'I'm done' Rotherham traders forced to move for regeneration plan say they will not survive

Laughton Road, Dinnington
-Credit: (Image: LDRS)


Business owners in Rotherham fear having to close their shops as a number of shop units are set to be demolished to make way for a regeneration scheme.

The shop units, along Laughton Road in Dinnington, would be demolished as part of an £11 million Rotherham Council project. This work would see new shop units build, a town square and a community building built along the road.

According to the council, the current units and market stalls are "underused" and "poorly maintained".

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The businesses which will be impacted have been offered help to relocate nearby and have been told the "short-term upheaval" would lead to a "long term improvement". However, many still fear for the future.

One business owner, who asked to stay anonymous, said she was worried about the future of her business. "Knocking the buildings down isn’t solving the situation. There’s nowhere to go on this street like this building. We have a lot of lonely, older customers come in for a chat."

She said she acknowledged that Dinnington needed regeneration, but suggested that upgrading the existing shops would be a better option. "Customers are going to go elsewhere if we have to close for two years,” she added. “It’s sad."

Another business owner, who runs a bike shop, fears he may be forced to close permanently due to the cost of relocating, which he estimated would come to around £50,000.

"Legally, we can’t do anything," he said. "I’m done. There’s no way I can go forward. It’s appalling, the whole thing has been so mismanaged. This is fundamentally wrong. I’m faced with eviction, and the council doesn’t care."

He said the council had told him the development might take two years to complete, but he had been unable to find another unit in the area to operate his business from.

Now, Simon Moss, the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the regeneration would reduce anti-social behaviour, and added that the plans were welcomed during consultations.

“Rotherham Council is committed to economic opportunity and wants every neighbourhood to thrive, where people work together to achieve a good quality of life,” he said.

“The regeneration of Dinnington will reduce persistent anti-social behaviour, create attractive public realm, and promote footfall on the high street.

“This regeneration, which local people welcomed at consultation, will require demolition of a number of buildings, but we’ve spoken and written to the businesses owners within and offered them help to relocate nearby.

“There are vacant retail units on Laughton Road which the council is encouraging affected business owners to make enquiries about for potential relocation that should enable them to continue to trade with their existing customers.

“We also continue to offer free expert business advice and support. Investment in Dinnington will improve the trading environment and boost the local economy. Regrettably, as with any redevelopment of this nature, it will create some short-term upheaval but bring long-term improvement. Compensation may be available to some businesses.”