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Unofficial Website
Westgate Demonstrator Project
The Westgate Demonstrator Project is now under way.
This is a £30million project to improve the west side of town: Westgate, along the river and parts of Corporation Street. The chosen development company is called Iliad. Amongst
the works being done are:–
- The closure of three small car parks (the Old Market Hall, the Old Swimming Baths and the Old Abattoir). Work is due to commence in April 2006 on building on the Old Market Hall site, a development that will contain 42 flats, shops, offices and an underground car park. I understand that Lloyds Bank has been acquired by the developer and that they are trying to purchase the National Westminster Bank so they can have a continuous area of development along Market Street and the river. Plans for this area therefore not finalised.
- The closure and probable demolition of All Saints Buildings in Corporation Street. This building was started in the 1930s but not completed until the mid-1950s because of WWII. Tenants have been given notice to quit by July 2007. I understand that demolition is expected to commence in early 2008.
- The closure for refurbishment of the listed Imperial Buildings. The Imperial Buildings were refurbished only about ten years ago and very nice they looked when it was done. Notice to quit was served on all the tenants in February 2006 and the traders had only six months to find new premises. I am very sure that the powers that be would like to demolish this building as well as All Saints to give them a nice large redevelopable site but it is listed. Ah well there's always a stray wrecking ball! The other problem with this is that most of the tenants pay only a very low rent (and possibly very low rates but I don't know this). I understand that the present tenants have been granted no rights to new tenancies or protected rents.
Draw your own conclusions from these facts – I have and its not pretty. Rotherham Council has promised to help all dispossessed traders to find new premises (plenty of those in Rotherham ) but some complain they have had little or no assistance and others that they could not possibly afford the rent and rates.
Work on all these sites has commmenced in 2007.
And the works that may be done:–
- The old GPO sorting centre on Westgate. Rotherham Council want this redeveloped as a food store. Satnam applied for planning permission last year but were turned down: something to do with the provision of parking. Apparently they are still interested.
- Pie in the Sky. There are other ambitious plans for redevelopment of the area between Westgate and the River Don with a riverside promenade, commercial and residential areas and wait for it - a marina (roughly where the New Baths was situated). This will involve the demolition of all buildings currently there including the Alma Tavern, the White Swan, the New Baths etc. The other side of West is to be redeveloped as a mainly residential area. In 2006 the White Swan has been made into a hostel and centre for the homeless.