News: £5m backing to bring world leading fusion technology test rigs to Rotherham

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is supporting the acceleration of high priority test rig capabilities within an existing Fusion Technology Facility building in Rotherham.

The £5m investment will help create up to 25 jobs and four apprenticeships by the end of 2027.

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which has a mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit, opened a £22m facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in 2021. The facility has expanded operations and deepened industry collaborations on advanced engineering projects, strengthening UKAEA's regional presence in materials, components and robotics testing.

The next investment from the government research organisation, previously codenamed Project Caerus, involves two rigs (experimental facilities).

A High Heat Flux (HHF) Laser Facility (HALO) enables researchers to expose materials and components to extreme thermal loads similar to those found in fusion environments and to rapidly cycle these loads. This capability underpins critical research into materials resilience and fatigue, as well as structural integrity which is essential for designing future fusion reactors.

The new rig should also support high-performance industries such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and next generation materials engineering, where understanding heat stress and failure modes is essential for innovation.

The second test rig is called Fusion Oriented Robotics Technology (FORT) - the first Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) rig located at the Rotherham facility, making it a significant milestone for the region.

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The UKAEA specialises in designing, building, and operating robotic systems for extreme industrial environments. The new addition to the AMP facility is expected to attract specialist engineering, controls, software, and mechatronics expertise into South Yorkshire.

Much like HALO, other industries are also set to benefit such as thise that use precision manufacturing, autonomous systems, and complex industrial operations, where remote manipulation and inspection have high economic value.

An update from the UKAEA said: "Together, these rigs represent a strategic, future-facing investment that supports scientific progress, economic benefit, strengthens regional competitiveness, and increases the UK’s ability to develop and export high-value technologies. This investment will contribute both to UKAEA’s national mission and UKAEA South Yorkshire’s economic ambitions."

The site’s expanded role aims to attract other UKAEA directorates to base teams in the region, leveraging the strong local talent pool, and deepening UKAEA’s presence in the north of England.

Professor Dennis Whyte has recently been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of UKAEA Group which has 2,600 people across four sites - over 60 are based in Rotherham.

Prof, Whyte said: "I am excited to be joining the exceptional team at UKAEA, which has a compelling plan for delivering commercial fusion energy, developing key technologies for fusion energy extraction, and the largest workforce in the world committed to advancing the development of fusion science and engineering in its widest forms."

UKAEA website

Images: UKAEA

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News: Rotherham bar plans come up against council objections

A number of objections have been set out against a new bar opening in Rotherham, whilst planning permission for improvements to a current venue nearby have been refused.

Rothbiz reported in July on the licence application for 236 Bawtry Road which was vacated when Greggs expanded into a new unit at The Tanyard in Wickersley.

Jaxx Irish Bar Limited has applied for the sale by retail of alcohol and the provision of late night refreshment, plus the performance of live music and any playing of recorded music.

Documents show that the opening hours requested are Monday to Wednesday 16:00 to 22:30, Thursday 16:00 to 23:00, Friday 14:00 to 00:00, Saturday 12:00 to 00:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 22:00.

Rotherham Council operates a Cumulative Impact Policy regarding licensing which details that an area of Wickersley village is a Cumulative Impact Zone. Rotherham Council says that, with 23 premises (19 located along a 300 metre section of Bawtry Road), Wickersley does not have the required infrastructure to deal with a large and sustained night-time economy.

Applicants "must be able to demonstrate to the Council and other responsible authorities that granting a new or varied licence will not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced within the area."

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Applicants for the new bar state that they want to operate a as a small community focused micro bar with a limited customer capacity adding that: "The nature and style of the business is fundamentally different from larger pubs, bars and late night venues that may contribute to cumulative impact concerns."

Ahead of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, Rotherham's Environmental Health department has set out its opposition to the application. The representation explained that because of the cumulative impact zone, the applicant has failed to satisfactorily address concerns around noise generation, especially with a proposed outdoor area, and problems associated with "vertical drinking" such as higher levels of alcohol consumption and drunkenness

Alan Pogorzelec, Licensing Manager at Rotherham Council, said: "Although the applicant has outlined a number of steps within the operating schedule that are intended to mitigate the above issues to some degree, the location and nature of the premises is such that these steps will not prevent the activities at the premises from increasing the impact of such premises in the area."

Local councillors, the parish council, neighbouring businesses and residents also made representations objecting to the application, with one representation in support of the proposals.

The Sub-Committee is set to discuss the application later this month.

Also in Wickersley, The Olive Lounge has seen its planning permission for an extension turned down by the council.

Plans show a single storey glass extension to the front facing Bawtry Road that would take the venue from 2,799 sq ft to 3,552 sq ft.

Planners objected to the appearance of the proposed extension concluding that it would be "a prominent addition which would materially affect the appearance and character of the host property and form an incongruous feature that would have a detrimental impact on the existing street scene."

Rothbiz reported this week that The Garrison in Wickerlsey has announced its closure with a "small transformation" planned for later this year.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Changes at The Garrison as Rotherham restaurant announces closure

An independent restaurant in Rotherham has announced its closure with a "small transformation" planned for later this year.

Elliott Vaughan opened his 1920s themed restaurant, The Garrison at Wickersley, in 2020 after securing financial help from alternative lending provider Finance For Enterprise. However, within less than seven days, his plans were thrown into jeopardy when, along with the whole of South Yorkshire’s hospitality sector, the restaurant was ordered to close as South Yorkshire entered into Tier 3 lockdown.

The focus is on British inspired local produce plus unique cocktails and proper beers. Drawing on inspiration from the hit TV show Peaky Blinders, whilst giving a nod to the golden age of jazz and the roaring Twenties, Elliott re-imagined the former tearoom, transforming it into a cosy, atmospheric dining experience.

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An update on social media explained that: "The Garrison as you know it will be closing. We will be undergoing a small transformation, and our restaurant will be changing its identity. More details of what will be following will be announced in the next few months."

The premises benefits from planning permission for a change of use from restaurant into a micropub and a decking area to front of the property.

In his post, Vaughan said that the changes are "as exciting as it is upsetting" but added that "this is not a goodbye, but a see you later."

On the state of the restaurant sector, the founder said: "Please keep supporting your local independent businesses. We know it’s tough out there for everyone, and for the hospitality guys, we are all feeling your pain.

"First the Conservatives and then Starmer’s useless government sapped the living s*** out of our beautiful industry and economy on a whole (in my opinion) and I don’t have much hope that Burnham will save it."

The Garrison facebook page

Images: The Garrison / facebook

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News: AES Engineering global expansion continues

Rotherham-based AES Engineering Ltd has further increased its reliability services and product offering in the Middle East by acquiring a controlling stake in the reliability companies Technomax Middle East Engineering LLC and Technomax Industrial Services LLC for an undisclosed sum.

With global headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL manufactures seals to stop leakage of harmful liquids and gases into the environment for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals.

Both Technomax companies will fall under the operating structure of the recently formed ADGM UAE company, AVT Reliability Middle East and North Africa.

This latest expansion in the global market follows acquisitions in the Netherlands, Canada, Australia and USA.

Technomax, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is specialised in all industrial segments and focuses primarily on the oil and gas, power generation, municipal water and desalination sectors.

They are a recognised leader in reliability and vibration monitoring services, executing prevention and problem solving with machinery, foundations and structures. Technomax also provide crane monitoring/service as part of their portfolio.

Technomax operates many long-term reliability contracts, with prestigious end users in the Middle East onshore and offshore industrial sectors, assisting them with plant wide reliability improvement and optimisation on thousands of rotating machinery assets and equipment on a daily basis.

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The acquisition will allow the existing customers of Technomax to benefit from a wider product and service offering from the AES Reliability Group of companies.

In particular, by joining the AES Engineering Group, Technomax customers gain access to world-class reliability products such as Machine Sentry, the cloud-based condition monitoring system, and EasyBrace, the universal bracing system designed for the reduction of structural vibration in small bore pipes.

Founder and managing director Shebeaun Mohammed Sherief said: "When considering the next chapter for Technomax, it was important for me to find a partner who shared our values, our commitment to customers and our long-term vision. Choosing AES Engineering Ltd was therefore a natural decision. This partnership enables us to better support our customers by combining our local experience with the global expertise, talented people, innovative products and engineering solutions of the AVT and AES Group, while positioning the business for continued growth across both our existing and new markets."

AES Engineering Ltd group managing director Chris Rea said: "The acquisition of Technomax supports our strategic decision to globalise our reliability focused businesses and further strengthens our customer reliability offering in the important Middle East market."

AESSEAL website

Images: AES

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News: Rotherham Council refuses licence for proposed Bassingthorpe events space

An application for a licence for a proposed new sports and recreation facility in Rotherham has been refused.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on plans for the site of the Guest & Chrimes pitches on Bassingthorpe Lane near Greasbrough.

A premises licence from SME Enviromental Holdings LTD, the company behind a number of regeneration projects in Rotherham town centre, including The Empire and The Bunka. would have allowed the outdoor provision of live & recorded Music, Plays, Films, & Dance; Late Night Refreshment; and the Sale of Alcohol.

The application was for between May and September and limited the provision licensable activities to a maximum of 16 occasions between 11am and 12 midnight on any day of the week.

The Licensing Sub-Committee heard about the access arrangements on Gin House Lane with applicant, Mark McGrail critical of the lack of council maintenance of the highways in the area.

South Yorkshire Police withdrew its objections and instead put forward 28 management controls, largely focusing on the production of event management plans for each event.

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The council's Environmental Health department objected to the proposals, stating that proposed management conditions "remain largely aspirational and lack sufficient detail to provide confidence that events will be effectively managed and controlled in practice," adding that the applicant's intention to hold events like galas and farmer's markets was not reflected in the application.

Local councillors gave their support for local events and activities in the ward but were opposed to the application.

McGrail told the meeting: "There will be sports facilities, there will be a restaurant, there will be a cafe on there, a community element on that site, we've got padel courts planned. When that facility is done, we still need to apply for a premises licence regardless. This [current application] pre-empts that facility and for us, it determines which avenue we go down. But there needs to be an understanding that it is part of a bigger picture other than just a field getting a licence. It is part of a larger community - 2,400 houses, community, school, everything else.

"This application has been reduced to a point so we are not essentially having events every day. We can still hold sports and recreational activity events but we want it to be a controlled environment where we can deliver something better for the community."

Rothbiz reported last month that landowners are looking for a partner to deliver a proposed 2,000 home development, a "well-connected 21st century garden community," at Bassingthorpe Farm.

Images: Google Maps

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