Multi-million pound investment revealed for visitor attractions

An award of £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will upgrade several Rotherham’s attractions, including the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rother Valley Country Park and Wentworth Woodhouse.

Also a new Skills Village will be created at Gulliver’s Resort and an incubator space at the former Maltby Grammar School.

At the Grade I listed Wentworth Wood house mansion, to the north of Rotherham, the funding will help transform part of the estate’s riding school and stables, as well as create new hospitality and visitor centres.

Magna Science Adventure Centre will use the money to create a suite of additional exhibitions inside its former steel works. The exhibitions will focus on natural materials science and nature.

Rother Valley Country Park will start the first stages of a new masterplan, which will focus on promoting a healthier and greener lifestyle, physical activity and adventure.

At Gulliver’s Resort, the new Skills Village will concentrate on the hospitality and leisure sector, supporting development, accreditation and training.

And Maltby Academy Trust will invest in the redevelopment of the former Maltby Grammar School, creating an incubator space for start up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors, apprenticeships and training.

This investment is intended to bridge the gap between school and employment.

Rotherham’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Councillor Denise Lelliott, said: “The council aims to grow Rotherham’s leisure industry and our local economy by making the most of our assets.

“To enable that growth to happen we need to develop skills in that sector, so as well as developing some of our much-loved attractions we will also be using the funding to provide opportunities for local people to upskill.”