Developers submit Forge Island hotel, cinema and restaurant plans

Rotherham Borough Council sent out more than 35 development packs for the site, currently home to the temporary bus station.

The authority will chose its development partner in the autumn and it is hoped that building work will begin before the end of 2019.

Damien Wilson, the council’s regeneration director, said: “The pace of the regeneration in the town centre is unlike anything I’ve seen and I’ve worked in areas up and down the country.

“The masterplan has been adopted, we’ve made acquisitions, demolished buildings, funding has been secured for projects such as the University

Centre Rotherham and the bus interchange, and housing sites are being brought to market. In two years, that’s massive.”

Meanwhile, an exhibition celebrating the history of Rotherham markets will ask for suggestions for their future.

The regeneration of the area was identified as a key part of the town centre masterplan, unveiled last summer.

The suggestion is for the Drummond Street side to be opened up to make it more welcoming and take advantage of Tesco footfall.

Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for economy and jobs, said: “Rotherham has always been a proud market town.

“We know a lot of our residents have a fondness for our town centre markets, which is why we are asking for people’s opinions and ideas on how we can improve the indoor and outdoor covered markets, whilst ensuring that their historic charm and what currently works well is not lost.”

The exhibition — Rotherham Markets: Past, Present and Future — will give visitors the chance to add their thoughts.

It will be open at stall 47 on the indoor market from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday (29) and Thursday, and on June, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13 and 15. It will also be available to view on June 2 from 10am to noon.