spine, and Rotherham Town Centre."

South Yorkshire has also secured £85m from a new City Densification Fund.

The projects stem from the Rotherham town centre masterplan of 2017 which confirmed the need for more housing and leisure uses as a way to develop economic vitality, bringing more life, activity and spending back into the town centre, moving away from the traditional retail market. It also highlighted the need for derelict and long-term vacant sites to be brought into public ownership.

The aim is "to bring forward new development, diversify the town centre offer and establish a new residential community" with the latest plans leading "to the development of a pipeline of detailed and deliverable schemes which align with market demand and secure the Council’s ambitions for high quality, legacy developments."

Rothbiz reported in 2024 on the potential sites and funding for redevelopment. The Council's most recent major housing development was the £30m+ "Trilogy Collection" - Westgate Riverside, Wellgate Place and Millfold Rise - that has seen 171 new homes built in partnership with Willmott Dixon. However, a previous tender exercise for the £6m scheme on Corporation Street received no interest, likely due to the smaller size of the scheme.

Capital & Centric website

Images: RMBC / ESH

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News: Opening date for Rotherham's new multimillion pound market hall

Operators, Rotherham Council, have confirmed an opening date for the new market hall in Rotherham town centre - the first phase of a £46.8m redevelopment project.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction, began enabling works on the Drummond Street site in 2023. Alongside a new modern central library, the redevelopment of the markets is divided into two areas, an outdoor covered market, which is being rebuilt, and an adjacent indoor market, which is being revamped.

The New Market Hall is set to open for business on Friday July 10.

Work will continue on the library and move onto the indoor market. Traders in the current indoor market are expected to move temporarily into the New Market Hall until the revamp is complete.

The existing indoor market will remain open as usual until the move, with the last day of trading on Thursday July 2 to allow traders to relocate to the Market Hall.

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Mark Brown, Dalefarm Foods, Market Trader at Rotherham Market, said: "I’m a butcher in Rotherham Market. I’ve worked in this market since I was 16 years old, on and off for years, and I’ve been here for five or six years now.

“There’s a lot of investment going into Rotherham at this time, and moving into the new Market Hall is something we’re really looking forward to.

“We offer a lovely, fresh product at a good price, and people need to get back into the markets and support local traders.

“We do try to give people a good bargain where we can, and we’ll be putting on a lot of good offers to coax people back into Rotherham, so come down and see us on opening day.

“Let’s build Rotherham back up again."

The entrance to the Market Hall will be on Eastwood Lane (on the Rotherham College side of the building), with access through a new outdoor space where a number of market stalls will be based.

To coincide with the move, Rotherham Council has rebranded the markets, with new logos and signage, using the strapline: "More than a market.".

Cllr. John Williams, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “This move means our traders can continue serving customers locally while improvement works to the current indoor market take place.

“We know how important the market is to Rotherham, both for shoppers and for the businesses who rely on it. The priority has been to keep that offer together, accessible and open throughout.

“The Market Hall provides a town centre location where people will still find the traders they know, supporting them while work continues.”

Rothbiz reported last month on the support being offered to traders during the redevlopment.

To complete the work, Rotherham Council's cabinet recently approved the use of various council funding pots to fill a funding gap following an increase in the total budget from £40.894m to £46.844m.

The paper included a timetable that showed that the library is planned to open later this year with the indoor market completing in Autumn 2027.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: Henry Boot / RMBC

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