Families flock to Forge Island to enjoy a day of celebration

Hundreds of people descended on Forge Island in Rotherham this weekend to enjoy a special day of free live music, circus performers and more, as celebrations continued to mark the launch of the town centre’s first cinema in more than 30 years.

People of all ages came down to explore Forge Island, which has completely transformed from a derelict site – which has historical significance as a former foundry and an iron works – into a landmark leisure destination for the town which we have delivered in partnership with Rotherham Council.

The Arc Cinema has proved a hit with locals, with many sold-out screenings since opening its doors earlier this month. Over the weekend, families were made up with free face-painting and balloon giveaways in the cinema foyer and were greeted by children’s film favourites including a life-sized Paddington Bear and Minion.

The new public spaces were animated with a live music stage programmed by Rotherham Music Hub, while stilt walkers, hoop jugglers and acrobats from Yorkshire Circus also entertained visitors.

Local creatives also made their mark on the day – with window artist, Nikki Whiston, leading stencil sessions to create a new semi-permanent autumnal display in one of the commercial units, and ROAR taking over another space with a pop-up gallery of print, paintings, sketches and sculpture.

Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said:

“I’d like to thank our talented local, creative community who came together to make this special celebration such a good day. It’s a sign of what’s to come. The new cinema is already buzzing, the Travelodge Hotel is busy and people are spending time in the newly landscaped riverside and public spaces. With more restaurants and cafes set to make their home here over the coming months, this is just the start for Forge Island and a new chapter for the wider town centre.”

The town’s first branded hotel, Travelodge Rotherham Central, which opened at Forge Island in July, also welcomed dozens of diners alongside local foodie pop-ups. The foodie line-up offers a tantalising flavour of what’s to come, with the Council’s ambition to create a foodie destination to be realised over the coming months as new food and drink operators – to be announced – join Forge Island.

Together with Rotherham Markets, the improvements at Forge Island are a key part of Rotherham Council’s large-scale regeneration plans which are a catalyst for kickstarting new life into the heart of the borough.

Forge Island is located next to Rotherham train and tram station and there is free parking available on site for cinemagoers and Travelodge users. It is also free to park in all other Council-owned off-street town centre car parks every weekend.

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