Rotherham town centre needs a cinema

MORE shops and a cinema is the recipe for Rotherham town centre's success prescribed by a firm of retail consultants.

Colliers International, who carried out the 2011 Retail and Leisure Study for Rotherham Borough Council, says there is hope for the town centre, despite the fact that three-quarters of purchases in the borough are made out of the centre itself.

The report, which cost £23,000, says: “We recommend that Rotherham town centre should be the main focus for any additional non-bulky goods floorspace, while also being well-placed to benefit from any new food superstore proposal.

“Our leisure assessment concluded that there is need for a cinema in the borough, preferably in the town centre.”

The report notes that a third of retail expenditure is made outside the borough, most to Sheffield, and it acknowledges the continuing effect of Meadowhall and Parkgate.

It also identities Wath and Wickersley as being the centres with the best vitality and viability in the borough.

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It adds: “They are busy centres with a range of shops, services and community uses and very low vacancy rates.

“In Rawmarsh there are plans to demolish and rebuild the centre, which will clearly improve its ‘health.’”

Council planning and regeneration director Paul Woodcock said: Council planning and regeneration director Paul Woodcock said: “The purpose of this study is to inform planning decisions and the way in which we can continue to regenerate Rotherham.

“It also gives us a push to continue working on initiatives and further development opportunities that are still needed, particularly in Rotherham town centre.”

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Rotherham town centre needs a cinema - report