In a welcome New Year boost for visitors, local residents and potentially employment, one of the world’s leading international food retail chains has agreed to lease a unit at the Onyx Retail Park from the South Yorkshire site’s owners Onward Holdings Ltd.

SPAR is the latest recognised brand to move to the thriving site built on the former Manvers colliery at Wath-Upon-Dearne, mid-way between Barnsley and Rotherham, which only opened for business just over a year ago. The grocery chain is signing up for one of the new units released by Onward Holdings as part of the second phase of its expansion programme for the site.

Phase 2 at Onyx Retail Park

The decision by SPAR to locate on the Onyx Retail Park has enabled Onward Holdings to bring forward Phase 2, which was originally not planned to take place until later in the year. Phase 2 comprises 10,000 square feet.

SPAR is leasing 4,000 square feet from Onward Holdings for its new store, leaving the remaining units in Phase 2 available for lease in a range of configurations from 1,000 to 6,000 square feet. The last remaining unit in Phase 1 is now under offer.

Take-up of units has been much higher than originally anticipated thanks to both the sensible lease terms on offer and the site’s proximity to a large number of consumers. Adjacent to 1,150 homes the Onyx Retail Park is also surrounded by industrial development and outdoor leisure facilities, giving rise to an impressive 18,000 passing vehicle movements per day on the A633, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Unlike many new opportunities that come onto the market, it is of little doubt that this high volume of passing trade and the subsequent footfall it creates will provide an initial strong customer base from which to build, making it an ideal location for a wide range of prospective businesses.

SPAR Joins Other Big Brands

Onyx has an excellent track record in attracting a cross-section of major high street names like SPAR, the UK’s leading convenience store group. It joins food takeaway chains Domino’s Pizza and Subway, as well as Motor World, the UK’s largest independent car parts and car accessories retailer, while KFC and Costa Coffee are both trading immediately adjacent to the retail park.

In full the Onyx Retail Park comprises 17,500 square feet of retail space and holds a cross-section of planning consent including A1 (retail), A2 (financial), A3 (food) and A5 (hot food to take away).

Promotion of the site is handled by Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors of Sheffield. Businesses can enjoy a variety of sensible lease terms starting from five years upwards with realistic rentals from £15 per square foot.

“I am confident the presence of a major grocery chain such as SPAR on the Onyx Retail Park will further increase the footfall to the site and make it even more attractive to other retailers looking for a new location,” said Mr Miller.

For further information please contact Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors on 0114 236 2340.

Since opening a branch on Onward Holdings Ltd’s Onyx Retail Park at Wath-Upon-Dearne in South Yorkshire, Hunters Estate Agents has reported brisk business.

The popular shopping and eating destination located at the former Manvers main colliery between Barnsley and Rotherham is in an area of major regeneration. According to Onward, in a typical month in 2022 Onyx received 62,000 visitors at an average of over 2,000 people a day – positive figures during difficult economic times, emphasising the park’s growing influence on the region’s retail landscape.

Compared to the decline of bricks and mortar in the high street, out of town retail parks have shown ongoing resilience. First throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and then during the cost-of-living crisis. Ample car parking, impressive footfall and the variety of businesses already on site are the key attractions for leasing units at Onyx.

Hunters Estate Agents Report High Footfall

Hunters, one of the largest independent networks of sales and lettings of domestic and commercial properties in the UK, has been impressed with the visitor numbers, says branch manager Jo Upson: “Footfall is high which is our main driver for being there. It’s very popular with local residents and workers. Parking is free for customers and they can enjoy Onyx’s other amenities while having their properties seen by thousands of potential buyers a day. From a business and customer point of view, it just makes sense.”

While many local high streets are struggling to retain shops, even before the pandemic struck, the addition of a Hunters branch means Onyx is near full capacity. Its prime retail space within easy reach of the 94,000 local residents living within a 10-minute journey from the site.

Onyx Retail Park

This shopping hot spot has attracted a cross-section of retail businesses, including SPAR convenience store, and famous fast-food chains such as Domino’s Pizza, Greggs the Baker and Subway. The excellent choice of successful restaurants and eateries is complemented by Coffee Street, Holy Cow Burger Company and Onyx Fish Bar and Grill.

Other retailers located at Onyx are: Vape HQ, Groom Room, Beauty at Heart and Barnardo’s. Promoter of the site, Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors of Sheffield, said: “Having a renowned estate agent like Hunters lease space shows the high degree of confidence businesses have in this bustling shopping complex and the opportunities for them to prosper.”

Onyx sits adjacent to a development of 1,300 homes, while an average of just under 14,000 vehicles pass the site each weekday, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The footfall created from this high volume of passing trade provides a strong customer base to the site, making it an ideal location for a wide variety of retail outlets.

In addition to Onyx Retail Park, Onward Holdings also offers a range of logistics options to suit most budgets, together with additional value-added warehouse services. The different facilities that the company can supply will help businesses gain a vital foothold in the northern supply chain.

Battered by rising overheads and competition from ecommerce, it’s no secret that the traditional British High Street is in steep decline. Retail parks tend to fare slightly better and many saw an increase in footfall during the last major peak shopping period. But empty units are still blighting many, as shoppers grapple with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

However, thanks to an innovative business model and its strategic location, one retail park in South Yorkshire is thriving. Confirming the findings of a report by Manchester Metropolitan University, the mixture of independents and national brands at the Onyx Retail Park continues to keep the site in demand with shoppers from across the region.

A Retail Park for Independents and Big Brands

Bucking the trend commonly seen around the country, where large out-of-town retail parks drown out independents with big brand retailers, small local businesses are thriving at the site in Wath-Upon-Dearne. Popular food chains including Greggs and Domino’s Pizza are represented alongside local eatery Onyx Fish Bar and Grill and independent café Coffee Street. Shoppers at Onyx have also welcomed the recent addition of a charity shop, supporting the nearby Rotherham Hospice.

Chartered Surveyor Andrew Miller, who worked alongside Onward Holdings to secure the new letting commented “This is an appealing location for companies both big and small and Onyx now has just one remaining unit available. The site continues to attract a diverse range of businesses and I look forward to welcoming the next one.”

Yorkshire Retail Park Thriving Thanks to Its Diversity

By presenting shoppers with a mixture of big names and local independent stores, visitors to Onyx are offered ample choice as to where they want to shop and eat. Something that is not usually the case with large retail parks, which are typically dominated by national brands. However, with several of the UK’s best-loved national retailers either closing branches or going out of business altogether, it’s a model that simply isn’t going to be sustainable in the long-term.

Local Area

Operated by Onward Holdings Ltd, the Onyx Retail Park is a prime retail space within easy reach of the 94,000 local residents living within a 10-minute journey from the site. The location of Onyx has a big part to play in its success, given its proximity to busy Manvers Way, which receives over 18,000 passing vehicles each weekday, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The footfall created from this high volume of passing trade provides a strong customer base to the site, making it an ideal location for a wide variety of outlets.

Plentiful free parking at retail parks such as Onyx is another major pull for shoppers, given how difficult this is to find in the majority of town centres. Their out-of-town locations mean that shoppers can avoid the hassle of town centre traffic. However, the fact that retail parks are designed primarily for customers who drive leaves non-drivers at a disadvantage in terms of accessibility.

Onyx is strategically positioned to cater for all in this respect, being located on a bus route and close to a new development of more than 1,000 homes, as well as the RSPB’s Old Moor nature reserve which attracts over 100,000 visitors per year. As a result, Onyx is able to attract a larger number of shoppers and the site also benefits from nearby electric vehicle charging, further boosting its appeal.

Neil Storey, Director of Onward Holdings which manages the site commented: “Our aim is to provide something for everyone at Onyx. Its location, accessibility and range of national and independent retailers give it a broad appeal. Local businesses can thrive and their employees do not have to worry about being able to find free parking. It’s a model we believe works brilliantly and we look forward to seeing where the future of Onyx takes us.”

Want to Join the Pack?

The last remaining unit available at Onyx has a floor space of 1,000 sq ft and has ample storage space. For enquiries, please contact Andrew Miller on 0114 236 2340.