Laying the groundwork for the Rotherham Markets development – Part 1

Author
Gerry Carolan, Operations Director, Civil Engineering
18 August 2026

The £36 million redevelopment of Rotherham Markets started in 2024, and is set to be completed in 2027.

Stockton Group was appointed by Henry Boot Construction to complete a wide range of works throughout the project, which is still ongoing. The first phase began in February 2024, starting with the basement for the outdoor covered market, before feeding into works to incorporate the new library.

In part two of this case study, which will be published later in 2026, we’ll look at the next phase of the works, including the installation of drainage, as well as landscaping on the site.

Decor Laying the groundwork for the Rotherham Markets development – Part 1
Scope of work

Scope of work

Stockton Group’s role in the first phase of the Rotherham Markets redevelopment involved stabilising and preparing the underground footprint. The team stripped the upper deck slab beneath the outdoor covered market to allow for the installation of drainage channels, added new foundations and drilled shear bolts into the slab to provide heavy-duty reinforcement.

In addition, Stockton removed existing basement walls to clear the way for a clean modern layout and added concrete infills to establish a robust ground base.

Project Summary

Installation of drainage channels
New foundations built
Modern layout created

Project Breakdown

Tight programme

Stockton commenced works in February 2024 and completed them in November 2024

Wide range of works

Spanning drainage installation and foundational reinforcements

Stakeholder engagement

Stockton received excellent feedback from both Henry Boot Construction and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Quote Author

“We look forward to working with Stockton Group on future schemes and maintaining this very high standard of quality work.”

Gareth Wagstaffe Contracts Manager, Henry Boot Construction

Drainage installation

Stockton installed foul and stormwater drainage networks, kept separate in line with UK regulations, to improve system capacity and prevent backups. The team used linear channel drainage to prevent surface water flooding and manage runoff on the large, paved areas of the market. And installed new manholes across the site to support plumbing, electrics, and the other infrastructure needed for the markets. 

Drainage installation

Reinforcement works

Structural works in the markets included installing 360 shear bolts, drilled and fixed through the upper deck floor, as well as adding concrete slab infills throughout the upper deck. Stockton removed existing basement walls fixed the reinforcement for pad foundations supporting the basement steelwork and poured further concrete. 

Stockton filled the void left by the removal of the existing escalator, and constructed commercial waste compactor room slab. 

Reinforcement works

Health, safety and environmental compliance

Stockton worked closely with Henry Boot Construction to adhere to all safety precautions to while completing the project, delivering to a high standard within a tight timescale, and receiving excellent feedback from both the client and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. 

Health, safety and environmental compliance

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