Rotherham Council's planning board has approved converting a long-vacant public house into a convenience store, proceeding despite significant community opposition. The Sportsman on Fitzwilliam Street in Swinton has stood empty since closing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The application triggered approximately 50 objection letters and a petition bearing 154 signatures.

Residents raised multiple concerns including increased delivery traffic, inadequate parking provision, heightened pedestrian risks due to the site's junction location, and potential for anti-social behaviour and littering. The council addressed some objections by imposing operating hours of 7am–10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am–9pm Sundays, restricting deliveries to 8am–9pm (9am–9pm Sundays), and designating the car park exclusively for residents and staff rather than customer use.