Millers £20m stadium deal heralds new era for town

ROTHERHAM was given a huge shot in the arm this week with the news that the town’s football club is coming home to a new £20 million community stadium just a stone’s thrown from the town centre.In what could prove a massive catalyst for t
ROTHERHAM was given a huge shot in the arm this week with the news that the town’s football club is coming home to a new £20 million community stadium just a stone’s thrown from the town centre.

In what could prove a massive catalyst for the town’s regeneration, Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart confirmed that the Millers had signed a deal to build its new 12,000-seater home on the former Guest and Chrimes site, which he said would become “a jewel in the crown for Rotherham."

The plot, bordered by Centenary Way, Main Street and the River Don, could become a major gateway to the town centre, with plans in the pipeline for a range of spin-off uses such as pubs and restaurants catering for both fans and families.

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It is walking distance from All Saints’ Square and just a few hundred yards from where state-of-the-art new offices for thousands of council workers are being built.

Rotherham Borough Council chief executive Martin Kimber described the deal as “great news for the club, the fans and the town at large.”

He added: “It will also provide a really impressive gateway to the town centre.”

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the announcement, with spokesman Andrew Denniff declaring it “fantastic news for the town and its economy.”

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Mr Stewart said that the development would involve food outlets and a minimum of 500 car parking spaces for the stadium and the council offices.

"We will not miss a trick in maximising the full potential of this site,” he said.

"Around 3,000 people used to work there and it is now being given a new lease of life.”

Supporters groups were also overjoyed, with Rotherham United Supporters' Club chairman Clive Hartley paying tribute to Mr Stewart, saying: “Without him, I don'’t think we would have a football club.

"Finding a site has taken a lot longer than a lot of fans would have liked but congratulations and thanks have to go to the chairman.”

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He added: “This is not just good news—it’s great news—because we're going to be back in Rotherham, near the the town centre and in a location that will help the town itself.

“I'm in my 58th year of supporting the club and I'm over the moon at the prospect of the Millers coming back.”

The regeneration will involve developing the adjoining Sheffield to Keadby canal as an attractive natural feature and improving road links access.

In another boost for Rotherham’s sporting folk, the borough council has revealed new details of how the redevelopment of Herringthorpe Playing Fields could shape up.

Up to £7 million could be spent on wide-ranging plans including building a new 1,000-seater grandstand at the athletics stadium and developing football pitches and five-a-side facilities.