Rotherham’s Wonderful New Market and Library Development
Rotherham’s new market and library redevelopment is a flagship project within the Town Centre Masterplan, designed to breathe new life into one of the borough’s most important public spaces.
The scheme reflects the council’s ambition to create a vibrant, modern, and welcoming destination that will serve residents, attract visitors, and stimulate economic growth.
The redevelopment will see the indoor market transformed with a fresh layout, improved accessibility, and a more inviting atmosphere. A new first-floor food hub and dining area will connect the indoor and outdoor markets, encouraging customers to spend more time in the area and supporting longer trading hours, including evenings. This will not only benefit market traders but also strengthen the local night-time economy.
The outdoor market itself will be remodelled into a flexible, event-ready space, suitable for exhibitions, festivals, and community gatherings, helping to establish the markets as a lively social and cultural hub.
Above the market, the second floor will provide modern, affordable office space for charities, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises, fostering collaboration and innovation while keeping community services central and accessible.
A major part of the redevelopment is the creation of a new central library integrated into the market complex. This contemporary facility will go beyond traditional library services to become a true cultural, leisure, and learning destination. Visitors will enjoy free Wi-Fi, computer access, and a welcoming café, as well as specialist spaces such as a maker area, exhibition and performance zones, and a Business and Intellectual Property Centre to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, and inventors.
The project’s design emphasises accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. By bringing together retail, dining, cultural, and business facilities in one location, the redevelopment aims to increase footfall, encourage repeat visits, and create a safe, attractive environment for people of all ages. It also supports the council’s wider regeneration strategy by linking with other town centre improvements, making Rotherham a more appealing place to live, work, and invest.
Rotherham Council has invested in new areas on Forge Island with the development of the Arc Cinema, food areas and hotel with parking for communities as well as focusing development investment in a core area of the town centre too.
In essence, the new market and library will act as a modern community heart for Rotherham – a place where shopping, learning, socialising, and enterprise come together. This investment will not only preserve the town’s historic market tradition but also adapt it for the future, ensuring it continues to play a central role in the life of the town for decades to come.