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: 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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News: Rotherham Council vows to help traders as move to new £46.8m market development nears

A rent free period and other support has been promised to market traders in Rotherham town centre as operators, Rotherham Council, prepare to open the New Market Hall next month.

The authority's budget included proposals to freeze charges linked to specific scenarios such as the markets, given the transition that will take place and the re-location of traders whilst the regeneration of the market is carried out.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction, began enabling works on the Drummond Street site in 2023. 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.

Rothbiz reported last month that the overall budget for the scheme, which also includes a new library, has risen again and is now at £46.84m.

Sarah Champion MP raised a number of concerns with the council from market traders, and pointed out the number of stall holders forced to close.

In response, John Edwards, chief executive at Rotherham Council explained that: "Fees for the temporary outdoor covered market have now been shared with all traders.

"A rent-free period has been agreed to assist with the move to the Market Hall, fees have already been halved since COVID for traders, and no one will pay more than they currently pay during the forthcoming 2026/27 financial year.

"In addition, funding has been set aside to support traders with their marketing to help them attract new customers. A communications plan has been developed to help promote the temporary market and this will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

"We are in regular dialogue with the traders and will continue to work with them whilst the works continue until full completion next year."

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Island stalls at Rotherham Market currently cost between £204.50 and £237 per month to rent, with the rent for perimeter stalls at between £150.50 and £237 per month, before other charges are added. New traders can get a three month rent free incentive.

These rents and charges have been frozen for 2025/2026, however the council has increased charges for the Street Market, which is held on the main streets in the town centre. Outdoor market traders have moved on to the street market temporarily as construction work takes place.

Fees for "RMBC Casual Traders/ Multiple Trading Days" has increased from £23.50 to £24.40 per day. "Regular Traders" on the street market have seen fees increase from £33.75 to £35 per day.

Traders in the current indoor market are expected to move temporarily into the New Market Hall until the revamp is complete.

Simon Moss, Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, recently updated councillors on the issues. He said: "The traders are obviously really key to what we are trying to do. With no traders, there is no market, so we have been working extremely hard to keep the traders involved. In fact, the premise of the proposal to decant into the new market hall to provide a temporary market, that was an idea that was introduced into the project to address trader's concerns. Quite an investment went into that, because they were really keen to stay on site and so we've built that in.

"Obviously the rent levels have been a concern and recognising the disruption that the construction has caused and impacted on some traders so the 50% rent concession remains in place. We've also made a commitment that no trader will be paying more than they currently are during that period.

"We've also been working really hard to reduce the closure period, which was a real concern for traders who would have lost income during that period. We've reduced that to one week and we've increased the rent free period to three months.

"It's also worth noting the new markets team that we've brought in since the start of the year and that's had a real impact, and fresh energy and ideas, and that has really improved the dialogue that we've had with traders.

"I don't want to downplay the level of disruption and some of the concerns that some of the traders will have, but overall we've put a lot of effort into that, and I believe we are in a much stronger position in terms of that dialogue with traders."

Moss added that the move will take place in the summer this year with traders kept up to date on when that will be. He added: "We are obviously in a difficult moment with the costs and the challenges on the project but we believe that it is going to be an exciting moment for the town centre. We have seen that whenever we have invested heavily in the town centre, that has had the impact on footfall, as we've seen with Forge Island. We are hopeful that [the market] will drive footfall and create the kind of vibrant town centre that we all want to see."

A council report explains the importance of investing £46.8m in revamping the markets and library that will enable it "to once again become the beating heart of Rotherham town centre supporting economic vitality, increasing footfall, and reinforcing the town’s identity and sense of place."

The report adds that markets act "as traditional anchors that support independent traders, foster entrepreneurship and provide accessible, affordable shopping rooted in local character. When combined with high-quality public spaces, a food and drink offer and flexible spaces for events and social activity, markets help generate footfall, animate surrounding streets and create inclusive, vibrant destinations. Together, these elements underpin a resilient town centre that supports local businesses, strengthens community life and contributes to economic vitality, civic pride and overall wellbeing.

"The Markets complex was recognised as a key anchor in the town centre, both for its historic significance and the potential to be a modern, attractive destination to draw people back into the heart of the town.

"Modern markets are evolving into vibrant, multifunctional destinations that offer far more than traditional retail. The new Market Hall and its surrounding outdoor spaces will create opportunities to use the markets in fresh and imaginative ways, building on the success of feature events like the Bazaar while also providing a welcoming location for a wider range of gatherings, activities, and a traditional food offer. At the same time, collaboration with the College opens the door for the new market and library spaces to support partnership and enterprise adding real value to this part of the town centre."

The latest timetable for the new markets has the New Market Hall on the site of the outdoor covered market opening in June 2026 and the revamped Indoor Market completing in Autumn 2027.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: Adept Consulting Engineers Ltd / LinkedIn / Neimen Blume / RMBC

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News: "Not acceptable" - council's incapability to control capital costs can't continue

Frank discussions have been held between elected members and council officers over large capital regeneration projects in Rotherham that keep going over budget.

A wide ranging review of how council-led projects are managed is set to take place as the authority wrestles with its largest ever capital investment programme having secured millions in funding for regeneration,

It comes after the cabinet approved a further £8m, including using various council pots to fill a funding gap following an increase in the total budget of the town centre markets and library redevelopment from £40.894m to £46.844m. The request for another £5.95m is a year after the council secured a further £6.5m from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to cover previous budget increases.

Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said that he was "extremely frustrated and disappointed" that the town centre project was back before cabinet seeking further financial support.

Cllr. Williams told fellow cabinet members: "As part of some of the very frank discussions that myself and the leader [Cllr. Chris Read] have been involved in with senior officers, we have made it absolutely clear that this is not acceptable and that things need to improve in the delivery of big capital projects. The first step of that journey in terms of making that improvement is to be open and honest and transparent about the issues that have occurred.

"I am pleased that this report is set out in the way that it is. It is quite a frank and direct read, quite a difficult read in places, but I'm pleased we've taken that step."

In a series of challenges in the delivery of the project, the cabinet report highlighted 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.

Williams added: "The issues clearly raise significant questions on both the original designs, on the project and cost management of the project, and on internal governance overseeing the delivery of this scheme."

The council's chief executive is commissioning an investigation into the markets and library project and recently told councillors that he is also set to conduct a separate independent "end-to-end review of the capital project processes with a focus on large-scale development projects with a view to identifying learning and developing recommendations on how to embed best practice going forward."

John Edwards, chief executive at Rotherham Council, said: "I'm looking at how can we improve and how can we look across. I'm looking to an independent external organisation, perhaps another local authority, to look at the process we have in that space and help us to develop the very best of practice going forward.

"We have lots of skilled staff across the council but there is no doubt that a stronger culture and process is necessary in order for us to enter into, and then see through, major projects effectively, in a timely way, and within budget."

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Simon Moss, Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, added that there had already been significant improvement in project and programme management in recent years. He said: "We've established new gateway processes, there's been lessons around contractual approaches and routes to market, and also around empowering the project manager and project sponsor to ensure that control and influence on key project decisions are aligned closely to those that are accountable to the project.

"On this particular project [the town centre markets and library], unfortunately some of the challenges were fundamentally "baked in" already and improvements since then have helped to identify and mitigate some of those issues, unfortunately rather than eradicate them, but I can offer my own assurances that significant lessons have been learnt and are being employed on other projects which we are seeing successfully delivered across the borough."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of the council, said: "There will be people who are unhappy, angry about the cost, and worried about what that means for the scheme. The first thing to say, just to reiterate again, of course we cannot continue to spend bigger and bigger amounts of money on these capital schemes, that isn't acceptable to us, and it isn't acceptable to the taxpayer, and none of us should stand for it. So the decision that we are taking, today - this is not a blank cheque but it is the money that is necessary to bring them to fruition. We will ensure that those town centre schemes are delivered.

"The library should be open later this summer, so people should be able ti use those new facilities, and goodness knows we've waited something like 15 years for the library to be relocated back into the town centre so we'll deliver on that. The first stage, the market hall, should be operational in the coming months and we will make sure that that work is done.

"If we were to stop now we would leave ourselves with a half-completed project in the middle of town that would at some stage in the future require even more money to get back into some sort of good use, and we won't stand for that. Without investment in that markets complex that building would have come to the end of its natural life, it would have closed and hundreds of years of Rotherham as a market town would have come to a conclusion and we are not going to accept that either.

"The investigation is also really important. It is important that the council learns the lessons of the mistakes that have been made, that improvements are made in the way that major projects are organised, because, frankly, otherwise the taxpayer and this cabinet will once again be put in a position of not being able to rely on the information that is put in front of us. And that undermines us and it undermines the democratic process, and it means that we will not be able to do our best for our borough."

Images: Henry Boot Construction / LinkedIn

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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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News: How Rotherham Council wants to spend £2.95m on local growth, backing business support, High Streets and more events

The cabinet at Rotherham Council is set to approve the use of £2.95m of local growth funding, continuing to fund business and employment support services, high profile events and dedicated financial support for High Street units and market traders.

The allocation for 2026/27 is from the Local Growth Fund (LGF), the government funding pot designed to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF - itself a successor to the European Structural Funds) and equip mayors in the North and Midlands to boost regional productivity.

Rotherham's allocation represents a reduction of around 10% compared to the previous year so the focus is on the priorities of supporting local business, people and skills, and communities and place. Funding is set to maintain delivery of priority projects, matching council priorities.

Most of the projects are continuations from the current programme.

For example, a further £666,655 is for the Shop Unit Business Grant Project that has been oversubscribed. It means that more businesses could recieve a 100% grant of up to £10,000. The allocation has been increased to reflect the high demand in 2025/26, with the target areas also expanded.

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£60,000 has been allocated for Rotherham Town Centre Markets, which is currently undergoing a revamp as part of a £40m regeneration scheme. The funding is to "support market traders, raise awareness of the markets and increase footfall, particularly during the construction of the new markets and central library. Specific initiatives are being developed, but could include micro grants for traders (new and existing) and themed events."

Funding is also earmarked for sub-regional projects such as Launchpad business support (£263,257) and business grants related to productivity (£483,588) and low carbon (£200,000).

People and skills projects that support young people who are not in employment, education or training; provide community-based core skills (maths, English and digital) courses and: support working people who want to reach their career potential, are set to share a further £450,000.

Building on the success of the Children’s Capital of Culture traineeships and skills programme, a £300,781 project extension will offer alumni roles in local organisations for previous trainees.

Addressing communities and place, £424,219 is being allocated for a further programme of events delivered throughout the year.

The report adds: "As well as established events such as the Rotherham Show, UPLIFT and Christmas lights switch on, the programme will include school holiday events across the borough, new activities piloted in the town centre, and a St George’s Day event in April."

Images: RMBC

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News: How the new Rotherham markets might look when complete

As progress continues on the construction of the new £40m markets and library development in Rotherham town centre, the architect has given a hint at what it might look like inside.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction, began enabling works on the Drummond Street site in 2023. 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 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. The outdoor market was initially expected to become a flexible space which can be used for exhibitions and events when required. The second floor will host contemporary office spaces for charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

The library is set to include a high-quality children’s area with fun spaces for reading and storytelling, and a dedicated IT area and business development facility. The second floor will contain meeting facilities and a Maker Space for learning and exploring using the latest technology.

Once work is completed on the outdoor market and library, work will commence on the refurbishment of the indoor market.

With nearly 500 tonnes of steel already installed and the basement steelwork complete, the new covered market and library are on track to open in spring 2026, with full redevelopment due in early 2027.

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Niemen Blume Architects were appointed as the architect and lead designer last year to lead the Stage 4 and 5 design process and oversee the redesign of key project elements in partnership with contractor, Henry Boot Construction, and Adept Consulting Engineers.

Scott Lunn, Director and Project Lead at Niemen Architects, said on appointment: “It’s incredibly exciting to be part of the Rotherham Markets and Library project, especially as Rotherham is my hometown. I have fond memories of visiting the Markets as a child, and it’s a privilege to play a key role in the revitalisation of such a prominent and recognised location.”

Niemen explained that one of the key design elements of the project is converting the existing outdoor covered market to become a fully enclosed market hall with flexible trading spaces alongside fixed market stalls.

Inside visitors can expect a comprehensive refurbishment of existing indoor retail spaces and the integration of a new dining level providing a mix of social spaces within the retail environment.

The project, second only in the town centre to Forge Island in terms of investment, also comes with a public realm element with the creation of flexible external public spaces capable of hosting diverse community events and exhibitions.

Niemen Blume Architects website

Images: Niemen Blume

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News: Steelwork marks progress of £40m markets and library development in Rotherham town centre

The brick and blockwork is now rising at the £40m regeneration scheme in Rotherham town centre that includes the redevelopment of the ageing markets complex and a new library.

It follows the installation of the framework which has a steel tonnage of 320 tonnes.

Lead contractors on behalf of Rotherham Council, Henry Boot Construction, began enabling works on the Drummond Street site in 2023. 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 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. The outdoor market will become a flexible space which can be used for exhibitions and events when required. The second floor will host contemporary office spaces for charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

The adjoining library building will occupy the corner between Henry Street and Drummond Street and include a high-quality children’s area with fun spaces for reading and storytelling, and a dedicated IT area and business development facility. The second floor will contain meeting facilities and a Maker Space for learning and exploring using the latest technology.

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Hambleton Steel led on steelwork apsects of the project.

The market building is using structural steelwork to further strengthen existing supporting columns and create an open-plan design to improve the visitor experience.

The outdoor covered market sits on a raised concrete slab which spans a ground floor service yard. The basement will be used to accommodate a car park and service both markets. Everything on top of the slab was removed to make space for the new outdoor covered market, but before the new structure could be installed, the supporting columns had to be strengthened.

For the new outdoor covered market, the Hambleton team were able to use mobile cranes, positioned alongside the structure which measures 50m x 43m and it reaches a height of 7.5m. The outdoor market’s steel frame has columns located in positions that matched the existing basement members. The steel-frame option for the outdoor market offered a lightweight solution which limited the strengthening and foundation work required in the basement.

The new outdoor market frame is a braced free-standing structure, which is independent of all existing structural elements. A movement joint separates it from the indoor market, while second expansion joint divides the outdoor market’s steelwork from the new library’s steel frame.

Once work is completed on the outdoor market and library, work will commence on the refurbishment of the indoor market. Work on the entire Rotherham Markets development is expected to complete in 2027.

Henry Boot website
Hambleton Steel website

Images: Henry Boot Construction

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News: Businesses already showing interest in £12m Rotherham regeneration scheme

Current tenants and prospective new occupiers are already showing interest in a new multimillion pound regeneration scheme in a Rotherham town.

The revamp of DInnington market recently cleared a major hurdle with the Government’s Planning Inspector approving Rotherham Council’s bid to acquire key property in the area.

Rothbiz reported in July that all objections had been withdrawn just before a legal inquiry got underway into a compulsory purchase order (CPO) that would enable Rotherham Council to acquire the various land and property interests needed for the Government-funded project.

The plans include 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.

As well as improving the high street’s aesthetics and accessibility, the project will also create new opportunities for local businesses and the town centre including increased footfall and events.

The letter from the inspector exlains that: "an aspiration of the scheme is to retain the existing businesses, and four of the current businesses have indicated that they wish to return to the development, and will be accommodated. There has been no marketing to date but a further five new businesses have indicated that they wish to have premises within the new scheme which shows that there is already an appetite for the development.

"Some of the displaced occupiers do not wish to return to the scheme, for example the Colliery Band, but they have been helped to relocate to suitable premises elsewhere [in the old library on Laughton Road]."

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To carry out the plans, that were approved in 2024, the council needs to acquire acquire all outstanding interests in 32A Laughton Road, the indoor market at 34 Laughton Road, a parade of terraced retail units at 36 – 56 Laughton Road, the open area to the rear of Laughton Road which is used as the outdoor market with fixed market stalls, the colliery band building and two passageways at either end of the plot.

The inspector concluded: "It is evident that there needs to be a comprehensive redevelopment of the Order Land to regenerate not only the market area itself but also the wider town centre. The development needs to take place in this location as part of the town centre to provide the benefits to the wider retail area, remove the unsightly elements and provide the new town square.

"Whilst all of the objectors to the CPO have withdrawn their objections prior to the opening of the inquiry, the actual acquisition of all of the plots had not yet occurred, and the making of the CPO alongside the ongoing negotiations help to ensure that the scheme could be achieved within a reasonable timescale."

Work to appoint a contractor is expected to take place in the New Year before work starts on site.

The Government has confirmed that the spending on the project can be extended from 2026 to 2028.

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “It’s fantastic news that the CPO has been confirmed meaning work can progress on the redevelopment of Dinnington High Street. The work will make a huge impact on the local area, not just in terms of how it looks, but how it’s accessed and help and foster a renewed sense of pride in the town.

“We’ve all been frustrated about the length of time it’s taken to reach this stage - it was never going to be easy with some of the challenges we've faced in acquiring parts of the site. However, now that the CPO has been granted, we remain totally committed to forging ahead on delivering the improvements that residents and businesses have been waiting for.”

Rother Valley MP Jake Richards, spoke at the public inquiry and said: "It is vital that the project happens. Dinnington has never lost its character, and everyone pulls together but investment is desperately needed.

"Dinnington is a market town, and the scheme will reorientate and modernise the market place and bring better integration with the town centre. The aim is not just cosmetic, but the scheme offers a comprehensive approach and responds to the public interest."

Richards described the project as "a golden opportunity that will be a catalyst for local growth."

Images: RMBC / AHR / Google Maps

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News: £83m Rotherham regeneration projects can be pushed back to 2028

Multimillion pound regeneration projects in Rotherham will have more time to be completed after the Government granted more flexibilities over how the money can be spent.

Partners in the borough will also find it easier to cancel projects, move funding to different, or even new, projects, and change governance arrangements.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that the previous government had entered Rotherham into the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot, a simplified approach to funding delivery, after the National Audit Office (NAO) warned of delays around spending Levelling Up funding pots.

Now the new government has consolidated a number of funding schemes in a bid to accelerate project delivery and improve value for money.

In 2021, Rotherham secured £31.6m from the Town Deal to revamp areas of Rotherham town centre as well as Templeborough, Eastwood and the site of the proposed mainline station at Parkgate. In the same year, £12.6m was secured from the Future High Streets Fund.

From the Levelling Up Fund, Rotherham was successful in securing £19.5m for the town centre and £19.9m for a number of connected projects around the leisure industry. £20m was then secured in 2023 for a new mixed-use development in Wath town centre, as well as delivering significant improvements to Dinnington High Street and market.

The pots have now been combined into the "Local Regeneration Fund" with single, annual allocations based on streamlined monitoring and reduced reporting frequency.

One of the main flexibilities is that all funding is now due to be spent by the end of March 2028.

The Future High Streets Fund was initially due to be spent by March 2024, with other funds then due to be spent by March 2026. In Rotherham this includes projects that have suffered delays due to rising costs, difficulties securing contractors and legal issues.

The revamp of Rotherham Market, which is using money from the Future High Street Fund, was originally scheduled to finish in December 2025 but this was pushed back to 2027 with total costs now at £40.89m. At Riverside Gardens, another Future High Street Fund project, a contractor has recently started work. Changes have also been made to projects at Rother Valley and Thrybergh Country parks but construction work is underway.

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With the council unable to acquire the properties required to deliver the Dinnington scheme, a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was issued earlier this year which meant that the spending on the project was extended from 2026 to 2028.

Many schemes have completed in the borough backed by the funds. This includes Skills Street at Gulliver's Valley, work to transform heritage buildings at Maltby Grammar School, and the acquisition and demolition of burnt out buidings in the town centre.

Another flexibility is that the government no longer requires local authorities to seek approval for any changes. As long as it still meets conditions around value for money and contributes to one or more Government Missions, changes could include amendments to the scope of existing projects, the cancellation of existing projects and the creation of new projects.

An update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) said: "After listening to feedback from local government, on the need for less bureaucratic micromanagement and more local control, we have now announced the consolidation of MHCLG’s Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals and Simplification Pathfinders Pilot Fund together into a single funding pot. This reform will increase flexibility to adapt schemes to local needs and focus on delivery.

"We are giving local authorities greater ability to make decisions locally about moving funding between projects in their funding portfolio. Local authorities should consider how they can use this increased flexibility to invest more effectively, whether that is pooling funding in the same area, redeploying funding to different priorities or making changes to existing projects to expedite delivery and maximise their impact.  

"It is our expectation that projects already underway will be completed, for the benefit of local residents. In the small number of cases where projects are no longer viable, we expect that councils will use the funding available to invest in the area that originally stood to benefit, so local residents can feel the improvements to their everyday lives that they have been promised. We strongly encourage local authorities to consult with key stakeholders, including MPs in their local areas on any proposed changes and in particular changes to the location or projects and/or intended beneficiaries."

Rothbiz has previously reported on changes made in Rotherham to funded schemes. Aspects have been removed from projects, such as a proposed new bridge over the River Don to the football stadium and the live music venue project has looked at a number of heritage properties in the town centre. A new project to introduce "Health on the High Street" in a bid to improve access to health services and increase footfall in the town centre was added to the mix earlier this year.

Not included in the funds is the Plan for Neighbourhoods that will guide a £20m investment into the town over the next ten years.

Images: RMBC / AHR / Maltby Learning Trust

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News: Rotherham's new market and library to benefit from solar panel push

Great British Energy, the government’s publicly-owned clean energy company, has awarded mayoral authorities a share of £10m in grant funding to roll out clean energy projects at the centre of communities, with a major Rotherham regeneration project set to benefit.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is set to establish the Mayoral Renewables Fund Grant Scheme following a request for £572,025.

The government’s clean energy superpower mission will protect billpayers, create jobs and bring greater energy security through delivering clean power by 2030. Great British Energy will accelerate this by developing, investing and building clean energy projects across the UK.

Great British Energy is already cutting energy bills for public services, with solar panels already installed on 11 schools as part of plans to roll out the panels on around 200 schools and 200 hospitals in England.

Seven new projects in Doncaster and Rotherham have been identified for solar panels.

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Last month Rotherham Council took the decision to utilise £350,000 of its own capital decarbonisation budget to maximise the solar photovoltaics (PV) on the town centre markets and library rooftops.

Construction is well underway on the £40.89m project which is due to be completed in 2027.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: “The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience. By reducing emissions and energy costs, we’re supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market - helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers."

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities.

"This is what Great British Energy is all about - taking back control to deliver lower bills for good."

The Rotherham town centre development will include a refurbished indoor market and a modern and accessible central library, along with a new community hub and extensive public realm and improved 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.

The outdoor market will become a flexible space which can be used for exhibitions and events when required. The second floor will incorporate contemporary office spaces for charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

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News: Further improvements planned for public realm in Rotherham town centre

Further phases of improvements in key areas of Rotherham town centre have been detailed and are set to go ahead despite delays and rising costs.

The 2017 Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan highlighted the critical importance of public realm enhancements to help encourage and improve movement and connectivity, particularly between Forge Island and the wider town centre, and to improve the physical environment and experience within the town centre.

Work on key streets has been completed - College Street, Bridgegate, Frederick Street and Howard Street, with work recently getting underway at Riverside Gardens on a delayed £7.8m scheme that also includes work on Upper Millgate and Corporation Street.

With an original completeion date for all of the works at February 2024, Rotherham Council's cabinet has this month approved the budget for the next area of improvement - Effingham Street.

At the same time, plans have been submitted for details of the landscaping around the new £40.89m markets and library development.

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The proposed designs for the Effingham Street public realm work cover a section running from Hastings Clock to the old Boots building, which has been earmarked for a new town centre health hub, and a lower section running from Market Square to the Camelia sculpture in All Saints' Square.

Work is set to include replacing and upgrading "old and tired" surface materials, improvements and upgrades to lighting to help improve safety and CCTV functionality, feature lighting, and the upgrading of street furniture.

The work will also impact market traders, currently operating on the street due to the revamp of the markets.

A council cabinet paper explains: "The outdoor covered market traders are currently displaced onto Effingham Street due to works to the Outdoor Covered Market (OCM), and they will be required to move again to allow works to take place on Effingham Street.

"Upon completion of the OCM, the existing indoor traders will have first priority to move into this new space temporarily whilst the Indoor Covered Market (ICM) works are taking place. It is expected that once this decant has taken place there will be some remaining space for displaced outdoor traders to return to the OCM. The need for additional space will be determined through engagement with traders, seasonal requirements and reviews of stall take up following reopening of the OCM. Should there be sufficient demand for on street trading, Frederick Street will be proposed as the preferred solution."

Works on Effingham Street will also provide new power supplies for market stalls and events, with an improved layout of market stalls set to provide additional space for traders and space to expand the offer to other street markets including continental food markets.

£6.9m was originally budgeted for the earlier phases but there has been cost increases as a result of the delivery of the Howard Street project. £343,992 has been reported for Effingham Street in the council's Capital Programme with the council's cabinet agreeing to reallocate funding from the authority's Town Centre Investment Fund (TCIF).

With Henry Boot Construction well underway on the new markets and library, an illustrative landscape masterplan has been updated for the streets around the development site.

Plans shows a significant stepped area between the new markets and the college buildings on Eastwood Lane, improvements to the Market Square area where Effingham Street meets Howard Street - including an area designed to lead to the entrance to the indoor market, and work on Drummond Street which will be where the entrance to the new library will be.

The markets project is due to complete in 2027.

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News: Objections withdrawn to Rotherham CPO

A legal inquiry into a compulsory purchase order (CPO) required to progress a Rotherham regeneration project was over before it began with all landowners previously against the council's order withdrawing their objections.

Backed by £11m in Government funding, the scheme at Dinnington aims to address blight in the town centre and boost the local economy. The funding will facilitate clearance of the burnt out and derelict buildings on the high street and pave the way for a new attractive town square, with purpose built commercial units to diversify the local offer.

With the council unable to acquire the properties required to deliver the scheme, a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was issued earlier this year which revealed that the authority was talking to the Government about extending the spending on the project from 2026 to 2028.

The order was published by Rotherham Council in January 2025 with the inquiry due to hear from the authority and legal firms representing landowners this week.

The Council received five objections to the order.

Strangely, one objection was from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), which was withdrawn in April. Initial legal papers showed that those against the order included the Nixon family (regarding the outdoor market), Roy Mugglestone, Yvonne Mugglestone and William Carrol (regarding the indoor market) and Cobani Property Limited (regarding 50 Laughton Road).

As the inquiry was due to begin (July 1), the Nixon family / Paylet Ltd was the only party remaining but the local MP, Jake Richards, who attended the inquiry as an interested party, has now confirmed that he was "really happy to say that all objectors have withdrawn."

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£11m in funding for the project was allocated by the Government in March 2023 and the funding agreement was received in June 2023 when Rotherham Council's cabinet approved the start of the scheme. A further £1m in council funding was allocated to the project in July 2024.

Documents submitted to the inquiry show that those with leasehold and freehold interests in the Laughton Road and market areas were contacted back in 2022 but since April 2023, market value offers from the council to purchase remaining interests were not agreed to. Negotiations continued right up until the inquiry and offers were made "based on the compensation that the vendor would be entitled to if their property were acquired pursuant to a confirmed compulsory purchase order."

A CPO is considered a last resort. The Government grants powers to enable acquiring authorities to compulsorily purchase land to carry out a function which Parliament has decided is in the public interest. Tribunals are often used to judge the levels of compensation for compulsary purchased land.

Legal papers show that landowners and operators of the outdoor market were seeking a sale and leaseback of the land with a licence to continue to operate the market.

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

The council were unable to offer a condition that Paylet would operate the new market but the council state that it "has sought to keep an outdoor market presence in the area and to that end has offered terms to Ms Nixon to retain and even expand their provision in the town."

The council's representative at property consultancy, Gateley Hamer, stated that: "The gap between the sum that Paylet wanted, and the sum that I have assessed on compensation code terms was significant."

Objections from the Nixon family, since withdrawn, stated that: "Offers made were inadequate and did not reflect the true value of the property or the operational disruption the acquisition would cause" and that the council did not genuinely exhaust all reasonable efforts to acquire the property.

But it now appears that a deal has been done and the project can now progress with the acquisition of all of the property required.

Images: RMBC / AHR

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News: Health hub set to fill Boots in Rotherham town centre

Rotherham Council is planning to introduce "Health on the High Street" in a bid to improve access to health services and increase footfall in the town centre.

The idea would also provide a long term use for a large retail unit that has been empty since 2022.

Creating a community hub for health provision as a way to reinvigorate town centres has been tried and tested across the country in areas such as Barnsley and Oldham.

In Rotherham, the council acquired the former Boots building in 2023 after the retailer closed as part of a 2020 acceleration of its Transformation Plan.

Close to the markets redevelopment, the proposal involves Abbey Pharmacy relocating from its current position in the first phase with the exploration of the development of a new health facility within the remainder of the building part of a second phase.

The idea was included in the initial £20m Long Term Plan for Towns (now The Plan for Neighbourhoods).

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A paper to Rotherham Council's cabinet explains: "Rotherham town centre is currently limited in its provision of health care services and the Council has been working in partnership with health service partners to consider how that provision may be increased. This project would see the first step in improving the provision of health services for the Town Centre and surrounding communities.

"In terms of phase 2, there have been no decisions on how the remainder of the building will be utilised, but it is envisaged that the building could be used by GPs, Health or Wellbeing operators. This is being reviewed and a feasibility study is being undertaken to deliver a connected and collaborative health provision in the Town Centre.

"The Council has been liaising with health providers over the last year. Providers recognise the benefit of a health provision in this location and are actively engaging with the feasibility process."

The government's Plan for Neighbourhoods exemplifies the approach taken in Barnsley. Evidence provided states that proximity to public transport has minimised missed appointments and has attracted an additional 55,000 visits to the town centre, supporting local businesses. It cites "improved health outcomes and economic growth, improving patient care and fostering a greater sense of community" amongst the positive outcomes of the facility.

With the £40m revamp of the markets underway, and as part of the lease, Rotherham Council would need to pay to relocate Abbey Pharmacy from Howard Street now, and potentially a second time, or work around them. Both options have been discounted due to the costs involved.

Following cabinet approval, the council will carry out feasability work and design development using money from the Pathfinder pot. In 2023, Rotherham Council was granted more flexibility over the £80m+ regeneration funding it has secured from the Government.

Potential costs for a Rotherham health hub have not been made public but council Health Select Commission papers show that the Phase One proposal to relocate the pharmacy is estimated to cost £1.3m with Phase Two estimated at £400,000 to work up plans.

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham markets revamp costs rise again, reach £40m

The cost of completing a long-awaited revamp of the markets in Rotherham town centre has risen again and is now at £40.89m, nearly double original estimates.

Rotherham Council is asking South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) for a further £6.5m on top of the £3.9m already approved.

The "significant presence of RAAC and of asbestos" in the building, which opened in 1971, is being blamed.

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. The outdoor market will become a flexible space which can be used for exhibitions and events when required. The second floor will host contemporary office spaces for charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.

With £4m already spent on the project before a spade hit the ground, Henry Boot began a £2.1m enabling works contract at the end of 2023 and have since made progress on the construction which has a total contract price of £36m.

Second only to the £47m Forge Island development in terms of town centre investment, 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 government money (£8.9m) from the Future High Streets Fund in 2020 for the project, a funding gap of £9.8m was identified in 2022, largely due to the impact of inflation on the project delivery costs.

Now another funding gap has come to light.

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Papers to the SYMCA board state that costs have risen as further investigative works were carried out through the design development process and prior to the council entering into contract with Henry Boot.

The paper adds: "Further allowances for utility services needed to be made, as well as allowances to deal with the significant presence of RAAC and of asbestos within the structure of the building. This brings the revised total project costs to £40.9m. RMBC [Rotherham Council] have increased their contribution but the additional £6.5m requested from the MCA (bringing the total to £9.9m), is to be used to address the viability gap for the overall scheme."

Rotherham Council's plans involve keeping the indoor market building and refurbishing and reconfiguring the space alongside repairs to the roof.

RAAC is reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, a lightweight form of concrete used in schools, colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. It has been recognised that the in-service performance is poor with cracking, excessive displacements and durability all being raised as concerns.

Without the additional funding, which is set to come from SYMCA's gainshare pot, the market would be made safe and not redeveloped. This was discounted in favour of redevelopment with the report adding: "There is a clear justification of the preferred option as being the only one likely to meet the strategic aims of the project and the alternatives likely to cause the footfall to fall further leading to the eventual closure of the market hall."

Gainshare funding refers to the money committed to South Yorkshire through the Devolution Deal agreed by the MCA, South Yorkshire local authorities and government.

A breakdown of the secured funding shows that £8,909,226 is coming from the government's Future High Street Fund, £13,865,012 from Rotherham Council's Town Investment Fund and £8,219,311 from Rotherham Council’s Capital Programme.

When asked last year about the rising costs of the redevelopment, Cllr. Chris Read said it would be "bizarre" to scrap the scheme and take away the opportunity to follow the likes of Barnsley, Sheffield and Doncaster and create a bustling hub in the town centre.

SYMCA's board is due to discuss the plans later this month.

Images: RMBC / Tom Austen

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News: £36m Rotherham market taking shape

The £36m refurbishment of Rotherham Markets has taken a major steps forward, including the demolition of the Guardian Centre buildings, the removal of the markets’ iconic tent roof and new steelwork erected.

Appointed by lead contractor, Henry Boot Construction, Rotherham-based demolition experts, Demex, were responsible for the dismantling of the iconic tensile fabric tent and its supporting metal structure, which has been a recognisable part of Rotherham’s town centre for almost three decades.

Demex were also in charge of carefully managing the pulling down of the former Drummond Street shops – also known as the Guardian Centre buildings – to the Henry Street corner of the site.

This carefully managed process has seen the first visual changes at the historic site and showcases the exciting change Henry Boot Construction is delivering in the town centre.

Construction began in May last year on the project, which is a key part of Rotherham Council’s wider town centre masterplan set to become a new cultural and social focal point for the town.

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Modernisations to the existing Rotherham Markets structure will build upon the existing shops and services on the ground floor, with the addition of a new food hall and dining area on the first level. The adjoining outdoor market will be refurbished to become a multi-functional space used to host exhibitions and community events.

Alongside the markets, a striking new library has been designed with the town’s community needs in mind. This modern, flexible venue will feature a dedicated children’s area, café, community meeting spaces, working spaces, a business development facility and IT centre.

Interlinking the markets and library will be a series of high-quality public spaces, helping to enhance the appearance, accessibility and inclusivity of the area, as well as seamlessly connecting it to the rest of the town centre and Rotherham College.

With the demolition stage complete, work continues with the installation of the steel frame for the new outdoor covered market (OCM) and library.

The project is expected to complete in 2027.

Demex website
Henry Boot website

Images: Tom Austen / Henry Boot / Demex

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News: Council consult on future of Rotherham markets

Rotherham town centre visitors are being asked to tell the council how they use the market currently and what they would like to see from its £36m redevelopment.

Rothbiz reported in September that Rotherham Council were taking the opportunity to consult while demolition and construction work is underway on the Drummond Street site.

The plans, which were approved in 2023, will bring together the library, markets, food hall, gallery, and event spaces onto one site.

The redevelopment has meant that the outdoor markets have been moved temporarily onto nearby streets with the indoor markets remaining open.

Due to logistics, the impact of bad weather and the affect on the indoor market traders, Rotherham Council has already said that it is their preference that the move of the outdoor market remains a temporary measure.

Since work began, traders in the indoor market have experienced a loss of footfall and trade as a result of closure of entrances and loss of connectivity with the outdoor covered market, which traders say has been exacerbated by the expansion of on street trading.

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With an ambitious concept for the new market and food hall, the strategy could include additional ad-hoc markets on street (food markets, continental markets, etc) that would complement and add to the core offer within the new market building.

Views are being sought on the indoor and outdoor markets and online consultation is available until November 30.

Alternatively, plans for the markets will be on display at the Rotherham Markets consultation stand at Rotherham Indoor Market main entrance on Howard Street on Tuesday November 19 between 10am and 2pm.

Back in 2022, a council study on the current needs and challenges facing the markets was undertaken after footfall remained below pre-pandemic levels and councillors were concerned about the recovery and financial sustainability of the markets. The study also looked at the redesigned space, targeting a younger demographic and retaining current traders through the redevelopment.

As the redevelopment work moves to demolishing the Guardian Centre, contractors, Henry Boot say that "work on the entire Rotherham Markets development is expected to complete in 2027."

The final cost for the development, which has risen largely due to the impact of inflation on the project delivery costs, has also been confirmed.

The value of the council contract with Henry Boot has been published recently as £36,251,213. This makes it second only to the £47m Forge Island development in terms of town centre investment.

Rotherham Markets website

Images: RMBC / Henry Boot

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News: Rotherham Markets development now expected to complete in 2027

Work has started on the demolition of the former Drummond Street shops – also known as the Guardian Centre buildings – at the Rotherham Markets site this week, paving the way for the development’s brand-new town centre library.

Second only to the £47m Forge Island development in terms of town centre investment, the £36m revamp was originally scheduled to finish in December 2025 but the latest update from contractors, Henry Boot says that "work on the entire Rotherham Markets development is expected to complete in 2027."

Having secured government money (£8.9m) from the Future High Streets Fund in 2020 for the project, a funding gap of £9.8m was identified in 2022, largely due to the impact of inflation on the project delivery costs. With the council filling the funding gap, work got underway last year.

The latest milestone in the project marks the first visual change at the historic markets site for members of the public, showcasing tangible progress in the creation of a more inviting, inclusive and accessible area of the town centre.

The demolition of the Guardian Centre buildings will last approximately six weeks. Rotherham-based Demex is the demolition subcontractor.

Once cleared, the site will become the location for the new modern, central library, which will tie into the vibrant refurbishment of the indoor and outdoor-covered markets, and extensive public realm improvements.

The new library building has been designed with the town’s community needs in mind. It will feature a dedicated children’s area, café, community meeting spaces, working spaces, a business development facility, IT centre and more.

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Cllr Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "We are committing to investing in Rotherham’s future, and the removal of the older buildings brings us one step closer to a fantastic market development which will contain dynamic spaces for all to enjoy, whilst providing exciting opportunities for local businesses.

"In the meantime, Rotherham Indoor Market remains open for business as usual with a range of outdoor markets now taking place in the town centre, so I encourage everyone to continue to support our local traders until they are in their new facilities."

Once the demolition of the Drummond Street shops is complete in December, the distinctive outdoor market canopy – including fabric cover, support wires, and structural frame – will be removed in stages.

Tony Shaw, Managing Director at Henry Boot, said: "This is a significant moment in the Rotherham Markets redevelopment project, as it marks a key period of visual change for the town centre. This phase is making way for the future vision of the town centre – one that will help increase footfall and drive further growth and investment in the town. We look forward to continuing our work with Rotherham Council to breathe new life into the town centre."

The plans, which were approved in 2023, will bring together the library, markets, food hall, gallery, and event spaces onto one site, off Drummond Street. Once works are complete, visitors will benefit from a refurbished indoor and outdoor covered market, and an external recreation area.

Henry Boot Construction website

Images: RMBC

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