rotherham business news

Rotherham United has agreed a new deal with long-term sponsors Parkgate Shopping, who will continue to have its name proudly displayed on the back of the club's home shirt for the next two seasons.

Parkgate attracts over nine million visitors a year and the 575,000 sq ft retail destination is one of the largest retail parks in the UK. Home to over 40 shops, the park is anchored by the likes of Primark, M&S, Outfit, Next, Boots and H&M.

The local retail park have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the Millers with their branding first featuring on the club’s home kit back in 1987. The partnership passed its 30th year last season, with the Parkgate Shopping logo appearing on the club's strips for 22 of the last 31 seasons.

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Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United, said: "I'm thrilled that we are able to continue to build on the outstanding relationship that we have with a local partner, who have quite rightly become synonymous with the Millers due to their continued support over a lot of years.

"Parkgate's prolonged commitment to the club really fits in with the "Forever Together, Forever Proud" ethos here at Rotherham United and we are indeed very proud of what has been a long and successful partnership.

"That relationship has continued to remain equally strong since BMO Real Estate Partners became owners of Parkgate Shopping and we are delighted to have the opportunity to continue that for many years to come."

Janet Drury, centre manager at Parkgate Shopping, added: "Parkgate Shopping have held a long partnership with the Millers going right back to the 1980s, and I am delighted that our proud association will continue for a minimum of a further two years.

"Parkgate and the Millers have become synonymous with each other because of our long standing partnership. A Rotherham United shirt just isn't the same without the Parkgate logo!

"We are thrilled to be part of what the club is achieving on and off the field, and we are excited about the future."

RUFC website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: RUFC

Not that more evidence was needed on the changes taking place in town centres across the UK but high streets saw much more closures than openings in 2017.

The number of new high street stores opening in 2017 fell to 4,083, from 4,534 in 2016, according to research compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC) for PwC.

5,855 outlets closed on Great Britain's high streets in 2017, at a rate of 16 stores a day, a slight increase on the 15 stores a day closing in 2016, when 5,430 outlets closed.

In Rotherham town centre, the data recorded 13 closures and four openings in 2017.

The masterplan for Rotherham town centre focuses on growing leisure and residential uses rather than retail. Proponents believe that there is "too much floorspace in the town centre."

23% of floor space in the town centre area was classed as vacant at the end of 2017 according to Rotherham Council fugures. The year saw the loss of national retailers such as Primark, New Look, Clinton's and Thornton's. The closure of Primark in November 2017 has had a big impact on footfall.

The national data shows that the second half of 2017 saw substantially more closures and less openings than the first six months of the year, reflecting a tough trading environment including a slowdown in consumer confidence and spending, rising staff and business rates costs, as well as a slowdown in food and beverage growth.

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Lisa Hooker, consumer markets leader at PwC, said: "2017 was tough for the British retail industry. Many retailers are increasingly feeling the impact of the acceleration of online shopping as consumers begin to feel more comfortable with the price transparency and reliability of delivery options offered by online players. Digital offerings are increasingly becoming make or break in areas like fashion, but also for banks, travel agents and estate agents – all of which closed a significant number of high street outlets last year."

The data showed that nail bars, coffee shops, bookstores and craft beer pubs, are all flourishing because they serve the needs of emerging consumer segments.

Lucy Stainton, Senior Relationship Manager (Retail) at The Local Data Company, said: "LDC's latest figures show that there continues to be a vast amount of churn across the physical landscape and, whilst the gap between openings and closures has widened slightly in 2017, we are seeing certain sub-sectors really gain traction.

"It is this "re-occupancy" and evolution of the use of space which is most striking, as banks become coffee shops, pubs change to nurseries and nail salons open in the space vacated by fashion shops."

For South Yorkshire, the data showed that Rotherham had both fewer closures and fewer openings (and a lower net change) than Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley.

The number of businesses in Rotherham in 2017 was recorded at 133 which decreased to 124 at January 2018 - a percentage decrease of 6.8%.

The number of businesses in Sheffield decreased to 339 (an 8.1% percentage decrease). In Barnsley, a 9.1% decrease was recorded with the number of businesses reducing to 132 overall. Doncaster saw a 4.7% decrease to 263.

PwC website
LDC website

Images: Walker Singleton

Pedestrian access to the newest stores of the expanded Cortonwood retail destination is set to be improved after shoppers were left with a confusing link between the two developments.

At Cortonwood Shopping Park, work started in 2016 on a programme to demolish the vacant 150,000 sq ft ALBA warehouse, following which J F Finnegan undertook works to create 11 new retail units and a restaurant totalling 79,750 sq ft.

Opening last year were national retailers Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Mountain Warehouse, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's.

Only passed on appeal, the development is from Helical Retail and forms an extension to Cortonwood Retail Park which was developed by St Paul's Developments, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.

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The development included a condition requiring a pedestrian link to the adjacent car parking area close to the already existing Halfords and Asda stores.

What resulted was a set of "steps to nowhere" and level differences, a hedge, an area of landscaping and hardsurfacing which prevented the pedestrian link from being used.

Plans have now been approved by Rotherham Council to amend the site levels and provide hard surfacing up to the boundary and existing ramp/steps to enable the link to the adjacent retail park to be utilised.

Steps to nowhere.
Steps still blocked off between new and original shopping centres at #Rotherham #Cortonwood.
WHY ?!!! Crazy.@RMBCPress pic.twitter.com/lTr0NQqjMU
— Chris Needham (@Young_Nudger) November 9, 2017

A report from council planners concludes: "There are benefits in terms of pedestrian linkages with the adjacent retail development and also in terms of pedestrian safety (a desire line is currently being used by pedestrians for access between the two sites). There is no impact in terms of the level of car parking.

"It is considered that the proposal meets with relevant policies and is acceptable in terms of design and visual appearance and highway safety."

Cortonwood Shopping Park website

Images: Helical Retail

A planning application has been submitted for a new retail foodstore in Rotherham by German global discount chain, Lidl.

Rothbiz reported first on Lidl bringing forward plans for a new store that would create around 40 jobs on land at Dalton.

Lidl was founded in Germany in the 1930's and has grown consistently, now operating over 10,000 stores in 27 countries. Launching in the UK in September 1994, Lidl today has 670 stores here - with one on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

The proposed new store is on the site of Dalton Progressive Working Men's Club where the building was vacated after the club fell into administration in 2016. The property burnt down in February and the site of proposed store includes land to the north and west of the demolished building.

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The plans, drawn up by consultants at Walshingham Planning, state: "The proposal will provide an improvement to the quantitative and qualitative convenience goods offer within Dalton by providing a discount retailer to serve the local catchment area. The development will provide increased consumer choice in price and products, enhance healthy competition and productivity, as well as meeting the needs of the whole community.

"The new Lidl foodstore will significantly enhance the current physical appearance of the site and surrounding local centre.

"The proposal will secure the development of a previously developed site on a key arterial route between Rotherham Town Centre and Conisbrough. The proposed scheme will bring the site into intensive economic use, creating up to 40 new jobs and enhancing the vitality and viability of the local area in a sustainable way."

Set back from the road, the plans show a new 23,700 sq ft "modern and attractive neighbourhood foodstore" with a sales area of 14,200 sq ft, generating an estimated turnover of £7.12m.

127 parking spaces are featured in the plans and assessments over transport and noise are included, as is a scheme for landscaping around the development.

The design of the scheme is based on Lidl's latest concept model which is currently in the process of rolling out across the UK. The design from SMR Architects includes a glazed façade to the south elevation facing Doncaster Road.

Part of the site has been earmarked for residential use in the emerging local plan and the applicants have included details on why the use for a retail store instead of housing would not "detrimentally impact on the Council's ability to meet its housing needs during the remaining Plan period."

On the need for another discount retailer in the area, the applicant believes that the demand is there as current local stores are trading well, adding that the Aldi at Parkgate is "trading more than three times above benchmark levels."

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A sequential test was not considered necessary but as the site is not within a designated town centre (the site falls partly within and partly on the edge of the local centre), a retail impact assessment has been carried out which shows how the store would divert trade away from retailers in surrounding areas.

The applicants conclude: "We do not believe that the proposed development will have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of any designated centres."

It is assumed that the proposed foodstore development will be completed within the next 18 months.

According to analysts, Kantar Worldpanel, Lidl has seen year-on-year sales growth of 10.3% to reach a 5.3% share of the market. Lidl bosses have previously discussed its aggressive expansion with a plan to roll-out "at least one shop a week" with investment of £1.45bn up to 2019.

Lidl website

Images: Lidl / Walshingham Planning / SMR

The Rotherham-based Crawshaw Group Plc, the UK's leading value butcher, has been hit by challenging high street trading conditions and has been forced to make an impairment goodwill of £10.6m.

The AIM-listed Hellaby firm reported its financial results for the year to January 28 where group revenue rose 1% to £44.6m but there was an underlying operating loss of £2.0m, an increase from the £1.1m loss reported in 2017.

The group also reported a statutory loss before tax of £13.5m, compared with a loss of £1.4m the previous year, due to a one off non cash impairment charge of £10.6m and £0.8m exceptional costs. The company said in a statement that as part of the annual goodwill assessment, forecast future cash flows were adjusted to take into account the impacts of sterling depreciation on buying prices and expected wage inflation.

Crawshaw announced growth plans in 2014 that involved investing £200m, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs. The plans stumbled in 2016 as difficult trading conditions continued.

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.

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At the end of January, Crawshaw operated 52 trading stores, opening five new factory shops in the period and closing two underperforming high street units.

Sales from factory stores have offset sales from high street locations and the company is transitioning to a model based away from the high street. Now accounting for around a quarter of the group's sales, five to ten new factory stores are planned in the next 12 months.

Outgoing chief executive, Noel Collett, said: "This has been a disappointing year for Group sales. Whilst we have been pleased with the strong performance of our factory shop outlets, sales across our high street estate have proven more challenging, exacerbated by the well documented high street pressures.

"Against this, however, we have made operational progress to strengthen the business. We are confident that the rollout of our unique factory shops format and improvements in profitability across the high street estate will leave the Group well-placed for future growth."

Jim McCarthy, chairman of Crawshaw Group plc, added: "While sales for the year have been challenging, I am confident that the repositioning of the Group towards our successful factory shop model will improve long-term profitability.

"I expect to provide an update on a new management team in due course, who I am confident will help further develop Crawshaws' market leading value and drive improved performance in both factory shops and high street stores."

The report also showed that the company has created a central production capability at the Hellaby factory having invested in automated cutting and packing lines. This should enable a reduction in store-based staff who will re-focus from production to customer service. It also provides the capability to service the wholesale and catering butchery supply routes in the future.

A new leadership team is being sought as the CEO and CFO are set to leave the business later this year.

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw

Another set of plans to introduce residential use over shops in Rotherham town centre have been drawn up.

At 43 Bridgegate, part of the historic Red Lion Inn, plans has been submitted for a change of use of the first and second floor to residential, whilst adding a new shop front to the rear of the property.

Providing a three bedroom flat in the storage and attic space above the vacant retail unit, the plans also include alterations to improve separate access to the upper floors from the Red Lion yard at the rear.

The masterplan for Rotherham town centre focuses on growing leisure and residential uses rather than retail.

The applicant is Eastbold Ltd, a London-based property company and the plans, drawn up by Thorpes Design Ltd, state: "The lease was surrendered by the long term travel agent circa 2014. The property has suffered a number of break ins and the rear entrance was boarded up for security.

"The proposal is to install a new shopfront whilst at the same time forming an entrance to the first and second floor accommodation."

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The 834 sq ft retail unit was most recently used by a mobile phone and gadget shop and was previously let to travel agent Going Places, the brand operated by Thomas Cook before it merged with Co-operative Travel.

The ground floor retail unit has been on the market with the rent at £15,000 pa and the property was put up for sale via auction in 2015 for £120,000 but failed to sell.

Whilst not a listed building 39 - 47 Bridgegate is on Rotherham Civic Society's local list which compiles properties of architectural or historic interest.

The society states that: "Providing frontage to the historic Red Lion Inn, which in the early 19th C had frontage to Bridgegate at No. 39. In 1927 this building and the adjoining shops were rebuilt by Tennant Brothers Brewery of Sheffield in a mock Tudor style. The new building was three stories with showrooms and offices above the shops, and extended over the access to Red Lion Yard.

"Rebuilding of the property was necessary to comply with a new street improvement line which was required in connection with the creation of the bus terminus in All Saints Square."

Images: Barnett Ross

Having built up a £70m turnover business based on supplying toiletries, Pricecheck now has the ability to buy, store and distribute alcohol in the UK and EU.

Based at Beighton Link in Rotherham, Pricecheck is a leading supplier of international branded consumer goods, working predominately in the health and beauty sector, dealing with discounted clearance stock.

The company acquired the necessary licensing to purchase and distribute alcohol in September 2017. The ability to move into the alcohol market was boosted by exceptional growth in recent years and a commitment to invest in new categories, in order to offer a one-stop shop for customers.

In autumn 2017, as part of Pricecheck's commitment to expansion, work began on a new mezzanine floor at their purpose built warehouse and head office. This investment has enabled increased efficiencies when processing orders in and out of the warehouse.

The company also expanded into additional satellite warehouse facilities in Sheffield which added a further 40,000 sq ft of storage capacity. The business now boasts a total of 170,000 sq ft and the extra space has enabled Pricecheck to increase stock levels of new categories, including alcohol.

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Chris Roberts, business development director at Pricecheck, said: "This is a strategic move for the business, we have traditionally been known for supplying branded toiletries and other household consumer goods, however, we want to ensure we offer a broad range of brands and product categories.

"We successfully introduced branded food and drink in 2016, and alcohol is a natural development of these categories. With our additional warehouse space we can now offer an even wider range of products and brands."

Pricecheck already stocks lines such as VK, Stella Artois and Guinness, with plans to supply further brands in the coming months.

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.

The award-winning firm, recently celebrated 40 years in business. It has grown by 33% in the last year to record a £73m turnover and aims to reach £200m by 2025.

Pricecheck website

Images: Pricecheck

Rotherham Council is planning to close the dedicated visitor centre in the town centre, relocating services to the Makers Emporium on the nearby High Street.

The prominent property on Bridgegate faces All Saints' Square in the heart of the town centre. Staff provide advice to local people and those new to the town on places of interest and forthcoming events, as well as providing destination guides. It also sells a range of merchandise and tickets for performances at the Civic Theatre.

In a budget-saving move, the local authority is now planning to relocate the visitor centre and box office to within 26 High Street.

Transforming the former Snafu rock bar in 2014, the Makers Emporium offers low-cost shared and professionally-managed retail space to a mixture of makers, crafters, artists and designers.

£63,400 was set aside in the council's capital budget to facilitate the relocation of visitor centre and the authority has said that it will not affect the services currently offered or staffing levels.

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Damien Wilson, strategic director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council said the move made perfect sense given the complementary services provided by the two businesses, and will help to secure the long-term future of the Visitor Centre in the town.

He said: "Local authorities are under continuing financial pressures and as the lease on the Bridgegate building was coming to an end, the Council took the opportunity to assess various options for where the Visitor Centre could go.

"The Makers Emporium was perfectly suited to creating a shared retail and information space, and we very much look forward to seeing both businesses benefit from the move in the future."

The vacated site makes up part of the historic White Hart Buildings. Whilst not a listed building, the property is on Rotherham Civic Society's local list which compiles properties of architectural or historic interest.

The society states that: "The former White Hart was closed as a result of the Ministry of Health's Order of August 1926 sanctioning the compulsory acquisition of the property for street improvements. The new public house, with entrances to Upper Millgate and Bridgegate was commissioned by Messrs Mappins Brewery and was designed by James E. Knight, Architect. The building incorporating lock up shops and a suite of offices was described as being late Georgian in design.

"The public house opened on the 12th December 1929 and closed in March 1969 following its acquisition by Barclay's Bank Ltd."

Images: Google Maps

Rotherham-based Crawshaw Group Plc, the UK's leading value butcher, has announced the appointment of Jim Viggars as chief executive officer and Nick Taylor as chief financial officer.

The AIM-listed Hellaby firm has been hit by challenging high street trading conditions and is refocusing its business model based on factory shop locations.

Crawshaw announced growth plans in 2014 that involved investing £200m, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs. The plans stumbled in 2016 as difficult trading conditions continued.

A transformational 2017 deal with the 2 Sisters Food Group enabled Crawshaw to restart its accelerated new store opening programme. The group now operates over 50 stores with more factory stores planned.

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Jim Viggars has over 30 years' experience within the meat industry across procurement, customer strategy and agriculture. Between 2005 and 2015, Jim was the head of the fresh meat department at UK supermarket ASDA. Prior to this he was Buying Manager for ASDA's pre-packed pies division and was previously a fresh meat buyer for the group. During 2015-2017 Jim was the sales director for UK Import & Distribution Services importing grass fed beef into Europe.

Nick Taylor joins Crawshaw having served as CFO of Janan Meat, the UK's premier dedicated Halal Lamb and Mutton meat processor, since January 2017. Prior to this Nick was finance director of the Egg products division at Noble Food Group, and between 2002 and 2015 he held a variety of roles, including that of finance director and general manager of the Doncaster site at the leading food processing company ABP Food Group.

In its financial results for the year to January 28 group revenue rose 1% to £44.6m but there was an underlying operating loss of £2.0m, an increase from the £1.1m loss reported in 2017. An announcement was made before the disappointing results that CEO Noel Collett would step down to pursue other opportunities and that CFO Alan Richardson would leave to take up an opportunity outside of the group.

Jim McCarthy, chairman of Crawshaw, said: "I am pleased to welcome Jim and Nick to Crawshaw. They both have clear commercial acumen and careers which are steeped in the industry. I am confident that their combined expertise, experience and outlook will help drive the Group forward."

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw

Young entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to test the market later this month as a dedicated Youth Market takes place in Rotherham town centre.

The National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) is running a nationwide competition that celebrates young entrepreneurs trading on our markets, festivals and fairs.

Markets are low-risk, affordable, and flexible platforms to test out, launch and grow a business and young people aged 16 to 30 from the UK can apply to trade at one of the heats - including Rotherham on May 26.

Traders will be chosen to go through to trade at regional finals (Yorkshire's is in Leeds on August 1) and potentially at a National Youth Market in Stratford-upon-Avon on August 31 and September 1.

Prizes for the Young Trader of the Year include £500 cash, one year's free NMTF membership and a trophy. Four Highly Commended awards are up for grabs, which includes £100 cash and one year's free NMTF membership.

A spokesperson for the NMTF said: "The NMTF is helping to coordinate the initiative through the Yorkshire Markets Forum. It is a collaborative approach to nurturing young talent in Yorkshire, advocating market trading as a business model, and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to trade in the region's traditional retail markets."

Last year's Young Trader of the Year was Rose Dyson, 17, from Barnsley, who runs Pura Cosmetics.

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The Rotherham event will take place during the 2018 Love Your Local Market campaign, the fortnight that shines a national spotlight on markets across the country.

Led by NABMA (the National Association of British Market Authorities) and supported by both the markets industry and government, the campaign was started in 2012 following the Portas Review. The recommendations called for a National Market Day, which soon developed into Love Your Local Market fortnight, which now takes place annually in May and has become an international movement spanning 24 countries.

Taking place from May 17 - 30, this year's global theme is "Markets: Close to Your Heart."

Jake Berry MP, Minister for High Streets, said: "Love Your Local Market reflects markets as part of the historical fabric of our communities and that they have an important role in their future. Like our town centres and high streets, markets are rising to the challenge of attracting the modern consumer, becoming more community and partnership focussed and adapting to today's technologies."

Gala Graphics, the Rotherham based graphic design and promotional print specialist, is showing its appreciation for independent market traders as the Official Supplier of Merchandise for the Love Your Local Market campaign.

Glen Robinson, managing director of Gala Graphics, said: "We are strong believers in supporting local markets as they are the lifeblood of many towns and cities. We are proud to be supporting the Love Your Local Market campaign and hope as many markets in the UK as possible will get involved. The promotional merchandise just goes to reinforce the message that we should all feel pride in our markets and support them whenever we can - and particularly in this special week."

Rotherham Markets Facebook page
NMTF website
NABMA website
Gala Graphics website

Images: NMTF

"Europe's Largest Sexy Superstore" could be about to get even larger as Rotherham Council has approved plans for an extension at the Canklow site.

Previously a mail-order service, Rotherham-based Pulse & Cocktails opened its first upmarket store in the borough in 1997.

The family firm aimed to change the perception and remove the stigma attributed to seedy sex shops by creating fun, bright and friendly retail spaces where the focus is on providing the "Ultimate Sexy Shopping Experience."

The brand has expanded to over 20 stores across the UK, often taking on destination sites such as former petrol stations and roadside restaurants.

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The current flagship store opened at Canklow in 2003 where the 10,000 sq ft premises also includes the firm's head office and storage area. With 7,000 sq ft of retail space and selling 8,000 different products, the Rotherham branch was reported to be the biggest sex shop in Europe when it opened, and the second biggest in the world after the Hustler store in California.

Now a planning application has been approved that will enable the company to extend the building and add an additional 4,300 sq ft of floorspace.

The proposal, which would create six new jobs, involves the construction of a two storey side extension for warehousing, staffing rooms and offices and does not propose any new retail space. It would allow for the existing internal layout to be reconfigured with the central area for warehousing and the south-eastern area for retail.

Shops can turnover £200,000 per annum and the latest branch to open was on the A12 in Essex. A recent focus for growing the business has been on online retail through its own website and third party sites such as eBay and Amazon.

Pulse & Cocktails website

Images: Pulse & Cocktails

National retailer Mothercare has confirmed plans to close around 50 shops within a year and it's not looking good for the Rotherham store at Parkgate.

The closures are part of a restructuring plan as the struggling firm looks to secure its future by implementing a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to close underperforming stores and reduce rents across the remaining portfolio.

The mother and baby products retailer also announced a refinancing package worth up to £113.5m. It comes as the Hertfordshire-based firm reports its financial results for the year to March 24 2018 where turnover was slightly down to £654.5m from the £657.4m in the previous year.

However, a profit of £7.1m in 2017 plunged to statutory pre-tax losses of £72.8m for 2018, due to restructuring, store closures and writedowns.

What appears to be a leaked internal memo showing which stores are included in the restructuring plan has been circulating online.

It shows that the Rotherham Mothercare store is one of 49 earmarked as "Category 3" stores - those that would close over the next 12 months.

Other local stores in Doncaster and at Crystal Peaks in Sheffield are both in the closure category on the list, which also shows that the retailer is looking to secure a rent reduction from the landlord at its Meadowhall store.

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Clive Whiley, interim executive chairman at Mothercare, said: "‎The recent financial performance of the business, impacted in particular by a large number of legacy loss making stores within the UK estate, has resulted in an unsustainable situation for the Mothercare brand, meaning the Group was in clear need of an appropriate resolution. Since my appointment as interim executive chairman, my priority has been to galvanise support from all of our stakeholders and provide a solution to the short-term problems facing the company.

"These comprehensive measures provide a renewed and stable financial structure for the business and will drive a step change in Mothercare's transformation. The potential for the Mothercare brand in the UK, benefitting from a restructured store estate, and internationally remains significant. However, there remains much to do and we must maintain a disciplined focus on cost control and cash generation throughout the business, but these measures provide a solid platform from which to reposition the group and begin to focus on growth, both in the UK and internationally."

In 2013, the Early Learning Centre and Mothercare outlet store opened within the existing Mothercare (and former Children's World) unit at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham. It was the brand's first outlet store in the UK. In 2015 the unit was subdivided and fellow retailer Smyths Toys took 15,000 sq ft of space.

Parkgate saw the closure of nursery retailer Mamas & Papas in 2015 which followed on from the closure of the large Kiddicare unit in 2014. With no sign of a deal, Rotherham-based retailer Maplin is also set to close its Parkgate store.

Mothercare website

Images: Parkgate Shopping

Another commercial building in Rotherham town centre has been put up for sale and is set to go under the hammer this week.

The property at 2 - 10 Drummond Street and 39 - 47 Effingham Street is a freehold retail parade investment opportunity that is in the sales catalogue with leading auctioneers Acuitus for its event in London on May 24.

Including 11 ground floor retail units with residential on the upper floors, the property, which is adjacent to the Tesco Extra store, has been given a guide price of £800,000.

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Being sold on behalf of a major fund manager, the investment totals 6,147 sq ft of commercial space and is let to a number of retailers such as Staniforths, Age UK and independent lease holders.

The first and second floors are let to The Guinness Partnership, one of the largest providers of affordable housing and care in England, on a peppercorn rent for another 172 years.

In total, the properties bring in some £99,500 per annum.

The auction comes a few months after the nearby prominent commercial building at 1-22 Effingham Square failed to sell with auctioneers, Savills. Totalling 20,160 sq ft of lettable space, the property was given a guide price of £1.85m. It remains available for sale.

Following the opening of the £40m Tesco development, Effingham Square was given a modest revamp with a redesign of the taxi rank and new public realm works to the pedestrianised area.

The new town centre masterplan considers that there "is still significant improvement which can be made" in Effingham Square which is described as "a very poor space and a wasted opportunity."

The masterplan puts forward that Rotherham Council should lead on a project for Effingham Square so that it will become an "attractive densely planted green oasis in the heart of town," complementing the green space at Minster Gardens.

Acuitus website

Images: Acuitus

Award-winning firm, Pricecheck Toiletries, has confirmed that it has seen annual turnover break the £70m mark for the first time as it celebrates 40 years in business.

Pricecheck is a leading supplier of international branded consumer goods, working predominately in the health and beauty sector, dealing with discounted clearance stock.

For the financial year 2017-18, Pricecheck reported annual turnover of £73m – representing an increase of £18.1m on the previous year. April 2018 was also the busiest month on record, with turnover exceeding £8.1m.

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 ambitious firm moved to new premises at Beighton Link Business Park in Rotherham. The business now boasts a total of 170,000 sq ft and the extra space has enabled Pricecheck to increase stock levels of new categories, including alcohol.

The expansion has enabled significant growth in export markets. Exports accounted for £32.4m of turnover, up 45% on the previous year. Pricecheck currently export to over 75 countries, and have a network of 500 suppliers world-wide.

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Mark Lythe, joint managing director at Pricecheck Toiletries (pictured, third from right), said: "Over the last two years we have recorded revenue growth of 26% and 33%. This is a tremendous achievement for our team, and we are now aiming for £200m turnover by 2025."

The team have shared in their continued success by providing over £40,000 worth of stock and monetary donations to local and national charities in 2017-18. This year the Pricecheck team are sponsoring St Luke's Night Strider walking challenge in October. As well as donating supplies and funds toward the event, employees will take part in the 10k or half marathon and volunteer on the night. St Luke’s Hospice provide free palliative care, and drive continual improvements for everyone effected by terminal illness.

Since 2015, Pricecheck has doubled its workforce and set up a successful student recruitment programme, this year offering seven placements and eight graduate positions.

Lucy Goddard, human resources manager at Pricecheck, (pictured, fourth from right), said: "We work closely with regional universities and this year has seen an unprecedented number of students showing an interest in Pricecheck. We are looking forward to welcoming our new placement and graduate students this summer."

Pricecheck Toiletries website

Images: Pricecheck

Rotherham Council is set to host its first car boot sale in the town centre next month, three years after securing planning permission to use the Forge Island site.

Rothbiz reported at the time in 2015, that the authority had applied for planning permission that would allow Sunday markets and car boot sales for up to 52 days per calendar year on the prominent site that was formerly home to Tesco.

The key regeneration site is currently being used as a car park and temporary bus station as the Council continues its search for a development partner for a long-awaited leisure mixed use project.

Starting on June 24, car boot sales will take place every Sunday 7 am until 1 pm, with free entry for buyers. Pitches are priced at £7 for cars and £11 for vans and trailers (no new goods). There is no need to book a space, traders can just turn up on the day.

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "Rotherham's Markets are already very popular so I am pleased to see this new car boot extend opportunities for the town centre.

"It's a fantastic way to see how Forge Island and the wider town centre will be used in more diverse ways as the Masterplan plan takes shape, moving towards having more people living, socialising and working in the town centre.

"The car boot offers great value for traders with its competitive rates and hopefully visitors will be able to pick up lots of bargains too. And with easy access through public transport and ample free parking nearby, it’s a great opportunity to ignite a new era for Rotherham town centre on a Sunday."

Rotherham Council holds the markets charter and can licence rival markets where appropriate. The legality of who can hold markets stems back 800 years when it is thought that the original royal market charter was granted by King John in the year 1207.

The authority has extended the popular street market and is introducing new types of markets in town such as the Monthly Crafters' Market.

Rotherham Markets Facebook page

Images: Tom Austen

A new photography and art gallery has opened on Rotherham's historic High Street.

Lumière Gallery houses the work of local photographer and educator Lance Burkitt along with art and design work from both established and up and coming, local based creatives.

Alongside popular local businesses including the Makers Emporium, Miele Deli and Hamby's Antique Shop, people are invited to view, pop in for a coffee, and purchase art to take away with them. Much of the art is limited edition and varies from fine art to creative photography, digital design, illustration and traditional art.

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Lance Burkitt, a former lecturer at Rotherham College, said: "Rotherham has undergone a lot of bad press in recent years. The town centre is only a shadow of its former self. Art can be a real boon during difficult times. Our intention is to give the town a focus, a place for people to come and see the amazing talent and visual creativity of which the town is resplendent.

"I'm a photographer myself and the gallery displays work from local artists as well as my own images.

"I also offer a range of photographic service from photoshoots, family portraits, weddings etc., to slide scanning, printing, framing and photo restoration."

Cllr Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added: "I'm delighted to welcome another business to Rotherham's High Street to join the existing community of independent retailers.

"I'd like to wish Lance all the best and hope that local residents take the opportunity to call in and take a look."

Lumière Gallery website

Images: Lumière Gallery

Just five months after opening a Bunnings Warehouse in Rotherham, Australian retail giant, Wesfarmers has announced that it is selling up and pulling out of the UK market.

Following a comprehensive review of the business, Wesfarmers announced that it has agreed to divest the Homebase business in the United Kingdom and Ireland to a company associated with Hilco Capital.

Keen to climb up the ladder in the £38 billion a year UK home improvement and gardening market, the AUS$66 billion turnover Wesfarmers Group acquired the struggling Homebase chain in February 2016 for £340m. The company announced plans to invest up to £500m rolling out the Bunnings Warehouse format in the UK and Ireland over a five year plus timeframe.

The store at the Northfields Retail Park at Parkgate was formerly occupied by B&Q but was vacant since June 2016. Opening in December 2017 and creating 80 new full and part-time jobs, the first Bunnings opening in the North of England measures over 70,000 sq ft and offers customers more than 30,000 leading home improvement and garden products.

Executives have confirmed that the Rotherham store and the other 23 Bunnings pilot stores will convert to the Homebase brand promptly following the completion of the deal.

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Hilco Capital specialises in restructuring and refinancing other companies. Current investments include HMV and Staples' UK retail business. It was brought in to support Focus DIY and its owners Cerberus Capital in 2007. The DIY chain entered administration in 2011.

Hilco is acquiring all Homebase assets, including the Homebase brand, its store network, freehold property, property leases and inventory for "a nominal amount."

Wesfarmers said that it expects to record a loss on disposal of £200m to £230m in the group's 2018 full-year financial results.

Rob Scott, managing director at Wesfarmers, said: "While the review confirmed the business is capable of returning to profitability over time, further capital investment is necessary to support the turnaround. The materiality of the opportunity and risks associated with turnaround are not considered to justify the additional capital and management attention required from Bunnings and Wesfarmers.

"Homebase was acquired by Wesfarmers in 2016. The investment has been disappointing, with the problems arising from poor execution post-acquisition being compounded by a deterioration in the macro environment and retail sector in the UK. While it is important that we learn from this experience, this should not discourage our team from being bold and diligent in pursuing opportunities to create shareholder value.

"A divestment under the agreed terms is in the best interests of Wesfarmers' shareholders and will support the ongoing reset and repositioning of the Homebase business."

Bunnings UK and Ireland reported a loss before interest and tax of £97m for the half year ending December 31 2017. Pre-tax significant items of £531m were also recorded. With new management in place, Scott added that the operating performance of the business had improved in recent months.

Bunnings Warehouse website

Images: Bunnings

Residents are being asked for their views on the future design of Rotherham markets as part of Rotherham Council's plans to regenerate the town centre.

From Tuesday May 29 until Friday June 15, a new exhibition will feature in the indoor market. "Rotherham Markets; Past Present and Future" looks at the history of the market and its future development – with customers visiting the stall being given the chance to submit their thoughts in writing.

The regeneration of Rotherham markets is identiﬁed as a key project within the Town Centre Masterplan and a number of design options will be prepared to modernise both the outdoor covered and indoor markets.

The masterplan outlines that the popularity of the markets has "kept the town alive" but added that parts of the complex on Drummond Street are underutilised.

Following consultation, the masterplan proposes a simple solution to enhance the existing site and improve linkages to the nearby £40m Tesco Extra store. The demolition of Council-owned units around the edge of the outdoor covered market is proposed with a new attractive stepped entrance and space for a new community advice hub.

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Andrew Clarke, a director of urban design at consultants WYG who was project director for the masterplan, said when the plan was revealed: "The entrances to the market are not particularly attractive, especially onto Drummond Street. By removing some of the building and improving the public realm improves the visual appearance and opens up the architectural features that are already there such as the roof canopies."

Further public realm improvements could also take place in Effingham Square near Tesco and the bus station and "College Fields" could be created between the market and college campus.

£25,000 was secured in 2013 to carry out work to understand a refurbishment scheme for the indoor market. Options for the redevelopment of the outdoor tented market were devised and cost estimates to deliver the works are in the order of £4m.

Given the costs and lack of available funding, the Council has targeted small scale improvements to enhance the entrances to, and exterior of, the Markets Complex in the short term.

In 2014, the Retail Group was brought in at a cost of £19,000 to identify the future strategy and growth plan for the town centre markets, and the right offer for the town and its customers.

Rotherham's history stems back 800 years when it is thought that the original royal market charter was granted by King John in the year 1207.

Nowadays, the markets welcome around four million customers per year.

Rotherham Markets Facebook page

Images: RMBC / WYG

Rotherham-based Fishing Republic, one of the largest fishing tackle retailers in the UK, said that 2018 would be a year of transition following disappointing trading results.

The Eastwood company that floated on the AIM stock exchange in 2015 has raisied millions to help carry out its expansion plans. However, turnaround plans were required during 2017 to tackle "a significant deterioration in trading."

In its results for the year to December 31 2017, Fishing Republic plc posted a loss before tax of £2.3m compared to a profit of £420,000 in the previous year.

Turnover increased to £9.153m from £5.799m, a rise of 57.8% year-on-year. The growth reflected the store opening programme, with seven stores opened during the year, taking the number of outlets to 19 at the year end.

The growth plans have been based on snapping up smaller competitors, opening destination stores and boosting online sales.

Stores sales increased to £6.743m whilst online sales increased to £2.410m from £1.656m in 2016. The company's bottom line has been hit by a decrease in gross margin to 32.6% from 47.6% alongside exceptional costs of £1.276m and additional resource taken on to support our growth initiatives.

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James Newman, executive chairman of Fishing Republic, said: "We are taking firm action to address the Group's disappointing performance and have made significant changes to the Group's management and organisational structure.

"Our comprehensive review, started at the end of 2017, has already resulted in positive steps forward, and we are working on further initiatives to improve the Group's position and create firmer foundations to take advantage of the market opportunity that exists. The fundraising of £1.3m in a share placing in January 2018 will support our actions.

"2018 is going to be a year of transition with competitive market conditions, changes to our business model and a new and strengthened management team."

Stephen Kyriacou joined as CEO in March and other changes at senior management level have taken place.

Newman added: "While the current financial year has continued to feel the impact of very competitive market conditions, our focus remains on improving working capital efficiency and developing our online platform in terms of technology and service levels, with the benefits to come through in 2019 and beyond."

Fishing Republic website

Images: Fishing Republic

In less than two years, the aggregate quarterly footfall figures for Rotherham town centre have dropped by two million.

Rotherham Council publishes the figures as part of monitoring the progress of its Council Plan but the authority's cabinet recently approved an updated set of indicators, removing aggregate footfall from the plan.

The quarter including July to September 2016 was the quarter with the highest aggregate footfall recorded, at 5,898,148. For the latest quarter available, January to March 2018, this has dropped to 3,642,730.

In the same quarter in 2017, the figure was 4,808,955.

A report to the Council's cabinet states: "The closure of Primark in November 2017 has had an evident negative impact on footfall, resulting in an average monthly decline of 40% alone on High Street (and 19% overall from 2016-17 to 2017-18), highlighting the significance of this key anchor retail store. The rest of the town centre saw a decrease of 12.56% compared to 2016-17.

"It is worth noting the decline is reflected at a national level as shopping habits continue to change, with all regions across the UK witnessing a notable slump in footfall in December (Source: Springboard).

"As the Town Centre Masterplan comes to fruition, it is anticipated that the developments may help to reverse the decline in footfall."

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The report also shows that vacant floorspace in the town centre is at 23.1% and that "this decline is seen at a national level due to changes in shopping habits." At under 20% in previous years, the target for 2018/19 is to keep the vacant floorspace under 25%.

The Council has been assessing a range of measures to try and stimulate footfall and support existing businesses as they wait for the catalyst projects in the new masterplan to revive the town centre.

These include parking incentives, free Wi-Fi, proposals to incentivise new shop traders to move into the town, the introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), marketing and promotion and opportunities for "meanwhile uses" and window/frontage treatments.

In April 2017, Rothbiz reported on how analysts set out that retail is not the answer for regenerating Rotherham town centre. The masterplan aims to consolidate retail and instead focus on new housing and boosting the leisure offer to breathe new life into the town centre.

Future reporting on the town centre will include the vacant floor space indicator but the footfall figures are to be replaced by an indicator recording the net number of new business in the town centre.

Earlier this year, Damien Wilson, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "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."

Images: Fernie Greaves

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