Chris aims to put life back into town centre

Rotherham Borough Council has agreed in principle to loan Mr Hamby £750,000 towards the cost of buying and refurbishing five empty properties on Rotherham High Street and the George Wright building that currently stands between the High Street and Snail Hill.

Among the properties is the Grade II listed Three Cranes building—a former coaching inn dating back to the 15th century.

The loan will also secure £677,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding for additional, much-needed works to the listed buildings.

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Mr Hamby's plans will result in a complex of mixed-used retail outlets including an antiques and gift shop and a micro-brewery, as well as returning the medieval Three Cranes to its original use as a real ale pub.

The borough council’s legal and financial teams will now finalise the terms and conditions of the loan agreement.

Mr Hamby currently owns Hamby’s shoe and gift shop in the former Mason’s jewellers on High Street.

THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-DECADE OPPORTUNITY . . . reaction to Chris Hamby's plans. SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER.