The New Rotherham Market
Rotherham Market Hall Signage & Wayfinding Project
The signage strategy for the new Rotherham Markets development was designed to support a vibrant, modern destination while celebrating the market's long-standing role at the heart of the community. Signs Express (Sheffield/Rotherham) worked closely with Will Rayner, Project Manager, and the wider project team, including The Design Studio at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, to deliver a comprehensive signage solution for this landmark redevelopment.
The brief was to design, manufacture, and install a range of functional, eye-catching internal and external signage to enhance the visitor experience, improve wayfinding, and create a strong visual identity for the new development. The project formed part of the transformation of the town centre, replacing the former outdoor market with a modern, welcoming public space that not only provides a new home for the market but also integrates seamlessly with the town's new library, which is set to open in the new year.
Situated opposite Rotherham College, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has redeveloped and revitalised this part of the town centre, creating a vibrant destination for local businesses, shoppers and the wider community. High-quality, eye-catching signage plays a key role in welcoming visitors, improving navigation and reinforcing the market's contemporary identity.
Signs Express (Sheffield/Rotherham) was proud to play a key role in this exciting and still-evolving project. From striking external branding and wayfinding to informative internal signage, every element was carefully designed to balance functionality, durability and visual impact, helping to create an accessible, welcoming destination that reflects Rotherham's investment in its future.
Exterior Signage
The exterior signage was just as important as the interior signage, making it essential to create a sign that was both visually striking and highly functional. As the first point of contact for visitors, the exterior sign needed to make a strong first impression while ensuring it was easy to identify from a distance.
To achieve this, we opted for matt black vinyl lettering on a crisp white background. This high-contrast combination not only delivers excellent readability in a variety of lighting conditions but also creates a clean, contemporary aesthetic that complements the overall branding. The minimalist design allows the words to stand out, giving the frontage a professional and welcoming appearance.
Interior Graphics
We knew that colour would play a central role in the market's interior graphics. The aim was to create an engaging visual environment that celebrated the market's rich heritage while adding energy and character to the space. By incorporating vibrant colours and carefully curated imagery, the graphics help tell the story of the market, creating a stronger connection between visitors and its history.
To bring this vision to life, we installed matt laminated hi-tac vinyl graphics directly onto the walls throughout the market. The matt finish reduces glare and provides a premium appearance, while the high-tack adhesive ensures a durable, long-lasting application. Historical photographs, bold typography and colourful design elements work together to transform previously plain surfaces into eye-catching features that invite visitors to pause, explore and learn more.
Interior Graphics
Positioned to the right of the market entrance, these bold vinyl graphics served a dual purpose. While they effectively screened the redevelopment works from public view, they also transformed the small area into an engaging and informative feature for visitors.
Rather than using standard hoarding, the high-quality vinyl graphics had been designed to communicate the vision behind the town's ongoing redevelopment programme. Through a combination of striking visuals, clear messaging and carefully considered branding, they provided passers-by with an insight into the investment being made in the area and the exciting plans for its future. This helped keep the public informed while maintaining a positive perception of the site throughout the construction period.
Installation
The installation was completed by our experienced team of professional installers, ensuring every sign was handled with care and positioned with precision to achieve the best possible finish. Attention to detail was key throughout the installation process, from ensuring everything was level to being securely fixed, the team ensured a flawless finish.
By combining careful consideration with skilled installation, the finished signage not only looked exceptional but also performed exactly as intended. The result is cohesive signage that enhances the visitor experience, complements the surrounding environment and is built to provide a durable, long-lasting solution for years to come.
Challenges Overcome
With only just two weeks before the Market was set to open, we faced a tight deadline. After many meetings, discussions and numerous site visits, we were able to bring everything together right on time. Our talented team worked tirelessly to ensure a perfect Market was ready for the opening and, most importantly, for the community.
Exterior Banners
These Heras fencing banners played a key role in the wayfinding strategy, providing clear visual guidance to direct visitors to the market entrance. Positioned at key points along the route, the large-format mesh banners reassured visitors they were heading the right way, reducing confusion and improving the overall experience. Made from durable, weather-resistant mesh, they offered excellent print quality while allowing wind to pass through, creating a professional and effective outdoor wayfinding solution.
Lamp Post Covers
Accessibility was a key consideration, so guiding the customers to the correct market entrance was essential. Correx fluted lamppost wrap directional signs were the ideal choice for a durable and eye-catching wayfinding solution designed to provide clear guidance while making effective use of existing street furniture. Manufactured from high-quality fluted Correx®, the wrap fits securely around lampposts to create a lightweight yet robust directional sign suitable for temporary application such as this and reassuring customers they are on the right path.
The Result
Signs Express have been an absolute pleasure to work with on the installation of signage and artwork for Rotherham’s new Market Hall.
From the outset, Gareth and his team demonstrated a high level of professionalism, reliability and commitment to quality. They were responsible for the production and installation of all signage, graphics and artwork throughout the Market, and the results have exceeded our expectations.
The team were consistently punctual, responsive and easy to work with, ensuring that all elements were delivered and installed on schedule despite the tight timescales leading up to the opening. The quality of both the products and the installation has been exceptional, with great attention paid to detail and finish.
Their work has played a significant role in transforming the Market Hall from a blank canvas into a vibrant, welcoming and characterful destination. The signage and artwork not only enhance the appearance of the building but also contribute to creating a strong sense of identity and pride for traders, visitors and the wider community.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Gareth and the entire Signs Express team for their hard work, dedication and support throughout the project.
We would highly recommend Signs Express to any organisation looking for a professional, dependable and high-quality signage partner.
Comments made by William Rayner, Project Manager
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