Sweet deal on grants helpschocolate shop open in town

ANOTHER new business is to open in Rotherham town centre this week, thanks to the council’s “business vitality grants.”

The grants offer eligible new or expanding companies 50 per cent off their first year’s rent, 25 per cent off the rent in the second year and a further grant towards the cost of fitting out.

The latest business to benefit from the scheme is coffee shop Schocolat, which will open up on Corporation Street on Friday, September 10. Owner Russell Hardy will be selling home-made bread, hand-made chocolate, paninis and cake.

He said: “The grants have been a huge help in us setting us up in business. It was also a big factor in our decision to open in Rotherham town centre as opposed to where we live in Sheffield.

“We’ve done our market research and we know that there are a couple of thousand people that work in town centre offices for the council, banks, solicitors and other professional services. These are the people that have said they’d like to see a good quality coffee shop that’s doing something a little bit different.”

Shocolat opens just a few days after prom and bridal wear shop Dressed by Ks, which also benefited from the grants, opened in Moorgate Street.

Rotherham Council’s business and retail investment team manager Tim O’Connell said: “We’re extremely pleased to see Shocolat open in Rotherham town centre. This kind of quality offer coming here will add something to the great businesses we have already.

“Shocolat will be opening at the same time as a number of other businesses which makes it an extremely exciting time to visit Rotherham town centre.

“The Works opened a couple of weeks ago and we have a number of other national inquiries on other units at the moment.”