News: Rotherham outdoor market named UK's best

Rotherham town centre's outdoor market has been named as one of Britain's best markets at a Government-backed awards ceremony.

The Great British Market Awards saw markets across the country battle it out to be crowned Britain's best in the national competition run by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).

Rotherham was successful in the Best Large Outdoor Market category at the awards where Leeds Market was crowned overall winner by the general public being named Britain's Favourite Market after more than 100,000 votes were cast online and through social media.

NABMA awarded Rotherham first prize in the category of "Best Street / Outdoor Market" at their national awards ceremony in 2012. Since then, the outdoor market has added a fresh produce section and Rotherham Council's Markets Service has recently put in place an extension to the Tuesday street market from 62 to 95 stalls.

The market has extended to Effingham Square, which was revamped as part of the £40m Tesco development, and is intended to attract customers and draw them from Tesco into the town centre retail area. Tuesdays used to be very quiet in Rotherham but now they are one of the busiest days of the week.

Future extensions could see further stalls on both Upper Millgate and College Street creating better links to Corporation Street and High Street and ensure maximum benefit to these areas on market days. Forge Island could also be used for markets and car boot sales on Sundays.

Presenting the awards, High Street Minister Marcus Jones said: "Markets are a vital part of Britain's bustling high streets. They are the testbeds for entrepreneurs starting out in the trade and are the heartbeat of communities across the country.

"I'd like to congratulate all the award winners on being named one of Britain's best markets and wish them all the best for the future."

In November 2015, Rotherham was successful in the best town centre category in the Great British High Streets Awards, a Government-backed competition to find and celebrate the nation's best high streets.

Advisory Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: "This is fantastic news for Rotherham coming so soon after our success in the Great British High Street Awards.

"The work that the Markets Team has done with traders, partners and the community has really paid off and we can all be proud that what was the quietest trading day of the week has now become the busiest."

Dean Thurlow, operations manager at Rotherham Market, added: "The interest for our extended street market has been overwhelming, giving existing traders the option to expand their businesses.

"The local community supports our Tuesday Street Market and now have a wider choice of commodities and services on offer".

Rotherham has been a successful market town for over 800 years - its original royal market charter was granted by King John in the year 1207.

Rotherham Markets website

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News: Sheffield City Region Growth Hub launched

A Growth Hub has been launched providing a clear model for coordinating and simplifying business support so that it joins up national, local, public and private business provisions across the Sheffield city region (SCR).

The Government is working with Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs) across England to establish a network of private sector-led Growth Hubs connecting businesses to the right support.

The aim is to create a "world-class" business support service that is open to all businesses, whether just launching, or larger more established companies looking for help with accessing finance, skills and training, exporting or innovation.

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As part of the ambitious growth plan, the hub plans to help create 6,000 businesses by 2022 and with several key aims being to cultivate entrepreneurial activity, increase the start-up rate, and grow the Sheffield City Region.

With David Grimes as manager, the Growth Hub operates a central gateway across the City Region where the first contact is via telephone/email with a bank of skilled advisers. Specialist advisers can also be called in from the private sector, including finance experts who can advise and support on raising business finance.

The Growth Hub is set to be complimentary to local authority and other provision. Local authorities with resources may wish to undertake a "key account management" function and deliver local priorities beyond that of the Hub, as Rotherham Council currently does successfully. By delivering additional resources into the SCR, the LEP believes that the Growth Hub offers the opportunity for local authorities to do so but as other local authorities will not be in a position to invest in this way, the Hub will be designed to also work as a stand-alone product.

The Growth Hub could also commission products that are accessible to any business regardless of location, ending the postcode lottery of support in the city region.

Paul Houghton, LEP board member, chair of the Business Growth Executive Board and managing partner of Grant Thornton in Sheffield has been instrumental in bringing the Growth Hub to Sheffield. He said: "The launch of the Growth Hub marks a hugely important milestone for business support across our region. We now have specialist advisors and a range of programmes in place, all aimed at providing growth support for businesses and, critically, all of this support is designed to be of a consistent and high standard across the entire region and can be accessed through a single online gateway.

"However, we're not stopping here: over the next two years we will be extending and growing the range of business support activities as we lead the development of a world class Growth Hub."

£4.5m of existing Local Growth Fund allocation was allocated to set up the hub which is then expected to be backed by £83.5m of European funding - a European Funded Start-Up project called SCR Launchpad is in the works. £500,000 was secured to pilot the project with initial work undertaken to assess what support is already available.

SCR Growth Hub website

Images: SCR Growth Hub

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News: BIS to close Sheffield office

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has announced plans to close its Sheffield office - a move the Prospect union claims puts 250 staff at risk and "makes a mockery of the Northern Powerhouse ideal."

As the Government department responsible for economic growth, the civil service has had a long association with the city. Permanent Secretary Martin Donnelly has now announced plans to close the office in the prime St Paul's Place location by 2018 as the department creates a combined central HQ and policy centre in London.

Around six business centres will also be established across the country. Each one will focus on a key business activity so that BIS can bring the relevant expertise together, move people quickly to new priorities and build capability.

Speaking at the Sheffield offices yesterday, Martin Donnelly said: "Today's announcement is part of implementing our BIS 2020 strategic plans to modernise the way we work, reduce operating costs and deliver a simpler, smaller department that is more flexible and responsive to stakeholders and businesses.

"Our operating model needs to be designed in a way that works for this smaller workforce with more streamlined structures.

"The decision to close Sheffield by 2018 has not been taken lightly. The unions are being consulted and will be involved throughout the process.

"It is my top priority that all our staff are fully briefed and consulted on the process. We will provide comprehensive support to all those facing a potential change or loss of job.

"In relation to the new business centres, we will be working closely with our Partner Bodies over the coming months to develop firm plans for their office locations."

Civil service union Prospect has condemned the plans. Negotiator Julie Flanagan said: "We hear lots of rhetoric about the importance of the regional growth agenda and the need to develop a Northern Powerhouse. Today's announcement – and others like it – makes a mockery of the Government's stated policy. Greater centralisation of power in London will create an even bigger gulf with the regions.

"As the wording makes clear, this move is all about accommodating large reductions in headcount and nothing to do with the department's core function of boosting business.

"No relocation expenses have been offered to staff in Sheffield, so most of them face the very real threat of redundancy. However, given the state of pay in the civil service it will be no easy task recruiting to new roles in one of the world's most expensive cities."

BIS website

Images: GVA

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News: Mark Jenkinson & Son tops region's results

Sales of more than £27m has seen Mark Jenkinson and Son record the best results in the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber for 2015, according to the latest industry research.

Mark Jenkinson and Son, which has offices in Sheffield and Chesterfield, beat off competition from more than 20 other individual auctioneers across the region with sales of £27,244,850 – more than £7.5m than the auctioneer ranked in second place.

The research by Essential Information Group (EIG), which analyses UK-wide auction data and is recognised as the industry standard, found Mark Jenkinson and Son also sold the most lots between January and December last year – 298 compared with the 248 of the firm's nearest rival.

Rotherham commercial properties going under the hammer with the auctioneers included the former bank premises on Broad Street, Parkgate which sold for £55,000 and has been converted into a pool hall.

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Clifton Court, a Victorian building on Doncaster Gate (pictured) that was used as offices and previously owned by Rotherham Council, sold for £217,000 in February from a guide price of £125,000.

In September, the 1,800 sq ft offices at Milton House on Sheffield Road sold for £155,500. Burgess Commercial has since secured a deal with Enable Rail Academy that has seen the training provider take space to offer a wide range of railway industry training courses.

Adrian Little, head of the auction department at Mark Jenkinson and Son, said: "To have the sold most lots or generated the highest sales would each be wonderful accomplishments in themselves, so to be ranked so highly in both categories is doubly pleasing and a really significant achievement for us.

"EIG analyse all auction data and are held in high regard amongst the country's auctioneers so we are thrilled to be recognised as the top ranking individual auctioneer for sales in Yorkshire and the Humber.

"It means we have kicked off the New Year on a high and, as we are one of very few firms to hold auctions in January, we are looking forward to continuing and building on this momentum throughout 2016."

In the first auction of 2016, the historic building at 26 Moorgate Street in Rotherham town centre sold for £92,000. The flood-damaged former offices was sold a year previous and has planning permission to be converted into residential.

Mark Jenkinson & Son website

Images: Mark Jenkinson & Son

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News: No Rotherham branch under Yorkshire Building Society rebrand

The Rotherham branch of Barnsley Building Society is set to close as part of a modernisation plan by the Yorkshire Building Society Group to deliver "better long-term value and improved services for its 3.1 million members through greater efficiencies."

Yorkshire Building Society Group has announced planned changes to two of its high street brands that will see Barnsley Building Society and Chelsea Building Society branches rebranded Yorkshire Building Society. Barnsley Building Society joined Yorkshire Building Society in 2008.

The group said that the plans are part of a significant investment programme to modernise the group's high street presence, improve its digital service and offer members greater flexibility and choice in where they do business.

In 18 locations where the group currently has two branches under any of the Barnsley, Chelsea or Yorkshire brands, it is planning to merge these to serve members from one Yorkshire Building Society branch.

In addition, there are four locations in the Barnsley Building Society network where no branch will be maintained and in these areas the Group is actively pursuing opportunities to open a Yorkshire Building Society agency with local businesses.

The Rotherham branch of Barnsley Building Society on Effingham Street in the town centre is set to close, along with branches in Cudworth, Doncaster, Mexborough, Wakefield and Wombwell. The Chesterfield and Barnsley branches are set to be rebranded.

The group has entered consultation with branch colleagues and will work with them to minimise any redundancies.

Chris Pilling, chief executive of Yorkshire Building Society, said: "Our branch network always has been, and remains, at the heart of our business, providing the face to face service that many of our members prefer.

"These planned changes will make us more efficient and will deliver greater long-term value to both new and existing members. They will also help us to support the changing needs of our members.

"The plans are aimed at improving the way we serve our members and it's our intention to retain a branch or agency in every location where we currently have a presence."

Nearest branches to Rotherham town centre from July 2016 will be Sheffield, Barnsley or Doncaster.

A number of financial institutions have been updating their branch networks in recent years that has led to branch closures in Rotherham. This includes Natwest and Santander reducing the number of branches in town.

Yorkshire Building Society website

Images: Allsops

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News: Unused building transformed into learning centre

Dinnington-based wall, floor and tiling experts, A Cumberlidge, have helped to turn a building taken over by Dinnington High School from Rotherham Council into a learning centre for pupils.

The sub-contractor was founded in 1947 and moved to Bentley Business Park in 2007.

The building, which is also used by the local Slimming World Group, located on Doe Quarry Lane was in a state of disrepair when the school took over as it hadn't been occupied for several years.

However, it had great potential as primarily an educational facility and secondly as a unit that could be let out to local groups. Premises officer, Alison Clarke, approached Tim Vaughan, financial director at A Cumberlidge, to help with its transformation.

Alison said: "The roof had been leaking for a few years so the beautiful herringbone wood floor was really damp and unfortunately beyond repair.

"A number of our pupils have taken apprenticeships at A Cumberlidge so we thought it would be a great idea if they could work on the project and put the skills they're learning into practice.

"We had a lot of other work to do in the building so Jack Walker and Adam Curtis, two of Tim’s current apprentices and former Dinnington High School pupils, stripped out the old floor, prepared the area and screeded it so it was safe for people to work on - that was a huge help in getting the six month project off the ground."

Tim Vaughan added: "Once the building's structure was repaired, Jack and Adam assisted in laying a new covering of Polyflor Acoustix Gallery FX PUR sheet vinyl. The building now has a serviceable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain floor."

Alison concludes: "Both Jack and Adam did a superb job and we were delighted to have them back on site for a few days. It's great to see how much they've learnt so far from the team at A Cumberlidge – they're a credit to the school and themselves. They helped us to transform the premises into a place that can be used by a wide variety people including our own pupils and the local group. The school hopes that other local groups will also see the facility's potential."

A Cumberlidge Ltd website

Images: A Cumberlidge

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News: Tommy Tucker's Rotherham relocation

Tommy Tucker Ltd, a manufacturer of over 50 million cinema servings of popcorn a year, is set to usher in a new era of growth as it snaps up an entire Rotherham business park to satisfy increased market demand.

The family firm, which has premises in Shireoaks and Retford in Nottinghamshire, produces popcorn, candyfloss and confectionery. It is already a leading supplier to Odeon and Vue cinemas across the country, and has moved into direct retail, selling through national retailers.

The UK's largest independent popcorn manufacturer has signed a ten-year lease on 43,000 sq ft of warehousing at Target Park on the North Anston Trading Estate, which is in Rotherham, to service a massive surge in growth and provide further contingency to its cinema and retail customer base.

Rothbiz was first with the news in October that the firm was planning to move into Units 1 and 2 at the development on the outskirts of Dinnington. The planning application to change the use of the site, that was previously home to Approved Food, stated that it would enable food production and distribution and that the new operation would be home to 30 full time employees.

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David Greg, managing director at Tommy Tucker, said: "The company is in a position to capitalise on a streamlined, logistical relocation, which enables us to consolidate several parts of our operations onto one site and to capitalise on better space for future growth.

"Maintaining a base in the M1, A1 corridor suits our operations perfectly and allows for fast access to all parts of the country respectively. And as we supply nationally, location was a prime consideration."

The deal was brokered by the Sheffield office of Knight Frank on behalf of Bold International Properties Ltd. Ben White, partner at Knight Frank, said: "Tommy Tucker wanted to create room for expansion and needed excellent transport links to fulfil its requirements and the site at Target Park is ideal for its purposes. The deal is a ten year lease with a five year break clause.

"Units in this part of the country, which enjoy superb motorway links and routes out to the east coast ports, are available at nationally competitive rates, which is a massive plus for businesses looking to relocate or expand."

The firm began life in 1988 servicing a hand full of cinemas, popping corn and loading trucks by hand. The company has transformed itself into the UK's largest independent popcorn manufacturer. Employing around 60 staff, Tommy Tucker now manufacturers hundreds of products onsite and outputs tens of millions of units every year.

Supplying to the UK and Europe, popcorn, candy floss and confectionery is available in a huge variety of formats. Ranging from one metre high cinema-ready tubes, gourmet flavoured and luxury popcorn, to a new American-diner inspired retail range. It also carries licences for confectionery products to tie in with movies such as Frozen, Minions and Star Wars.

Tommy Tucker Ltd acquired RJ Foods in June 2015 adding flapjacks and other confectionary products to its growing product range.

In 2014, new machinery was purchased to increase capacity and allow the company to produce new products and move into different markets and it expects to see up to 30% growth in the business during the next five years.

Tommy Tucker website
Knight Frank website

Images: Tommy Tucker / Knight Frank

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News: Rotherham Blue Inc store closes

The Parkgate branch of Blue Inc has closed after the fashion retailer underwent a restructure that resulted in 580 jobs being lost and around 70 stores closing down.

Trading since 1912 and originating from London's East End, Blue Inc pushed on through the economic downturn, snapping up High Street stores from struggling retailers including D2, Officer's Club and republic in recent years. It built up to operate from 230 stores in the UK and five stores overseas, under two retail fascias: Blue Inc and Officers Club.

Steven Cohen acquired the company in 2006 and investors including former boss of Marks & Spencer, Sir Stuart Rose and The Reuben Brothers have backed the company to support its growth.

The Rotherham store was the company's first in a retail park location when it was announced it was coming to the popular Parkgate retail park in 2013.

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Insolvency firm, Leonard Curtis secured the future of 1,500 employees at A Levy & Son, which trades as Blue Inc and Officers Club, by advising on a restructuring process.

Neil Bennett and Alex Cadwallader of Leonard Curtis were appointed joint administrators on January 19 and the firm offloaded a number of leases. Neil Bennett, a director at Leonard Curtis, said that as a result of its intervention, Blue Inc "has protected the growth of the business by securing a more focused portfolio of stores."

Closing down signs have gone up at nearby shoe retailer, Brantano, as it continues to trade from the adjacent Parkgate unit whilst it is in administration. Tony Barrell, Mike Jervis and Rob Hunt of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of Brantano (UK) Limited on January 22.

The value retailer operates 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK and employs around 2,000 staff. It was acquired by Alteri Investors in October 2015 but has experienced difficult trading conditions.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said: "The continuing challenging conditions for "bricks and mortar" retail stores are well documented. Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers' shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.

"The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks. Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the Administration."

Dixons Carphone announced this week that it plans to reduce store numbers by 134 as it merges PC World and Currys stores to include a Carphone Warehouse in store. This has already taken place at the Parkgate outlet.

Blue Inc website
Brantano website
Parkgate website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Kier reach milestone at Rotherham’s new Emergency Centre

Principal supply chain partner, Kier Construction has reached a significant milestone at the £12.2m Emergency Centre that is being built at Rotherham Hospital.

Hospital doctors and local GPs, accompanied by key partners of the project, gathered on the building site of the extension to give the newly erected steel frame the seal of approval. The steel work now clearly marks out the shape and size of the centre which is due to open in 2017.

The Emergency Centre is set to bring modern, enhanced expert healthcare to local people, enabling doctors and nurses from a range of medical and clinical backgrounds to work better together by sharing skills and resources to provide the best treatment for the patients of Rotherham. 

The new state-of-the-art centre is set to provide a better service for patients - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year all under one roof. It is being developed in partnership with NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and Care UK.

Kay Stenton, emergency care consultant at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Now that the Emergency Centre is taking physical shape we can really visualise how the building will look when it is finished."

The trust is under extreme pressures with a high volume of patients attending A&E. Staffed by highly skilled clinicians across the emergency department and primary care, the integration of skilled staff is expected to ensure that the most appropriate clinician will see the patient, reducing the need for handovers between staff and improving the patient flow.

Plans were drawn up by Gilling Dod Architects, working with Kier Construction who where selected via the ProCure21+ National Framework, and the new integrated service will comprise a two storey development with an overall floor area of approximately 1,850 sq m, linked to the main hospital. The ground floor will provide clinical accommodation and the upper floor will provide office and staff supporting accommodation. The new extension has been designed to complement the hospital's existing main entrance that was redeveloped in 2011.

Adjacent to the Moorgate site, Kier Construction is also leading on the multimillion pound rebuild at Oakwood High School

Kier Construction website
Rotherham Emergency Centre website

Images: Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust

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News: Recognition for revolutionary Picsima 3D

Fripp Design and Research, one of the UK's leading product design, research and business consultancies, has won the Manufacturing Technology Award at the IET Innovation Awards for its innovative 3D printing technology.

With bases in London and on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Fripp are experts in all areas of product design and industrial design with customers ranging from blue chip companies, to UK leading universities, to individual inventors and entrepreneurs. It also develops its own own intellectual property in areas ranging from DIY to healthcare.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET) is the professional society for the engineering and technology community, with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries. The Innovation Awards celebrate the very best innovations in science, engineering and technology.

The award was recognition of the impact the new Picsima silicone 3D Print technology is having on manufacturing and the potential the technology will have in transforming patient specific health care in the future.

Picsima is a 3D printer that prints in full colour silicone, a world's first, that will revolutionise the rapid manufacture of soft tissue prosthetics, including "new" ears, noses and eyes.

Using 3D printing technology in the medical sector dramatically reduces the time and cost of manufacture without need for invasive procedures. A patient can quickly obtain necessary replacements without having to revisit the clinic.

3D printing often creates solid objects by building them up in very fine plastic layers. Fripp has been producing prosthetics by printing with starch powder to form a model which is then vacuum-formed with medical grade silicone. Now it is developing the system that prints direct with silicone, in full colour. It is currently completing the patent application for the Picsima process and is confident of having a patent granted in the first quarter of 2016.

The judging panel commented: "The judges were impressed with this exciting and well-presented submission which identified innovation at the highest level. As a patentable product this use of 3D printing has potential to revolutionise the medical market and create commercial benefits across all sectors."

Tom Fripp, managing director at Fripp Design and Research, said: "It is extremely pleasing for our company to be recognised by our peers in the winning of this award.

"Through the learning of the chemistry of curing silicone for a prosthetics manufacturing project, we had a "light bulb" moment on how you might 3D Print silicone, rather than mould it; and Picsima was born.

"Although Picsima is important to the company, our focus continues to be in delighting clients through innovative industrial and product design. The winning of the IET award is very important as it further reassures clients of our ability to develop and deliver market winning products for them."

Picsima website
Fripp Design website

Images: Fripp Design

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News: Marussia F1 cars up for sale

Formula One cars developed by the team that can trace its roots back to Rotherham are being put up for sale.

Four cars are being made available for sale by a private collector. The grid cars are from the Virgin Marussia Formula Team and form part of a collection spanning the 2010 to 2013 F1 Grand Prix seasons.

The Marussia F1 team began life as Manor Grand Prix in Dinnington, Rotherham. Having secured financial backing from LDC, it became Virgin Racing when they announced a link up with Richard Branson in December 2009. Russian company, Marussia Motors acquired a significant shareholding in 2010 and the team became Marussia Virgin Racing. For the 2012 season, the team became Marussia F1 and operations moved from Rotherham to Banbury in Oxfordshire to be closer to McLaren, their technical partners for the 2012 season.

FRP Advisory LLP were appointed joint administrators to Manor Grand Prix Racing Limited, trading as the Marussia F1 Team. Without financial backing the company ceased trading in 2014 resulting in 200 redundancies.

Then in 2015, formal agreement was reached with Manor's creditors through a CVA in order to allow the team to come out of administration, following new investment from businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick. Manor F1 took their place on the grid for the 2015 season.

The cars available for sale include the 2010 VR-01 from Virgin Racing, the 2011 MVR-02 from Marussia Virgin Racing and the 2012 MR01 and 2013 MR02 from the Marussia F1 Team. The MR02 was designed under the leadership of Marussia's technical director Pat Symonds. It was driven by tragic star driver Jules Bianchi.

The vehicles are the latest models on the open market to feature the kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) introduced in 2009 and the drag resistance system (DRS) introduced in 2011. The cars are available for sale by private negotiation as a collection of four or as individual assets.

The brochure states: "John Pye Luxury Assets are proud to present a unique opportunity to acquire a quartet of Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix Grid competition cars, upon instruction from a private collector and now available for sale by private treaty.

"All with F1 competition provenance from the Virgin Marussia Formula 1 teams, these four cars form part of an impressive collection spanning the 2010 to 2013 F1 Grand Prix seasons."

Rotherham-born John Booth, a former butcher and single-seater champion, has been team principal since the inception of the team. The Rotherham connection has all but ended with the team confirming in November that Booth would leave the team at the end of last season. Booth said that he was "bidding the F1 paddock farewell for now."

Booth's Manor Motorsport is one of the most respected names in national and international motor racing. His Dinnington operation achieved great success in Formula 3 and Formula Renault and played a major role in the development of several of today's greatest motor racing talents. Formula 1 world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton both graduated from the John Booth school of excellence.

Manor F1 team website
John Pye website

Images: John Pye

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News: Free parking set to continue at Forge Island

With parking charge increases on the way, free parking is to continue at the Forge Island car park in Rotherham town centre, the Council has confirmed.

Rothbiz revealed in November that following the busy festive period, the popular free parking initiative would be continued, with a few refinements. Further free parking initiatives could be on the cards.

Pay and display parking on the site began in November 2014 following the closure of the Tesco store. Operated by the Council, the car park, which has 309 parking bays, also includes free, limited stay parking in the 70 parking bays which form the "Red Zone."

The free parking is now set to continue into 2016: all day at weekends and for two hours in the car park's "red zone" on weekdays. The changes start from next week in a bid to reduce the opportunities for employees and visitors to the Council offices to use the free bays to the detriment of availability to shoppers.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Advisory Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "I'm pleased to say that we can continue to offer free parking to Town Centre shoppers at this convenient location.

"The only change we've made is on weekdays, where we will reduce the maximum stay to two hours – this is to allow a quicker turnover of spaces and ensure that local shoppers and our Town Centre retailers get the full benefit from the 70 red zone bays.

"Following Rotherham's recent success in the Great British High Street competition, I hope we can encourage even more people to come along and find out what the town has to offer."

Rothbiz also revealed first that proposals are being put forward to increase parking charges in Council car parks in the town centre. If approved, on-street charges would increase by 50p so that 30 mins would go up to £1, an hour would be £1.50 and two hours would be £3. In Council-owned car parks, charges would be amended so that two hours would increase from £1.20 to £1.50 but longer stay charges would go down. Four hours currently costs £2.80 but this would decrease to £2. All day parking would be almost halved, coming down from £6.50 to £3.50.

In meetings with the Council, town centre businesses indicated support for tariff increases only on the basis that this could fund free Saturday parking.

£55,000 of the expected £130,000 of increased income is expected to be used to offer free Saturday parking aimed at shoppers using Council car parks.

The full range of budget proposals will be considered by Full Council at its budget-setting meeting in March.

Rotherham Council, which has been in discussions to acquire Forge Island, had earmarked it as the preferred site for a town centre cinema and theatre development but has been in discussions with developer, Evans regarding a potential office campus that would bring 2,000 new jobs to the town. A Council decision on the site was deferred in December in order that further investigations and information could be received.

Rotherham town centre website

Images: RMBC

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News: Transport budgets reduced again

Rotherham Council's levy to fund transport services in the region is set to be around £11.5m for 2016/17 as the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority meets to discuss the budget for the coming year.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is the lead organisation in South Yorkshire for operational public transport delivery. Its remit is centred on providing public transport and customer service operations, and delivering the plans and strategies of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Executive Team to the travelling public. Steve Edwards took on the role of executive director at the SYPTE at the end of 2015.

Funding comes from the government and levies from South Yorkshire's four local authorities and its revenue budget supports concessionary travel, community transport, bus services which are not commercially provided by bus operators, information provision, customer assistance, Interchange operations, provision and maintenance of bus stops, tram and train services.

The SYPTE has delivered significant savings since 2010/11, with a 29% reduction in budget and a 48% reduction in the workforce. In 2014/15 and 2015/16 cuts were made to customer facing services including concessionary travel schemes and information centres.

A report to the Combined Authority, states: "Reflecting the significant budget pressures local authorities are facing, the South Yorkshire Local Authorities have requested a 10% reduction on the levy. Based on the 2015/16 figure (£68,381), this represents a reduction in funding to the CA of £6.8m."

With £60.5m set to come via the local councils, the SYPTE is left with an £8.5m "budget pressure" and is proposing to make the use of some of its reserves, make savings from debt charges, implement a number of "efficiencies" and make policy choices to raise revenue.

Following public consultation and impact assessments, the SYPTE is proposing to increase the child concessionary fare from 70p to 80p – providing a full year saving up to £1.6m.

The current concession is available to the under 16's, and 16-18 year olds in full time education. The report states: "The main impact will be on young people and their families who will have to pay increased fares, and any increases may be seen as a barrier to travel. Whilst the exact impact of this change is hard to quantify SYPTE has identified alternative products which will mean that these impacts can be mitigated."

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Mitigation includes the multi operator and single operator prepaid period value for money tickets.

A reduced contribution to supported bus services could also save £320,000.

Unusual accountancy procedures have been used to restructure financing liabilities and reduce the levies. Since 2014, the Combined Authority has awarded SYPTE £103.4m of capital grants in an innovative financing arrangement that has delivered significant revenue savings and flexibility to the transport levy, allowing for sustainable levy reductions whilst protecting service delivery from cuts that would otherwise have been necessary.

SCR's transport strategy and policy functions, previously led by SYPTE, moved under the portfolio of the SCR Executive Team in May 2015.

SYPTE website

Images: SYPTE

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News: AMRC engineer on Indian visit

A manufacturing engineer has represented the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the University of Sheffield during a week-long tour in India, hosted by UK Trade and Investment and the UK Science and Innovation Network.

Ben Kitcher has worked on one of the world's most advanced additive manufacturing programs; the development of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB front bearing housing. He is now applying AMRC technologies to renewable energy equipment.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and a partner in the HVM Catapult (the government's strategic initiative that aims to revitalise the manufacturing industry), the AMRC focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia, which has become a model for research centres worldwide.

Following Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK, where some £9 billion-worth of deals were announced, the India mission was aimed at increasing collaborative working with Indian organisations, and the delegation included colleagues from other UK-based research centres, companies and universities.

In October, delegates from UKTI and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office toured UK manufacturing research centres (including the AMRC) with representatives from some of India's largest manufacturers.

During his time in India, Kitcher visited Pune – one of the largest automotive manufacturing bases in India – and Bengaluru (Bangalore) – an emerging hub for aerospace manufacturing. He was invited to talk at two conferences promoting UK-India collaborations in the automotive and aerospace manufacturing industries.

Kitcher says companies should not fool themselves into thinking their Indian rivals were using old technology and relying on high levels of cheap labour.

"The Indians have a clear strategic intent to establish and grow their high value manufacturing industry," says Kitcher (pictured, second left).

"What I saw wasn't last generation technology and products made with a high labour content, but high tech, highly innovative and highly autonomous manufacturing. The Indians had a strong focus on technologies which will increase their capabilities, such as non-contact metrology, machine health monitoring and novel materials processing."

Kitcher was also impressed by what he describes as "an overwhelming wealth of talent" among India's one billion-plus population.

"India has a great resource of young, energetic, incentivised and well educated professionals," he says.

"The emergence of this talent is a product of a recent and ongoing initiative to offer more vocational education and training in technology based subjects such as IT, and very recently growing this to encompass subjects such as high value manufacturing."

AMRC website

Images: British High Commission in India/ twitter

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News: Arriva signs contract for new Northern trains

Train operating company Arriva has signed a contract worth £560m for new trains and carriages for the Northern rail franchise, with updated trains set to service Rotherham from 2018.

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 for the franchise 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.

Following a comprehensive procurement process, Spanish train manufacturer CAF will build the 281 carriages with the first of the new trains, which will enable the outdated and unpopular Pacer trains to be replaced, delivered by October 2018. The deal will be financed by Eversholt Rail Group.

The projects include the supply of 43 electric trains of three and four carriages and 55 diesel trains of two and three carriages (a total of 281 passenger carriages) for commuter/regional services with a top speed of 100 mph.

The new trains will include air conditioning, power sockets and tables, cycle racks, toilets, digital CCTV systems, and free Wifi for passengers.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva's UK Trains Division, said: "We feel hugely privileged to have been given the opportunity to transform travel for passengers across the North of England and today’s contract signing allows us to replace the outdated, unpopular Pacer trains as soon as possible.

"We are delighted to partner with CAF and Eversholt Rail Group to meet the high specification and demanding timetable for delivery of the new rolling stock. I hope that today's announcement once again makes clear our determination to deliver on our promises to passengers."

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.

Arriva website

Images: CAF

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News: AMP expansion plans set for approval

Plans that would enable an additional 3.6 hectares (8.9 acres) of land for employment on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham are set to be approved next week.

The UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park is home to world-class research and manufacturing organisations such as the University of Sheffield, Boeing and Rolls-Royce and smaller, emerging companies developing the next generations of cutting-edge technology. The site also benefits from Enterprise Zone status.

The AMP is part of the wider Waverley development being brought forward over the next 20 years by the Harworth Group, one of the largest property and regeneration companies across the North of England and the Midlands.

Plans submitted last year are for engineering works to level an artificial valley between the Sheffield Parkway embankments and the embankments associated with existing development platforms in the AMP.

Approximately 85,000 cubic metres of material would be needed in two phases to create development plots from restored scrubland between the Parkway and existing buildings occupied by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing and X-Cel Superturn.

Harworth, which is based on the development, has brought forward capital investment, ensuring that there is land available for immediate occupation in the next phase. It hopes that the plans would go on to generate additional jobs and investment - "Such an extension would form part of the existing AMP which is fast becoming a high profile business destination and is attracting major employees to the area. Thus, it is envisaged that the application site will be a highly desirable location for businesses to either relocate or start up."

An officer's report to the planning board at Rotherham Council recommending that the plans be approved, states: "Future development on the application site would be subject to additional planning applications; however it is acknowledged that the proposed engineering works would be carried out to accommodate future industrial/business uses. In this regard, it is considered that the temporary engineering works to create the development plateau would assist in providing a level area for future industrial/business development which will complement existing and committed development on the AMP and will assist in providing further employment on this prime development site."

The proposed engineering works will result in the loss of some existing planting along the Sheffield Parkway frontage. A draft concept landscaping plan shows a new urban frontage set to enhance the landscape character of the Parkway.

A development plateau on land immediately to the south-west of the development site is nearing completion. Plans are continuing for Phase 2 of the successful R-Evolution development for two more units, both of which could be subdivided to make four units in total. The units would be from 11,000 to 26,000 sq ft and Colliers and LSH have been advertising the property.

There is around 50 acres that remain to be developed for employment use at Waverley. A larger development of up to 300,000 sq ft, called "AMPlify" is predicted on a further 21 acres. Plans are also coming forward for a local centre with the potential for further offices, a hotel, conference centre, gym, retail units and community facilities complimenting the AMP and wider Waverley development.

There are currently around 700 people employed at the AMP, with the potential for over 2,000 new jobs to be created through further development.

Harworth website
Advanced Manufacturing Park website

Images: Harworth

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News: Chamber lands Eagles as new patrons

The Sheffield Eagles have joined Rotherham United and Barnsley FC as professional sports clubs who are patrons of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce.

The rugby league team, established in 1984, currently play in the Kingstone Press Championship having previously competed in the Super League and won the Challenge Cup in 1998. Living a somewhat nomadic existence, which included temporary offices in Manvers, Rotherham last year, the Eagles have recently moved back to Don Valley and on to the Olympic Legacy Park, where the planned new stadium for the Eagles will be located.

Until the stadium is complete, the club have opted to play games back in the city at the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park in 2016. The impressive facilities are within a drop kick of Rotherham on Bawtry Road.

For the new season, which begins in February, the Eagles have decided to return to a full-time operation to give the club the best possible chance of realising the dream of once again returning to Super League.

The club has been a member of the Chamber since 2012 and the patronage is expected to develop the long-standing relationship further. As part of the relationship, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber will feature on the front of this season's kit and will also be hosting a series of networking events for members around home games over the forthcoming year.

Mark Aston, the director of rugby of the club where he made 384 appearances, scoring 2,140 points (pictured, left), said: "We're delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce and particularly pleased to become patrons.

"The Chamber have been fantastic allies of ours over the years and it's great that we're continuing to bear their name on the kit for this coming season.

"We're keen to develop as a business as well as a club and becoming patrons of the Chamber is a big step in the right direction for us. With our home games being played at Bawtry Road we're ideally located and I'm sure that we will see lots of benefits from our partnership. We're looking forward to another exciting season and this is another boost to the club as we prepare for the challenges ahead."

Mark Hannigan, operations manager at the Chamber (pictured, centre), added: "With Sheffield Eagles going full time from this season we are pleased that they have chosen to come on board as a Patron and work with our Chamber in enhancing their commercial offering to local Businesses. With the success and profile the Eagles have, we are looking forward to working with Mark Aston and the club."

Sheffield Eagles website
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce website

Images: BR Chamber

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News: Rotherham procurement event

Businesses in the care and support service sector are being invited to attend an event to find out more about the Council's vision for care services, future tenders, investment or grant funding opportunities by talking to key officers from the Council and its partners.

The "meet the buyer" event is being held at Rotherham United's New York Stadium on Tuesday February 2.

Cllr. David Roche, Advisory Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "To achieve our future vision of care for Rotherham, we need to ensure we can commission services that deliver choice, quality and value for money.

"We are inviting providers and other interested parties – including individuals, social enterprises and the voluntary and community sector - to this event and hope they will be inspired by our vision and the opportunities to tender for contracts."

Prof. Graeme Betts, Interim Director of Adult Social Care Services at Rotherham Council ,added: "This is a great opportunity for providers to come along and find out more about how they can be a part of our future plans.

"The event will offer a wide range of advice and information from experienced officers from social care, health, procurement, Rotherham Investment Development Office (RiDO) and the voluntary sector.

"As well as informing providers of the Council's future direction, our aim is for the event to offer business support and practical advice on the tendering and procurement process."

The event will be held in two sessions: 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Sessions will consist of an opening presentation followed by free time in which to browse information points and have discussions with a range of officers.

Companies wanting further information or to book a place, should contact the Council's Commissioning Team.

Images: RUFC

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News: Rotherham cricketer enters field of business

A former professional cricketer from Rotherham has proved to be a true all-rounder having turned his hand to setting up in business.

Rotherham-born Shaaiq Choudhry has turned the uncertainty of being released by Worcestershire at the end of last season into a successful business career by launching a new fashion brand, Brothers Circle.

The left-arm spinner, who initially initially joined Worcestershire on an eight week trial at the start of the 2010 season, linked up with his business partner Naveed Ahmed to launch the new company in Rotherham at the end of 2015. Choudhry has recently secured £1,000 from the Professional Cricketers' Association personal development scholarships. Introduced in 2013, the scholarships aim to find and reward the most proactive members, past and present, on or off the pitch, in the area of personal development.

Brothers Circle has gone from strength to strength, boosted by stars of television programmes wearing their range of snapbacks and beanies.

Choudhry's former Worcestershire team mates Moeen Ali, Joe Clarke, New Zealand internationals Mitchell McClenaghan and Colin Munro, as well as England and Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and Nottinghamshire's Harry Gurney, are all helping to promote the Brothers Circle band.

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Shaaiq Choudhry, co-founder of Brothers Circle (pictured), said: "It's something that I talked about doing in the summer. I stopped playing, Naveed approached me to try and get something set up and it was too good an opportunity to turn down so I jumped at it.

"We have both set it up and got it running and it's taken off really well. A number of reality television stars and sports people are wearing our gear. We've had guys from Geordie Shore, Ex On The Beach and Love Island who have taken a liking to our stuff. That has helped us a lot. They have posted on their social media platforms as well so that has brought in a bigger audience for us. Some of these guys have got 100,000 followers and so that has raised our profile.

"Colin Munro is going to be one of our sponsored players - he's got our sticker on his bats. That will be good for us especially if he gets an IPL [Indian Premier League] gig."

Choudhry, who already has a degree in ICT, is currently studying for a degree in graphic design with the Interactive Design Institute and has used those skills to help establish Brothers Circle.

"It's a partnership predominantly. I have done all the design and the website but I have done a lot of it simply because I have been out of work," Choudhry added.

"My business partner has a day job. We have both put in a steady amount of work to get it up and running. It took four or five months to plan it all and get it all going. That's when the marketing takes over which is what I am now focused on.

"I have been fortunate that my business partner has invested as well. But the costs of setting up and getting it started was quite costly. We were learning as we were going on. You make a few mistakes here and there but generally I think we have kept our costs to a minimum."

In addition to the scholarship, Choudhry has been supported by the PCA to smooth his transition from professional cricket. He is set to start a new job as a software test analyst based in Leeds.

Brothers Circle website
Professional Cricketers' Association website

Images: Brothers Circle / Instagram / Worcestershire CCC

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News: Alcoa funds university initiatives to help students manufacture their future

Sheffield Hallam University has secured a £50,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation to deliver a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills development programme for more than 300 young people and students.

In 2014, lightweight metals leader, Alcoa completed the acquisition of Firth Rixson, a global leader in aerospace jet engine components, in a deal worth £1.7 billion. The company has offices and facilities across Sheffield and Rotherham specialising in forgings and extrusions.

Th funding will enable half-day engineering masterclasses at the University for young people aged 14-18 from schools and colleges across the city. Hundreds of students will be able to take part over the next academic year.

Sheffield Hallam will partly match the funding to encourage and support schools and colleges in low participation areas to get involved in the programme. Students who complete the masterclasses will be awarded ten UCAS points to support and enhance their application to study engineering or mathematics at the University.

A second initiative will roll out a BTEC Level 3 qualification across the city region which has previously only been available at King Edward VII School in Sheffield. Funding will give students at other schools and colleges the chance to use the University's science and engineering facilities as part of their study.

A job-readiness programme for final year STEM students at the University is the final initiative that will support job search and provide an opportunity for students to hone their technical CVs and applications, as well as to practice interview techniques.

Additionally, ten students will compete for internships of up to 140 hours at a variety of employers.

Conor Moss, director of education and employer partnerships at Sheffield Hallam said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Alcoa Foundation on this exciting new initiative.

"STEM skills development is crucial, and these three initiatives will support young people to develop these skills across the city region, and help our graduates to find well-paid professional and technical roles in the manufacturing and engineering industry."

Sean Khosrovani, vice president of operations excellence at Alcoa Forgings and Extrusions, added: "Alcoa Foundation funds non-profit organisations to help support the communities where our employees work and live. Partnering with Sheffield Hallam University clearly aligns with Alcoa's aim to help prepare the next generation of students for demanding careers in manufacturing and to advance science and engineering."

The Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the United States, with assets of approximately $480m. Partnering with Discovery Education in the US, the foundation runs the "Manufacture your Future" project to cultivate the next generation of manufacturing leaders and innovators.

Alcoa website
Sheffield Hallam website

Images: Alcoa

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News: £5m EU funding call to support Sheffield city region's economy

The Government has launched a call for proposals to apply for £1m of European funding to support SMEs, and £4m to support the shift to a low carbon economy in the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Structural funding from the EU is likely to be integral to meeting the targets in the Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP's) Growth Plan, which has set an ambitious target of creating 70,000 new jobs in the Sheffield city region (SCR) by 2023. The city region can expect £180m for 2014 to 2020 which brings together funding pots such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Six calls were made by the SCR last year in a bid to secure £17m for support in relation to international trade, investment into Enterprise Zones and innovation capital.

The first of two new bids focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by increasing capacity and capability and promoting entrepreneurship, specifically by providing support for social enterprises referred from the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

The Government is working with Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs) across England to establish a network of private sector-led Growth Hubs connecting businesses to the right support including access to local and Government funded support services. Applicants under this call will need to demonstrate how activity and delivery will be coordinated and made accessible through the Growth Hub in the SCR.

£800,000 is made available within South Yorkshire (Transition Region), and £200,000 within the rest of Sheffield city region. Applicants are being called to submit bids for no less than £500,000 and projects should be for a maximum of three years.

The call states: "The European Structural Investment Fund Strategy recognises and promotes the role of social enterprises to deliver social as well as economic impacts thereby helping to address some of the entrenched inclusion challenges in the city region.

"Social Enterprises have particular barriers in relation to their unique business model which are not experienced by other businesses and due to the priority placed on social impact balanced against financial return.

"Social and Community Enterprises have a key role to play in growth of the city region and the city region's ambition to create sustainable growth, which benefits citizens and communities whilst growth GVA."

Deborah Egan OBE, LEP board member and chair of the Social Inclusion & Equalities Advisory Board, said: "From managing community pubs and open spaces to delivering home based care for the elderly, social enterprises play an increasingly important role in the fabric of our society.

"Sheffield City Region fully supports Social Enterprises, who can be the most innovative and agile companies in our commercial landscape."

The second call focuses on the shift towards a low carbon economy in all sectors and the use of funding to "deliver resource-saving options efficiently alongside other essential infrastructures and innovations that will help boost growth."

Funding research projects and implementation, priorities include: renewable fuels and energy, in particular wind energy, solar and biomass; the wider deployment of renewable heat such as micro-generation or district heating; energy efficiency measures for businesses; and low emission vehicles.

£3m is made available within South Yorkshire (Transition Region), and £1m within the rest of Sheffield city region. Applicants are being called to submit bids for no less than £1m with projects completed by June 2023.

Sheffield City Region LEP website

Images: European Commission

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News: KFC objects to "unsound" Rotherham planning policy

Fast food restaurant chain, KFC has followed McDonald's and registered its opposition to a proposed new planning policy that would not permit new hot food takeaways opening close to schools in Rotherham.

Rotherham Council has been consulting on the Sites and Policies document within its Local Plan which sets out the detailed sites and development management policies to deliver growth over the next 15 years.

Policy SP 25 would only allow hot food takeaways in town, district and local centres if it didn't result in more than 10% of the ground floor units becoming takeaways; result in a high concentration of these A5 classed units on the same street; or negatively impact upon the amenity of surrounding businesses or residents.

A further part of the policy states that hot food takeaways will not be permitted where they are within 800 metres of a primary school, secondary school or college, except where they are within a defined town, district or local centre and satisfy the requirements above.

In response, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) considers the draft policy unsound against national policy and doesn't believe that a reasoned justification has been substantially provided.

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Consultants, SSA Planning Limited, on behalf of KFC, said: "The draft policy is not based on any objectively assessed development requirement. It effectively assesses the requirement for hot food takeaways within 800 metres of the boundary of a school or further education establishment as zero, but does so without evidence of either a link between the incidence of obesity and the proximity of hot food takeaways to such places or any particular distance at which that link is demonstrated.

"In fact, the distance chosen could have the effect of banning hot food takeaways from a majority of the Borough. No assessment has been made of the number of hot food takeaways that might be refused as a result of this or what the social, economic or environmental impacts of that might be, so it is not possible to balance these impacts.

"[KFC] cannot agree with measures that simply restrict choice for all members of the public and impact jobs and investment without good evidence of effectiveness."

McDonald's responded to earlier consultation, describing the policy as ambiguous, unjustified and unsound, also pointing out that no justification for 800m exclusion zones is provided.

Rotherham's policy states that it is guided by national planning policy which encourages local planning authorities to support local strategies to improve health and wellbeing and help create a healthier built environment. It adds: "Policy SP25 therefore seeks to ensure that new hot food takeaways do not increase the exposure of school children and young adults to these uses. Hot food takeaways will only be permitted within town, district and local centres. The Council is aware that proposals may be submitted as a departure to the plan and that other material considerations may be taken into account in determining planning applications.

"To ensure that access to hot food takeaways are controlled the policy also makes clear that such uses will only be permitted within 800 metres of a primary or secondary school or college where they are within a town, district or local centre and meet the requirements of the policy. For the purposes of this policy 800m will be measured in a direct line from the school/college gate used by pupils."

The KFC response discusses the negative assumptions of the policy regarding products sold by hot food takeaways and adds that "There is no evidence for a causal link between the incidence of obesity and proximity of hot food takeaways to schools or further education establishments and only limited evidence of any correlation at all, so it is unclear how refusing planning permission for hot food takeaways within 800 metres of such locations could ever be justified."

The proposed policy follows on from a case in 2012 when planning permission was secured for a KFC drive thru restaurant on a site close to Canklow Woods Primary School. Rotherham Council refused permission for the 300 sq m KFC on the site of the former Canklow Hotel pub off Centenary Way (pictured) due to the adverse impact on nearby residents.

The plans attracted objections from local councillors, residents and the School. Objections focused on a potential for anti social behaviour and an impact on the healthy eating ethos at the school.

However, the plans were approved on appeal when the inspector concluded: "I do not accept that the presence of a KFC restaurant/drive through would jeopardise the local healthy-eating initiatives."

The town centre branch of KFC closed on Corporation Street in 2015, a new build unit is set to open at Eastwood this year.

KFC website

Images: KFC / Google Maps

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News: Skills lead takes vice chair role at LEP

The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed current board member, Nigel Brewster as vice chair, where he will work closely with Sir Nigel Knowles who recently started as LEP chair.

LEPs are the government's new model to promote economic development. LEPs provide the strategic leadership required to set out local economic priorities, and better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas they serve. The board is private sector led and a partnership between businesses and local authority representatives across the city region.

Nigel, a founding partner of the Brewster Pratap Recruitment Group, has been a LEP board member since the partnership was set up in 2010. As a private sector board member, he has had responsibility for the skills work stream, helping to create a demand-led skills system that meets the needs of businesses in the Sheffield city region.

Nigel Brewster, vice chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: "I am delighted to accept this position as Vice Chair of the LEP. The LEP has gone from strength-to-strength over the past few years and has firmly established itself as central to UK's Northern Powerhouse ambitions. The LEP's agenda and profile has grown significantly because of the support from local businesses who recognise the importance and huge potential of our agenda. The appointment of Sir Nigel gives us a strong voice in London and around the world and as vice chair, my role will be to work closely with partners in Sheffield City Region to make sure that we unite behind plans to grow the economy.

"Local leaders have worked very hard to negotiate an incredible £900m of additional funding from Government which will be crucial to plans to improve the economy and create more and better jobs."

Sir Nigel Knowles, LEP chair, added: "Nigel has a wealth of experience in working with partners in the Sheffield city region and has played a hugely influential role in gaining powers and control over skills training in the area. This new role takes his involvement to another level and this is one of my first and most important decisions as the new LEP chairman."

As part of the latest devolution deal proposals, the Sheffield city region will work with Government to "deliver an integrated skills and training system across the local area, driven by the needs of the economy and led by the private sector, giving local businesses the skilled labour they need to grow."

It includes devolved responsibilities that will enable the region to work with the Skills Funding Agency to recommission provision using the adult skills budget and grants for apprenticeships. This means that training for people aged over 19 in Sheffield city region will be co-ordinated in the region based on the particular needs of local people and the needs of local businesses.

An area based review is also taking place regarding education, skills and training for 16-18 year olds so that the skills and training available in the Sheffield city region meets the needs of the local economy and local businesses.

The existing Skills Bank, which gives employers greater purchasing power and control in how government funded training is accessed, is also set to be enhanced.

Sheffield City Region LEP website

Images: Brewster Pretap

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News: Rotherham pubs change hands

Leisure property specialist Fleurets has acted on the recent deals for two Rotherham pubs.

The Fairways at Brinsworth has been acquired by Lincolnshire brewer George Bateman & Son Ltd for an undisclosed sum off an asking price of £1.1m.

Fleurets acted for the owners Yorkstone Property Limited, who had owned and operated the Fairways, a former Spirit managed house with seven hotel rooms, since 2008.

An independent family business, the Bateman family has been brewing beer in Wainfleet since 1874.

The deal for the Fairways is part of a continued expansion and investment programme as the company looks to attract new talent to work in the many vibrant community pubs that make up the brewer's 60 plus portfolio. Acquisitions will also continue to be a priority over the next twelve months, with Batemans keen to purchase a number of new sites.

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Stuart Bateman, managing director of Batemans, said: "We have a much defined strategy in place for Batemans, to secure its future and ongoing success and key to this is investment – both into our people, and our estate.

"We are searching for talent: be they tenants, POA [Pub Operators Agreement] operators; managers; assistant managers and trainees. We want to have the best people working in our sites, and want the pubs they run to be of the highest standard. This investment programme will continue this year, as we look to acquire other sites and increase the number running under POA agreements and management."

Across the borough, Kevin Winfield, a Midlands based investor, has recently acquired the freehold for the Midland public house, off an asking price of £149,500.

Local multiple operator, Your Friendly Local Limited, sold the Masbrough pub after ten years ownership. The existing management, couple Pauline and Ricky, are set ensure "business as usual" as they continue their management tenure under the new owners.

Nick Thomas from Fleurets' Leeds office, said: "Easily run with a simple wet sales trade, the Midland is a profitable business, a key factor in the decision of Kevin Winfield to acquire the pub. With Pauline & Ricky managing things day-to-day there will be a pleasing continuity for customers."

Kevin Winfield, new owner of The Midland, added: "Having seen the pub first hand and met with the management, I could see that this was a well run and established pub, which didn't require too much tinkering with. I am delighted to have acquired the Midland and would like to thank Nick Thomas and the Fleurets team for their assistance."

Bateman's Brewery website
Fleurets website

Images: Google Maps

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News: AMP engineers working on complex composites

Engineering experts from across the Sheffield city region are working together to develop a revolutionary system to cut transport emissions and costs while boosting reliability and durability.

Tinsley Bridge, the Sheffield-based SME that is one of the world's leading suppliers of anti-roll bars, has joined forces with Performance Engineered Solutions (PES) and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), both of which are based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

PES Ltd was established based on the F1 concept of driving innovation in multiple sectors. It specialises in enhancing the performance of components, products and systems by delivering integrated engineering thinking alongside innovative design, materials, manufacturing and testing technologies.

The AMRC focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia, which has become a model for research centres worldwide.

The trio has launched a project, co-funded by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK, to develop unique, high performance, metal composite hybrid anti-roll bars for trucks and trains.

The bars are safety critical suspension components that are currently made from metal and the project aims to significantly reduce their weight by developing a composite alternative with metal end pieces.

Reducing weight will cut fuel costs and emissions. Using composites could also mean the bars will never need replacing – unlike their metal counterparts – and will increase the dynamic loads the bars can cope with.

One of the major challenges will be achieving a sufficiently strong bond between the metal and composite and researchers will be investigating a number of innovative solutions.

Tinsley Bridge is already the fourth largest supplier of anti-roll bars to global OEM truck manufacturers and a key development partner for stabiliser and torsion bars to vehicle manufacturers.

Successful development of metal composite hybrid bars through innovation and research would create an advanced version of the product to counter the threat of low cost foreign competition and open up new opportunities.

Mike Maddock, managing director at PES (pictured, far left), said: "There could be multiple spin-offs, including opportunities in the aerospace sector, if the work we are doing comes to fruition.

"This project also highlights the value of strong collaboration to drive innovation which delivers technical advances, enabling UK PLC to take the lead in multiple sectors. Bringing together the knowledge and expertise of SMEs like Tinsley Bridge and PES, working in partnership with the AMRC raises the profile of local businesses and the region in the global market place as an important part of the Northern Powerhouse."

A state-of-the-art facility allows the AMRC Composite Centre to provide a full range of design, manufacturing, assembly and structural testing services for advanced composite materials.

Matt Smith, from the AMRC Composite Centre, said: "Although composite materials are used in a range of industrial applications, they have not been developed as a hybrid component to meet the challenges of heavy vehicle stabiliser and torsion bars.

"The strong technical and environmental benefits, increased durability, improved fuel efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions means we have the potential to develop a leading place for the UK with a disruptive technology that has global implications."

PES and the AMRC have previously worked together on a project to research the potential alternatives to composite technologies currently in use such as carbon fibre and epoxy resin systems. The technology has the potential to revolutionise the production of low volume specialist components for high performance vehicles.

PES website
AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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