Centre trapped in 'Life on Mars'

Cafe Rendevouz owner Michael Meares joined other traders who have heaped scorn on efforts to revamp the fortunes of the town.

He said spiralling rents and business rates, poor security, bad lighting, no covered areas and little entertainment for visitors were destroying the once-thriving centre.

The 45-year-old, who faces a crippling rent increase of 10,000 to 46,000 for his Transport Interchange cafe, says traders are simply being driven under.

His rent is being imposed by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and he is presently trying to negotiate a better deal.

He likened the town to the hit TV show Life on Mars - in which a detective was transported back to the grim 1970s.

Fellow trader Dave Martin, who co-runs Fish and Cheeps pet shop on Corporation Street, also said his business is being stung by a whopping 18 per cent rent increase.

Both traders have joined a loud communal voice of traders hitting out at rent hikes and low custom. But today Rotherham Investment and Development Organisation spokesman Clerk Herron hit back - saying the foot-fall in All Saints Square had increased dramatically on last year.

He said special markets days and other entertainments like 'Rotherham by Sea' had driven up the number of shoppers in the town centre this summer - despite the poor weather.

But Michael said: "It is like Life on Mars in this town. What people want is a brightly lit, secure, safe place to shop with areas where they can shelter.

"When it is throwing it down with rain there are no sections under a roof so people can walk along and stay dry. Other towns like Doncaster have made great strides but we are lagging by years.

"Even if Rotherham's town centre renaissance is successful we are talking about a 20-odd year plan. I don't think I'll be here in four years if it carries on like this."

Mr Herron said he sympathised with businesses over rent increases, but believed renaissance plans would prove successful.

SYPTE and the council say rent charges are based on 'market values' of business premises.