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Rotherham's Changing Faces
 Let’s take a look at plans for the town’s transformation which should ensure that Rotherham will be alive with opportunities for many years to come.
A dynamic vision for the future - that’s the ethos behind the Rotherham Renaissance project which is already bringing exciting changes for the town. New high quality retail, leisure, office, residential and public space schemes are set to transform the town, bringing changes to the skyline forever.
The people behind Rotherham Renaissance are from the public, private and special interests sector, all brought together in a Town Team. The scheme has the backing of Yorkshire Forward with its regional towns renaissance project.
The programme is forecast to attract around £2 billion investment, mostly from the private sector. Forward thinking businesses will see the improvements in Rotherham and view it as a great place to lay down roots.
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 Rotherham Renaissance is designed to meet the current and future needs of local people and realise the town’s great potential. One of the main keys to the transformation is the regeneration of the river and canal, town-centre living and the creation of a vibrant retail and commercial economy. Among the improvements local people want to see are: improved car parking provision, green and public spaces, combined council offices, pavements cafes, bars and restaurants, cultural and arts provision, a revitalised High Street, a mix of residential and retail, use of space above shops for living accommodation and better sports facilities.
Changes to Rotherham were first mooted as long ago as 2001 when Yorkshire Forward announced its urban renaissance programme and with the Borough Council brought together a panel of interested people who have pulled together the vision for Rotherham.
Since then various bodies have been consulted over the town’s future and local schoolchildren have been asked to imagine what their home town could be like. Cllr Roger Stone, Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Chairman of the Renaissance Town Team, said early in the project: “Today you make history. Today Rotherham people have set out on a journey to create a new Rotherham. This will change lives for the better, ensure the town is a brighter and more vibrant place to live, work, visit and invest in. “The Master Plan has been drawn up with the support of the local community through the Town Team. This means we have a plan that’s been put together by the people of Rotherham for the people of Rotherham.”
 Alison Hall, Renaissance Marketing Officer said: “Part of the Rotherham Renaissance project is to keep local people informed of developments. People will already have seen projects starting to take shape and building activity around town. “We aim to keep people up to date with progress made and what they can expect to see in the coming months.”
Let’s take a look at the current developments around Rotherham town centre:
All Saints’ Quarter
 As part of the £35 million Westgate Project, All Saints’ Quarter will provide residential, retail and office accommodation along the riverside as well as public open space. This includes the following: a comprehensive refurbishment of the much loved Imperial Buildings to create 19 apartments plus retail space on the ground floor. Estimates put the finish date at summer 2008.
Also included in the project is work on the Old Market development (formally the Domine Lane car park) to create 44 apartments, again with retail space on the ground floor. This should be completed by August 2008 and evidence of this work can be seen with a 100ft high crane on site, one of the most visible signs of work in progress.
Work has already been going on to clear the interior of the All Saints’ building but demolition of the building itself is not due to start until February 2008 to minimise disruption to Christmas shoppers. Construction of the new building is expected to start in the summer 2008 to create office and retail accommodation.
Work has started on the foundations to the Keppel Wharf site, on Market St beside the River Don. The development will create 55 apartments and commercial space and is on target for completion in September 2009.
Public Space Scheme
The Public Space Scheme, which includes the new design of town centre streets, seating, lighting and overall appearance is currently being prepared by urban designers, Gillespies. Views and comments from the public are invited and have been taken into account when putting together the master plan, which should be ready by early 2008.
Many people have asked for a water feature to be included in this area, along with more grass, trees and flowers, more use of the riverfront and more seating and improved lighting. As Rotherham’s history is best known for the steel and coal industry, many people want to see this reflected in new designs.
Guest & Chrimes
Work also began in the summer on one of the largest projects - the clearing of the historic Guest & Chrimes site (excluding the listed buildings), work is on-going on proposals and planning applications.
 St Ann’s Leisure Complex
Rotherham Renaissance also brings good news for sports fans with the development of the St Ann’s Leisure Complex. Work on this £11 million sports complex on the edge of the town centre was started in July and will bring state-of-the-art leisure facilities to the area. The complex will include various swimming pools, a sports hall, squash courts, fitness suite and dance studio. It’s set to open in November 2008.
Flood Alleviation Scheme
One of the main areas of concern is being tackled by Rotherham Renaissance - that of flood alleviation alongside the River Don. Work is currently on-going in the Magna to Centenary Way roundabout with major earth-moving activity under way.
The £14m phase one will complete mid-2008. An agreement has also been reached with the Sheffield Rotherham Wildlife Trust
to manage an urban wetland area.
New Health Centre
Construction work is also up and running on a new health centre for Rotherham to the rear of Bailey House. One feature of this will be a seven-day-a-week walk in service for minor illness and injury, outside normal GP surgery hours. Anyone will be able to ‘walk-in’ without an appointment during evening and night time hours, weekends and bank holidays. Many primary care services will also be based here, including physiotherapy, podiatry and family planning.
Townscape Heritage Initiative
Thanks to funding of over £3.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Forward and the Council, the Townscape Heritage Initiative, which will focus on the High Street and provide grant funding to eligible property owners for repair and restoration of specific shop fronts due to start in November 2007.
It will also target some listed buildings such as the George Wright building and The Three Cranes Inn. The scheme aims to raise the standard of repair in the town centre and bring new life back to the High Street. Alison said: This is a very exciting time for Rotherham and its people. Many signs of progress can already be seen in the town with much more yet to come.” Mike Smith, vice-chairman of the Town Team says to local people: “To make the right improvements for Rotherham town centre, we need your input. Therefore share your views with us.”
Published Winter 2007. All information correct at time of print
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