Despite the mechanisation of agriculture, which has led to the almost total loss of jobs in farming, Rolleston has retained much of its rural character.

Employment in the village is restricted almost entirely to trade and services. There are five shops (greengrocer, butcher, grocer, newsagent and a Post Office with an art gallery above), two garages, one Hotel/Restaurant, a Golf Club/Public House/Restaurant, two Public Houses serving meals, a hairdresser, two nursing/residential homes, one College Annexe, a school (5 to 11 years), two pre-school education groups and a parent/toddler group, all of which provide employment. There are also small transport and building contractors. Increasingly residents work from home. One shop (ironmonger) has recently been allowed to change to a private dwelling. With the age profile of a village that expanded in the 1960s showing an increasingly elderly population, there is a need to retain existing shopping facilities. The future use of redundant buildings, especially educational and agricultural, needs careful consideration. The dual role of certain other buildings is important to the commercial and social life of the village. Because of good communications, Burton, Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham are within easy commuting distance.

The core of the village is serviced by a number of narrow winding roads converging on the Spread Eagle bridge. The C91 has a 7.5 tonne limit (except for access) and the increasing size of goods vehicles is already a cause of congestion and damage.