Dragon's Den star's recipe for Rotherham success

FANCY a spot of white-water rafting on the River Don?

That is just one of the suggestions dreamed up by entrepreneur Rachel Elnaugh to “heal” Rotherham after her “dismal” trip to the town last week.

Prompted by her blog’s readers to come up with ways Rotherham could be improved, Rachel—who was upset when cafe staff asked her to unplug her laptop—said that council and business bosses should see Meadowhall as a “huge OPPORTUNITY not a threat.”

With the right approach, she concluded, Rotherham could be a centre for “shopping outlets selling designer names at knock-down prices.”

The Riverside Precinct should be turned into “an emporium devoted to local crafts people, artists and independent retailers plus (nice!) cafes, with outdoor seating with subsidised rents to attract and support local businesses.”

And just for good measure, she added: “I would do something with the amazing river—if you’ve seen it, it is almost like a 45-degree waterfall.

“Is there a way to create a man-made white water rafting run to attract extreme sports specialists?

“Up here in the Peak District we attract thousands of them and Rotherham is not a million miles away.

“Then direct the energy of the local hoodies to creating the kind of businesses which would thrive with those kind of enthusiasts flooding in to town.”

Rachel signed off by noting: “These are just a few Sunday-morning-in-the-bath ideas—and apologies Rotherham if you've already got the whole thing well in hand!

What do you think of Rachel's views? Click here to e-mail the editor.

Back to main story.