Developers are being approached regarding a multimillion pound redevelopment scheme to transform an area at the heart of Swinton in Rotherham.
The regeneration of Swinton town centre has been under consideration for some time and the Council has identified that an opportunity can be brought forward at an early stage relating to existing Council-owned land and buildings alongside an option to acquire an adjacent site from a public sector partner organisation.
The cabinet and commissioners at Rotherham Council signed off on a Development Brief for Swinton Town Centre last October and a tender exercise is now underway to help secure interest from developers to work on the scheme.
The tender documents show that the contract is worth some £8m.
Advertisement The site totals nearly seven acres and includes the cleared disused council offices at Queen Street that suffered a fire back in 2015 and the former Swimming Pool and Squash Court in Charnwood Street that were demolished in 2016 having suffered an arson attack.
The site of the former Charnwood House care home, which was earmarked for demolition, is also included and the authority secured cabinet and commissioner approval to acquire an adjacent site.
The development brief for the site, which is within the Swinton Conservation Area, includes the main intended outcome of the delivery of new homes in a range of sizes and tenures.
Certain public buildings are proposed to be retained (and potentially refurbished) as part of the development: the community centre, the parade of shops together with the residential accommodation above and also a library function, in some form, is part of the proposals.
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The tender documents state: "Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council wish to improve the vitality and viability of the town centre of Swinton, introducing additional accommodation in close proximity to the centre together with a civic and community offer complemented by an enhanced retail offer in the form of a limited number of new units and refurbishment of the existing parade.
"This requirement comprises of approximately 70 residential units; an appropriate number of retail units; sufficient parking to serve the remastered town centre; a revitalised public open space area; provision for a library within the scheme; refurbishment of the existing community centre/civic hall and Council-owned retail units.
"Creative, innovative and viable proposals are requested with the expectation that the quality of design and the materials used will reflect the important nature of the redevelopment and support overall improvement of the area."
The Council has requested early market feedback which will assist elected members in developing "a view that will help shape and streamline any potential future tendering exercise. It will also help the Council in understanding the potential market interest."
Developers are being asked to put forward proposals for how they would realise the key regeneration project in the Rotherham town centre masterplan - Forge Island - as Rotherham Council officially launches its search for a development partner.
At the end of 2017, Rotherham Council approved the adoption of the town centre masterplan, enabling the authority to secure a development partner for the £43m cinema and hotel led proposals for Forge Island.
Developed for the Council by WYG Group and Lambert Smith Hampton, the plans include key catalyst projects with the focus on leisure and new housing to revitalise the town.
Indicating the focus on implementation, the authority has worked to secure an number of sites in the town - Forge Island, the Law Courts and Riverside Precinct, backed by funding via the Sheffield City Region.
Now a "Development Pack" is being made available for potential development partners detailing the development opportunity and appointment process around the three plots which make up the 2.73ha riverside site which sits between the railway station, Interchange, council offices, football stadium and Minster.
The new website for the project states: "Forge Island is a leisure led mixed use redevelopment site.
"Based on background research undertaken, it is anticipated that the site could accommodate a cinema, hotel, restaurants and bars, town centre parking, as well as high quality business space and modern residential opportunities."
Advertisement The move to secure a development partner follows on from a period of "soft-market testing" carried out by the authority alongside property firm, LSH.
Developers, investors and operators have been showing a keen interest in working up proposals for Forge Island including a five screen cinema, 60-bed hotel, food outlets, bars and cafes (around 24,000 - 30,000 sq ft of space), and 120+ residential units. A 300+ space multi storey car park is also in the plans and a feasibility study was mentioned in the masterplan on the potential of a new theatre and arts space on an adjacent site.
The preferred option for the Council is to seek a development partner to form a Joint Venture for the development of Forge Island. Upon completion of the scheme the Council has the option to retain the asset (its land) as an investment or sell to the investment market.
Previously the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, the Forge Island site was fully cleared following the relocation of Tesco across town in 2014. Currently used as a car park, the site is owned by Rotherham Council. Half of the site is set to be used as a temporary bus station for a year whilst the current Interchange undergoes a £12.5m revamp.
Advertisement The former law courts are also in the process of being demolished. They were acquired by the Council for just £1 and previous work has shown that the adjacent Police Station could also be acquired for redevelopment. Main Street police station is not included in the Forge Island development opportunity but the masterplan identified that it could be the site of a mixed-use scheme with a strong residential component.
Through the One Public Estate strategy for the Sheffield city region, the 1.34 acre Rotherham courts site was highlighted for potential residential development as it could provide 120 units, including 60 starter homes.
To boost the development opportunity, the authority has been acquiring the freeholds of properties in the area, such as Riverside Precinct, to add to the sites already in its ownership, such as the riverside site of the former abattoir.
Two options were being discussed for the riverside sites along Corporation Street. The first is a mixed use development incorporating new and current buildings or clearing the buildings to create a larger riverside park.
The second is a transformational development opportunity involving relocating the proposed residential, retail and food and drink uses into the main development at Forge Island. This would lead to the demolition of many of the buildings on Corporation Street and the Riverside in order to create a larger riverside park linking with Minster Gardens.
Prospective developers have until March 29 to submit a Stage 1: Expression of Interest for Forge Island.
The delivery programme in the masterplan has construction work beginning on Forge Island in 2019 with completion in mid 2020.
Firefighters were called at 2:10am this morning to a large fire at the former Dalton Progressive Working Men's Club on Doncaster Road. The disused building was well alight when fire crews arrived. At the height of the fire there were six fire engines in attendance.
The building was vacated after the club fell into administration in 2016.
Advertisement South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said that firefighters worked hard to tackle the fire including putting in fire breaks to try and prevent the fire from spreading to other properties. At 8am the fire was under control with three fire engines still at the scene.
Firefighters will remain there damping down for most of the morning and once the fire is completely out then the investigation into the cause of it can begin.
Agents for Lidl, Walshingham Planning, held a consultation event at Dalton Parish Hall on Thursday.
Details submitted to the Council show that the store would be around 22,000 sq ft, providing 14,000 sq ft of sales floorspace. 80% of which would be used for convenience goods and 20% for seasonal non-food items. A 132 space car park is also being planned.
A planning application has recently been submitted in order to approve the demolition of the remaining structure, previously known as Millside. The plans state that the aim is to ready the site for future redevelopment as housing.
Gala Technology, the Rotherham based company specialising in developing secure digital payment solutions for the card not present (CNO) mail order/telephone order (MOTO) channels, has appointed Mike Cheshire as CEO.
Mike has extensive experience gained over 25 years in the data security and telecommunications industry. He first became aware of Gala Technology whilst running his own company BBF Data Security Limited, where he recognised the benefits of its SOTpay product.
Jason Mace, director of Gala Technology, said: "Mike joins us at a very exciting time for our business, with our Secure Order Transfer (SOTpay) payment protection technology ready to go to market and a number of major retailers interested in using the technology.
"Mike's experience in data security will be invaluable as we enter an era when many businesses are concerned with compliance to GDPR regulations introduced this May and meeting PCI DSS requirements. He will also play a key role in developing new business opportunities for SOTpay through innovative new platforms."
SOTpay (Secure Order Transfer) has been developed to prevent fraudulent telephone transactions and ensure businesses can deliver to third party billing addresses with confidence. The technology ensures a retailer or seller remains compliant, whilst making payment services more efficient and cost effective.
Advertisement The unique system was developed after the parent business fell victim to fraudsters in 2014. Chargeback or "friendly" fraud sees the merchants rather than the banks left accountable when fraudsters request a chargeback from the banks having received goods ordered online.
Mike Cheshire, CEO at Gala Technology, said: "I spotted straightaway that SOTpay was an excellent product and that my experience in security compliance and GDPR could help to move this technology forward. I will be working closely with the payment service providers (PSPs) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) to ensure that SOTpay becomes widely recognised as the leading mail order/telephone order security system for businesses.
"SOTpay is essential for any business that carries out mail order or telephone order transactions. We will be demonstrating to businesses, large or small, how they can protect themselves and their customers from fraud – and do this affordably. This technology will potentially save businesses across the UK millions of pounds by preventing fraudulent transactions."
SOTpay was winner of the Security Innovation Of The Year at the National UK IT awards.
The technology is quick and cost effective to deploy and is set to revolutionise the way businesses handle telephone transactions globally. With card fraud at £618m in 2016 in the UK alone, SOTpay helps businesses to meet PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and GDPR requirements that organisations of any size must comply with or face hefty chargebacks, penalties and reputational damage.
Rotherham-based electronics retailer, Maplin, is in talks to save the business, according to reports.
Manvers-based Maplin sells a range of products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers and operates from 217 stores. It employs around 2,500 staff.
Maplin was sold for £85m to current owners Rutland Partners in 2014 and now Sky News is reporting that Rutland wants to secure new investors by the end of this week, with a pre-pack administration being considered as a viable option if a solvent sale cannot be concluded.
Montagu Private Equity bought the business for a reported £244m in 2004.
In a statement, a Maplin spokesperson said: "We are in advanced talks with a number of parties and expect to be in a position to announce a solvent sale of the business within days.
"Once secured this will stabilise the business to the benefit of all stakeholders and provide Maplin with the financial firepower to deliver its 2020 multichannel strategy focused on smart tech."
Advertisement For the year ending 31 March 2017, turnover at the electronics chain increased to £235.8m from £234.6m in the previous year. Earnings before tax (EBITDA) was recorded at £8.9m, down from £12.7m and pre tax losses widened from £2.1m in 2015/16 to £3.9m for 2016/17.
Recent initiatives include a new website, a focus on support and installation services and a link up with GAME over concession space. Maplin said it saw strong trading over 2017 Black Friday with sales up 5% year-on-year including its biggest ever trading day in digital.
Previous media reports hinted at financial woes with stories over credit insurers cutting their exposure to the company. The CEO of Maplin, Oliver Meakin, recently moved to Argentine steak restaurant chain, Gaucho.
During the period, the firm transferred operations and now has a "front office" of the commercial, marketing, ecommerce and digital function based together in London, with a "back office" of the HR, finance, IT, warehouse and distribution and contact centre functions based in Rotherham. As a result, Maplin recruited 60 new staff to its support centres.
Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics became the experts' choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.
Maplin's current turnover is a world away from the early days in Essex when founders, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons, remained in their full-time jobs for two years, and the company didn't make a profit.
In 2008 the firm moved to a 220,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre and head office at Manvers in Rotherham.
The popular Wentworth Garden Centre in Rotherham has resubmitted expansion plans that could create 35 new jobs.
The destination garden centre is situated in sixteen acres in the former walled kitchen, Italian and Japanese gardens of Wentworth Woodhouse and in the picturesque historic village of Wentworth. It attracts approximately 284,000 visitors each year.
Established for more than 30 years, the family owned independent centre has undergone a number of improvements and investment projects, with historic gardens, a craft centre, family farm and a landmark 260 seat restaurant.
An earlier planning application for a new courtyard development was withdrawn last year and now updated plans have been submitted.
The latest application, drawn up by Malcolm Scott Consultants, explains: "The application was withdrawn following concerns expressed by the case officer regarding the height of the two storey proposed development and its location in the Green Belt. The planning and conservation Officer also raised a concern regarding the height of the proposed development and its impact upon the wider setting of the Grade II* Listed Historic Park and Garden.
"The Highway Authority also required additional information regarding the adequacy of the existing car parking capacity to meet the increase demand should the development be approved."
The proposals have been amended so that the two storey high building has been reduced to a single storey. Updated information on the car parking and increased traffic has also been included.
Advertisement The garden centre, leisure areas and nursery employs 132 full and part time staff (plus casual staff) and the plans explain the need for expansion with office, staff and catering facilities all outgrown.
The plans add that the existing customer catering facility is now overcrowded, the kitchen facilities are working beyond their design capacity and the customer toilet facilities are inadequate.
A revised development scheme is for 9,600 sq ft of space split into three buildings. It involves replacing the existing conservatory display area and replacing it with high quality structures. The design will create a courtyard which links to the existing courtyard.
Along with new kitchens and staff offices, there is also set to be a small retail area, a food hall and a new coffee shop to relieve pressure on the existing Walled Garden Coffee Shop.
With the growth of the business, the garden centre is looking to employ a further 15 full time staff and 20 part time (plus casual staff).
Developed in the late 18th century as the pleasure grounds and kitchen garden by the Fitzwilliams of Wentworth Woodhouse, from 1750 until 1786, the gardens were formally reorganised into a kitchen garden. Created under the supervision of renowned York architect John Carr, the kitchen gardens' principal role was to provide an abundance of fresh fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers for the house throughout the year.
Foundations for the 12 foot high perimeter walls were begun with the North and South facing walls being designated "hot" walls (they once contained an ingenious system of heated flues). Glasshouses erected against these walls would have supplied the finest and most delicate fruits such as peaches, melons, grapes, pineapples and apricots, a major challenge for gardeners of the day.
Inevitably, much of the cultivated area fell into disrepair after the Second World War, until the creation of the garden centre in 1976. The gardens, which include a rock garden created within and around an old stone quarry in about 1868, were recently accepted into the RHS Partner Gardens scheme.
Rotherham-based electronics retailer, Maplin, has collapsed into administration, putting around 2,500 jobs at risk.
Manvers-based Maplin sells a range of products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers and operates from 217 stores.
Maplin was sold for £85m to current owners Rutland Partners in 2014 and recent media reports warned that the owners wanted to secure new investors to save the business.
Graham Harris, who became chief executive only last month, said: "I can confirm this morning that it has not been possible to secure a solvent sale of the business and as a result we now have no alternative but to enter into an administration process. During this process Maplin will continue to trade and remains open for business.
"The business has worked hard over recent months to mitigate a combination of impacts from sterling devaluation post Brexit, a weak consumer environment and the withdrawal of credit insurance. This necessitated an intensive search for new capital that in current market conditions has proved impossible to raise. These macro factors have been the principal challenge not the Maplin brand or its market differentiation.
"We believe passionately that Maplin has a place on the high street, and that our trust, credibility and expertise meets a customer need that is not supported elsewhere.
"We will now work tirelessly alongside Zelf Hussain, Toby Underwood and Ian Green, from PWC, who have been appointed as the as Joint Administrators of Maplin Electronics Limited, to achieve the best possible outcome for all of our colleagues and stakeholders."
Eversheds Sutherland is advising PwC. The legal firm was involved on the 2014 sale to Rutland. Montagu Private Equity bought the business for a reported £244m in 2004.
Advertisement For the year ending 31 March 2017, turnover at the electronics chain increased to £235.8m from £234.6m in the previous year. Earnings before tax (EBITDA) was recorded at £8.9m, down from £12.7m and pre tax losses widened from £2.1m in 2015/16 to £3.9m for 2016/17.
Recent initiatives include a new website, a focus on support and installation services and a link up with GAME over concession space. Maplin said it saw strong trading over 2017 Black Friday with sales up 5% year-on-year including its biggest ever trading day in digital.
However, Christmas trading was below expectations and credit insurers have been cutting their exposure to the company.
Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics became the experts' choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.
Founded in Essex, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons remained in their full-time jobs for two years, and the company didn't make a profit. In 2008 the firm moved to a 220,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre and head office at Manvers in Rotherham.
Last year, the firm transferred operations and now has a "front office" of the commercial, marketing, ecommerce and digital function based together in London, with a "back office" of the HR, finance, IT, warehouse and distribution and contact centre functions based in Rotherham.
Rotherham-based Fishing Republic, one of the largest fishing tackle retailers in the UK, has appointed a new chief operating officer as it tackles "a significant deterioration in trading."
Stephen Kyriacou has joined the board of directors of the Eastwood company that floated on the AIM stock exchange in 2015, raising millions to help carry out its expansion plans.
Kyriacou has over 20 years' experience in delivering change management programmes, including for the divisions of major organisations such as Primark, Barclays Bank, Morrisons and BT. He joined the company in December 2017 from Primark Stores, where he was programme director for Oracle Retail and Financials.
Since December, he has been co-ordinating the various operational changes put in place following the company's organisational review, and has been leading the new management team, which is implementing the operational improvement plan.
Advertisement Following a period in 2017 which saw "a significant deterioration in trading," Chris Griffin was brought in to as act as a CEO on a temporary basis to conduct a strategic review. Steve Gross, the company founder, stepped down as CEO and remains on the board as an executive director.
Last month Fishing Republic raised £1.3m through a new share placing and said that the net proceeds will be used to further advance and develop the company's e-commerce operations, logistics and merchandising activities following a review of operations. It will also be used to provide additional working capital to accelerate the rate of growth of online sales.
James Newman, executive chairman of Fishing Republic, said: "I am pleased to welcome Steve to the Board as chief operating officer. His extensive operational and commercial experience, particularly in eCommerce and change management, will help to drive the significant changes we are making across the business."
Rotherham Council is set to freeze parking fees in the town centre, recognising that footfall continues to decline.
Proposals to amend parking charges in the town centre were brought in during 2016 to "generate additional income in order to help ensure a more self-financing Parking Service which currently has an "underlying budget pressure" of £137,000."
The RAC Foundation recently published figures that showed that parking operations at Rotherham Council made £496,000 in the last financial year. The authority's 2016-17 Parking Operations Surplus was 40% higher than the £353,000 reported in the previous year.
Approving its latest budget where £15.1m of savings are set to be made in the next financial year, the authority is set to increase the majority of fees it charges by 3% in line with inflation.
However, a report to the Council's cabinet shows that: "In respect of car parking charges, it is not proposed to increase charges in 2018/19.
"The Council is mindful in particular of the reducing footfall in the town centre and the need to encourage visitors to support town centre businesses. The Directorate will review a suite of measures which will support town centres whilst at the same time delivering the required income overall."
Advertisement As reported first by Rothbiz, new parking incentives are being introduced. From this weekend, visitors to five town centre car parks on Saturdays will receive two extra hours parking when they purchase a ticket for two hours – four hours for the price of two.
Free all day Saturday parking in over 500 spaces at Forge Island remains. As well as two hours free every day in the "red zone."
Rotherham Council's Corporate Plan sets out the priorities for serving local residents and communities. It includes a target based on the aggregate pedestrian footfall in the town centre over the course of the year. It has been declining since June 2017.
For the period between October to December 2017, which includes the key festive trading season, aggregate pedestrian footfall in the town centre was recorded at 4,526,577. This is an 17.58% decrease on the same quarter in the previous year. 5,492,033 was recorded for the Christmas trading period between October and December 2016.
The closure of Primark in November 2017 has had a big impact. Footfall for High Street in Dec 2017 has shown a decrease of 41% compared to Nov 2016.
Work continues on realising the town centre masterplan and last month Rotherham Council officially launched its search for a development partner for the redevelopment of Forge Island. Here £43m cinema and hotel led proposals are being progressed.
The focus of the masterplan is on growing leisure and residential uses rather than retail but a report to the Council adds: "This transition will be challenging; the traditional town centre footprint will contract, redevelopment and refurbishment works will create temporary disruption and the benefits from new development will not be realised until new schemes are implemented."
The administrators of Rotherham-based Maplin has announced a number of redundancies as they have so far been unable to find a buyer for the electronics retailer.
Last week Zelf Hussain, Toby Underwood and Ian Green of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of the business that sells a range of products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers and operates from 217 stores, employing 2,335 members of staff.
Last year, the firm transferred operations and now has a "front office" of the commercial, marketing, ecommerce and digital function based together in London, with a "back office" of the HR, finance, IT, warehouse and distribution and contact centre functions based in Rotherham.
Maplin has experienced a decline in performance as a result of the softening of consumer demand in what has been a challenging retail environment and higher-priced (US denominated) products. A solvent sale of the business had been pursued by management in recent weeks but unfortunately could not be concluded. Given the cash position of the company, the directors resolved to put Maplin into administration.
Advertisement The joint administrators have continued to trade the business as normal whilst discussions take place with interested parties in an attempt to find a buyer.
In an update this week, PwC announced that it has not been possible to secure a buyer for the business. While the administrators remain open to interest from potential buyers, it has been necessary to make a total of 63 redundancies at Maplin's head offices in London and Rotherham (55 in London and eight in Rotherham).
Toby Underwood, joint administrator and PwC partner, said: "It is with real regret that we have made this decision. We are grateful for the support of the employees during this difficult period and we will make every effort to help the affected staff, working with the Maplin HR team over the coming days.
"The company is continuing to trade but due to a lack of interest we may be required to initiate a controlled closure programme.
"We still believe there is strong value in the company and we remain focused on doing all we can to preserve the business while we continue trying to achieve a sale."
SVM Global is preparing for its next phase of growth with a number of new hires, including a new managing director at its Rotherham base.
SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.
As the global gift and prepaid card sector is accelerating, SVM, which has its global office at Parkgate, has appointed David Rollinson to the position of managing director.
The hire follows on from the hiring of Tan Truong as its chief technology officer and Chris Larson as its vice president of finance, prepaid products.
Also in the UK, SVM has appointed Jonathan White to the position of retail business development director and Riaz Resh has joined as corporate senior account manager.
Advertisement Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.
David Rollinson, managing director at SVM Global (pictured), said: "I am honored and excited to lead the SVM Global team. The commitment of everyone in this company to integrity, client service and unique technology solutions is what makes this organization special. I also look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. to leverage our team's mutual knowledge of the incentive space and to service our international brands and customers."
Prior to joining SVM, David worked at Coca-Cola, Mars, Sara Lee Bakeries and Handleman. His most recent role was as Managing Director for NBTY with responsibilities for the UK, South Africaand New Zealand markets.
Marshall Reavis, founder and chief executive officer at SVM Global, added: "I'm excited to welcome David to the SVM Global team. We have a dedicated and experienced team in Rotherham, across all disciplines, many loyal customers and I look forward to the immediate impact David will have leading our valued global employees and getting to know and service our partners."
Reavis founded the company in 1997 with one prepaid card, the Mobil GO Card (now the ExxonMobil Cash Card), which was the first gasoline gift card product in the marketplace.
The project involves renovating six buildings that surround a landscaped internal courtyard, including a superb Georgian Grade II listed building, one of the oldest surviving historic structures in Rotherham town centre.
The site, close to the important regeneration site of Forge Island, was bought by the Council in 2006 and the scheme, by Peter Hill of developers HMP Bespoke Construction Ltd, will provide high quality retail, leisure and commercial space at street level with 29 contemporary apartments over three floors.
Empty buildings on Domine Lane will be demolished and a new contemporary building will feature 7,000 sq ft of retail and commercial ground floor space with a further 32, one, two and three-bedroomed apartments above.
Advertisement Simon Lunn, architect on the project from Self Architects, said: "We were pleased to have secured planning approval on behalf of our client and are delighted to be part of the team on such an exciting courtyard development in the heart of Rotherham town centre."
The planning board heard that officers have been in discussions with the developer for a number of months to arrive at a scheme that is considered to be acceptable and of benefit to the town centre. The demolition on Domine Lane would make the scheme viable and the prospect of the refurbishment and reuse of the important listed building on the corner of Main Street and Westgate was considered justification for the proposals.
Peter Hill, director of HMP Bespoke Construction Ltd, said: "Works will start around the beginning of April on what will be around a three-year build programme.
"These are exciting times ahead for all concerned with this prestigious scheme and we look forward to it moving forward with the additional regeneration of Rotherham town centre, bringing in new restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities to help new residents to live, work, rest and play and most importantly creating new town centre jobs."
As the regeneration proposals in the masterplan progress, Council bosses are considering offering new incentives to support businesses through difficult trading conditions in Rotherham town centre.
Rothbiz reported two weeks ago that footfall in Rotherham town centre continues to decline. For the period between October to December 2017, which includes the key festive trading season, aggregate pedestrian footfall in the town centre was recorded by the Council at 4,526,577. This is an 17.58% decrease on the same quarter in the previous year. 5,492,033 was recorded for the Christmas trading period between October and December 2016.
The closure of Primark in November 2017 has had a big impact. Footfall for High Street in Dec 2017 has shown a decrease of 41% compared to Nov 2016.
Damien Wilson, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "We are going through a long term regeneration process but there are short term issues which we do need to address. There are a suite of proposals being pulled together linked to new types of markets and we are also looking at attracting new retailers into the town. We are looking at ways we can do that either through properties that we own or indeed working on, and there's nothing agreed yet, but proposals to incentivise new shop traders to move into the town.
"Obviously we have voids, we are aware of that. What we need to start looking at is the net gain vs the net loss because we are still attracting new shops into the town centre but we are losing some at the same time.
"We still manage to attract new shops in town - we've had Costa open up and Warhammer open up - what we need to do is to try and measure how many more we are bringing in than losing but you can't ignore that trading conditions in the town centre are difficult."
Advertisement 23% of floor space in the town centre area was classed as vacant at the end of 2017.
Warhammer has moved to the High Street from the Old Town Hall and the Lumiere photography and art gallery has recently opened, also on the High Street. Young entrepreneur of the year, Emily Dawson from the Holy Ghost Tattoo Collective, has opened a second studio in the Old Town Hall.
Conversely, La Bella Lingerie is closing its High Street shop later this month.
Shop-owner, Karen Carr, said: "It's been a hard decision to make but in difficult economic times we have been struggling to manage the business. Sales and profit levels have decreased and in such a scenario we cannot continue to operate."
As reported by Rothbiz, the former Primark store has been given a guide rent of offers in excess of £200,000 per annum exclusive.
Wilson added: "There is too much floorspace in the town centre, we have to be open and honest about that. The town centre has changed dramatically in the last 20 years and the needs and demands for retail units now are different to they were then. If you look at some of the bigger floorspaces around town, they'll probably be empty for quite a long time. It's going to be difficult to attract the big retailers in.
"What we need to try and do is focus on bringing new businesses in, like we have done on the High Street successfully, maintain that and reduce the number of businesses that are struggling that actually end up closing.
"We recognise that until we get some of the bigger projects delivered we have to work to sustain what we've got now so that footfall doesn't reduce dramatically."
The first major projects include the £12m university campus taking shape on Doncaster Gate and progress is being made on Forge Island with the Council closing in on a development partner.
Wilson added: "Footfall is the driver for retail success and footfall is going down. There are different ways you can address footfall. The obvious one is to improve the offer within the town centre, that's the longer term ambition. It's about increasing the amount of attractions that will increase the number of people that will come into the town. Whether that's with what we are trying to do on Forge Island or through the private sector like the working with the football club.
"Separately, it is about bringing more people into the town centre, not just coming in to shop, but to come in to live. Another part of that key strategy is housing in the town centre.
"But we will continue to lose shops until the trading conditions overall improve. We've got the pressures of Meadowhall, we've got the pressures of Parkgate and we can't ignore that that is a negative impact on the town centre. There is a plan in place to try and address that."
Rotherham markets could be in line for a long-awaited revamp, as outlined in the masterplan. In the meantime, footfall is falling in the markets and there is an increase in empty units. The authority has agreed that charges for units in the complex are not to increase.
The Council is also looking at initiatives to boost the footfall in the market, and town centre, by introducing new markets, such as the crafter's market, and trials of street markets on Saturdays and car boot sales on Sundays. Incentives for new traders are also set to be extended.
Other initiatives to support the town centre include proposals for free Wi-Fi, new parking offers and the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
A prominent retail property in Rotherham town centre could be set for a new lease of life under proposals for a new mixed use development incorporating a 35 room aparthotel.
In a first for the town centre, a planning application has been submitted to extend 21,23 and 25 Effingham Street to the rear and create new rooms for let by adding new floor levels above the existing flat roofs.
An aparthotel is a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel-style booking system.
The applicant is the London-based real estate company, The Launderette Centre Ltd and the property was sold at auction in 2016 for £720,000.
Retail tenants, Perfect Home and Textiles Direct have since closed with a discount bookshop the most recent tenant. Agents Brassington Rowan have been advertising the retail units to rent at £39,950 and £60,000 per annum.
Discussions have been ongoing regarding the potential residential, leisure and retail uses for the building.
Advertisement The application, drawn up by White Design, states: "The Aparthotel aspect of the new development has the potential to be a key component in the rejuvenation of Rotherham, and will bring high quality lettable residential accommodation right in the heart of Rotherham.
"It is proposed to add new floor levels above the existing flat roofs. The renovation part of the development involves the renovation, repair and reorganisation of two existing buildings which are to be retail spaces on the ground floor.
"New corridors and stairs are to be constructed to provide suitable emergency escape routes from the existing and new floors above which are to be the Aparthotel accommodation."
The apartments will have their own secure private access with bookings, check-ins, and checkouts set to be fully automated. The operation could partner with a franchise brand.
Thomas Henri, owner of the property, said: "It is believed an opportunity to develop 21 – 25 Effingham Street into an Aparthotel is in keeping with the Council's vision and the wider plan of expanding the night-life offering within the town centre precinct. The upper floors at present are under utilised and represent low value economically."
Having been given an extra life in 2012, video game retailer, GAME, has closed its store in Rotherham town centre.
The national High Street chain holds the highest market share in the retailing of console gaming hardware, software, accessories and digital products in the UK.
GAME had operated 641 stores before entering administration in 2012 following rapid expansion and difficult trading conditions. It was acquired by OpCapita (Elliott Management Corp) and went on to close the Rotherham store at Parkgate that year whilst later rebranding the GameStation store at All Saints' Square in the town centre.
The remaining Rotherham store was being emptied of games, consoles, accessories and gadgets this week.
Rejoining the stock exchange in 2014, the retailer has continued to struggle. It posted a £10.4m loss for the 12 month period to July 2017. Sales have been boosted since following the launch of the Nintendo Switch.
Holding company, Game Digital plc, issued a profit warning last year and has put in place new strategies based on optimising its store network, selling online and diversifying into new areas such as e-sports.
Mike Ashley snapped up a stake of more than 25% in the retailer and work is taking place on creating concessions in Sports Direct sites, as well as with electronic retailer, Maplin, which has since entered administration.
Advertisement Other national retailers that have left Rotherham town centre in the last 12 months include Primark, New Look, Thorntons and Poundstretcher.
23% of floor space in the town centre area was classed as vacant at the end of 2017 and Rothbiz reported last week on how Rotherham Council is considering incentives in an effort to attract businesses into the town centre.
In optimising the store estate, GAME has been negotiating leases on improved terms and 20 stores closed or relocated in 2016/17. The company said last year that 70% of its UK store portfolio was to be reviewed by the end of calendar 2018.
As part of the review, Rotherham's store has closed, like others in towns such as Derby, Grimsby, Harrogate and Bournemouth. The brand now operates around 300 stores and had an annual rent and rates bill of around £31.1m.
Afternoon guys,today has been our last day in Rotherham...sad times I know😭!!thank you for all your support over the years,it’s been a blast and an absolue pleasure to serve you all....peace out 👊🤙👋✌️
The plc explained that its UK action plan, launched in 2016, "remains a key focus for the business." A spokesperson added: "Considerable attention continues to be given to the review of our store footprint and reducing property costs wherever possible. Almost 40 lease renewals have been renegotiated on improved terms during the last 12 months and where proposed new lease terms have not been acceptable, the group has relocated to lower-cost premises.
"We are also exploring opportunities to open new concession locations where lower cost of occupation and more flexible terms can be agreed."
Advertisement Rothbiz reported in 2016 that plans had been submitted for the vacant bank at 16 - 20 College Street, adjacent to the GAME store, that would enable a restaurant and bar to operate over 5,000 sq ft of floorspace on the basement, ground and first floor.
Hungry for further growth, QFM Group, the Sheffield-based developer and operator of a number of fast food franchises, is progressing plans for two new outlets in Wickersley, Rotherham.
QFM Group is one of the largest franchise companies in the UK and was founded in 1982 when it opened its first restaurant in Sheffield. It now has a chain of quick service restaurants and is continuing to grow with a current expansion programme.
Operating from sites in Manvers, Canklow, Parkgate, Eastwood and the town centre in Rotherham, the company is now targeting the suburb of Wickersley, submitting a planning application for new premises close to The Tanyard shopping centre.
Advertisement Formerly used by second-hand store, TiroBaggi and Edward Healy & Sons, a provider of shoe repair materials, plans for the Bawtry Road property, drawn up by SSA Planning, show how the ground floor could be subdivided into a shop and a café.
No operators have been announced but the QFM Group operates world renowned brands such as KFC, Costa Coffee and Taco Bell.
The plans also include proposals to demolish the first storey and erect a two storey vertical extension to the rear which would contain four new apartments. Eight parking spaces are proposed.
Nearly 1,800 sq ft of space would be created for the café and 2,300 sq ft for the shop. If approved, the development would create an estimated four full time and 16 part time jobs.
Advertisement Operating since 1843, family firm, Edward Healy & Sons were the original founders of the renowned "Benchmark" shoe repair materials, offering these as well as many other well known products. Brothers Robin and Tim Healy retired in 2016 and the firm was incorporated into Savvas Georgiou Wholesalers.
The man brought in to lead on a transformational growth plan at Rotherham-based fresh meat and food to go retailer, Crawshaw Group PLC, is to step down from his CEO role.
The AIM-listed Hellaby firm announced growth plans in 2014 that involved investing £200m, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs.
Noel Collett joined Crawshaw as chief executive officer from Lidl, having spent 16 years with the German discounter supermarket. He has now informed the Board of his intention to step down to pursue other opportunities but will remain in his role until a replacement CEO is appointed to ensure an orderly hand over.
The Group has also announced that Alan Richardson, chief financial officer, has notified the Board of his intention to leave the business in early May to take up an opportunity outside the group.
Jim McCarthy, chairman of Crawshaw Group, said: "The Board of Crawshaw thanks Noel and Alan for their contribution and wishes them success in their future endeavours. We anticipate being in a position to announce a new CEO and CFO in the near term who will help drive the business forward."
Advertisement Crawshaws expansion plans stumbled in 2016 as difficult trading conditions continued. As new stores opened, standardised offers and price points were also introduced into existing stores but the management admitted that they "didn't resonate as well with customers as we thought."
A transformational 2017 deal with the 2 Sisters Food Group enabled Crawshaw to restart its accelerated new store opening programme, with an initial focus on factory shop locations.
These destination sites are seen as particularly attractive as they allow the retailer to offer even greater value to customers through larger pack sizes and value progression.
Following a busy festive period, which saw group sales in the week leading up to Christmas reaching a record £1.8m and almost 3,500 value meat hampers sold, the company has reported that "trading in the first six weeks of the new financial year has been challenging, exacerbated by the recent poor weather but the factory shop format continues to perform well."
Another prominent three-storey property in Rotherham town centre has been put up for sale.
30-32 Effingham Street is currently occupied by Wray's Butchers, one of the town centre's oldest traders. Independent Sheffield based commercial property consultancy, Crosthwaite Commercial, is marketing the 3,966 sq ft property which occupies a corner position opposite the indoor market.
Offers in the region of £495,000 are invited.
Advertisement The property is listed as "Available due to Relocation" with bids invited for the freehold but letting may also be on the cards as agents state that a new lease may be available for the entire premises, subject to the agreement of suitable terms.
With frontages on to Effingham Street and Howard Street, the property also includes a store and ancillary space on the first and second floors. The agents also add that the "potential exists to convert the upper floors to residential, using the existing separate entrance from Howard Street."
In 2015, Wray's Butchers began trading at new premises on Effingham Street in what was the former Ilkeston Co-Op Travel shop. Previous occupants have included Wakefield Army Stores and Jackson's Stores.
The family business has been trading in Rotherham for over 50 years, most recently on Upper Millgate.
Advertisement Rothbiz has been reporting on a number of properties in the town centre that have recently gone up for sale. These include 1-22 Effingham Square, which recently failed to sell at auction and 27 - 29 College Street, known by many as the previous home of national retailer, Marks & Spencer, which was sold prior to an auction in December.
2-6 Effingham Street went up for sale in October 2017 with a £1.1m but it is no longer being advertised.
Award-winning firm, Pricecheck Toiletries, is celebrating 40 years in business this month and it looks set to pass the £70m annual turnover mark this year.
Pricecheck is a leading supplier of international branded consumer goods, working predominately in the health and beauty sector, dealing with discounted clearance stock.
The second generation family owned business was established in 1978 by the parents of Mark Lythe and Debbie Harrison, who now run the company as joint managing directors.
Officially opened in 2016, the new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham matched the firm's ambitious future growth plans, with the 115,000 sq ft warehouse able to accommodate 40% more than previously achievable and offices that tripled in size.
Pricecheck recently added a new mezzanine level whilst opening a second warehouse facility in Attercliffe, Sheffield. The company now boasts over 15,000 pallet spaces across the two sites.
Advertisement The business began as a local retail store in Sheffield, however, the Lythe family soon expanded into international health & beauty distribution.
In recent years the company has moved into the distribution of fragrances, household, medical, food & drink, alcohol, confectionery, and children's products.
Alongside the move into new product categories the company has worked to develop its export business which now accounts for almost half of its £73m turnover.
Doug Lythe, founder of Pricecheck, said: "Forty years ago I couldn't imagine we would have been responsible for starting such a successful international business, I don't think anyone would have predicted it.
"The business has gone from strength to strength since Mark and Debbie took over in 2007. I offer my heartfelt thanks to all the staff for their loyalty and commitment to our customers and suppliers over the past four decades.
"I look forward to celebrating in our unique Pricecheck style before they start work on the next forty years!"
Joint MDs Mark and Debbie have ambitious growth plans underway for the next decade, the duo are aiming to more than double turnover to £200m by 2025. This will mean a significant investment in people, and the pair aim to take on a further 60 staff over the next two years.
Mark Lythe, joing managing director at Pricecheck, said: "Debbie and I have lived and breathed Pricecheck all our working lives, knowing we are growing our family business year on year is a great source of pride for us both. We are working hard to employ the right people to develop the business further over the next few years."
To commemorate this momentous year, and to thank the 140 staff for their hard work and dedication, the company announced it would be throwing a special anniversary party for employees and increasing their annual holiday entitlement.
Free parking spaces are being provided on Drummond Street, between Tesco and the markets complex, under new proposals from Rotherham Council.
Rothbiz has been reporting on how the local authority plans to support existing businesses as they wait for the catalyst projects in the new masterplan to revive the town centre.
These include parking incentives, the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), marketing and promotion and opportunities for "meanwhile uses," window/frontage treatments and potential free Wi-Fi.
The latest move will see half the current free "red zone" spaces provided in Forge Island transferred to the Council's car park at Drummond Street.
The move comes as contractors QSP Construction Group begin work at Forge Island on a new, temporary bus station for the town. It will provide 12 stands and a covered waiting area for passengers along with new bus stands and shelters located on Corporation Street and Market Place.
The nearby Rotherham Interchange is undergoing a £12m revamp and bus services will cease to use the current interchange this month. Long term plans for Forge Island are for a £40m leisure mixed-use development that could accommodate a cinema, hotel, restaurants and bars, town centre parking, as well as high quality business space and modern residential opportunities.
The Council says that the temporary move has led to a surge in interest in vacant shop units around Corporation Street.
Advertisement The Drummond Street "red zone" will be similar to the existing free parking area in Forge Island car park, where customers are entitled to one session of two hours free parking per day in a limited number of parking bays.
The new arrangements will see a split of 36 free parking bays in Drummond Street, with 35 free spaces in Forge Island.
Parking fees have been frozen and previously introduced offers see visitors claim two hours free parking at the expiration of a two hour session purchased in some town centre Council operated off-street car parks on Saturdays.
Damien Wilson, strategic director for regeneration and environment at Rotherham Council, believs the proposal would give a boost to the other side of the town centre and address concerns from traders in that area.
He said: "We have listened to what traders and businesses have told us and feel now is the right time to offer some free parking in that part of the town centre, particularly following the parking restrictions introduced by Tesco recently.
"There will still be some free parking on offer in Forge Island of course. With the temporary bus station opening there shortly, we have seen a renewed interest in the Corporation Street area with a number of vacant units being let as a result.
"We hope this new move will help local people and businesses benefit from our growing economy at a time of some exciting developments."
