News: Remainder of Rotherham offered up for fracking

The Government has now offered licences for the whole of Rotherham borough that gives leading names in the energy exploration industry exclusivity to search for shale gas.

A type of natural gas, shale gas has the potential to become an important energy source for the UK, as it is in the US, but extracting the gas using a method called "fracking" (hydraulic fracturing) has negative environmental impacts.

In 2013, an independent survey identified that the whole borough of Rotherham could be sitting on reserves of shale gas. Now the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) – the UK's oil and gas regulator – has announced that further onshore blocks will be offered to companies.

Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences (PEDLs), provide the first step to starting drilling – but do not give absolute agreement to drill. On top of a licence, any further drilling application will then require planning permission, as well as permits from the Environment Agency and sign-off from the Health and Safety Executive.

Four large blocks covering the majority of the borough were licensed in August with a second group of licence block awards now announced following the conclusion of the Habitats' consultation.

Block SK39 has been offered to operator INEOS and covers areas including Wentworth, Harley and Thorpe Hesley. INEOS has already been offered the licence for SK58a which includes Dinnington, North Anston, South Anston, Woodsetts and Thorpe Salvin.

Jim Ratcliffe, chairman at INEOS, said: "The UK government has demonstrated it is determined to move forward with this exciting new industry. This is the start of a shale gas revolution that will transform manufacturing in the UK. INEOS has the skills to safely extract the gas and we have already committed to both fully consult and to share the rewards with the local communities."

The company has committed to full consultation with all local communities before proceeding with any shale gas development. The company has also committed to share 6% of revenues with homeowners, landowners and communities close to its shale gas wells.

SK59b has been offered to IGas and includes Hellaby and Maltby. The operator is partnering with Egdon Resources, the company which already owns the PEDL for the adjacent area around Maltby (PEDL043).

IGas will be operator of the licences with a 35% interest, Total will have a 50% interest and Egdon a 15% interest. These licences are located in the Gainsborough Trough close to where the company currently operates 80 sites, the majority of which have been in production for many years. IGas said that it will conduct a shale work programme including 3D seismic surveys and three firm wells. The company's work programme also contains a further two drill or drop wells targeting conventional prospects.

IGAS was offered another Rotherham area in August - SK49 which covers Swinton, Kilnhurst, Rawmarsh, Parkgate, Greasborough, Kimberworth, Thrybergh, Ravenfield, Eastwood, the town centre, Flanderwell, Bramley, Wickersley, Herringthorpe, Canklow and Whiston.

Stephen Bowler, chief executive of IGas, said: "This is a critical time for the future of Britain's energy mix as gas, of which 50% of our consumption is currently imported, is central to our energy security as we transition to a lower carbon environment."

INEOS website
IGas website

Images: INEOS / Oil & Gas Authority

Read more...

News: Waverley local centre plans taking shape

Further offices, a hotel, conference centre, gym, retail units and community facilities could compliment the growing Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and Waverley development in Rotherham, but a proposed park & ride facility is no longer in the plans.

Approved in 2010, the largest, most complex, planning application ever considered by Rotherham Council gave outline approval for South Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield development, creating a new 3,890 home community across 741 acres.

The masterplan for the £100m regeneration scheme has been updated a number of times by the developers, Harworth Group. The company created to realise the property assets of what was UK Coal, applied to vary a number of conditions of a follow up application, approved in 2013, to allow development to continue on the site.

As housebuilding progresses at pace, a proposed local centre is set to be relocated from a location north of the current residential developments to sit between the AMP and residential areas - land previously known as Highfield Commercial where the AMRC Training Centre is located.

A transport assessment submitted as part of latest updated plans indicates that forthcoming detailed plans for the local centre could include a 16,000 sq ft food retail store, 8,600 sq ft of further retail, 52,000 sq ft of offices, a café / restaurant, medical centre, nursery, community hall and a number of apartments and town houses.

To the north of the proposed local centre, 130,000 sq ft of office space could be created alongside a 43,000 sq ft hotel with a 1,500 seat conference centre adjacent to the local centre in addition to a 11,000 sq ft gym.

Also in the assessment is a potential 32,000 sq ft "retirement village" north of Waverley Walk.

Since outline plans were approved, SYPTE has agreed that the park and ride facility is no longer appropriate at Waverley given that the Southern route of the Sheffield and Rotherham Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme is not being funded and has been scrapped. The Southern route aimed to run from Sheffield city centre, along the Parkway to Waverley and onto Rotherham Interchange.

As part of the conditions, in the event the proposed Park and Ride facility was unsuccessful, the applicant was required to improve the existing public transport provision which consisted of a financial contribution of £1.5m payable at various intervals during the development build out.

Planning approval was gained this month to vary the agreement with the council so that an obligation for a park and ride facility is taken out.

A large proportion of the land reserved for the park and ride facility is undevelopable, due to its location on the former open cast high wall and is set to form part of the park. Some of the land could come forward for development.

In correspondence with the planning authority, the SYPTE said: "There will still be an Interchange in a suitable location on the site, with the remaining money set aside for future public transport infrastructure improvements, potentially for use as part of the wider transport issues within the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District."

An initial transport hub is set to be created on Highfield Spring close to the AMRC Training Centre and AMP Technology Centre that is currently being extended. A second hub is most likely be located between the local centre and the proposed school, connecting through to Highfield Lane. As more development comes forward the remainder of the money could be used to provide further bus services that enter the residential site.

In an update on trading for its financial year ending December 31 2015, Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Group, said: "The group had a strong first half of the year as highlighted at the time of our interim results in August. The positive momentum has continued into the fourth quarter, which has normally shown a strong result for the property business, and is now expected to exceed our expectations on the back of sales and planning approvals which in turn will improve the valuation of our portfolio."

Waverley website

Images: Barton Wilmore / Harworth

Read more...

News: Fishing Republic reels in first acquisition

Rotherham-based retailer, Fishing Republic has announced its first acquisition since it launched onto the stock market earlier this year.

he placing of ten million new shares at 15p per share in June has raised £1.5m for the Eastwood company that is already one of the largest retailers of fishing tackle in the UK by floorspace.

Floating on AIM, the directors believe that Fishing Republic is the only participant in the market looking to act as a consolidator and snapping up smaller, often family-owned fishing retail businesses.

The group has the benefit of "first-mover advantage" and has announced that it has acquired the business and assets of FishXL Limited, trading as Cotswold Angling.

The group currently operates a chain of seven "destination" retail outlets in the North of England and the company is set to grow through acquisitions and the opening of further large format "destination" stores.

Fishing Republic is opening a new 11,000 sq ft store in Crewe and is supporting the expansion by raising £500,000 through a placing of 3,125,000 new ordinary shares of 1p each at a price of 16p per Placing Share.

Advertisement

An update to the stock exchange said: "The acquisition of Cotswold Angling establishes Fishing Republic with a presence in the South of England, with the new store in Crewe complementing the company's existing outlets in the North of England. Both moves are part of the company's stated strategy to build a significant market presence through acquisition and organic growth."

They follow Fishing Republic's planned expansion into the West Midlands, with the opening of a store in South Birmingham, and the upgrading of its Hull outlet to new larger premises.

Established in 2000 and based near Swindon, Cotswold Angling operates from a 4,100 sq ft site at a light industrial unit and caters for all types of fishing disciplines. In the year to 30 September 2014, Cotswold Angling generated sales of approximately £0.43m and made a marginal operating profit. The total consideration for the acquisition is £170,000. The co-founder and director of the business, Trevor Gunning, will be joining the senior management team of Fishing Republic as a regional operations manager.

At the close of the main fishing season, Fishing Republic reported its financial results for the four months ending October 31 2015, which had sales up by 43% on the same period last year.

Steve Gross, chief executive of Fishing Republic, said: "I am delighted to announce Fishing Republic's first acquisition since we joined AIM in June and the planned opening of a new store in Crewe. The acquisition of Cotswold Angling establishes our presence in the South of England while the new outlet at Crewe complements our existing store network in the North of England. Both outlets readily fit our 'destination store' model, which is designed to attract fishermen from a wide area.

"Our aim is to build a substantial presence in a market which is highly fragmented, and we will continue to look for further opportunities to expand our geographic footprint whilst also building our online offering."

Fishing Republic website

Images: Fishing Republic

Read more...

News: Smyths Toys set for bigger presence in Rotherham

Irish toy retailer, Smyths Toys is looking to open its second Rotherham outlet and is planning to move onto the popular Parkgate Shopping Park.

Smyths Toys is a leading provider of children's entertainment products with 80 stores throughout the UK and Ireland. It opened a 15,000 sq ft store at Cortonwood, Rotherham in 2012 as part of an ongoing and rapid expansion programme in the UK.

Planning consultant, Firstplan, agents of Smyths Toys, has submitted a planning application to open a new store at Unit 6 Parkgate Shopping which is currently occupied by Mothercare Outlet.

Plans show that the 30,000 sq ft unit is set to be subdivided into two 15,000 sq ft units, with new signage plans for Smyth's Toys alongside Mothercare.

The stores generally create around 30 jobs and recruitment is already underway for duty manager and store manager roles.

Advertisement

The property is owned by Legal & General Investment Management, and not BMO Real Estate Partners (BMO) who acquired the park for £175m earlier this year. Letting agents, Montagu Evans have been advertising the property.

Attracting over nine million visitors a year, the 575,000 sq ft retail destination was built on reclaimed land formerly occupied by the Park Gate Iron and Steel Co. and has seen recent openings from Card Factory and fashion retailer, H&M.

The 4,000 sq ft, 128-cover new-build Nando's restaurant also opened at the start of December.

Mothercare has been cutting back its UK store network, closing 16 underperforming stores in the first half of this finacial year. In 2013, the Early Learning Centre and Mothercare outlet store opened within the existing Mothercare (and former Children's World) unit on the park. The company has been shifting its focus to out-of-town stores rather than high street locations.

Parkgate has seen the closure of nursery retailer Mamas & Papas this year which followed on from the closure of the large Kiddicare unit in 2014. The 45,000 sq ft unit was taken on by JD Sports Fashion plc, the leading retailer and distributor of branded sportswear, fashionwear and outdoor clothing and equipment. Operating as an outlet for outdoor brands that it owns, such as Blacks and Millets, JD is set to change the operation in the new year.

Smyths Toys website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Montagu Evans

Read more...

News: Buyer found for Hellaby Hall Hotel

A buyer could wrap up a deal for the historic Hellaby Hall Hotel in Rotherham by the end of the year. The Grade II * listed building was put on the market after its operators entered administration.

The 4 star hotel at Bramley includes 89 rooms in the converted 17th century house of Ralph Fretwell and is a popular location for weddings, functions and business. It also includes conference facilities, a restaurant and health & leisure club with two gyms, a swimming pool and health spa.

In May, Prima Hotels was one of a number of connected companies and hotels to call in Ryan Grant, Lee Causer and Catherine Williamson, of AlixPartners Services UK LLP.

Keeping operations open, the administrators took on the management of the affairs, business and property of the companies and appointed Legacy Hotels & Resorts Ltd to manage the day to day affairs of the hotels as their disclosed agent.

It was agreed that the values would be maximised by selling the properties as operating hotels.
Advertisement
In September, leading property agents, Savills began marketing of the portfolio that comprises four trading hotel properties, for sale and invited offers in excess of £18m. The four properties were also made available as individual assets.

An update from the administrators shows that interest was high, with 78 non-disclosure agreements signed, 29 formal viewings arranged and a significant number of non-formal viewings also taking place. Four offers were made for the full, four property portfolio, and 14 offers were made on the individual hotels.

The administrators state: "The offers received were reviewed by the administrators and Savills. After further negotiations with leading parties, Savills recommended the acceptance of four separate offers on the basis that these combined sales would maximise realisations. These offers have now been accepted and all parties are conducting further due diligence, with a view to all disposals completing by December 31."

With a management company brought in to run the operations, all employees based at the hotels were retained and are expected to transfer to the prospective new owners of the properties.

Operating a "business as usual" approach, continuing to trade and take bookings for rooms, events and conferences, all deposits paid before Prima entered into administration have been honoured and the hotels maintained substantially all of the pre-appointment bookings. The core of the business continued to trade profitably.

Administrators admitted that even with the successful sale, the major creditor, the AIB bank, is unlikely to see all of the £24m it is owed. The group of companies had debts of £36m when it entered administration.

Hellaby Hall Hotel website

Images: Hellaby Hall Hotel

Read more...

News: Network award for RiDO advisor

A business advisor with the Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) has been named as Enterprise Coach and Mentor of the Year at a national awards.

Martyn Benson was presented with his National Enterprise Network (NEN) award at its conference in London. Organised by the membership body representing the enterprise support sector across England, the awards are presented to network members to recognise excellence in the delivery of enterprise support and encourage the exchange of good practice.

The award recognises the outstanding work that Martyn has done to support new and growing businesses in the Rotherham area. He received an engraved trophy and a bottle of champagne.

Advertisement

Martyn (pictured, left) said: "To get an award for work I love doing and for helping in Rotherham is fantastic. I knew I was short-listed but I was surprised and delighted to win. It took until the evening to really sink in."

The Enterprise Coach/Mentor of the Year award, sponsored by New Level Results, aims to recognise a coach or mentor who is passionate, has built excellent relationships with clients and delivered impressive support.

During his career, Martyn has won a number of awards and delivered business support over a range of different topics. He has assisted more than 1,600 clients and over 250 successful new start businesses, directly contributing to the Rotherham borough economy. Earlier this year he was named as one of the UK's top ten business advisers as part of the Top 50 Business Advisers awards.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, advisory cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said: "I would like to congratulate Martyn on winning this prestigious award and I am delighted that his hard work has been recognised.

"The RiDO team provides excellent support to businesses in Rotherham and this award demonstrates the high calibre advice and guidance available.

"I would encourage anyone considering starting up or in business in the area that needs help to contact RiDO and take advantage of the support they provide."

RiDO is the business growth arm of Rotherham Council. It provides free and professional advice to anyone looking to start a business in the borough as well as supporting existing businesses with everything from finding the right premises, planning advice and guidance, finding and training recruits to locating new customers and suppliers.

Martyn and colleagues from RiDO were on hand at the recent Small Business Saturday to promote Business Lift Off - the free start-up training and the various business support services they offer.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council (pictured, centre), said, "The RiDO team have a wealth of experience and expertise to help either existing businesses expand and develop or to assist new businesses at the very early start-up stages.

"There are lots of established companies in Rotherham who have worked with RiDO and continue to use their services. I'd encourage anyone considering setting up a business in the town to contact one of the business advisors and see what help and advice they can offer."

RiDO website

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: £9m support package hope for city region hit by Tata Steel redundancies

A joint action plan to support the Sheffield city region in the wake of the proposed restructuring at Tata Steel is aiming to secure £9m.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month that representatives from across the city region were putting together a joint action plan as the Indian-owned steelmaker forged ahead with its latest restructuring proposals.

Tata Steel has for a long time been warning that continuing cheap imports risk undermining Europe's steel industry and that uncompetitive energy costs and the strength of sterling are hurting its UK operations.

The company recently confirmed proposals affecting 1,200 jobs, mainly in Scunthorpe and Scotland. It follows the announcement in July of a restructure of its speciality and bar business to focus on high-value markets such as aerospace - a move that has put 720 jobs are at risk, many in Rotherham.

With Tata Steel rejecting alternatives and confirming that the restructure will go ahead, politicians and business leaders met last week and now details of the support has been announced. The package will help individual workers facing redundancy and supply chain businesses likely to be hit hard in Rotherham and the whole city region, as well as supporting other local companies to create jobs.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, has the backing of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – which comprises representatives from the public and private sectors – for a comprehensive joint action plan focusing on improving trading conditions for UK steel producers, helping supply chain companies to diversify and grow into new markets, and providing specific support for affected employees and the community.

The plan combines locally-driven support packages – such as training and development for those at risk - with a call for the Government to invest and give more support to the steel and other industries struggling to compete in the face of massive energy costs, business rates and the strong pound.

A local task group is shaping the plan and co-ordinating its delivery, with input from Rotherham Council, Sheffield City Region LEP, the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, UK Steel Enterprise the regeneration subsidiary of Tata Steel, Government agencies including JobCentrePlus and the Skills Funding Agency, Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, trade unions and Tata Steel.

John Healey MP, whose constituency includes Tata's Aldwarke site, called on the Government to give extensive support to Rotherham and demanded the Chancellor announce action to help the steel industry in the city region after up to £9m of support from the government and Tata was announced to support Scunthorpe steel workers and the local economy. He was due to meet Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise yesterday.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Combined Authority have acknowledged that dealing with the fall-out of Tata Steel's trading challenges is a priority given that it is estimated that over 1,000 suppliers to Tata Steel are in the Sheffield city region.

Much of the activity contained in the plan will be funded through money devolved to the SCR to respond decisively to events such as the Tata Steel announcement. However, local partners have expressed their expectation that Government funds will be made available to match local resources, as has happened elsewhere in the country.

UK Steel Enterprise has pledged £1.55m of support for job creation. In addition the partnership group is calling for £2.5mm in funding from central Government to help employees and companies affected across the city region. A further £1.5m is being sought from the Government's deregulated skills budget, and would be used to prepare former steelworkers for jobs in other industries, or to set up their own small business.

The LEP at its December 7 meeting indicated that businesses affected can access financial support from its £52m Business Investment Fund.

Cllr Read said: "Workers in Rotherham who are facing redundancy will want to know that we are doing everything to support them and help them back to work. This is a very difficult time for them and their families and I am determined that we will do all that we can.

"Companies in the supply chain will feel the impact too, and we will also be working to support these businesses, and their employees, as a key part of this plan."

Keith Williams, UK Steel Enterprise Regional Manager, added: "We are committed to supporting the communities affected and to helping businesses grow and create new jobs.

"We are working closely with local partner organisations and welcome proposals or projects which can create jobs, from both business support organisations and from private companies."

Over 2,000 people are employed by the company in South Yorkshire where sites like Stocksbridge in Sheffield and Aldwarke in Rotherham, focus on exceptional high-value products and sectors. Rotherham is also the location for the manufacture of speciality steel and for the Proving Factory - a £22m government-backed manufacturing initiative working on low-carbon vehicle technologies.

The LEP is also looking at supporting the business case with financial support to secure the long term future of two R&D groups that were set to move out of Rotherham. It would see 70 jobs remain in the area.

James Newman, chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "Tata Steel is one of our largest employers and is therefore very important to the long-term future of the Sheffield City Region. The LEP has agreed to work with Tata Steel to make sure that both individuals and businesses are supported through the powers and funding available to us in our Growth and Devolution Deals."

Tata Steel website

Images: Tata Steel

Read more...

News: Xeros picks up European award

Innovative Rotherham company, Xeros, has been announced as winner of the Best New Listed Company category at the European Small and Mid-Cap Awards in Brussels.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has developed a patented system using a unique method of special polymer beads rather than the usual large amounts of fresh water to clean clothes.

Admitted to AIM in 2014, Xeros is commercialising the system which uses at least 70% less water, up to 50% less energy and approximately 50% less detergent.

The Awards, founded by the European Commission, the Federation of European Security Exchanges (FESE) and European issuers are now in their third year and honour the best Initial public offering (IPO) (stock market launch) by small and mid-cap companies. The European competition was launched in order to promote the best practices and success stories of the most dynamic companies financed by European public capital markets, to encourage the diversity of our markets, and to promote stock listings, in particular targeting the growth companies.

Xeros was also named as runner-up in the Most Innovative Newcomer category as the patented polymer technology is described as the first real revolution in laundry in 60 years.

Mark Nichols, CEO of Xeros said: "We are delighted to be named as the winner of the Best New Listed Company category in these prestigious awards. As a result of our AIM listing on the London Stock Exchange we have been able to support the roll-out of our commercial laundry strategy, raising the profile of the company and our technologies with potential partners, customers and investors alike."

Deirdre Somers, president of FESE, said: "The listed companies nominated for these awards fully deserve recognition for their achievements and serve as an example to other companies of the positive benefits that can be gained from equity financing."

Xeros raised £30m by floating on the stock exchange and is planning to raise a further £40m from a share placing to maintain momentum and accelerate the roll out strategy of its commercial laundry business in the Americas and Europe.

Xeros website

Images: Xeros

Read more...

News: College launches The Griffin Grill

Students are getting a real taste for industry as Dearne Valley College (DVC) launches a brand new commercial and training restaurant, The Griffin Grill.

Established in 1976, DVC has its main campus in Manvers and specialises in vocational training and apprenticeships.

Based at the popular Onyx Retail Park nearby, the venture will offer diners a high quality, contemporary dining experience, with a menu that is created and served by the college's talented students and apprentices, overseen by a team of industry-experienced chefs.

The fully-licensed restaurant, which can seat up to 37 diners, currently boasts a festive themed menu which includes traditional options such as succulent turkey crown, and the famous DVC Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce, to the less traditional choices such as mushroom filo wellington and locally-sourced venison.

Martin Harrison, principal and chief executive at Dearne Valley College, said: "We are delighted to be able to launch this brand new restaurant for the local resident and business communities to enjoy wonderfully-cooked food whilst supporting the young talent of South Yorkshire, with a state-of-the-art training facility to add to the college's existing provision. We look forward to welcoming everyone."

Darren Foden, front of house manager at The Griffin Grill and lecturer at DVC, added: "As a fully-licensed venue, we welcome bookings for all types of celebrations and events, accepting bookings and walk-ins. Our students will also be putting on themed evenings for something a little different. This venture allows our students to gain real-work experience within the industry."

The Griffin Grill website

Images: DVC

Read more...

News: CityFibre's reach extends to Rotherham

CityFibre, the fibre optic network infrastructure specialist providing an alternative to BT Openreach, is expanding its footprint having arranged a deal to acquire KCOM's national fibre and duct network assets.

CityFibre is the largest independent wholesale provider of fibre infrastructure to mid-sized cities and major towns across the UK, providing gigabit-capable infrastructure for enterprise and public sector organisations, service providers, mobile network operators and businesses.


The AIM-listed firm announced the £90m acquisition at the same time as securing financing of £180m to facilitate the acquisition and fully commercialise its national network.

City-wide pure fibre networks known as "COREs" are being installed in major cities and CityFibre is working in a joint venture with TalkTalk and Sky on Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) networks and services for homes and businesses.

The latest deal, set to complete mid-January 2016, will immediately increase the number of CityFibre's metro footprints to 36 cities and enable CityFibre to target a total of 50 cities by 2020, reaching 20% of the UK market. It will become the largest wholesale infrastructure provider after BT and the first challenger to the national incumbent, nearly ten years to the day since the formation of Openreach.

The firm said that it is extending networks into Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, said: "This is the most significant event to take place in the UK's digital infrastructure market in a decade. The UK now has a secure independent infrastructure alternative. Cities, service providers, mobile operators and investors have boldly embraced a new model of future-proof infrastructure provision and paved the way for its acceleration across the country.

"With our enlarged footprint and strong pipeline of cities demanding better infrastructure, we will continue to grow, offering existing and new partners an ever increasing opportunity to capitalise on a pure fibre future."

BT bagged a contract with the Sheffield City Region Local Enterrpise Partnership for the £28m Superfast South Yorkshire project as part of the government's BDUK initiative. Local and Government match funding should ensure that 97.9% of South Yorkshire will have access to superfast broadband by the end of 2017.

CityFibre recently joined with the likes of Virgin Media and Zayo (who purchased South Yorkshire assets from the failed Digital Region project) to oppose Ofcom's proposals to allow providers to access BT's "dark fibre" lines.

CityFibre website
Superfast South Yorkshire website

Images: CityFibre

Read more...

News: Rotherham market fees frozen

The rent freeze at Rotherham Centenary Market is set to continue but certain charges are set to be increased.

General fees and charges have not increased since 2013 as many traders stated that they are suffering hardship in the current economic climate. Fees and charges were frozen again from March 1 2015 but with the condition that a mid-year review be undertaken.

With an estimated £41m savings to be made across the Council over the next three years there is a need to closely evaluate the contribution of Council assets to the budget.

In a report recently received by Commissioner Kenny, Dean Thurlow, markets manager at Rotherham Council, said: "The markets continue to welcome over four million customers per year. The occupancy rate is currently 87% which is comparable to average occupancy rates in 2012 of 96% and 2015 of 83%. Three new businesses have opened in 2015 and two businesses have been taken over by new owners in addition to the five new businesses that have joined the Tuesday Street market, demonstrating that there is still interest in the markets from new businesses.

"An independent study produced for the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) by Manchester Metropolitan University entitled Markets Matter reviewed footfall over 2014/2015 at eighty four markets within the UK. Rotherham's Tuesday Street Market was identified as the fourth highest customer footfall location of those surveyed demonstrating that the market continues to perform well in attracting shoppers."

£48,000 investment was made this year in new outdoor market stalls and increased quantity to allow the Tuesday Street Market to expand from 62 to 95 stalls.

However, the report adds that trade has been affected by a number of marches and demonstrations over a concentrated period. Total footfall for the year to date in the markets complex has decreased by 6.5% compared to the same period in 2014. A letter received and signed by 34 market traders highlighted the impact of the demonstrations as they asked for a 20% reduction in rent for a period of six months.

Commissioner Kenny has now made the "minded to" decision that rents are frozen for the remainder of 2015/16 and until September 2016 when another review will be undertaken. Investments and higher running costs mean that charges for car parking, storerooms, lighting and CCTV will increase. Rival markets in the area and concessions such as media companies will have to pay higher fees.

The call for a 20% reduction in fees was rejected but five perimeter stalls are set to see there rents reduced in line to other stalls as the opening of Tesco has changed shopping habits and footfall patterns.

The Council commissioned The Retail Group at a cost of £19,000 last year to identify the future strategy and growth plan for the town centre markets, and the right offer for the town and its customers. A redeveloped markets complex was identified in the borough's growth plan. It said: "Work is currently underway to identify options for the (re)development of the complex, which will seek to provide a new and vibrant facility while retaining the historic impact of the market on the town centre."

Five council-owned properties around the market at Eastwood Lane, Howard Street and Market Square are set to be made available soon.

Rotherham town centre website

Images: RMBC / Facebook

Read more...

News: Campaign launched to drive down business crime

South Yorkshire Police is urging businesses to join forces and back a new campaign to form a crime-fighting superpower.

With the message: "You Don't Need Superpowers to Protect your Business," the aim is to showcase the free services available and encourage businesses to work with the force to protect themselves and their staff against crime.

Chief Inspector Richard Butterworth, force lead for business crime at South Yorkshire Police, said: "This campaign is all about empowering businesses and making sure that they know what support is available.

"We are determined to ensure that businesses feel safe and supported and have confidence to report crime.

"Whether you're a shop keeper, landlord, butcher or engineer, we are here to protect you, to protect livelihoods and in turn protect the region's economy.

"Through some free and simple steps, we can help keep South Yorkshire open for business and closed to criminals."

From shoplifting and metal theft, arson and burglary, to fraud and assault, business crime is defined as any criminal offence committed against a person or property that has a connection to a business.

It currently accounts for around 17% of all recorded crime in South Yorkshire with shoplifting making up 66% of that figure.

The second most common offence is making off without payment at petrol stations, followed by using fake plates when making off without payment, burglary, criminal damage and theft from motor vehicles.

To address the issue, South Yorkshire Police has a dedicated business crime group as well as a team of business crime advisors.

Chief Insp Butterworth added: "One of our biggest assets is our team of specialist advisors who will visit you and carry out a free security survey.

"They will look at all the ways you can reduce the chances of being a victim of crime from security fencing, property marking and lighting to protection of data.

"Businesses can also access a free "bizkit" on our website that features information about a variety of subjects including cyber security, lone working, cash on premises and social media.

"They will also find regular crime prevention features, links to national websites, spotlights on emerging trends, contact details, campaign updates and interviews with members of the business crime team."

South Yorkshire Police website

Images: South Yorkshire Police

Read more...

News: Chamber confirm president elect

Lisa Pogson of Rotherham-based Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd will become Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce's president next year.

Paul Jagger MBE was appointed as president for a two year term of office this time last year, with Lisa Pogson appointed as a new vice-president.

Following November's annual general meeting, the chamber has confirmed Airmaster's resources director as president elect who will become Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce's President during Autumn 2016.

Lisa joined the chamber as a member in 2011, and has since become a member of Representation Council, Chair of the Chambers Audit & Finance Committee and also an active member of the Women in Business group. A former Rotherham College student and lecturer, Lisa is a STEM ambassador, promoting engineering to the future workforce, and is heavily involved with innovative Rotherham-based literacy charity, Grimm & Co.

Based at Swallownest, Airmaster design, install and maintain bespoke, energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems for a range of market sectors. In 1992, turnover was £80k – now turnover is £5m.

Lisa said: "As president elect, I aim to continue to raise the profile of the Chamber locally. I am very proud to represent our members and show the positive role of women on Boards."

Andrew Denniff, chief executive at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, added: "I am delighted that Lisa has committed to becoming our president in 2016 and her unanimous appointment as our "president elect" at the recent AGM reflects the high regard our members have for her. I look forward to working closely with her over the next few months, during what will be an exciting but challenging time for everyone here at the chamber."

Airmaster website
Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

Read more...

News: Harworth in £8.5m land deal

Rotherham-based Harworth Group, one of the largest property and regeneration companies across the North of England and the Midlands, has acquired a 112-acre site in Doncaster for £8.5m.

A specialist in brownfield regeneration, the company, which is based on its own flagship Waverley development, manages around 31,370 acres across some 200 projects, with consent for 8,000 new homes. It was created through the complex restructure of what was UK Coal.

The site, close to Doncaster town centre on Wheatley Hall Road, consists of 77 acres of vacant land and nearly 200,000 sq. ft of existing employment space. Acquired out of receivership, the site benefits from an existing planning permission for 800 new homes, 200,000 sq ft of industrial space and a variety of other uses. Harworth will refresh the existing masterplan in order to create a major mixed-use regeneration scheme.

Advertisement

This acquisition is Harworth's fourth over the past 12 months, following the purchases of the 162-acre former Skelton Grange power station in Leeds, the 320-acre former aluminium smelter in Lynemouth, Northumberland, and Sinfin Lane Industrial Estate in Derby, replenishing and building on Harworth's strategic landbank for the medium and longer term.

In its financial report for the six months to June 30 2015, the group saw a profit before tax of £51.3m, skewed by the £44.2m gain as part of a complex £150m takeover deal that was concluded in March. Underlying performance included profit from operations, before valuation gains and profits on disposals, of £1.1m, up from £0.8m in the same period in 2014. Operating profit was £14.8m, up on the £14.3m reported in the same period last year.

The new structure allows the group to access capital on better terms than it has in the past, accelerating existing investment opportunities and increasing the potential to acquire new land for redevelopment.

Harworth were recently refused planning permission for revised plans for a low- density rail hub at the former Daw Mill Colliery in north Warwickshire.

Harworth Group website

Images: Business Doncaster

Read more...

News: Burgess Commercial report on Rotherham commercial property market

The commercial property market in Rotherham has been another very challenging, but positive year, report Burgess Commercial, who have been established in the town for seven years now.

Paul Burgess and Neil Keally set up the Tembleborough office to offer their expertise in sales, lettings, valuations and professional work in respect of all types of commercial property including property management.

In 2015 Burgess Commercial has sold or let 40,231 sq ft of offices in Rotherham.

In Rotherham town centre, Burgess were involved in the sale of South Terrace, the previous offices of Allotts Accountants, to local investors. In the heart of Rotherham's professional district, it follows on from their successful disposal of the freehold of two stone-fronted office buildings, previously occupied by the chamber of commerce, known as 11 and 12 The Crofts. Again to local investors, the site totalling approximately 3,000 sq ft is now available for rent.

Advertisement

Women's refuge charity, Rotherham Rise, worked with Burgess to lease 5,858 sq ft of space at 22 Main Street - the former post office (pictured), and on the edge of the town centre, Milton House, the previous home to the Lifeline charity, was sold at auction for £155,500 in September. Burgess Commercial has since secured a deal with Enable Rail Academy that has seen the training provider take 1,605 sq ft of space to offer a wide range of railway industry training courses.

One deal close to completion is the disposal of Norton House, the 12,563 sq ft office building previously used by Norton Finance in Rotherham town centre. The sale of the freehold has been agreed.

In the Dearne Valley, Burgess reports that Crisis UK, the national charity for single homeless people, has agreed terms for 3,545 sq ft of office space at Concept Court in Manvers.

Burgess Commercial continues to act as managing and letting agent at Bolton Road Business Park where 37 units are let to small and medium sized businesses. Owned by Rotherham Enterprise Agency Ltd, it has been fully occupied through the past year with just one unit available at present. The agents believe that the demand is coming from individuals and small businesses emerging from the recession.

For the retail sector, the experts report that some areas of Rotherham town centre have experienced a downturn in footfall, with areas such as Corporation Street and the Riverside Precinct down as much as 75% since the relocation of Tesco. Neil Keally, director of Burgess Commercial, added: "The High Street has befitted from much needed investment and grant assistance, with new retailers now enjoying a much improved street scene and quality of retail space available."

Burgess Commercial website

Images: Burgess Commercial

Read more...

News: Half price land deal for Rotherham university campus

Rotherham Council is offering land at half of its full market value to Rotherham College to enable a £12m Higher Education (HE) campus to be built in Rotherham town centre.

The council-owned site on Doncaster Gate was controversially cleared, demolishing a former Victorian hospital. It could accommodate a 44,000 sq ft campus - enough space to eventually house 1,000 students. The aim is to be open for the 2017/18 academic year.

Rothbiz revealed in August that Rotherham Council was in discussions with the college over the disposal of the site as the college bids to secure £4m from the Sheffield city region skills capital fund - a £13m pot set aside for training space, workshop or launch pad facilities across the Sheffield city region.

Commissioner Julie Kenny made the "minded to" decision this week to enable the Council to arrange the disposal of the asset to Rotherham College on the basis that "the Council offers the transfer of the Freehold/Long Lease interest to Rotherham College at 50% of its Full Market Value. For a long lease this will be payment up front of a premium sum and a nominal £50 per annum thereafter."

No further details of the potential sale have been disclosed. The Council has previously supported the college with its redevelopment plans, making a £5m loan available in 2010.

In 2013, Rotherham Council's cabinet approved plans to demolish Rotherham's first purpose-built hospital in a bid to save costs and attract a greater interest in the opportunities for development of the site. The historic buildings were first put up for sale as a development site in March 2012 after serving as council offices for the previous three years alongside the adjacent health village and GP surgery.

The now cleared site was earmarked for a mix of uses including office use, housing and residential and nonresidential institutions. It was earmarked to be sold off in the 2015/16 financial year.

The new campus may not need all of the site which allows the Council to retain it for future development or for the College to purchase the additional land for future expansion. Interest in using the site, where any development will not affect the adjacent medical facilities, has come from providers of specialist housing provision.

A key part of new economic and corporate plans, Council reports pointed to the fact that Rotherham is the only town, of significant size, within the Sheffield city region without a Higher Education Centre, "which partially contributes to level 4 and above attainment in Rotherham being 12.7 percentage points below the national average and 4.8 percentage points below the regional average."

Local businesses are expected to be at the heart of the campus, with provision being industry led rather than academic. They will be involved in establishing, informing and delivering the project for Rotherham.

Rotherham College is on course to merge with North Nottinghamshire College into one organisation next year. It plans to double the size of the 300+ HE population in three years.

Rotherham College website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Council endorses Magna finance package

Councillors in Rotherham have endorsed the plan to restructure outstanding Council loans that will enable The Magna Science Adventure Centre to have a more secure future.

Set in the former Templeborough steelworks, Magna is a family attraction with more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Millions of pounds have been invested in conference facilities at the centre which is operated by a charity, the Magna Trust.

In January, Rotherham Council's interim chief executive approved an immediate £100,000 loan after the Magna Trust identified a potential cash shortfall. In February, the Council's cabinet were also asked to approve a new loan facility of up to £250,000 to start on April 1 2015, taking the total available for the year to £350,000.

That decision was deferred with independent consultants, PwC being appointed to undertake a review of Magna's business, to help to strengthen the Magna business plan and to assess the future viability of Magna and to give some assurances moving forward.

The decision was "called in" by opposition members for further scrutiny and was recently brought back to a full council meeting where a full, frank and frictious discussion was held on the options available. Commissioner managing director, Stella Manzie has recently made the minded to decision on the issue but the Council's endorsement was being sought.

The PwC review of Magna was a confidential item on the agenda but the business was described as "fragile." If the Council were to withdraw support it would likely to go into administration or liquidation, placing 80 staff at risk of redundancy and leaving the Council at further risk as they would be placed amongst other potential creditors.

Magna's business plan for the period 2015-2020 includes the strategy to maintain and build on the existing business model, as a visitor attraction and conferencing and events venue. The operators say that they have several projects in the pipeline and have been talking to hotel developers about possible development on the site.

Magna successfully reached completion on the sale of part of the car park for £300,000 in March. Following this, Magna repaid some £160,000 to the Council, with the result that it now has outstanding loans of £440,000. This is made up of a £190,000 long term loan and the £250,000 short term loan.

Options for the Council, who had already made it clear that it didn't want to see Magna close its doors, included calling in the two outstanding loans - a move which would likely plunge Magna into administration, write off the short term loan, restructure the short term loan, or restructure the two loans, totalling £440,000. An option from the opposition group included providing a £2m loan to Magna.

It was agreed that the work would be undertaken to wrap the two Magna loans together as secured loans with a structured repayment plan on the combined loans over a period of ten to 15 years, with flexibility around earlier repayments.

One issue for the Council is the fact that the loans are secured only against the offices fronting Sheffield Road, which are not worth as much as they once were.

The issue of leases and a inter-creditor deed is also complex. The Council is set to work with Magna's legal advisers, DLA Piper, to make changes to the inter-creditor deed to remove all parties, other than the Council. This will enable the Council to secure all its loans against the property.

Officers at the Council will also assist the Trust in identifying and securing commercial and funding opportunities (including the underutilised land and property) to develop the business and strengthen its financial and operating position.

The report added that if there is a significant deterioration in Magna's trading position, the Council could revert to considering calling in the loans or writing off the £250,000 loan in part or full.

Magna website

Images: Magna

Read more...

News: Nikken opens new AMP facility

Nikken Kosakusho Europe has opened its £4m development on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and planning is already in hand for a £3m extension.

With European headquarters on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, Nikken enjoys a global dominance of the rotary table technology market and supply manufacturers operating in the aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive and medical sectors.

Now, it has opened a new demonstration and customer support centre - the Nikken Innovation Centre Europe - packed with advanced equipment to help companies become more competitive by increasing production rates and quality while reducing costs.

A total of £4m has been invested in the new development and the company plans to invest a further £3m on a second phase of development by the middle of 2017. Plans were recently submitted for a further 25,000 sq ft of flexible industrial floorspace.

Advertisement

Nikken was one of the first partners to back the embryonic University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The the new development is Nikken's first research and development facility outside Japan and will complement facilities at the neighbouring AMRC.

Tony Bowkett, group managing of Nikken Kosakuso Europe (pictured, second left), said: "Our partnership with the AMRC is a marriage made in heaven. We have been part of the AMRC from the outset. We share the same philosophy and the cross fertilisation between the two organisations is fantastic. We have a great collaboration and the AMRC is training our four apprentices, whose numbers we hope to increase to ten over the next five years."

Nikken believes that companies want the reassurance of seeing the technology used to make components similar to their own products on the machines which they themselves use. The firm has deliberately opted to invest in machines that complement, rather than replicate those at the AMRC, acquiring what is generally lighter weight equipment.

Bowkett added: "You won't find a machine here that is in the AMRC. The AMRC is free to use our machines and we can use theirs. It's a collaboration."

Adrian Allen OBE, commercial director at the AMRC, said: "We are pleased, proud and privileged to be associated with Nikken Kosakuso Europe – a business which Tony started in Rotherham and which is continuing to grow.

"His investment strategy broadens the scope of both our organisations to help manufactures increase competitiveness by taking advantage of the latest technologies, techniques and research.

"In addition to having customers in sectors like aerospace and space exploration, motorsport - including , Formula 1 - rail, offshore wind power and medical equipment, where we are also active, Nikken also supplies sectors where we don't have a presence.

"We look forward to continuing to help each other's clients."

Nikken Kosakusho Europe wesbite
AMRC website

Images: Nikken

Read more...

News: Rotherham retail core set to shrink

The future of the award-winning Rotherham town centre could include less shops and more leisure uses - including a potential cinema.

Rotherham Council has appointed consultants at ARUP to review the town centre masterplan following the adoption of the Rotherham Growth Plan, the strategic economic plan for the borough that has recently been signed off.

As part of Rotherham's Renaissance programme, a broad 25 year vision for the town centre and adjoining areas was identified by the community, businesses and the Council. Ten goals for Rotherham town centre were identified and in 2005 a masterplan produced – the Strategic Development Framework. In 2008 the masterplan was updated and approved by the Council as an Interim Planning Statement.

A number of retail and leisure studies have been carried out to assist in planning and regeneration decision making.

Providing an update, Sir Derek Myers, lead commissioner at Rotherham Council, said: "The Council is refreshing (after ten years) its Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan. At present we seem to be carrying more retail units than the market can fill and this has a very serious effect on the look and feel of the town. Without prejudging, it seems likely that we will want to shrink the retail core and work harder to add in more leisure uses.

"A cinema has been talked about for the town centre for many years and we see no reason why we cannot deliver this in due course.

"The town centre will benefit from more residential accommodation so there is more of a local population with money to spend in the local shops."

Through the local plan, the latest draft has proposals to extend the town centre boundary north to include the new 10,000 sq m Tesco and car park at Walker Place, and existing car park at Drummond Street, to better define the area where retail development is concentrated. A street by street definition of primary and secondary frontages has also been drafted, restricting uses in different areas.

The issue of Rotherham having "too many shops" was highlighted last year by retail expert Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company. He said that: "until a tighter more vibrant centre is achieved then vacancy will always be the blight it cannot escape," adding that: "for sustainable health Rotherham must play to its strengths and create a balanced and sustainable retail, leisure and services offer to achieve the magnetism it deserves."

The town centre features prominently in the new Corporate Plan, with the refreshed masterplan setting strategy for investment in key central sites such as Forge Island and around the river. Benefits are set to include around 2,000 new homes, waterside development, expanded cultural offer and evening economy such as a cinema, hotel and restaurants, and a revitalised market.

It is expected that, to secure a cinema, a reverse premium would need to be provided as operators say that a cinema in Rotherham town centre would not be financially viable.

On the proposed university campus being planned for the town centre, Commissioner Myers added that an agreement has been reached with Rotherham College to site a higher education campus on land owned by the Council at Doncaster Gate.

The deal sees the Council offering the transfer of the Freehold/Long Lease interest to Rotherham College at 50% of its Full Market Value. For a long lease this will be payment up front of a premium sum and a nominal £50 per annum thereafter.

A decision on the future of Forge Island was deferred this week in order that further investigations and information could be received.

Images: LDA Design

Read more...

News: Plans in for Rotherham tram train stops

Network Rail has submitted plans for new tram stops at Rotherham Central and Parkgate in preparation for the innovative tram train service that is scheduled to reach the borough in 2017.

The delayed pilot project, first mentioned in 2009, will see vehicles running on both rail and tram networks, using the freight route from Rotherham and then joining the Sheffield Supertram network at Meadowhall South.

Operated by Stagecoach, three trams an hour will run all day from Sheffield city centre through the redeveloped Rotherham Central station to Parkgate retail park. The running time from Parkgate to Sheffield Cathedral will be about 25 minutes.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is the client in this project, with South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) responsible for the delivery of all of the light rail modifications, rail replacement and procurement of the seven vehicles. Network Rail is separately responsible to DfT to deliver the heavy rail modifications required for the project.

A planning application has been submitted for a light rail stop on Stonerow Way - the road which runs between the railway line and Parkgate Shopping Park - which would allow platforms, a shelter, information displays, cycle storage and CCTV to be installed. Access to the park would be via the path which runs between the Card Factory and Bensons for Beds units which currently links to footpaths and footbridges over the rail line and River Don.

A separate application would allow for the platform at Rotherham Central to be extended away from the station building by approximately 30 metres. With tram trains lower than Pacer trains, access to each tram train platform will be by means of a gently sloping surface with a gradient of 1:25 leading from the end of the existing platform.

Information displays and CCTV are also proposed in addition to anti-trespass measures are proposed to discourage passengers from trespassing onto the heavy rail system, particularly in relation to crossing the tracks to gain access to the opposite platform.

The new platforms are set to be built at Rotherham and Parkgate in Autumn 2016.

Supertram operators have an agreement with SYPTE and will be responsible for operating the service and maintaining the vehicles for a minimum of five years. For the first two years, the pilot period will be fully funded by DfT.

The project estimates that in the first year of opening there will be 269 people boarding and alighting the tram trains every day at Parkgate. With an additional 500+ trips a day from the retail park, it is estimated that this could reduce the number of car journeys on the congested route between Parkgate and Rotherham town centre by 259.

Tram train trips beyond Rotherham are assumed to board at Rotherham Central, saving an additional 2,072 kms taken in car journeys on the network.

The provision of park and ride facilities at Parkgate has not been considered in the current plans. The potential for a park and ride and even a new railway station is being examined.

The transport assessment states that: "It is possible that some vehicles will be attracted to the new station for commuting purposes. However, general parking charges discourage long stay parking at the retail park, where turnover of spaces is as much as 7/8 a day, so this scenario is unlikely.

"Given the retail park's car park operates at around 75% of capacity there is an element of car parking available for park and ride purposes provided a suitable and agreed management regime of such spaces is in place to the satisfaction of the park's owners.

"The numbers anticipated do not, at this stage, warrant provision of a dedicated area of parking for the station but it is to be kept under review."

The first vehicle was recently delivered to the Stagecoach depot in Sheffield.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones, said: "The unveiling of the UK's first tram train is a major milestone and paves the way for an impressive new fleet of passenger vehicles to come into service from next year.

"This government-funded pioneering project will help transform travel in South Yorkshire with better journeys and improved connections. It will also boost the economy of the local area and beyond. Good strategic transport links and infrastructure are central to rebalancing the economy, bringing the country closer together and the success of the Northern Powerhouse."

Steve Edwards, executive director at SYPTE, said: "Tram train will demonstrate the potential, both locally and nationally, of this new technology to deliver value for money services. It will provide a boost to the regional economy, thanks to improved connections across the region. And, if the pilot is successful, it opens the way for tram trains to be introduced in other parts of the country."

SYPTE website

Images: SYPTE / Network Rail

Read more...

News: Acorn acquired by Axel Johnson International

Rotherham-based Acorn Industrial Services Group, one of the largest power transmission distributors in the country, has been acquired by the Swedish industrial group, Axel Johnson International, for an undisclosed sum.

Established in 1983, Acorn supplies bearings, power transmissions and linear systems to a global customer base. It was subject to a management buy out in 2005 and the growing company moved across the borough to Hellaby in 2013, investing over £1.25m in a new HQ.

Axel Johnson International is "a next generation technology trade group" that incorporates 90 different companies providing products, services and solutions that help industrial customers improve the efficiency, reliability, quality and safety of their operations.

Advertisement

The deal is expected to strengthen Axel Johnson International's position in the UK market and is seen as an important step in growing its business within bearings and transmissions.

Acorn will become part of the business group AxIndustries, specialists in bearings, transmissions and related services. Acorn directors Martin Povey and Des Spillings will continue to lead and drive forward the company's continued growth strategies.

Des Spillings, managing director of Acorn Industrial Services Group, said: "Acorn has grown tremendously over the last ten years and to continue our growth, and more importantly, to grow at a quicker pace, we needed to align ourselves with a business that could bring with it skills and resources that we do not have currently. With the European market place changing and consolidating quicker than at any time in the past 20 years, we had to find the right partner for the future and we believe Axel Johnson International to be this partner."

Mats R. Karlsson, CEO and president of Axel Johnson International, added: "Acorn fits very well into the structure of our business and will be a valuable addition in our ambition to grow the bearings and transmissions business. Over the years, Axel Johnson International has invested in many leading niche players with strong positions in local markets and outstanding customer relations, companies that continue developing and thriving in their new setting."

Acorn has nine sales branches throughout the UK and an e-commerce platform supporting customers throughout Europe. Acorn is well-known for its high technical competence, excellent logistics and market leading e-commerce platform. Annual sales amounts to £21m, the number of employees is approximately 100.

Headquartered in Stockholm, Axel Johnson International has annual sales of SEK 6.5 billion (£508m), 2,640 employees and operations in more than 20 countries throughout Europe.

Acorn Industrial Services Group website
Axel Johnson International

Images: Acorn Industrial

Read more...

News: New rail franchise agreements for the North

The Government has selected Arriva to operate the Northern Rail franchise and First Group to operate the TransPenine franchise as it claims it will provide a world class rail service that will make the Northern Powerhouse a reality.

Northern Rail, is currently operated by a 50:50 joint venture between Serco Group plc, the international services company, and Abellio, a subsidiary of NS Dutch Railways. From April 2016, it will be operated by Arriva, one of Europe's leading transport operators, until at least 2025.

The winning bid included the introduction of 281 new carriages, the full refurbishment of the remaining fleet and the removal of all Pacer trains within three years. Beginning in December 2017, new timetables will provide 100 new through journey opportunities across Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and other regional hubs.

At the same time as hoping for more investment, the Government was looking to reduce the level of subsidy for the region. Although it has been falling since 2008/09, Northern has the highest subsidy per passenger mile of any franchise managed by Rail Executive. Passenger fare revenue represents only 36% of annual turnover, with direct financial support from the Department for Transport and via local transport bodies amounting to £324m in 2012/13. In comparison, the net subsidy to TransPennine Express amounted to £41m.

On the Northern franchise, Arriva will reduce the amount of annual government subsidy required by around £140m over nine years.

The TransPennine Express franchise, currently operated by FirstGroup and Keolis, will now be solely operated by FirstGroup from next year. Here, 44 new state of the art intercity trains and 220 brand new carriages will be introduced by 2019 providing an additional 13 million seats a year.

The company said that more than £500m will be invested to transform rail services across the North of England and into Scotland. There will be a large increase in the number of carriages compared with today, meaning an 80% rise in capacity at the busiest times of the day.

On TransPennine Express, First will pay premium to the government of around £400m over the life of the new franchise, taking the franchise out of subsidy for the first time.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We promised passengers across Yorkshire and the Humber a world class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I'm delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south. This deal, and the joint management of the franchises, will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.

"In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth – today we've put that right.

"Arriva Rail North Limited and First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and – coupled with our commitment to push ahead with electrifying the vital TransPennine route – will help the region realise its full economic potential, ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system. This is fantastic news for Yorkshire and the Humber."

The Northern and TransPennine Express franchises provide many rail services across the North of England, including all services into Rotherham. Neither of the new franchise holders seemed to have listened too much to points put forward by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority during consultation on the need to "improve the frequency of services to Rotherham and provide direct links to additional destinations."

The Northern operated service between Sheffield and Hull, which calls at Rotherham, is set to become part of the Northern Connect network, with at least 13 trains per day each way operated by brand new diesel trains. There will be 15 trains per day on Sundays, up from 11 or 12 currently on the timetable.

Also part of the Northern Connect network, the Lincoln - Sheffield line, which calls at Kiveton Park, a minimum of ten trains per day in each direction will run through to Meadowhall, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds.

Subsequent studies have found that the only viable way to improve rail services to Rotherham is to build a brand new £14m station at Parkgate due to the lack of viable options for increasing capacity at Rotherham Central.

Arriva website
First Group website

Images: SYPTE

Read more...

News: Catapults "essential to the UK's industrial future"

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Sir Keith Burnett says Catapult centres can help drive economic growth and boost the UK's nuclear industry.

In 2010 the UK invested £200m in a network of Catapult Centres designed to close the gap between universities and industry, creating infrastructures which would rapidly translate research into productivity.

The most advanced of these centres across the UK focus on High-Value Manufacturing and include the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), both of which are on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, said: "UK manufacturing has a tremendous opportunity to be a global force in delivering the products which will be so important to sustainable civil nuclear energy.

"The University of Sheffield is already working closely with nuclear site developers, site operators, and companies across the UK to help them seize existing opportunities and be ready for the potential of technologies such as small modular reactors.

"However, we must not be complacent. Collaborative centres such as the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the government-backed high-value manufacturing Catapult, are fundamental in making the difference in the UK, winning vital orders.

"This is a crucial time for the nuclear industry in the UK – with the right support we could be global players, securing skills and economic growth as we work with partners to sell excellent products to the world.

"Or we could miss an opportunity to benefit from an industry that will surely grow dramatically over the coming decades. This is why our university is so committed to partnership with industry and government to ensure the UK plc benefits in an area of potential national strength."

In 2010 Hermaann Hauser highlighted the AMRC's business model as a leading example of how research centres can make a long-term impact to the economy in his first report for the government. Four years later his second report set out recommendations to ministers on the future scope, shape and ambition of this Catapult network.

The HVM Catapult works with manufacturing companies of all sizes to stimulate and support the commercial application of new technologies through the development of innovative manufacturing processes.

In the recent spending review, the chancellor said that "spending on our new catapult centres will increase." George Osborne also announced new funding to develop small modular reactors in the UK. The Nuclear AMRC is working with the principal technology vendors in support of their drive for a UK small modular reactor.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

Read more...

News: Macalloy continues to span the globe

Super strength stainless steel bars manufactured by Macalloy in Rotherham are being used to create the railway bridge with the largest reinforced concrete arch span in the world.

Dinnington-based Macalloy are world leaders in design, manufacture and supply of threaded bar and cable systems to engineering and construction projects across the globe. Approximately 80% of the company's turnover is from export.

Work is well underway to build Spain's 996m long Almonte Viaduct to carry the AVE high speed railway over the Alcantara reservoir, on the Madrid to Extremadura route. The bridge, designed by Spanish engineering firm Arenas y Asociados, is part of a high-speed rail line proposed to connect the two European capitals of Madrid, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal.

Once complete, the bridge will also be the largest high-speed railway arch bridge and third largest concrete arch bridge in the world.

Macalloy 1030 bars in 75mm and 40mm have been used as part of the anchorage system to anchor/tension the stay cables which provide provisional support to the arch of Almonte Bridge.

FCC are constructing the bridge using eight groups of stay cables – four for pulling and four for retaining operations – all are assembled on the ground and lifted into position using cranes. Before the segments of the arch are concreted, the stay cables are stressed in a synchronised sequence, applying force to the pulling and retaining cables at the same time.

Macalloy bars have also been used to create the "Solhjulet" (Sun-wheel) sculpture in Denmark, a 12 m high wheel located an the centre of a roundabout in Give.

Designed by artist Bo Karberg, it is now the new symbol of the town having opened earlier this year. The outer ring is made of steel, covered with a fibreglass shell, and the inner grid consists of prestressed Macalloy 460 Stainless Steel bars. Glass plates are integrated into the grid structure, similar to the glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris.

It is inspired by 5,000 year old disc wheels from the late Neolithic period, which were found in Pilkmosen near Give in 1948. They are now classified as the oldest known wheel, and is on display at the National Museum.

Macalloy website

Images: FCC / http://solhjul.dk/

Read more...

News: New plans for waste energy plant at Sterecycle site

The former waste processing site operated by Sterecycle in Rotherham could be brought be back into use as a renewable energy centre, converting waste to energy using new forms of gasification technology.

Sterecycle used a patented steam processing method called autoclaving to "pressure cook" household and commercial black-bag waste. The Templeborough site was operational since August 2008 and employed 70 local people. It was as a blueprint for a future roll out of waste processing sites around the country. However, the company, which called in administrators in 2012, was found guilty of corporate manslaughter following a fatality at its Rotherham waste treatment facility in 2011.

Now a joint venture between leading industry players is in pre-application discussions with Rotherham Council about the potential of the site that is adjacent to the Magna Science Adventure Centre.

Rolton Kilbride is hoping to secure planning permission for a facility that will use an advanced conversion technology - a form of gasification process - to generate heat and power from Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) together with other non-recyclable waste.

Advertisement

Rolton Kilbride is a distributed energy company that builds embedded power and heat generation assets for high energy use businesses, communities and large-scale development projects.

As the country moves towards creating a "zero waste" economy, over the next 25 years, up to 250,000 tonnes of leftover waste a year is to be processed at a new facility at Manvers. The waste is turned into recycled products, green energy, a nutrient-rich digestate and RDF. Under the contract, operators SSE will take around half of the RDF produced at Manvers to generate low carbon electricity at its new multifuel facility (known as FM1) in Ferrybridge.

When RDF is heated to very high temperatures it breaks down to provide a gas which can be used to create energy utilised in a boiler to create steam which drives a turbine to produce energy and heat.

The plans for the Templeborough site, which is currently being used as a depot for Costain staff working on the nearby M1, are set to involve demolishing the existing industrial buildings in order to build a "Renewable Energy Centre."

The plant is not expected to accept clinical or hazardous waste but would be able to "process feed stock including non-recyclable residual commercial and industrial waste together with an element of construction and demolition and potentially municipal solid waste." The feedstock is expected to come from the Rotherham and Sheffield areas.

An expected capacity or output has not yet been disclosed.

Engineers, the Rolton Group, which advises the Government and major blue-chip corporations, established a joint venture with Kilbride Infrastructure, a leading UK developer, in November 2013.

The company plans to build energy from waste plants across the UK. The generation of power from these plants will lower costs for high-energy users and councils looking to dispose of non-recyclable waste.

The provision of cheaper energy to industrial high-energy users could also help to support the UK's manufacturing industry. Rolton Kilbride's projects will also have the potential to be combined with the work of Community Interest Companies (CICs), to benefit local communities with cheaper bills and the reinvestment of profits locally.

The venture's first project is at Castle Bromwich, with further projects in Swindon and Northampton.

At a recent launch event, Peter Rolton, director of Rolton Kilbride, said: "Rolton Kilbride will integrate waste and energy strategies to create low-cost and sustainable heat and power using Advanced Conversion Technology (ACT) in a process called gasification.

"We will develop local embedded power stations that are fuelled on RDF and directly connected to industry or communities.

"Projects will generate round-the-clock power and heat, demonstrating how a cost-effective low carbon transition can be achieved in the current political framework.

"Rolton Kilbride's energy solutions will support councils paying less to dispose of waste, and facilitate the potential for Community Interest Companies to generate income streams from local energy generation centres."

Also at Templeborough, construction has recently begun on the £150m biomass-fired power plant project at the Firth Rixson Ickles Works where the 41MW plant will generate heat and power from carbon-neutral renewable wood pellet fuel.

Rolton Group website

Images: Google Maps / Sterecycle

Read more...