High Street Rotherham
The High Street in Rotherham may well have been the centre of the town once upon a time. It began a slow slide downwards about 35 or 40 years ago and it has been declining ever since. Under and behind some the present shops there are remains of Rotherham's Medieval past. For example people have been trying to renovate the Three Cranes public house for almost as long as I can remember. Various ideas and schemes have come and gone but nothing has been done. Many of the empty shops have been very prettily painted but it doesn't disguise their emptiness.
Rebuilding and renovation has been completed at a variety of occupied premises especially the excellent former John Mason's shop which is now Hamby's shoe shop. Work is ongoing at other premises including SNAFU (formerly Muntus's Department Store) and planned for other buildings including the Essoldo Chambers right up at the top.
It looks as if schemes by Chris Hamby, together with action by other owners and leaseholders, have obtained a £750,000 loan from Rotherham Council and the Townscape Heritage Initiative is getting about £3.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
I'll not hold my breath!