End of an era as store’s 127-year presence in town centre finishes in demolition
Work to demolish the former Wilko building, in Corporation Street, Rotherham, is under way as regeneration of the town centre continues.
Rotherham Council acquired the building at 4 Corporation Street in January 2023 to prevent it from becoming a long-term empty property, after high street household, DIY and homewares chain, Wilko, shut the store after 127 years in the town centre.
The site will be used to enhance the council’s Town Centre Masterplan, and over the next 18 months will be part of the Forge Island site compound.
Heavy plant machinery is currently in operation on the back of the building and will continue to demolish the rest of the structure in sections over the next six weeks.
Councillor Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for business and economy, said: “With the crane now towering over the ongoing works on Forge Island and more town centre homes becoming occupied, we’re making progress on our plans to regenerate Rotherham town centre.
“The closure of Wilko’s after such a long time was clearly a loss but sadly this is a pattern seen in other town centres across the country.
“So rather than leave the building empty we want to use the space to help facilitate the wider Forge Island development over the coming months.”
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