Case study

Rotherham’s £19.5 million town centre regeneration

Over £19.5 million from the Levelling Up Fund will continue the local council’s regeneration programme across Rotherham town centre.

The investment adds to the support already provided by the Rotherham Town Deal.

Artist’s impression of the proposed Riverside Gardens, a public space which will be the gateway to Forge Island and the town centre.

The Levelling Up Fund investment focusses on two important growth areas:

  • the Riverside Residential Quarter
  • the Leisure and Culture Quarter

Councillor Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said:

The funding to develop the Riverside Residential Quarter and the Leisure and Culture Quarter complements other investments in our town centre which will support its transformation over the coming years.

Learn more about Levelling Up in Rotherham.

Leisure and Culture Quarter

Work is underway on Rotherham’s new leisure destination, Forge Island. This development will include:

  • new restaurants and bars
  • a new cinema and hotel

Investment from the Levelling Up Fund will be used to:

  • better connect the development to the cultural heart of the town, around the Minster and its gardens
  • improve access to these new town centre attractions
  • regenerate derelict and unused sites

Previously, the derelict sites have hindered access between:

  • core retail areas of the town
  • Forge Island
  • Rotherham Minster

The derelict sites will now be regenerated into an extended waterside walk and gardens.

The improved waterside will:

  • provide a safe and attractive route for pedestrians and cyclists
  • help complete critical flood defences
  • unlock new forms of investment

Learn more about Rotherham town centre.

Riverside Residential Quarter

The Levelling Up Fund will create new housing developments alongside the river Don. This is critical to transform the town as a dynamic urban neighbourhood and residential community.

The funding will be used to:

  • secure new housing development sites
  • improve riverside access

These plans will ensure the new communities enjoy:

  • access to the retail, leisure, and employment opportunities across the town
  • better shared spaces
Artist’s impression of the housing developments in Riverside Residential Quarter, alongside the river Don.

Find out more about levelling up.

Updates to this page

Published 17 January 2023