OT And today I went to Town Centre

[animallittle3]

To be fair Animal, it's an identick design (the college building). Look up the new University Campus Rotherham, the similarities are startling. Its how modern buildings are done these days, I.e. off the peg. Its cheaper of course, and sadly cost is everything.

Anyhow, let's keep on topic and get back to Rotherham town centre. That's not a pop by the way, as you and I called a truce and I intend to stick by that, and I do believe you do too.

The architecture in Rotherham (minster, chapel on bridge, three cranes, george wright, All Saints square, etc, etc), and the framework of the town with its rivers, canal, weirside etc are absolutely first class. But, and its a massive but, there is now very little to entice people in. Forge Island absolutely has to succeed, otherwise it really could be game over.

Living, leisure and a small INDEPENDENT retail offer, along with a revamped market (btw the asian market is booming and should be encouraged further) is the way to go. Let Parkgate be Rotherham's main retail quarter.

The last time I walked through Rotherham town centre was twenty years ago one sunny saturday afternoon in summer and to be honest I thought it was ok and I remember being impressed with how tidy it was .

Took the kids when they were younger to Clifton Park too and it was always a decent day out in summer time with plenty for them to do , obviously not sure what it's like today .

Rotherham's problem is its close proximity to Sheffield and Meadowhall , my step daughter recently moved in with her partner and they reside in Kimberworth , Hill Top area and driving there for the first time amazed me , you don't know if you are in Rotherham or bloody Sheffield around some of that area .

[great_fire]

Because of internet shopping though Parkgate and Meadowhall themselves will be struggling if they aren't already so Rotherham town centre really is a lost cause in terms of shopping.

[millavanilla]

Town centres up and down the country and retail as we know it is in serious decline.

Retail in Rothetham hit the buffers earlier than other towns with the recession in the early 90's combined with the opening of Meadowhall and Parkgate.

As a result redeveloment of Rotherham town centre started in the late 90s and we are way ahead in terms of the redevelopment curve than many other similar towns in the UK. They are only just starting to think about it.

I fear for Meadowhall if shops like Debenhams and House of Fraser close. All the small specialist boutique type stores must also be in serious trouble.

Way AHEAD of other towns in terms of the redevelopment curve ?
Its a good job we're not behind then....late 90s..
Thats 20 years ago and its got worse...ill believe the artists impressions when they actually come off...how many times have we been shown it all before..?
I do hope it all happens though..

[millavanilla]

To be fair Animal, it's an identick design (the college building). Look up the new University Campus Rotherham, the similarities are startling. Its how modern buildings are done these days, I.e. off the peg. Its cheaper of course, and sadly cost is everything.

Anyhow, let's keep on topic and get back to Rotherham town centre. That's not a pop by the way, as you and I called a truce and I intend to stick by that, and I do believe you do too.

The architecture in Rotherham (minster, chapel on bridge, three cranes, george wright, All Saints square, etc, etc), and the framework of the town with its rivers, canal, weirside etc are absolutely first class. But, and its a massive but, there is now very little to entice people in. Forge Island absolutely has to succeed, otherwise it really could be game over.

Living, leisure and a small INDEPENDENT retail offer, along with a revamped market (btw the asian market is booming and should be encouraged further) is the way to go. Let Parkgate be Rotherham's main retail quarter.

First class.. 😂

[WanChaiMiller]

Way AHEAD of other towns in terms of the redevelopment curve ?
Its a good job we're not behind then....late 90s..
Thats 20 years ago and its got worse...ill believe the artists impressions when they actually come off...how many times have we been shown it all before..?
I do hope it all happens though..

I know the project started late 90s as thats when they started of the compulsory purchase of some town centre properties.

[DaveyJohn]

Internet shopping has been a real destroyer of the High Street, but I feel that eventually this phenomenon will level off and each market will find its correct audience and cater accordingly.

For me, high street shopping was always a nightmare, except maybe at Christmas if there was a nice festive Market to visit with mulled wine, chestnuts roasting etc. You get the idea. But generally the thought of going to any town centre and browsing loads of shops, being harrassed by pushy ****age shop assistants on commission the second you walk into a shop, knowing if you "shop around" you might be able to buy your item for a quid cheaper, it would drive me to despair and drink. But handily, always pubs close by! So online shopping was a saving grace for me but for my Mrs it's a different story. She could happily wander around a town centre for hours, going in different shops with no intention of buying anything but spending a fortune on tat, "doing lunch" with her friends, it was a social occasion and one that she could happily do every week.

The digital age appeals because it's quick, extremely handy, generally cheaper and does an efficient job. But we run the risk of never leaving the house if we have our groceries delivered, buy all our gadgets and clothes online, watch endless boxsets on our digital tv's and drink booze from the off licence that delivers "because you can buy 4 cans for the same price as a pint in the local." For all its efficiency and cheapness, people are going to get sick of the inside of their houses and start to want to socialise again.
Thats what town centres need to capture, it needs to be an event again. It needs to be a safe, easily accessed experience that caters for all ages.

A similar thing seems to be happening with pubs. For a long time it appeared the pub industry was destined for the graveyard, with pub after pub putting the boards up or being turned into a Tesco Express. All sorts of reasons were quoted, from the smoking ban to the price of beer to unscrupulous Managemnent companies buying up pubs to make them fail so they could sell the land.
But now it seems, with a bit of adjustment and hard work, the pub is making a comeback. Mostly in the form of micro breweries and craft ale houses. Within walking distance of where I live I can now access 9 pubs, all of which thrive. Three of them are craft ale houses that have opened within the last 18 months and are doing a great trade. It's still easier and cheaper to drink in the home, but people have been given a reason to go out and spend more to sit in a pub because it's different experience.

Sorry for rambling. But to conclude; of course there will be no reversing of the digital age and internet shopping, it's here to stay and provides a service that appeals to the masses. But high streets and town centres have a place, we just need to give folk the right reason to use them again.

[millmoormagic]

Good post DayeyJohn, i reckon you've got that just about spot on!

[sota]

Hear hear, great post.

[gm_gm]

Agree John with the exception of that vile craft beer which tastes worse than a Wednesdays fans p!ss

[millavanilla]

Agree John with the exception of that vile craft beer which tastes worse than a Wednesdays fans p!ss

I must agree...i like the idea that im not drinking chemicals, and that its real ale, but my brain registers that it tastes like chewing a paracetamol instead of swallowing it...for me, im afraid, no thanks..