Business grants help shops intown centre

ANOTHER entrepreneur has opened a business in Rotherham town centre with help from the council’s “business vitality grant” scheme.

The scheme, which was introduced to try to bring business back to the ailing town centre, involves giving companies 50 per cent off their rents in the first year and 25 per cent discounts in the second, as well as helping towards the costs of fitting out their premises.

Since January this year, 33 businesses have opened in Rotherham town centre, nine of which received the vitality grants from the council.

The most recent is the Wedding Lounge in the newly-restored grade two-listed Imperial Buildings.

Owner Sheree Ratcliffe said: “My aim is to ensure the bride’s day is as easy as possible to plan whilst also giving other businesses a platform to promote their services.

“My intention is to put Rotherham town centre on the map. Exhibitors from York are already commenting that they should have a permanent presence here.”

Rotherham Council’s business and retail investment team also says it expects to see 40 more businesses open in the town centre before Christmas.

These include Jayne’s Blinds and Home Interiors on High Street, and Sayas Coffee in the Imperial Buildings.

Meanwhile, a new “Shop Local” loyalty card scheme, to encourage people to shop the Rotherham town centre, is also gaining momentum.

The council’s business and retail investment manager, Tim O’Connell, said: “The scheme’s popularity can be measured by the 8,500 people who have signed up for the loyalty card.

“This can only be down to the great entrepreneurial spirit shown by the 96 town centre businesses that are participating.”