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

Images: RMBC

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News: The Food Warehouse gets opening date for new Rotherham location

The Food Warehouse has an opening date for its new store at a popular Rotherham retail destination.

Rothbiz revealed last year that, following TUI's relocation, The Food Warehouse was eyeing up the former TUI unit next to Morrisons at Parkgate Shopping.

The Iceland brand is set to open on June 30.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

The 12,500 sq ft store is a newly reconfigured store space to allow for The Food Warehouse's super simple store layout with wider and fewer aisles.

A spokesperson for The Food Warehouse said: "To celebrate our new store, we've got £1,500 worth of the Food Warehouse vouchers to giveaway to the first 150 customers, and more! The Food Warehouse brings you new and exclusive brands, great selection of bigger value packs, plus we're stocked up with all your favourite household essentials."

Another recent opening is mydentist which has relocated from Rotherham town centre.

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Looking ahead, a one of the last remaining vacant units is now listed as being under offer. The 11,000 sq ft unit was vacated by Sports Direct when the store relocated to a large Frasers Group unit at Parkgate,

At the current Poundstretcher unit, a planning application has recently been submitted by the site's owners that would split the unit in two seperate units. Agents for the applicants say that the works are proposed to enable the floorspace to be reoccupied.

Also at Parkgate the iconic steel tree sculpture that has welcomed visitors to the shopping park since 2018 has found a new home at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

The six metre metal structure, has been relocated to the heart of the hospice’s memory garden – which helps to provide a peaceful space for families to reflect and remember their loved ones.

The bespoke piece of artwork was created by celebrated local sculptor Steve Mehdi who was inspired by Parkgate’s former logo. Following the leading shopping park’s rebrand in October 2025 – complete with a new logo – it was important to everyone at Parkgate that the sculpture was repurposed and found a home where it could continue to be appreciated by the community.

The relocation was made possible with the support of Parkway Sheet Metals, H.Askey Transport, Bramley Construction and Landscape Ltd and Holemasters Demtech Ltd whose teams played a key role in ensuring the safe moving of the sculpture.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: “We’re incredibly proud to be donating Parkgate’s tree sculpture to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. The steel sculpture has welcomed visitors to the park for nearly a decade, and we’re glad that it will remain part of the community in Bluebell Wood’s memory garden. The team at the hospice undertake incredible work caring for babies, children and young people, as well as providing vital support for their families. We’re so proud to partner with them through this addition to the memory garden."

Heidi Hawkins, CEO of Bluebell Wood commented: "We are delighted to welcome this new sculpture to Bluebell Wood. The garden is a very special and important part of our hospice and with summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for families to enjoy this wonderful addition. We are incredibly grateful to Parkgate for their support and look forward to sharing this feature with the families in our care."

The Food Warehouse website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Food Warehouse / Parkgate Shopping

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News: Rotherham engineering firm acquired

Mechanical engineering specialist Fluid Sealing & Engineering (FSE) has been acquired by RSK.

Based at Parkgate, FSE was established in 1986 and works across the UK for water authorities and other industries, specialising in the supply and installation of pipework and process equipment.

Chesire-based RSK has already executed one of the most successful buy and build strategies in the environmental services sector, bringing together more than 200 businesses and more than 17,000 talented employees.

RSK said that the deal, for an undisclosed sum, would enhance the group’s water sector expertise with the business’s extensive experience in wastewater and water treatment infrastructure.

The FSE business specialises in the supply and installation of integrated mechanical systems encompassing design, off-site fabrication and on-site installation of complex fluid conveyance and pumping infrastructure within live water and wastewater treatment assets. This includes the associated structural and access steelwork that enables FSE to deliver single-package mechanical solutions.

The business operates within various water industry and national specifications – Water Industry Mechanical and Electrical Specifications (WIMES), individual water company specifications and British Standards – and holds a comprehensive suite of industry accreditations, including ISO 9001, Achilles UVDB, UKAS product certification and SSIP Worksafe.

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FSE Managing Director Lee Sanderson, who will continue to lead the business, said: “Joining the RSK Group marks a pivotal milestone in FSE’s 40-year history. Since our founding in 1986, we have taken great pride in delivering complex mechanical engineering solutions for the UK’s most critical infrastructure, and finding a partner that shares our deep-rooted commitment to safety and long-term client relationships was paramount.

“This acquisition comes at a defining moment for the water industry. Now that we are in the AMP8 cycle, the scale of investment required to modernise wastewater and water treatment assets is unprecedented. FSE is now uniquely positioned to meet this demand. With the backing of RSK, we have the enhanced capacity and resources to scale our operations, driving significant growth while continuing to support our core water authority partners and Tier 1 contractors.

“Our mission remains the same: to provide the technical excellence FSE is known for, now with the global strength of RSK behind us.”

RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder added: “RSK is proud of its ongoing contribution to the UK water industry, made possible by the integrated, multidisciplinary skills of colleagues across RSK businesses working together in this crucial sector. Our work to help advance water sector infrastructure development continues at pace, supported by businesses such as FSE, which bring strong regulatory credentials and clear alignment with AMP8 demand. RSK Group and FSE share a strong safety culture and a commitment to long-standing client relationships, which is extremely important to me, and I am very pleased to welcome our new colleagues onboard.”

FSE has a client base that includes Laing O’Rourke, Kier, Tilbury Douglas, JN Bentley, Murphy Group, Alfa Laval, Galliford Try, C2V, Esh Construction and GSE. FSE has also worked with the RSK Group business MWH Treatment.

Water sector clients include Scottish Water, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Southern Water, Severn Trent Water, Thames Water, South West Water and Jersey Water.

Fluid Sealing & Engineering website
RSK website

Images: RSK

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News: Capital&Centric timetabled to talk up Rotherham regeneration

The managing director of social impact developer Capital&Centric is set to share a stage with officials from Rotherham next week at the UK’s leading forum for real estate, investment and infrastructure.

Although it has not been announced why, the appearance suggests that the Manchester company is in line to take forward more development opportunities in the region.

Capital&Centric specialises in unlocking and transforming "unloved" brownfield sites into vibrant, design-led neighborhoods. 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.

John Moffat, joint managing director of Capital&Centric is due to take part in a panel at UKREiiF – The UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum, which is entitled: "Next Stop Rotherham - The Gateway To The Future."

Moffat is set to join John Edwards, chief executive at Rotherham Council, Katharine Hammond, chief executive of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), to discuss how Rotherham is delivering an ambitious growth agenda, uniting major regeneration with world-leading innovation at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Property professionals, investors, developers and senior decision-makers are set to discover "how Rotherham is helping shape Northern Powerhouse Rail and South Yorkshire’s future - creating a national transport hub, accelerating housing delivery, and unlocking prime opportunities for investment."

A 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate shows how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

Rotherham Gateway will reconnect the town to the mainline rail network for the first time since the 1980s, delivering faster connections to major cities including Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham, while unlocking new regional and national routes.

Representing a long-term investment in Rotherham’s future, the £300m project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs locally, with a further 8,000 across the wider South Yorkshire Investment Zone - delivering an economic uplift of over £100m through new employment opportunities.

The project is a key part of SYMCA's portfolio for UKREiiF. The mayoral authority describes it as having "the potential to offer the most significant growth and regeneration opportunity across the North of England.

"A new main line rail station with tram-train stop situated within the heart of a new advanced manufacturing innovation campus, and in an area of housing growth, will ensure rapid and reliable connectivity to regional and national economies, providing ease of access outside the Borough."

Investors and developer interest is being sought to deliver the necessary infrastructure for a new Station Anchor Building and Innovation Campus.

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Investors and developers are also being courted to take on the opportunity for around 400 new homes adjacent to a new mainline station. Rotherham Council offers the opportunity to acquire land and de-risk investment while seeking developer and investor interest in the creation of a new residential led community.

The station is also being positioned as the scheme that unlocks the wider Bassingthorpe development nearby - a proposed 2,000 home development on former greenbelt land. Rotherham Council recently approved the appointment of a specialist consultant to provide commercial advice for the scheme in order to "progress the delivery of a residential development scheme on the strategic allocation site of Bassingthorpe Farm jointly with the majority landowner."

Rothbiz reported last month that following the announcement on Rotherham Gateway being in the first phase of Nothern Powerhouse Rail, a developer signed an agreement to start investment.

Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has also been active in relation to Rotherham Gateway, entering into a £70,000 contract for a feasibility study.

Homes England has also been looking to appoint a solicitor to act on its behalf on "entering into an Investments Loan Agreement with a borrower where providing finance for residential development in Rotherham."

Homes England recently entered a strategic joint venture with Swiss Life Asset Managers and Capital&Centric to deliver more than 2,250 homes in underinvested areas in England.

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

The "Strategic Sites" programme "aims to bring forward high-quality mixed-use development across the Council’s strategic town centre sites, creating a new community supported by integrated services, leisure uses and commercial opportunities. Its objectives include securing a long term positive legacy for the town centre, accelerating progress on complex brownfield sites, attracting credible private sector partners, and addressing viability challenges in a low value market through targeted public sector intervention."

Rotherham Gateway Station website
Capital&Centric website

Images: RMBC / Capital&Centric

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News: Developers get on board following Rotherham mainline station announcement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Images: RMBC

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News: Sheffield and Rotherham Councils set to commit £800,000 to Don Valley Corridor

Sheffield and Rotherham Councils are both committing £400,000 each towards the development of a flagship place-based regeneration programme for South Yorkshire based around the Don Valley Corridor.

Rothbiz reported first last month that the region's first Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) is proposed for a unified corridor for innovation, industry and neighbourhood renewal stretching from Sheffield city centre to the site of the proposed Rotherham Gateway Station.

Bringing together the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) with Rotherham Council and Sheffield Council "creates a single front door for Government, agencies and private markets."

Cabinet approval has been secured in Rotherham for the council to commit £400,000 of its Gainshare revenue allocation for the scheme and Sheffield Council is expected to match Rotherham's £400,000.

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

The money will go "toward programme resourcing and feasibility work for priority projects for the first three years of the programme."

Linked to the South Yorkshire Investment Zone, the programme will address transport issues (including the proposed new mainline and tram train stop at Parkgate), flood resilience and brownfield land which has been held back by contamination, low land values and viability constraints.

Investment Zone status provides South Yorkshire with up to £160m over ten years which can be used to offer investors, developers and start-ups a combination of targeted support and financial interventions to start, scale up and relocate their businesses.

Rotherham Council has already begun recruiting for a Don Valley Corridor Service Manager, who is expected to head up a new team delivering both the Don Valley Corridor partnership and Rotherham Gateway.

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Rothbiz has previously set out the Rotherham schemes that will fall under the Don Valley Corridor, including the new mainline station, further industrial space at Templeborough and new housing at Bassingthorpe and in the town centre.

Headline figures are that, through coordinated development, the 30 year transformation will enable over 18,000 jobs and 10,500 new homes with a £1.3bn uplift in GVA.

SYMCA papers set out that the authorities will use its existing statutory powers, "in particular, its strategic economic development powers and regeneration powers, its own resources and relationships with government, infrastructure providers and the private sector, as part of an integrated place-based programme. This will provide confidence both to the market, government and the wider public sector."

The paper adds that "there is shared commitment between SYMCA, RMBC and SCC to resource the programme collectively as a shared endeavour, including programme development capacity."

A Rotherham Council paper calls it "a nationally significant regeneration programme with a dedicated governance structure, programme leadership, and a coordinated approach to funding, delivery, and investment. Without coordination, opportunities scatter across isolated projects. With it, investors see credibility, residents see genuine opportunity, and places see sustained improvement rather than episodic development."

External funding is set to come from gainshare and other devolved funding pots, including funds that support renewal, housing and infrastructure. Nationally, the programme will be positioned to engage with institutions such as Homes England and the National Wealth Fund.

The Government has already committed to providing the South Yorkshire Mayor with access to "£85m new money to support jobs and development, including in the Don Valley Corridor and Sheffield Innovation spine."

The Government's recently announced £2.3bn City Investment Fund 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. It is expected to be used in "developing projects in the Don Valley Corridor, Sheffield city centre Innovation Spine, and Rotherham Town Centre."

A Rotherham Council paper adds: "SYMCA are currently identifying potential funding partners and exploring potential co-investment models. This approach is intended to raise the profile of Don Valley Corridor onto a national stage to leverage both public and private funding, maximising the impact and reach of the regional investment through Gainshare funding."

Don Valley Corridor website

Images: RMBC / SYMCA

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News: Rotherham in line for massive jobs boost as part of Don Valley Corridor regeneration scheme

Key areas in Rotherham and Sheffield are at the heart of a flagship place-based regeneration programme for South Yorkshire that will enable over 18,000 jobs and 10,500 new homes through coordinated development.

The Don Valley Corridor will create a unified corridor for innovation, industry and neighbourhood renewal stretching from Sheffield city centre to the site of the proposed Rotherham Gateway Station.

It brings together the UK’s largest concentration of industrial research and production capability outside the South East, anchored by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Translational Energy Research Centre, Olympic Legacy Park and major firms including Rolls-Royce, Boeing, McLaren and ITM Power.

Proponents say that: "By unlocking brownfield sites and investing in transport, energy and flood resilience infrastructure, the Don Valley Corridor will drive inclusive, sustainable, long-term regional growth."

The corridor between Sheffield and Rotherham has always been recognised as operating as one economy but the new programme will place the Don Valley as one of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's (SYMCA's) regional growth areas for investment.

That priority is set to be increased with the proposed designation of the region's first Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) for the Don Valley Corridor.

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A SYMCA paper explains: "Under these arrangements the MCA will use its existing statutory powers, in particular, its strategic economic development powers and regeneration powers, its own resources and relationships with government, infrastructure providers and the private sector, as part of an integrated place-based programme. This will provide confidence both to the market, government and the wider public sector.

"Mayoral Development Zone is a designation signalling to Government, investors, and partners that an area is a strategic priority for coordinated long-term regeneration. It maintains strategic focus and partnership commitment, strengthens Government engagement, signals readiness to explore enhanced delivery powers if required, and preserves optionality on future statutory mechanisms. This designation responds to specific challenges within the Don Valley Corridor by bringing spatial coherence across a large and complex geography."

Partners have discounted the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which would have planning authority powers to acquire land, cut red tape, and accelerate high-quality housing and business. The report warns that a MDC would need a costly and rigid structure, potentially slowing progress.

Instead, a MDZ and the programme "adds strategic capacity, investment readiness and cross-boundary alignment so that separate initiatives can be sequenced and leveraged for greater impact."

Bringing together SYMCA with Rotherham Council and Sheffield Council "creates a single front door for Government, agencies and private markets" with governance and the authority's assurance framework in place. The paper adds that "there is shared commitment between SYMCA, RMBC and SCC to resource the programme collectively as a shared endeavour, including programme development capacity."

External funding is set to come from gainshare and other devolved funding pots, including funds that support renewal, housing and infrastructure. Nationally, the programme will be positioned to engage with institutions such as Homes England and the National Wealth Fund.

The Government has this week committed to providing the South Yorkshire Mayor with access to "£85m new money to support jobs and development, including in the Don Valley Corridor and Sheffield Innovation spine."

The Government's recently announced £2.3bn City Investment Fund 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. It is expected to be used in "developing projects in the Don Valley Corridor, Sheffield city centre Innovation Spine, and Rotherham Town Centre."

Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire said: "We’re building a bigger and better economy across all of South Yorkshire, creating the opportunities that allow people to stay near and go far.

"For too long, South Yorkshire and the wider North have been failed, not only a by a lack of investment in our people, our businesses, our ideas and our infrastructure, but by a lack of ambition itself.

"But slowly, surely we’re beginning to see the South Yorkshire of the future taking shape - with world leading companies in industries of the future investing here, real income growth, and huge plans for the future, we’re starting to see the full potential of every part of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield.

"The UK cannot realise its own economic renewal without places like South Yorkshire playing our full part, but together with this Government we are now making that happen."

Don Valley Corridor aligns with the South Yorkshire Investment Zone which includes Rotherham sites such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) at Waverley, parts of Brinsworth and Canklow, the remaining regeneration sites at Templeborough, the Meadowbank Road area along with Holmes and Masbrough, the whole of Rotherham town centre, the Greasbrough Road area, Eastwood, Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, areas of Parkgate (but not the existing retail parks or adjacent land), and land at Aldwarke (but not the existing steel works).

The Mayoral Combined Authority Board is set to discuss the Don Valley Corridor next week.

SYMCA website

Images: Harworth Group / SYMCA

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News: Parkgate partners with Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity

Parkgate, Rotherham’s leading retail hub, has announced a partnership with the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity which will see the partners co-ordinating to organise a series of fundraisers, activities and events for the community at Parkgate, that will raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity.

While the trust receives core funding from the Government, the charity was established to fund vital equipment, services and projects that go beyond the NHS budget to improve care and patient experience. Parkgate will work alongside the charity and its local community to support with a range of initiatives, the first was an incredibly successful appeal for the provision of toiletries for patients and families to use at the hospital in ward areas and end-of-life rooms. Further planned activities include an Easter fundraiser and an exciting and interactive event for Fathers’ Day, amongst other ideas.

The charity, now in its 30th year, is currently raising funds for their Dementia Appeal which aims to raise £250,000 to completely transform multiple hospital wards at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust into warm, welcoming and dementia friendly spaces. Unfamiliar surroundings, loud noise and disruption to daily routines can make a hospital stay distressing for people living with dementia. The charity team want to change that for the thousands of people in the Rotherham community facing dementia, who, at some point will likely require a visit to hospital. The enhancements include dementia-friendly upgrades of lighting and flooring to reduce confusion and promote safety, as well as a variety of calming and engaging activities designed to support wellbeing and reduce anxiety, such as a dementia-style café, games area, therapeutic rooms, a potting shed and welcoming rest spaces that allow family and friends to stay nearby for comfort.

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The partnership builds upon existing charitable partnerships for the park - as the latest commitment from Parkgate in support of local causes. It complements the long running – and continued - relationship with Rotherham Families First, who base themselves at Parkgate and run the hugely successful annual Toy Appeal from the park.

The past few weeks have seen this charitable activity raised up a gear with Parkgate’s recent tie-up with Andy’s Man Club – to promote the work of the mental health group at the park, and the Helping Hands campaign run before Christmas that invited local people to nominate worthy organisations and individuals in need of a “helping hand” over the festive season.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou, Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: “The community-mindedness we have witnessed here at Parkgate is admirable. We felt our role, at the heart of this community, uniquely positions us to bring that goodwill together to support an amazing community cause in this, their 30th birthday year.

“It is set to be an exciting year ahead and our team is working hard to deliver an exciting programme of events and activities that will bring people together. We really hope the plans ahead will give customers even more reasons to visit Parkgate and will allow us to raise a really meaningful sum of money for such an important charity, whose work touches so many in Rotherham and its surrounding area.”

Rachael Dawes, Head of Charity and Engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity said: “We are incredibly grateful to Parkgate Rotherham for choosing us as their charity partner for 2026! Their support means so much to us, not only in terms of raising funds for the NHS services we all rely on, but also in helping to shine a light on the vital work our NHS charity does in our community.

“We’re so excited about the fantastic line-up of events planned at Parkgate throughout the year, and the positive impact this partnership will have for patients and families in our community.”

Parkgate website
Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity website

Images: Parkgate

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News: Rotherham mainline timeline

Rotherham Council has accepted over £11m to develop a Full Business Case for the Rotherham Gateway Station regeneration scheme, but what will that involve, and what is included the first phase of the masterplan?

Allthough the funding is coming from regional funding pots such as the City and Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), the project is still a retained scheme within central government and required ministerial and treasury approval which came last month with the annoucement on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

With funding already secured for acquiring land, a masterplan was completed that set out a phased 20 year vision for a £300m regeneration scheme.

Rotherham Council is already working on a Strategic Programme Business Case which outlines the vision, providing estimated costs for each phase and the related outputs and outcomes. It also details land acquisition requirements, and the priority projects needed to progress the first phase. It will align with the development of the Station Full Business Case for approval by SYMCA and the Department for Transport.

The first phase includes the main line station, tram-train stop and the floormat between them, including station building and a potential RiDO business centre plus provision for a user-friendly multi-modal transport interchange.

Over the next year, designs will be drafted for the first phase with contractors appointed and a delivery programme agreed. At the same time, train operators will be secured with commitments to stop at the new gateway station.

Other aspects of the full business case relate to developing a wider transport strategy, securing funding for the scheme and completing the land acquisitions.

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A council paper confirms that one of the three required interests has already been acquired, and negotiations are progressing well with landowners of the two remaining sites. The council is considering using compulsory purchase powers if required.

Detailed designs and updated costs are set to be completed by March 2027 with the full business case ready to be submitted in December 2027.

The masterplan shows four phases: year 0 - 5; year 5 - 15; year 15 - 20; and year 20 and beyond.

At the heart of phase 1 is the station quarter and the station building. Rotherham Gateway is expected to be a Category C/D station - and important feeder / medium staffed station with consultants estimating annual footfall to be 0.609 million (access) and 0.584 million (egress). By comparison, Sheffield Station is a Category A station, and Rotherham Central and Swinton are in catergory E.

The Station Quarter, the minimum requirement for station operation, is set for land which is currently Northfields Business Park, which features a stop on the main line and on the line that carries the tram-train. It will also include a station building, a 150 space car park, space for buses and taxis and bridges over the two lines.

The masterplan states: "Approaching from Forge Way, visitors and passengers will be greeted by the station building on the ground floor next to an open green plaza. Visitors will also have a clear and direct pedestrian and cycle link that leads them from the mainline station to the tram-train stop, and further along the canal and into the town centre."

Work continues on a potential business centre within the station building providing "a unique opportunity to become incubator spaces, which will help to catalyse the development of the Innovation Campus" in future phases. There would also be the opportunity for F&B (food and beverage) or retail on the ground level as well as commercial use on upper levels of the station building.

Complimentary development work is also set to be carried out on public realm in the station quarter and a Strategic Outline Business Case has been prepared for a comprehensive scheme that improves access from the Station to the town centre - an active travel route along Effingham Street with enhanced crossings at Centenary Way.

Other early work includes connections to Mangham Way and potential improvements to an underpass to the North East of the site that is currently susceptible to flooding.

Rotherham Council hopes to open the new station by late 2030, and believes it will bring 1,000 highly-skilled jobs and more than £1bn of private investment in the future phases which include proposals for an innovation campus with 180,000 sq ft of commercial space, a multi-storey car park and a living quarter with 205 flats and 37 houses.

Council papers explain: "The Gateway scheme is crucial to the Don Valley Growth Corridor – a key aspiration and priority for SYMCA, highlighted in their recent Plan for Good Growth. The Rotherham Gateway area alongside Bassingthorpe Farm and Templeborough will contribute to the wider economic corridor, with Gateway being a catalyst to "kickstart" development and investment in the wider region."

Rotherham Gateway website

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News: Rotherham Gateway Station included in Northern Powerhouse Rail announcement

There's strong signals of support for efforts to return mainline train services to Rotherham as part of a £300m regeneration project as the Rotherham Gateway Station is included in the first phase of the Northern Powerhouse Rail vision announced by the Government.

With more reliable and more frequent trains across major cities in the North, the NPR plans will drastically improve how people travel for work, education and leisure with the government adding that growing the productivity of the five largest cities to the national average would add up to £40 billion a year to UK economy.

The first phase will prioritise upgrades and electrification between Leeds-Sheffield, Leeds-York and Leeds-Bradford to transform commutes, set to be delivered in the 2030s. In the North East, work on the business case for the Leamside Line will be taken forward, as part of ensuring NPR services reach Newcastle.

With £1.1 billion to progress planning and development work as soon as possible, plans include improvements for Leeds, Sheffield and York stations – supporting significant regeneration plans to unlock tens of thousands of homes and jobs. The plan also includes pressing forward with work on Bradford Station, putting a young, dynamic city of 500,000 people at the heart of the northern network.

Over £11m of local transport funding has now been agreed for South Yorkshire to develop a new Rotherham Gateway station at Parkgate, which the announcement says "spells an end to slow journeys to Leeds and support the ambitious regeneration plans for the town."

When the previous government published its Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands (IRP) in 2021, it scaled back ambitions for NPR with Rotherham and Sheffield missed off the new network.

The new NPR plan has been given an overall funding cap of £45 billion.

South Yorkshire's mayor has previously expressed that improving the Sheffield-Leeds connection through NPR supports the Rotherham Gateway Station proposal. The pausing of plans for the electrification of the Midland Main Line to Sheffield last year means that it remains the largest city in the UK without electrified railways.

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Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay – but that ends now.

“This new era of investment will not just speed up journeys, it will mean new jobs and homes for people, making a real difference to millions of lives.

“The exciting improved stations across Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford will reflect the prestigious place rail holds in the northern economy, and regenerate vibrant, bustling districts in these cities.

“The first phase of Northern Powerhouse Rail will prioritise upgrading rail connections across Yorkshire and progressing work on the business case for the Leamside Line as part of ensuring services reach Newcastle, improving opportunities across the region.”

A future phase for NPR will focus on improved connections between Manchester and Sheffield given that it can take up to one hour 23 minutes to get to Manchester airport from Leeds or Sheffield, even though they are around 40 miles away.

This landmark upgrade to rail travel is one of the central building blocks of a plan for the North – to be published in the Spring. This will include plans for a northern growth corridor from Liverpool to York via West and South Yorkshire and bespoke plans for the North-East to make the most of opportunities in clean energy, AI, innovation and city centre regeneration.

Not only will plans improve travel connections, the redevelopment of stations and surrounding neighbourhoods will bring in new homes, jobs and local businesses. Rotherham's station masterplan shows how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

The idea is to use a mainline station integrated with a tram-train stop to further develop the advanced manufacturing cluster within South Yorkshire as part of the UK’s first Investment Zone. Future phases involve the creation of an innovation campus of around 180,000 sq ft of commercial space, further industrial zones and introducing new housing in the area.

Rotherham Gateway website

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News: New showroom opens at Rotherham retail park

It's a solid start to the year for a popular shopping destination in Rotherham with a furniture specialist taking one of the last remaining units.

And there could be more to come with the final empty unit now listed as being under offer.

Recently opening on Boxing Day, Oak & More's showroom is at Unit 12 on the Parkgate Shopping Park.

Oak & More has an enviable selection of products to suit customer tastes, including glass, marble and painted furniture products together with classic solid oak furniture. Furniture is created by a UK-based design team, and all wood furniture ranges have no chipboard, veneer or MDF and are delivered pre-built unlike flat-pack alternatives. The majority of Oak & More's products are available with a 48-hour delivery option.

The 15,000 sq ft showroom has taken over the unit in between TK Maxx and Shoezone. It was previously home to SCS Sofas.

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Oak & More’s Chief Executive, Paul Isom said: “Opening our Rotherham showroom gives us a great opportunity to showcase what Oak & More does best — exceptional solid wood furniture, marble and more. We’re passionate about craftsmanship, durability, and timeless design, and we’re excited for customers in Rotherham to experience the quality that sets our pieces apart.”

The retailer opened with a special customer promotion: Win Your Order Back - one lucky customer receiving the full value on their qualifying in-store purchase, up to the value of £2,000.

Last month, the owners of Parkgate Shopping confirmed that The Food Warehouse would open 12,500 sq ft store in 2026, a newly reconfigured store space in the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

Agents for the park, Curson Sowerby Partners, have the 11,110 sq ft Unit 2 down as being under offer on its website. The unit was vacated when Sports Direct moved in 2024 to a larger new multi-fascia unit for the Frasers Group comprising USC, Sports Direct and Everlast.

A tebabt for Unit 2 has not yet been announced.

Oak & More website
Parkgate Shopping website

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News: Sheffield - Rotherham tram-train fare cut

A major boost for public transport in South Yorkshire has been announced as Supertram fares and child concessionary fares across bus and tram are frozen, along with a cut to the long distance single Supertram fare. It includes the Sheffield - Rotherham tram-train.

£2 bus fares were introduced nationally but came to an end in 2024, reverting to a single fare cap at £3 in 2025.

Stagecoach, the previous operator of the Supertam service in Sheffield and Rotherham, introduced £2 single fares and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) covered costs to extend the scheme. Under public control, Supertram fares were previously capped at £2.80 and changed to £3.40 in 2025 "to offset increases in operating costs, align with broader transport fare changes in the region and enable continued investment."

Now the South Yorkshire Mayor has confirmed that Supertram fares will be frozen at their current rate for 2026 and the adult long distance Supertram single fare will reduce in price from £3.40 to £3 - putting the cost in line with the national bus fare cap price.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “My mission is simple: to create a world-class, integrated public transport system that’s affordable and accessible. For decades, Supertram has suffered from a lack of investment, and fixing that hasn’t been easy. But we’ve brought Supertram back under public control – and buses will follow in 2027.

“That means decisions are made here in South Yorkshire, for the benefit of the people who live and work here – including the fares you pay. Whether you’re commuting, studying, visiting family or heading out for the night, we’re building a transport network that works for everyone.

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“From January, for the whole of 2026, we’re cutting the price of an adult long-distance tram ticket from £3.40 to £3 and freezing all other Supertram fares. We’re also keeping the child concessionary fare at £1 across buses and trams – helping families travel more easily.

“Freezing and reducing fares is just the start. In 2026, we’ll also open the new tram-train station at Magna, as well as spending millions to make the network more resilient and reliable, and accelerate our preparations for bus franchising in 2027. It’s going to be an exciting year as we continue to transform our public transport in South Yorkshire.”

Since Supertram was brought back into public control, work has started on a £110m investment by SYMCA into the existing tram network improving the track, the lines and the network – and initiatives including allowing dogs on trams are opening up the network to more people.

SYMCA papers state that the first year of the Supertram system being under public control saw strong performance with growing patronage. However, this increase has slowed and has since declined this year with tram patronage down 3% on an annualised/rolling basis. The data suggests that, following the fare increase, passengers may be viewing public transport as too expensive / not offering value for money.

The Supertram Business Plan is expected to come before the MCA Board ahead of the new financial year and contain more details around the performance of the system, and improvements and efficiencies made.

The reduction in the cost of the Adult Long Distance Supertram Single fare applies to on-board purchases of single tickets. Passengers can also continue to make more savings on travel by purchasing multi-day tickets and using the TSY Mobile App where further discounts apply. Adult Tram Day prices remain at £5.70 if bought on the tram or £5.30 bought in advance using the app.

The child concessionary fare across buses and trams will also remain at just £1 per journey, funded by SYMCA. Since November 2023 the price for a ticket has been £1 and the freeze on the fare applies across Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

In Barnsley, SYMCA is one of the partners, along with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, funding the MiCard pilot which currently offers free bus travel for children and young people aged 5 to 18, as long as the journey starts or ends in the Barnsley local authority area and is within South Yorkshire.

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News: MP fully on board with Rotherham Gateway Station project

Local MP John Healey has added his name to the campaign to return mainline train services to Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in October on Rotherham Council launching a campaign as part of a £300m regeneration project.

A long-standing supporter of the project, the MP for Rawmarsh & Conisbrough, joined to celebrate the major milestone of reaching 500 public pledges.

A 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate shows how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

Rotherham Gateway will reconnect the town to the mainline rail network for the first time since the 1980s, delivering faster connections to major cities including Sheffield, Leeds and Birmingham, while unlocking new regional and national routes.

The scheme, which will complement the existing Rotherham Central station, also proposes a new tram-train stop, which will provide quick and convenient local connections, including to Rotherham town centre.

Representing a long-term investment in Rotherham’s future, the project is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs locally, with a further 8,000 across the wider South Yorkshire Investment Zone - delivering an economic uplift of over £100m through new employment opportunities.

Discussions are ongoing with the Department for Transport, which is currently reviewing the Outline Business Case. This follows the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s approval of £11.35 million to develop a Full Business Case.

The long-term ambition is to open the new station by the early 2030s at the latest.

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John Healey MP, Member of Parliament for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough and Secretary of State for Defence said: "I am pleased to join the many residents and local businesses who believe in Rotherham’s potential.

“Growth is at the heart of the government’s agenda, and the Gateway Station brings huge opportunity to the town to drive economic growth and bring much needed opportunities and investment into our region.

This is a project with strong local backing and clear economic benefits. I hope residents continue to support it so we can secure the improvements Rotherham deserves.”

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council said: “Rotherham Gateway will transform our rail connectivity and could be the single biggest thing we can do to lift the future prospects of Rotherham’s economy.

“Gateway Station will act as a foundation for Rotherham’s wider regeneration, attracting renewed investment, supporting new housing and creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive.

“Beyond Rotherham, it will deliver lasting benefits for the region. Having seen the dedication, collaboration and hard work that has gone into making this project a reality, I’m delighted to see the support on the pledge page from so many local residents, businesses, community groups and politicians.”

Rotherham Gateway website

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News: Chocoberry sets date for Rotherham opening

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chocoberry website

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News: The Food Warehouse confirmed for Parkgate

Owners of Parkgate Shopping have confirmed that The Food Warehouse will be opening at the popular Rotherham retail destination.

Long term tenants have also committed to new leases.

Rothbiz reported last month that following TUI's relocation, The Food Warehouse was eyeing up the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

The 12,500 sq ft store is a newly reconfigured store space that will be worked on over the coming months ahead of the store’s opening in 2026.

The news is paired with a series of recommitments from favourites including Asda Living, Boots and River Island, highlighting the confidence big retail brands have in the park.

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Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou, Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate, said: “We are so excited to be able to share the news that The Food Warehouse has signed to open up at Parkgate in 2026. Parkgate has become a true one-stop shop for our customers, offering a wide range of restaurants, big-name national and international brands, fitness facilities, and the convenience of getting everything in one place. The Parkgate experience has only been improved by the recent opening of the link road and the free-to-use park and ride on our doorstep. We’re looking forward to seeing our shoppers exploring the new store when it opens and we hope to confirm timings and share other exciting updates soon.”

mydentist is also joining the line-up, taking the former Superdrug unit. mydentist, the UK’s leading provider of affordable dental care, will be opening a brand-new facility at Parkgate and has been recognised as a CoStar Awards Quarterly Deals winner for top leasing deal in Yorkshire & Humberside.

Kanaris-Sotiriou, added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time here at Parkgate, as we prepare to welcome our very first dentist to the shopping park, further cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for our customers’ needs. Whether it’s fashion, groceries, fitness, or now dental care, Parkgate truly offers something for everyone. We’re also thrilled to be welcoming Iceland’s The Food Warehouse which we’re confident will be a favourite amongst our shoppers, giving them the chance to stock up on all their favourite products for less.”

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mydentist website
Parkgate Shopping website

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News: Is Marks & Spencer planning to return to Parkgate?

M&S is searching for new, bigger food store sites as it aims to double the size of its food business. A new "potential location list" contains two areas in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2019 that the national retailer was closing its large Parkgate store when it confirmed plans to close over 100 stores in total in order to "radically reshape M&S's Clothing & Home space" alongside relocations, conversions, downsizes and the introduction of concessions.

The historic retailer made the decision to relocate its store on College Street in Rotherham town centre to Parkgate Shopping in the early 2000's. M&S opened a Rotherham Simply Food store at Cortonwood, which is also in Rotherham, in 2017.

Following the performance of the new food stores opened in the last three years, M&S is now expanding the number of locations in its search for sites, including areas where there is not yet an M&S store. It is also looking to expand the size of its food stores to stock a fuller range and attract more customers to do their weekly shop.

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Out of London, M&S requires edge of centre and out of town locations for units of 21,500 sq ft that accommodate its new renewal format. It has 500 areas across the UK on a new potential location list.

In Rotherham, Wickersley and Cortonwood have been identified as target locations.

The current M&S unit at Cortonwood is 11,000 sq ft whereas Wickersley is without a large foodstore, although it is close to neighbouring Bramley which has a Morrisons and an Aldi.

At Parkgate, where the former M&S is now occupied by an 18,500 sq ft Poundland, a planning application has been approved for a new 20,000 sq ft unit designed for a food retailer.

The plans discussed that it will be a "national multiple food retailer" that will be the new tenants but no occupier has been named. An analysis of the current market submitted with the application by agents, Savills, stated that this size of store is popular with secondary foodstores including Waitrose, M&S and Co-op, and discount foodstore retailers including Aldi and Lidl.

Rothbiz recently reported that commercial property agents are now showing that The Food Warehouse is taking the former TUI unit at Parkgate.

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News: Transport funding diverted to Rotherham Gateway Station project

Rotherham Council looks to have paused a number of multimillion pound transport schemes, with external funding instead going towards the cost of the proposed new mainline station.

The £300m scheme has recently cleared another hurdle within central government.

Rothbiz reported in June on the 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate which showed how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider 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.

The station already has millions of pounds attached to it. Backing the project in June, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) approved £11.35m that will enable the detailed design of the project and move it towards procurement. £10m of government funding has already been secured for land acquisition.

The total costs of the station, based on estimates from Network Rail, is £133m, and could be as much as £166m for a four-platform station. The station is part of a £300m regeneration scheme.

SYMCA papers show that the Department for Transport (DfT) has given its "approval of the scheme progressing to the next funding gateway" but overall funding for Rotherham Gateway Station has yet to be confirmed, with the borough also waiting on costed plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

So far, £1m has been utilised from SYMCA's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), with £11.35m now set to be used from the same pot.

Earlier this month, Rotherham Council authorised another £400k for the station project, to be used from a £3m feasability fund that uses another SYMCA allocation. The money will enable the appointment of consultants and a programme director.

Recent SYMCA papers show that decisions have been taken in Rotherham to redeploy transport funding to the Mainline Station scheme.

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An update to the SYMCA board shows that there is a forecasted decrease of £71m in the authority's capital spend on transport with £25m relating to internally delivered transport activity, such as delays to the tram asset renewal (£21m).

The paper also discusses: "decisions taken in Rotherham to pause a number of schemes in consideration of the opportunity to redeploy funding to the Mainline Station scheme, subject to DfT’s approval of the scheme progressing to the next funding gateway which has now been received."

The station is a DfT retained scheme, held back by the Governmnet for further review or development before funding is released.

A previous SYMCA paper highlighted continued funding for key transport investment schemes in Rotherham such as £12.34m for the mainline station (up from £1m) and funding for proposed active travel schemes (Broom Road to Wickersley Extension Corridor - £10.7m, and Rotherham East Cycle and Bus Priority Package - £16.5m).

The paper also showed a number of schemes previously lined up for CRSTS funding given a latest forecast of £0. These include Worrygoose Roundabout improvements, which was initially earmarked for £4.8m, and the Maltby Active Travel Neighbourhood scheme, where £2m from CRSTS was previously set aside. Forecast spends have also been reduced for proposed improvements at Ickles Roundabout (from £7.5m to £4m) and at Doncaster Road, Dalton (from £1.2m to £200k).

CRSTS was confirmed in 2022, with South Yorkshire securing £570m. A further £1.5 billion was confirmed for South Yorkshire in June 2025. £530m is set to be used to renew the Supertram network with £350m set aside to reform South Yorkshire’s buses. What the rest of the new funding will be used for has not yet been detailed.

The latest settlement, now renamed "Transport for City Regions" is for 2027-28 to 2031-32 with around £12m brought forward and made available in 2026-27. Funding allocations for the final year of the CRSTS programme (2026-27) were still to be confirmed and both could be a part of the Integrated Settlement from 2026-27.

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News: Major food retailer sets sights on Rotherham retail park

One of Britain’s fastest-growing and most innovative retailers is looking set to open one of its large format stores in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in March on the owners of Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham submitting plans for Units 17 and 18 with the talk of new tenants.

The approval of the plans has enabled TUI to take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore and move its Rotherham operations.

One of the world's leading integrated tourism business has taken over the former One Below / One Beyond discount store. Launched by Poundworld founders, One Below opened its first Rotherham store in the former Maplin unit at Parkgate Shopping in April 2019. It still operates in Rotherham town centre.

The application at Parkgate was for the reconfigurement of the internal layout, including the mezzanine, a new trolley bay and new solar panels.

Following TUI's relocation, commercial property agents are now showing that The Food Warehouse is taking the former TUI unit next to Morrisons.

The Food Warehouse is part of the Iceland Foods Group and is revolutionising the way that people shop in stores. It takes the same product lines as Iceland and extends them in a warehouse space, giving customers the ability to buy in bulk and take advantage of the savings.

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With a new mezzanine level, Unit 18 at Parkgate would provide 13,600 sq ft of space which will allow for The Food Warehouse's super simple store layouts with wider and fewer aisles.

The retailers have a huge range of exclusive brand products across some of the best-known names in the UK, including Slimming World, Greggs, TGI's, Chiquito's and more. It also offers multi-buy deals, including 5 for £5, 3 for £10 and 8 for £10 deals whilst homeware and seasonal specials are also available in larger stores.

Having launched in 2014. a major milestone for The Food Warehouse was reached last month with the opening of the 200th store.

Iceland currently operates in Parkgate already, and at Eastwood. Its products are also available through partnerships with the likes of Wilko and The Range.

Agents, Morgan Williams and CSP Retail list The Food Warehouse as a new letting in the last 12 months at Parkgate Shopping alongside Footasylum, Starbucks, Pavers, Superdrug and My Dentist. Just two large units remain vacant.

An opening date for the new Food Warehouse in Rotherham is not yet known.

Rothbiz also reported in January on approved outline plans for another new unit at Parkgate, on land next to Matalan which was previously used as a Park & Ride for the tram-train. No tenant has been announced here but the proposal is for a 20,000 sq ft rectangular unit "that is the required format of food retailers in order to provide linear aisle for convenience goods shopping."

The Food Warehouse website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: The Food Warehouse

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News: Parkgate unveils the first phase of its rebrand

Shoppers visiting Parkgate in Rotherham will notice an exciting transformation as the retail destination launches the first phase of its rebrand. The refresh includes a modern, up-to-date logo and a brand-new website designed to make it easier for visitors to stay informed about everything happening at Parkgate.

The Parkgate team will be debuting new uniforms featuring the refreshed branding with new signage also planned. The rebrand is another clear sign of the positive energy and ongoing improvements at Parkgate, bringing together a dynamic new team, including Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou as Senior Operations Manager and Alex Parkinson as Operational Support Supervisor, welcoming exciting new brands, and continually enhancing the shopping experience for its loyal shopper base.

The new branding, launched at the end of October, will also be joined by brand-new Christmas decorative displays to welcome in the festive season.

Mark Kanaris-Sotiriou Senior Operations Manager at Parkgate said: "We’re proud to launch the first phase of our new brand at Parkgate. Since joining the team in April, there’s been a real sense of positive change and energy with Alex joining us, the opening of a new link road and Park & Ride, and a range of new lettings. This new look reflects that momentum and our commitment to continually improving Parkgate for our shoppers and retailers."

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Parkgate recently launched the Families First Christmas Toy Appeal. Every year, the borough comes together to make sure no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning. Since 1991, the appeal works closely with schools, social services, and local charities to ensure toys reach children who need them most.

Shoppers pick an age tag from the trees at Parkgate Shopping for a child they’d like to buy for, from 0-18. Gifts to the maximum value of £20 can then be dropped off at any of the stores on Parkgate Shopping for the attention of the Christmas Toy Appeal.

Last year over 2,250 children in Rotherham had a present waiting under the tree thanks to the appeal.

The past twelve months have also seen a wave of new lettings, with popular names such as Footasylum, Wilko and a revamped Superdrug, and some more exciting announcements in the pipeline.

The latest move has seen TUI take a smaller unit next to its Holiday Superstore to move its operations.

Plans have also been approved to enable My Dentist to open in the former Superdrug unit.

Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Parkgate Shopping / TUI

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