Revitalising the town centre
The ambition is to transform and revitalise the town centre by focussing on delivering regeneration that brings opportunity, including the creation of a community within the Riverside Residential Quarter. The expansion of the leisure economy and pedestrian improvements to connect and attract people to the heart of the town. We want to create a place which people are proud to call home and reinstate pride across the borough.
The differences you will see:
£45.3 million funding secured for the redevelopment of the markets and new library and the creation of Riverside Gardens in the town centre
Building on the progress made, we will continue to focus our efforts on regenerating the town through several key initiatives. The redevelopment of the Rotherham Central Markets and the addition of a new modern and accessible central library will serve as a community hub. The Riverside Gardens is a new public space which will form a key gateway to the flagship Forge Island leisure development and wider town centre. The introduction of additional green spaces, with connections to the river and nature is a major part of the vision, providing residents with spaces where they can come together.
400 homes to be built as part of the town centre new community
The provision of new homes in the town centre was identified as a key regeneration priority in the Town Centre Masterplan and there are ambitions to create an attractive and thriving town centre neighbourhood. Over the next five years, further new homes will provide high-quality distinctive housing, complemented by services for those living in and around the town centre to drive footfall.
We will attract more people into the town centre
In addition to our extensive regeneration programme, we remain focused on attracting more people into the town centre. We will continue delivering cultural events in the town centre to bring communities together. Building on the success to date, Rotherham could be the home of future big events, which would boost the local economy, build cohesion, grow civic pride and provide access to training and development for our communities. A new scheme for 2025 will offer free parking for the first hour in council-operated car parks in the town centre to support local businesses, increase footfall, and encourage residents to shop locally.
