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.

Advertisement
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

Read more...

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.

Advertisement
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

Read more...

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.

Advertisement
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

Read more...

News: Change of use plans for large empty Rotherham office block

An empty office block in Bramley could be brought back into use if newly submitted plans are approved by Rotherham Council.

Oak House has most recently been used by the NHS for its administration teams and was also used as a COVID vaccination centre. The building previously served as the headquarters for the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) but has been vacant since 2024.

Providing 23,244 sq ft of office space over three floors, the property is now listed with agents as being under offer. It was made available to let / may sell with a guide price of £2.5m.

A new planning application is for a change of use that would enable the office building to be converted into a residential care home.

The proposal also includes three single storey extensions to reconfigure the layout of the building.

Plans, drawn up by 7 hills architectural design, state that "the building itself will undergo total refurbishment" and show 57 rooms in the current building and new extensions - two on the front elevation and one on the rear.

Advertisement
Plans also include new lifts, a cafe area, lounges, a private dining room, cinema and a roof terrace.

If approved, 70 full-time equivalent jobs would be created.

The plans are from a newly formed company, Oak House 1111 Ltd, but make reference to a development company, Balmoral Investments. It is understood that the property is owned by the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

The site, which sits alongside commercial buildings, a Bannatynes Gym, and the recently rebranded Garner Hotel near to the M18, had been included in the safeguarded land for high speed rail.

The designation was lifted last year, four and a half years after the HS2 scheme to Leeds was scrapped and nine years after property owners first learnt of the plans.

Images: Oak House 1111 Ltd / 7 hills / CPP

Read more...

News: Support adds to recipe for success for Rotherham-based Sri Lankan food business

A family-run food business bringing authentic Sri Lankan flavours to communities across South Yorkshire and beyond is expanding its offering thanks to support from a UKSE Kickstart Grant, delivered through RiDO.

Based in Rotherham, Curry Leafs was established by a local entrepreneur with a passion for traditional Sri Lankan cooking and baking. Originally launched as a small home-based venture alongside part-time work, the business has grown steadily through word-of-mouth recommendations, community support and increasing demand for authentic homemade Sri Lankan food.

Drawing on recipes and cooking techniques passed down through her family, particularly from her mother and grandmother, Hasitha established Curry Leafs to provide authentic homemade Sri Lankan food to people longing for the flavours and memories of home.

Since formally launching, Curry Leafs has expanded from a simple pick-and-mix meal offering into a broader food business serving customers across Rotherham, Sheffield, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, London and Manchester.

To support the business, Hasitha applied for the UKSE Kickstart grant, delivered in partnership with Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RiDO) – UKSE provides finance of up to £1.5m to growing companies, as well as providing support for start-ups – which enabled Curry Leafs to purchase essential catering equipment and a professional gazebo, significantly improving its presence at outdoor events and enhancing its ability to cater for larger functions. The investment has strengthened the business’s presentation, operational capacity and overall customer experience.

Looking ahead, Curry Leafs plans to continue expanding its catering and events offering, with long-term ambitions to launch a food truck and eventually open a Sri Lankan-inspired restaurant serving both traditional and fusion dishes. The business also hopes to create flexible employment opportunities for women, particularly those balancing family commitments, helping them build financial independence and stability.

Advertisement
Hasitha Priyadarshani, founder of Curry Leafs, said: “Curry Leafs started from a passion for cooking and sharing authentic Sri Lankan food with others.

“I would like to acknowledge the support of my husband and brother, who, without their support throughout this journey, Curry Leafs would not be where it is today.

“The support from UKSE has allowed us to invest in equipment that will help us grow, improve our presence at events and take on larger opportunities.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received throughout our journey.”

Pete Newton, Regional Executive at UKSE said: “Curry Leafs is a fantastic example of how a small business can grow through passion, determination and a commitment to quality.

“We are delighted that the Kickstart Grant has helped support the next stage of the business’s development. We wish Hasitha every success as the business continues to expand.”

Darren McDool, New Business Developer at RiDO. Said: “Their passion for the business is clear to all to see and it’s been a pleasure working with them on UKSE Kickstart application.

“We look forward to supporting them further as they take the next steps in growing from a promising start.”

UKSE provides loans and equity finance of up to £1.5m to existing growing businesses, particularly those creating jobs.

Curry Leafs website
UKSE website
RiDO website

Images: UKSE

Read more...