Countdown to completion for landmark £47m town centre destination
Building work is reported to be on track at Forge Island in Rotherham as the flagship development enters its final months of construction ahead of opening to the public towards the end of summer 2024.
The new destination, which will bring a family-friendly offer to Rotherham as part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered in partnership with the council, placemaker Muse and contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.
Work began on site in November 2022, with all topping out milestones due to be reached early this year on the cinema, Travelodge hotel and retail buildings – set to house a mix of independent eateries.
Once construction completes at the end of spring, the tenants will fit out their premises ready for the scheme opening.
Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Denise Lelliott, said: “These developments form the main cornerstones of the council’s multi-million pound investment in Rotherham’s future.
“A number of major milestones have been achieved at Forge Island over the last 12 months, including the installation of a new pedestrian bridge, which connects to the town centre and which nods to the town’s rich engineering heritage and is inspired by the world-famous Bailey Bridge designed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, during the Second World War.
“Thousands of local people also discovered more about the past, present and future of Forge Island at a dedicated marquee at the Rotherham Show in September.”
Raife Gale, senior development manager at Muse, added: “Developing a transformational scheme of this scale always comes with its challenges – not least the difficulties of building on an ‘island’ surrounded by water – so the fact we’ve remained on track is a testament to the hard work of the whole project team.
“It’s fantastic to see the impact Forge Island has already made on the town centre skyline, and we can’t wait for the community to come and enjoy all that it has to offer when it opens.”
Construction of the £47m Forge Island scheme – which was confirmed as 100% let in October 2022 – is led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture.
The new pedestrian bridge was designed by FaulknerBrowne Architects.
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