Rotherham's newest fashion boutique set to open in flagship development

The latest women's fashion boutique, Boo, launches itself by welcoming fashion lovers with a glass of bubbly and a first peek at its exciting clothing ranges.

Boo becomes the latest business to breathe new life into one of the flagship projects for Rotherham's Renaissance Programme - the newly-restored Imperial Buildings. It joins The Jeweller's Exchange, and women's clothing and accessories boutique, Yella Brick Road.

Boo, like Yella Brick Road and others, has opened in the centre with help from the Council's business vitality rental and fit-out grants.

Owner Michelle Black said: "I'm so thrilled to be joining the arcade and having a presence in Rotherham town centre. It's been something I have wanted to do for a while, but the grants helped me take that step. I already have another boutique in Mexborough so I know there is a market there for the clothing I sell."

From Saturday, expect to see a wide range of high-quality fashion clothing but without the boutique price tag, alongside a range of shoes, accessories, handbags and bespoke jewellery. The first 50 customers will receive a goodie bag from Michelle to celebrate her opening.

Also joining the Imperial in March will be Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance (ROAR), now nearing the end of its fit-outs to the internal arcade and three units within the building, which will form an arts gallery exhibiting and selling local pieces rounding off this niche offer for Rotherham shoppers. ROAR expects to be open for business from March 6.

Paul Lancaster of Rees Denton, the commercial letting agent for the building, is still fielding enquiries for the remaining units: "I continue to be enthusiastic about the prospects for this building. I am carrying out regular viewings and I'm currently in detailed discussions with further potential tenants regarding terms. I am excited about the tenant mix that we are attracting and confident that this building will, as a consequence, be a great success."

The grants scheme, funded by the Council and developed by Rotherham Town Centre Management in partnership with Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, is part of a drive to improve the range of shops and reduce the number of empty units.

The scheme has been a striking success, with two successful grant applicants, Yella Brick Road and Purely Bridal, already open, Boo opening this weekend and a further five grants offered to businesses who will shortly be moving into the town centre.

The Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "It's great to see this building beginning to achieve our ambitions, with the 116 new apartments in this area now fully let and providing a great customer base for our new Imperial retailers. I welcome the new businesses and hope they enjoy the building and the developments that continue to happen in that area - the next stage being the public landscape improvements to the Minster Yard."