Council Fiddles While Rotherham Burns

Last week- Karl Battersby had to defend the indefensible. KB is by all accounts a nice chap with some ace tattoos. Unfortunately for him- he has to try and explain the pig’s ear that Rotherham Borough Council have made of the town centre.

On Radio Sheffield – 100% of callers slammed the council’s incompetence and fully blamed them for the disgraceful state of the town centre. People spoke passionately because this really matters. The void in the middle is the biggest issue facing the town. Unless something is done to address it- Rotherham will cease to be a town as we know it. More like a series of unconnected suburbs round a void.

The council’s answer to the problem is Rotherham Renaissance. The so-called masterplan to regenerate the centre. We have seen it all before. Every few years, for as long as I can remember, the local press has been fed details of revolutionary schemes to revitalise the shopping area. None ever happen. Usually, they involve an artist’s impression of motor yachts moored on the Don outside riverside cafes. This time- these images are on the actual boards protecting the windows of the abandoned shops of High Street. If you saw that in a student film- you’d think the director was overdoing it on the irony.

Rotherham Renaissance is a 25 year plan. Ideal. The people who start it are all gone if it fails. Those who inherit it can say it wasn’t their fault. Battersby said that the idea was to create a retail offer in Rotherham that was different to it’s bigger neighbours. To me, that sounds like smaller, niche shops that don’t exist at Meadowhall. How about: a dolls house shop, a proper tobacconists, an independent bookseller, an old style gentleman’s outfitters and an independent café. These are just a few of the shops that have been kicked out of town as part of the scheme. In their place….nowt. Where there were once popular shops- there are boards as the developers have not yet decided what to do with them.

Welcome to the wacky world of local government in Rotherham. Every week- we hear they have won another award of earned another star. They are like a corrupt dictator- covering themselves in medals while their people struggle to make ends meet. The destruction of the town centre continues to demoralise the people of Rotherham. It is simply a depressing place most of the time. Is it any wonder people start to lose their self respect when they live in a dump. It’s time for some imagination.

From the base we’re starting from, competing with Meadowhall or Sheffield for shops is a non-starter. We need other ideas to attract people to town. There are empty properties galore. Sheffield is starting to boom off the back of the cultural industries quarter and a number of poorer London boroughs have benefited from ‘Bohemian’ activity. Why not provide subsidies to attract artists to Rotherham? Instead of building box after box of offices in Ickles- get small companies into former shops. Get real people into the town to create real demand. Make the market a focal point with incentives for stall holders.

Under the current regime- the decline will continue. Battersby talked of a fantasy world where improved cycling facilities will link Town and Parkgate Retail World. This goes against the council’s constant push to create car friendly developments out of town. The ridiculous YES project, to be built in an area where most people don’t consider themselves from Rotherham, is the clearest example of this.

The current redevelopment of the town hinges on a deal being struck between Tesco and Rotherham Borough Council. That’s a deal with a supermarket chain. Consider that. Do you think that supermarkets care about reducing car use and protecting town centre shopping? They will be able to wrench concessions out of the council- because they desperately want the Tesco Forge Island site to erect the crowning glory of the Renaissance…wait for it…A Brand New Set Of Offices for Rotherham Borough Council.

You couldn’t make it up.

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The publicity hungry whores on the council have fallen over themselves to welcome Jamie Oliver’s misanthropic exercise. They have continually encouraged developments that encourage car use; something that many would consider to be a major cause of poor health. They have run down the town centre till it is in a disgraceful state.

People used to have pride in this town. The state of the town centre makes us a laughing stock and has a demoralising effect on the populace. Happier people are healthier people. Jobs, services and a positive environment are essential. Overseeing people as they make spaghetti and meatballs is not an alternative option.

to be continued…..

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On a side note- when we passed enemy HQ today, a group of women were having a cooking lesson. It has to be said- they were a fine looking bunch and appeared to be fit in every sense of the word.

If any of you are reading this- our advice would be- stick with your current diet.

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