Work to develop a new business zone alongside a food and drink offer at an iconic tourist attraction in Rotherham is underway.
The £8.4m development has been funded by a Government grant – originally Towns Fund – secured by Rotherham Council.
Steelos Business Park will be delivered by HBC Construction Limited in partnership with Magna Science Adventure Centre.
Work on site started earlier this month. It will create eight new business units, including six managed workspace units and two food and drink units, totalling 1,170sqm.
Landscaped public spaces, improved pedestrian access and parking provision will establish an attractive and accessible environment for businesses, visitors and the wider community.
The development will also benefit from enhanced regional connectivity, directly linking to the new Magna tram-train station, which opened in April, and further strengthen links between Templeborough, Rotherham and Sheffield.
Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “Templeborough is a key part of Rotherham’s industrial story, and is of course already home to numerous small business sites. Today it lies at the heart of the Don Valley Corridor, our new Mayoral Development Zone, as a shared local priority for future growth.
“So it’s great to be on site with Magna as work commences on this next phase of business space. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen our local economy, now of course with direct links to the tram-train network and, in the future, Gateway Station.
“Working with Magna and HBC Construction Limited, we’re delivering on our commitment to making sure our places are thriving.”
Lee Powell, Managing Director, HBC, said: “We’re proud to be delivering this key business project in Templeborough, an iconic industrial area in the region and one with incredible potential.
“The project allows us to build on our relationship with Rotherham Council, while we continue work on the Rotherham Markets redevelopment, and deliver a high-quality and collaborative public/private scheme alongside Magna.”
Richard Hammill, Chief Executive of Magna, said: "It’s fantastic to see work now underway on this exciting development. This investment will help transform the area, creating new opportunities for businesses while enhancing the experience for everyone who visits Magna. We’re especially pleased that the name ‘Steelos’ has been retained. It reflects the proud industrial heritage of Templeborough and keeps alive an important part of the history of Magna, the former steelworks site, and the wider community. As the project progresses, we look forward to seeing this become a thriving business area that celebrates our past while supporting future growth."
For more information about the project, go online to www.rotherham.gov.uk/local-economy/templeborough-business-zone.
