News: Gulliver's land deal on track

The sale of 250 acres of land for the £37m Gulliver's Family Theme Park resort can now be signed off after it was nodded through by the lead commissioner at Rotherham Council.

The authority made the "minded to" decision last year to enable them to negotiate the completion of the sale of 333 acres of greenbelt land located to the north of Rother Valley Country Park.

Gulliver's, the operators of theme parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes developed an initial masterplan for the first of their sites in the UK to encompass all their major family entertainment elements in one location with new attractions exclusive to Rotherham.

As a result of comments received at the pre-application public consultation on the development proposals and information gained during Gulliver's due diligence exercise that identified potential ground contamination on the site of the former Brookhouse Colliery, Gulliver's submitted a revised proposal to the Council to buy a reduced area of the site (approximately 250 acres rather than the full 330 acres).

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Commissioner Sir Derek Myers approved the disposal of the Pithouse West site at a meeting last week. Council officers in the Regeneration and Environment and Legal departments are now authorised to conclude the sale on the heads of terms already agreed.

The revised development proposal has not yet been out to consultation but it will still provide essentially the same scheme as previously consulted on albeit over a different development area.

The proposals for a year round destination aimed at 2 - 13 year olds include a theme park hub, woodland adventure centre, ecology and education centre, camping, up to 300 lodges, a hotel and holiday village. Expected to be built in four or five phases over 12 years, the theme park would come first and further developments would follow afterwards.

The development is expected to be funded through business profits with no borrowing requirements. When it is up and running there are likely to be 400 jobs at the park, a number that was likely to increase. Hundreds of jobs would be created through the construction period which is set to be sustainable and done by in-house and local suppliers.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "This represents a really exciting opportunity for Rotherham in terms of development for families but also for economic development, fetching approximately 255 jobs which will be created on this site. In addition to this there will be another 130 jobs approximately within the construction industry."

Damien Wilson, newly installed strategic director for Regeneration and Environment, talked about the importance of the deal. He told the meeting: "It is a real "good news story" for Rotherham that we are able to land this investment. This is significant ongoing investment over a 12 year period as the different phases are developed.

"It represents economic growth in a new sector - tourism is an area that we are trying to develop which is emphasised as part of the growth strategy. It also represents further diversification of the economy - a new area of work where we can create more investment opportunities.

"Importantly it is also a link, or an anchor point, in the borough for a major tourism draw. And if we link that with Wentworth [Woodhouse], and the developments we are likely to achieve in that area as well, you can see further reasons why people would come to the borough to visit, and perhaps to stay.

"There are risks, there's still risks around planning, and still risks around access, so there are certain things that we will have to overcome if we are to land this investment but there is a project team approach to this and we are working very, very closely with Gulliver's project team and our own team to ensure that we can overcome these key issues."

The sale will be dependent on securing planning permission. The latest agreement includes conditions that specify that a planning application from Gulliver's must be submitted by September 2016.

The excluded area at the North West will now be retained by the Council.

The Council has long had ambitions for the site to be transformed into a landmark leisure / tourism development on a national and international scale. Agreements relating to the YES! project and Visions of China developments were terminated due to the lack of progress.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "We've waited a long time for a project that seems this tangible and this close to delivery, even allowing for the hurdles still to be cleared so we wish it well."

Decisions made by commissioners cannot be called in.

Gulliver's Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

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News: Swinton indoor trampoline centre planned

Another indoor trampoline centre is being planned for vacant commercial property in the Rotherham borough.

A former parcel depot at Parkgate was the first to be converted to leisure use last year when the flagship "JUMP INC." facility was created in a 22,000 sq ft unit offering 170 interconnected trampolines, trampolines up the walls, air bags, basketball, dodgeball and fitness facilities.

Now, Rotherham-based carpet retailer, United Carpets, has submitted a planning application for a vacant unit at Rowms Lane, Swinton.

UC Holdings Ltd, wants to change the use from commercial to an 7,500 sq ft indoor trampoline centre (Use Class D2) at Rowms Lane Trade Park. The site was last used by United Carpets and Beds but has been vacant for a number of years.

An operator for the facility is not yet known.

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An operator for the facility is not yet known.

The plans, drawn up by MDB Planning, state: "It is considered that the retention of the Site for employment use is not necessary. The Site has been marketed unsuccessfully for employment and commercial uses for a period of approximately five years. During this period there has been no real interest from industrial/commercial operators and it has not been possible to let or sell the unit. Overall therefore it is considered that the Site is no longer viable for employment use."

The applicants estimate that, if approved, the new leisure use would create five gull time and ten part time jobs.

With the proposed trampoline park likely to attract 2,438 visitors per week, 72 car parking spaces are proposed to accommodate peak visitor hours and staff and to avoid on-street car parking.

The first indoor trampoline park opened in 2004 in Las Vegas and they have been gaining in popularity ever since. The International Association of Trampoline Parks estimates that by the end of 2015 there would be more than 550 indoor trampoline parks open worldwide.

Since opening in Rotherham, JUMP INC. has gone on to open in Sheffield and is planning to open in Lincoln in the summer.

Images: Barnsdales

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News: Are you ready for the apprenticeship levy?

In April 2017 the way the government funds apprenticeships in England is changing. Some employers will be required to contribute to a new apprenticeship levy, and there will be changes to the funding for apprenticeship training for all employers.

The apprenticeship levy requires all UK employers, with a pay bill over £3m each year, to make an investment in apprenticeships. Firms are then set to benefit from this investment by training apprentices.

Semta – The Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technologies Alliance - is hosting a free event in Rotherham next week for employers in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector, to help navigate the changes.

Led by employers, the not-for-profit organisation is responsible for engineering skills for the future of the UK's most advanced sectors. The event at the AMP Technology Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham takes place on June 8. At the event, businesses will find out what the levy is and how it will work, about eligibility to pay the levy, how businesses can maximise the benefits and the about the benefits for those businesses that aren't even eligible to pay the levy.

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The Government's vision for apprenticeships states: "Nobody understands the skills employers need better than the employers themselves. That is why we are placing them in the driving seat. They are designing apprenticeships so that they focus on exactly the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required of the workforce of the future.

"A levy will put employers at the heart of paying for and choosing apprenticeship training, and place the funding of apprenticeships on a sustainable footing. Employers will choose between high quality education and training providers, or be able to train their apprentices themselves."

The levy will be accompanied by the Digital Apprenticeship Service - the Government's new online employer portal that intends to make it easy for any business to choose and pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment and find candidates and choose training providers.

SEMTA website

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News: Pension changes key to UK steel industry's future

The Government has launched a consultation on changes to the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) - the huge pension liability with a £700m deficit that could be a deal-breaker for prospective buyers of Tata Steel's UK assets.

The consultation follows intense discussions between Tata Steel, the UK government, the pension scheme trustees and regulators to find the best option for members of the scheme.

At the end of March, the Indian-owned steelmaker concluded that it is exploring all options for portfolio restructuring including the potential sale of Tata Steel UK, in whole or in parts. The formal process began on April 11.

The consultation is seen as the first step in a potential unprecedented change to regulations which would enable the scheme to modify its benefits enabling it become self-sustaining and remain outside of the Pension Protection Fund - the safety net that provides compensation to members of eligible defined benefit pension schemes when things go wrong.

The scheme has 130,000 members. Of these, 14,000 are active (i.e. they are currently employed by Tata Steel or another sponsoring employer of the scheme), 32,000 are deferred (i.e. no longer employed by Tata Steel but below the scheme's normal pension age and with a pension not in payment) and 84,000 are pensioners.

The consultation states that: "According to December 2015 figures, the scheme has assets of £13.3 billion and liabilities based on running on with a solvent sponsoring employer of around £14 billion, so has a deficit estimated at around £700m on a technical provisions basis. However, the scheme is around £1.5 billion short of what would be needed to buy out benefits equivalent to Pension Protection Fund compensation levels (this is known as a section 179 basis in pensions legislation). The deficit to buy out the benefits in full is estimated to be around £7.5 billion."

Proposed changes would enable the Government to cut billions from longer term liabilities by switching the indexation of pension increases from the RPI inflation index to the usually lower CPI measure.

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The consultation adds: "Were Tata to sell Tata Steel UK, it is highly unlikely that a purchaser would be willing to take on the pension scheme as a part of the deal – the cost and risk to the purchaser would be too high for a successful sale. The scheme therefore needs to be separated from Tata Steel UK."

Tor Farquhar, human resources director for Tata Steel's European operations, said: "This is an important step forward which would enable a better outcome for the vast majority of members of the British Steel Pension Scheme than the benefits provided by the Pension Protection Fund. The consultation is also an important step that supports the prospect of securing a sustainable future for Tata Steel UK’s 11,000 employees."

The steel trade unions – Community, Unite and GMB issued a joint statement: "It is important that all stakeholders continue to explore all available options that avoid the need for the scheme to go into the PPF, which would be the worst deal for scheme members. We will seek to work constructively with the UK Government and the scheme trustees to deliver the best possible deal for our members. We need to ensure that there are cast iron safeguards in place so this unique situation does not result in employers dodging their pensions responsibilities.

"It is important to remember that Tata Steel remains the employer and sponsor of the BSPS. They have significant legal, social and moral responsibilities with regards to the British steel industry and those men and women who have worked and continue to work within it."

Strike action at Tata Steel was averted last year when members of all four unions at Tata Steel voted to accept changes to the BSPS which saw the scheme remain open.

Tata Steel website

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News: £7m Green Business Fund to cut costs and save energy for British businesses

The Carbon Trust has launched a new £7m Green Business Fund and local firms can hear about how it can be used to save energy and cut costs at an event in Rotherham next week.


The Carbon Trust is a not-for-dividend company that provides expert advice, footprinting and technology services to help business, governments and organisations worldwide cut carbon emissions and costs.

The fund provides vital capital for smaller businesses to replace old, power-guzzling equipment, together with expert advice to boost the efficiency and productivity of businesses in England, Scotland and Wales.

The £7m fund has been made available to SMEs on a first come-first served basis, and will offer energy saving training, cost saving assessments, implementation advice, and capital support for the installation of energy efficiency equipment. Eligible companies can apply for a capital contribution to cover up to 15% of an energy efficiency project or equipment replacement cost, up to a maximum of £10,000. 

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The fund can also be used to purchase a range of equipment, including energy efficient lighting, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and energy efficiency controls – vital equipment across a range of business sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. 

The scheme is expected to support 1,000 to 2,000 smaller businesses across England, Scotland and Wales. It is expected to enable participating businesses to invest £55m in energy saving projects which would deliver them lifetime energy savings of almost £130m. The programme will focus on high quality implementation to ensure the best energy efficiency opportunities are fully realised.

Hugh Jones, managing director, Advisory, at the Carbon Trust, said: "Our experience of working with thousands of companies across the UK indicates that year-on-year savings of 20% to 30% can be delivered through action on energy efficiency.  We'd encourage smaller companies to apply to make the most of the fund on offer in order to realise significant savings on their bottom line."

South Yorkshire Police's Training Centre - Robert Dyson House - is hosting one of the first Green Business Fund two hour workshops for SMEs to learn how to make the most of the funded services available, and apply for up to £10,000 capital contribution towards energy efficient equipment purchase, plus how to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs.

The Manvers workshop takes place on June 2 at 9:30.

Carbon Trust website

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News: Gearing up to mark Rotherham Hospice's 20th year

A production manager for the local branch of Signs Express is getting back in the saddle to undertake a mammoth bike ride to raise valuable funds for Rotherham Hospice.

Based at Templeborough, Signs Express pride themselves on their expertise and innovative solutions to help businesses come up with perfect signage solutions, tailored specifically to their requirements.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers. The charity needs £5m a year with £2.2m needed to be raised each year through voluntary support.

Gareth Russell, production manager at Signs Express, took on a cycling challenge in 2014 for Rotherham Hospice and raised an amazing £5,000. This September he will join a team of 50 fundraisers as part of the "Big 20" - so called as it is the Rotherham Hospice's 20th anniversary.

Partnering with specialist charity event organisers, Skyline Events, the 345 mile trip from London to Paris also includes a stop at Rotherham's twin town, Saint Quentin on day four before the cyclists arrive in Paris on day five.

Gareth said: "It's an amazing experience. The French roads are great for cycling, and all the cyclists ride into Paris together. It's a fantastic atmosphere."

Donations can be made at Gareth's Just Giving page.

Also set to take on the fundraising challenge are Christopher Duff, chief executive at Rotherham Hospice and GP, Ted Daly, a trustee at the hospice.

A number of fundraising events are taking place throughout the hospice's 20th year. The anniversary ball, recently held at Aston Hall Hotel, raised £16,000.

An official launch event recently took place for the Tree of Life - an imposing, unique sculpture in stainless steel created by Yorkshire Man of Steel designer Steve Mehdi. Inspired by the shape of a tree in the hospice garden and intended as a commemorative artwork, the three metre tall structure will support over 290 individual leaves which can be dedicated in memory of a loved one.

The unique fundraising venture has already raised some £20,000; numerous bereaved relatives whose loved ones received hospice care have paid for engraved leaves and sections of bark to be placed on the tree in their memory.

The Tree of Life was made of steel donated by Outokumpu and built with the help of Newburgh Precision Engineering. Maher Ltd provided the tubular steel frame, JF Finnegan built the foundations with help from Peter Brett Associates. Mark Smithson transported the tree to the site and TPA Portable Roadways and PP Engineering lifted the three tonne tree over the fence into the hospice garden. The tree will glow at night thanks to ASD Lighting and there was also help from the apprentices at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, We are Branding and Performance Engineered Solutions. Pryor Marketing have engraved all the leaves and the bark.

"We all could help, so we did," explained Vince Middleton, MD of Newburgh, who dedicated the company's best welder, Paul Smith, to the task of fabricating the tree from the donated stainless steel and alloys.

"Paul did a brilliant job. It took 200 hours, working under the guidance of sculptor Steve Mehdi. We all felt privileged to be involved in a project which is so creative and which will do a great deal of good for many years to come."

Former Outokumpu MD Jamie Sharp, who has also pledged to supply the steel leaves and bark for a minimum of two years, added: "The tree brings art and industry together and shows the beauty and everlasting quality of stainless steel, a material first created in South Yorkshire."

Signs Express website
Rotherham Hospice website

Images: Rotherham Hospice

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News: Tata reports on tumultuous year for UK steel

Tata Steel has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended March 31 2016, the period which included the shock announcement that it was putting its entire UK assets up for sale.

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.

At the end of March, the Indian-owned steelmaker concluded that it is exploring all options for portfolio restructuring including the potential sale of Tata Steel UK, in whole or in parts. The formal process began on April 11 with contact made with 190 potential financial and industrial investors worldwide.

Seven bids were immediately taken forward to the next stage of the sale process but the Tata board, which met in Mumbai yesterday remains tight-lipped on the next stage of the process.

Koushik Chatterjee, Group Executive Director (Finance and Corporate) at Tata Steel, said: "Apart from the sale of some of the portfolio holdings during the year, the company has been actively reshaping its European portfolio. In April 2016, the Company signed a conditional sale agreement with Greybull Capital for the Long Products business of Europe, the process of the sale is currently ongoing.. The Company through the Tata Steel Europe Board is also reviewing all options for the UK Strip supply chain including a potential sale process which is under active consideration."

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Turnover for the European operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 was down from the previous quarter and from the same quarter of the previous year.

EBITDA (Earnings before taxes), saw Tata's European operations post a loss of £37m for the last quarter, a slight improvement from the £68m loss in quarter three but still down on the £106m profit posted in the fourth quarter of 2014.

With turnover down to £6.8 billion, EBITDA for the whole financial year saw a loss of £70m, a big turnaround from the £434m profit in the 2015 financial year.

The report stated: "Tata Steel Europe saw stable operational performance and deliveries in Q4 increased by 6% compared to Q3. In response to the import and price pressure, a tactical decision was made to focus on higher-value sales in the UK, rather than volume."

Speciality Steels in Rotherham and Stocksbridge has a £275m of turnover and is Tata Steel Europe's only Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) based business, specialising in carbon, alloy and stainless steels for demanding applications like aerospace, motorsports and oil and gas. Until recently it employed over 2,000 people. It is not considered a downstream business linked to Port Talbot and Tata Steel's strip products.

Hans Fischer, MD & CEO of Tata Steel in Europe, said: "We continued to invest in our customers over the last year by developing our manufacturing capability and by launching more than 30 new products. Our portfolio of new products is now approaching 150.

"We made further strides to improve the efficiency of our operations resulting in record productivity in various plants. We also took action to focus on higher-value sales and sales of differentiated products, which are now above a third of our total sales.

"Growing European steel demand was undermined by continued surging imports in 2015 – imports into the EU rose so fast that domestic deliveries declined, and prices came under further pressure. That's why it is vital the European Commission and national governments continue to strengthen action against unfair trade."

Tata Steel Europe website

Images: Tata Steel

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News: Amazon brings one-hour delivery to Rotherham

Internet retail giant, Amazon, has launched its ultra-fast delivery service to South Yorkshire which means that online shoppers in Rotherham can receive selected goods on the same day as ordering.

First launched in London in 2015, the "Prime Now" service allows customers to order thousands of daily essentials, household products and gift items using an app. Amazon Prime members spending more than £20 can then choose same-day, two-hour delivery windows for no additional cost.

One hour delivery is now available in selected postcodes for an additional £6.99 delivery fee.

South Yorkshire becomes the 10th location in the UK to receive the service.

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To fulfil its delivery obligations, the retailer has started creating an "urban logistics network" consisting of units typically ranging in size between 10,000 sq ft and 100,000 sq ft around the towns and cities where it wants to operate its new services - which in time could include every location in the UK.

Property Week reported earlier this year that the number of urban logistics centres Amazon owns has risen rapidly from 13 at the end of 2014 to 24 today and that Amazon is working with CBRE on its acquisitions drive.

Amazon's Doncaster Fulfilment Centre is based at Firstpoint, a distribution park just off of J3 of the M18. At 415,000 square feet, it is the size of five and a half football pitches. A new 250,000 sq ft facility is located on Water Vole Way, Doncaster.

In addition, a new delivery station opened last year in Sheffield at Victory Park.

In April, Amazon UK Services Ltd applied for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol off site from a 10,200 sq ft unit at Aldwarke Wharf in Rotherham.

It followed an agreement with supermarket Morrisons that is set to see hundreds of Morrisons products made available to Amazon Prime Now and Amazon Pantry customers.

Amazon Pantry is a store where Amazon Prime members can shop for groceries and household products in everyday package sizes for set delivery fees.

Last year, Amazon began delivering fresh chilled and frozen food within 60 minutes of ordering in selected London postcodes, testing out Amazon Fresh - the retailer's US grocery delivery service.

The Amazon group's total UK sales came in at a staggering £5.3bn for 2015.

Amazon website

Images: Amazon

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News: SCR's £2.5m transport fund stopgap

The Sheffield city region (SCR) has been successful in its bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) to continue with a programme of activity to make travelling to work better for businesses and employees.

The current Local Sustainable Transport Fund 2 (LSTF2) allocation ended in March 2016 and the DfT announced continuation funding to bridge the gap between the end of LSTF2 and the start of a new Access Fund which is set to be announced later in 2016.

Up to £2.5m was made available to Combined Authority applicants through a competitive bidding process with the funding focusing on cycling, walking and access to employment.

In 2011 and 2012, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) worked on bids to secure around £30m for various schemes. The aim of the programme was to improve access by more sustainable travel modes within four key economic corridors across South Yorkshire, including the Don Valley between Sheffield and Rotherham.

The project team went on to secure a £4.811m revenue grant for 2015/16.

Delivered under the umbrella of Inmotion!, schemes included cycle hubs, training on eco driving, Wheels 2 Work, low carbon electric vehicles and improvements to infrastructure and access to regeneration sites.

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Last year, the SYPTE handed over responsibility for the co-ordination, development and delivery of transport strategy and policy functions in the Sheffield city region to a newly-established Strategic Hub. The latest bid - "Sheffield City Region: Active, Connected, Efficient" - was drawn up with the help of consultants brought in at a cost of £18,000 due to the short timescales and limited resources within the SCR Transport Team.

Councillor Julie Dore, Transport lead for the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: "The news that Sheffield City Region has secured £2.5m of revenue funding from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund is very welcome. It will help us sustain a number of successful, locally developed schemes that encourage sustainable travel, and will provide a platform for more substantial bids later in the year."

Martin McKervey, Sheffield City Region LEP Board member, added: "This investment by Government in sustainable transport in Sheffield City Region is excellent news. As a LEP we are committed to bringing together the public and private sectors to make it even easier to do business in the City Region. Connectivity is key to this and this additional funding will enable us to continue on our journey to build a better connected economy which supports businesses to grow and creates job opportunities for residents."

Sheffield City Region LEP website

Images: inmotion!

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News: Expansion for Sutton McGrath Hartley

South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire based Chartered Accountants, Sutton McGrath Hartley has been expanding its teams throughout 2016 to strengthen their multi-disciplinary offering to clients.

Graham Garbett, who has over 20 years' experience as a chartered accountant, forensic accountant and corporate finance adviser, has joined the firm as corporate finance adviser offering to provide corporate and commercial finance advice to meet the demands of the firm's expanding client base.

The firm, which is in the process of opening a new office in Rotherham, helps clients across all stages of their development, through business acquisitions, strategic planning, financial forecasting, accessing finance for business growth or developing a suitable exit strategy.

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In addition to the core services of accountancy and tax advice, the firm has expanded into new areas in recent years with the development of Wills & Probate and Financial Services departments.

The Wills & Probate department has two new additions with solicitor, Tom Rodgers and business development executive, Jayne Thompson. The accounts department welcomes back Mark Bardwell as senior accountant. Anthony Roddis joins to expand the financial services team and Brendan Hall comes in as marketing manager.

Reccomended reading: Four Types Of Breaches That Can Occur For Accountants

David Sutton, managing partner at Sutton McGrath Hartley, said: "We have a keen desire to grow Sutton McGrath Hartley as a full service offering for both business and personal clients, and in order to do this we need to recruit commercially minded individuals at the right level to help achieve our long term plans.

"We are focussed on offering a first class client service and adding to our in house teams will enable our clients to benefit from new areas of expertise. I fully expect the recruitment drive to continue throughout the remainder of 2016 and beyond as we expand our services areas and geographical footprint."

Sutton McGrath Hartley website

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News: Annual sales growth at AESSEAL

Award-winning Rotherham manufacturer, AESSEAL, has seen sales increase for 2015 despite challenging conditions in the oil and gas sector.

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

The firm has previously seen sales and profits grow every year for over 30 years.

AES Engineering Ltd, parent to the AESSEAL Group, has reported its annual results for the year to December 31 2015 which showed sales improve slightly by 1% from £141.8m to £142.9m. The company said that if adjusted for currency fluctuations in the year, the organic sales growth would be 3.5%.

However, EBITDA (Earnings before taxes), which rose to £25.2m in 2014, up 6% on 2013, fell by 5% to £23.9m. The firm, which supplies customers in 104 countries, said: "The majority of this reduction was due to reduced sales into the oil and gas industry, in particular in Mexico, where the impact of the fall in the oil price has been most significant for the group.

"International business remains challenging but AESSEAL sister companies around the world helped secure a satisfactory result for 2015. Particular strong performers in the year against 2014 were AESSEAL China, AESSEAL Malaysia and AESSEAL Finland."

AESSEAL recently picked up another Queen's Award. The company and its subsidiaries have now won 13 of the awards which are considered the highest official UK awards for British businesses.

The award for Innovation is in recognition of the development of a novel modular approach with standardised components, to deliver a step change in the supply chain for seal support systems.

After the year end, AES Engineering Ltd secured a new £15m, five year multi-currency facility with long term banking partner, HSBC.

AESSEAL continues to focus on innovation, again investing 9% of sales in Research & Development (R&D) in 2015, around £3.9m.

An £8.7m project to expand the company's UK R&D and manufacturing capability is underway. In 2012, the growing firm secured secured £1.7m from the Government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF). AESSEAL purchased land adjoining the Global Technology Centre HQ in Rotherham, which has already expanded a number of times. It could lead to to staff numbers doubling over time.

AES currently employs more than 1,650 people worldwide, of whom approximately 680 are in the UK and Ireland and more than 350 in Rotherham.

AESSEAL website

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News: Metalysis move welcomed

A deal has been confirmed that will see Metalysis, the Rotherham-based innovator, take space on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) to create a process facility for its patented low-cost way to manufacture titanium and other specialist powder metals.

The Manvers company employs around 50 staff and is in the process of commercialising the technology to produce titanium, tantalum, and related high value alloys. These are used increasingly by major worldwide industries such as aerospace, marine, medical, chemical, automotive and electronics.

The company, an investor and grant-backed Cambridge University spin out, recently secured £20m as it sets out plans for an initial public offering (IPO) to float on the stock exchange.

Rothbiz revealed in April that the company was planning to take Unit 4 of the popular R-evolution development, joining Boeing, Rolls Royce, the University of Sheffield, Castings Technology International (CTI), Dormer Tools, Sandvik Coromant and TWI on the UK's premier advanced manufacturing park.

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Now property consultancy Commercial Property Partners (CPP) has confirmed that it has secured the deal on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC). CPP was joint agent with Colliers on the deal.

The 22,000 sq ft unit was created following the signing a £4.3m forward-purchase agreement between landowners and developers, Harworth Estates and Rotherham Council in 2014.

Ed Norris, partner at CPP, said: "This is a significant deal for our client RMBC and great news for the local and regional economy here in South Yorkshire.

"The AMP, ideally situated in the heart of the UK, is designed to accommodate specialist advanced engineering and manufacturing companies and we are very proud to see it fast becoming the UK centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing.

"Unsurprisingly demand for space in the park continues to remain very strong, and as a result commands the highest capital values in the region."

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, at Rotherham Council, added:: "Rotherham is continually evolving, attracting world class investment and growing its manufacturing base by providing quality commercial opportunities for the people and businesses of the borough.

"From our award-winning business centres to the UK's Premier Advanced Manufacturing Park, businesses are choosing to come to a borough that is totally committed to manufacturing."

The Metalysis technology, which produces metal powder directly from oxide using electrolysis, has the potential to significantly increase production volumes. The process uses less energy and also means that innovative alloys can be tailored to have the desired properties for specific applications.

High grade and uniform, the lower-cost powders suit a wide variety of 3D printing needs across a variety of high-tech, industrial and manufacturing sectors. For example, further to the 3D printing of aerospace and automotive components, Metalysis has recently completed a programme with TWI, a UK leader in materials technology innovation that has a base on the AMP in Rotherham, which demonstrated the feasibility of its bespoke powders for 3D printing orthopaedic hip implants.

Metalysis is also working on major development projects with aerospace experts, GKN and German car maker, VW.

Around 20 people are initially set to be based at the new process site, with plans to double this number over time.

Metalysis website

Images: Metalysis / Structural Interiors

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News: Tata board set to meet as steelworkers march on London

Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, has met with bosses at Tata in Mumbai to discuss the sale of its UK assets ahead of a planned board meeting today.

The Indian-owned steelmaker concluded that it is exploring all options for portfolio restructuring including the potential sale of Tata Steel UK, in whole or in parts. The formal process began on April 11 with contact made with 190 potential financial and industrial investors worldwide.

Seven bids were immediately taken forward to the next stage of the sale process whilst Tata Steel Europe clarified outstanding points with a number of other parties who submitted an expression of interest. There have been constant rumours since the sale process started of who the bidders are, and even Tata themselves may consider keeping some UK assets.

Mr Javid said that there were "several credible bidders in play" and that he was "determined to keep momentum and find right buyer."

Angela Eagle MP, the Shadow First Secretary of State and Business Secretary, said: "We sincerely hope a suitable bid can be found which preserves the blast furnaces, the 15,000 high-skill jobs, and our domestic steel-making capacity.

"But the Tory Government must address the underlying challenges to the industry; on energy, business rates, procurement, and most importantly, preventing Chinese dumping. The Government must stop kow-towing to China and start standing up for our steel."

Hundreds of steelworkers from across the country, including from South Yorkshire are marching through the streets of London to demand the Government firstly ensure the responsible sale of Tata Steel's UK assets and secondly deliver a proper industrial strategy that supports the entire steel sector throughout the current crisis and into a profitable future.

Speaking ahead of the march, Roy Rickhuss General Secretary of Community - the steelworker's union, said: "George Osborne once said that he wanted "a march of the makers", well today he's got one. We are the steel makers and we are marching for our futures.

"For months, the "Save Our Steel" campaign has engaged hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. This march will bring steelworkers to London to focus all our attention on delivering a clear message to government: save our jobs, support our communities and deliver the fantastic future for British steelmaking we know it can have.

"Over the past few weeks I have visited every steelworks at risk. I have listened to the hopes and fears of hundreds of steelworkers and I will make sure those views are heard when Tata is assessing the various bids."

Tata Steel Europe

Images: Community Union

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News: A million tonnes for Maltby Colliery's six year restoration

The restoration of Maltby Colliery in Rotherham is expected to take over six years and could include the importation of 1.32 million tonnes of material.

Rothbiz reported in February that new plans were being developed for the restoration of the mothballed Maltby pit site. The 200 hectare colliery was mined for over 100 years until geological conditions could not be overcome and underground operations ceased in 2013.

It had been expected to continue coal production until 2025 but owners and operators, Hargreaves decided to mothball the mine following no viable alternative solution being found to geological reports that indicated that the risks associated with mining a new panel, called T125, had not significantly reduced and that the panel was not viable on health and safety, geological, and financial grounds.

The winding tower was brought down in 2014 and the mine shafts have been filled and capped. With the sudden closure, the future restoration scheme, included in the planning permission for the mine's operation, is being re-examined.

On behalf of Hargreaves Maltby Limited, consultants at Signet Planning have now submitted new detailed planning documents to Rotherham Council outlining the scheme.

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The plans state: "The Reclamation Scheme will be carried out over a six year and six month period, with cut and fill operations, the import of 1.32 million tonnes of suitable fill material and 150,000 tonnes of soil making materials and restoration of the former colliery tip to beneficial after-uses, including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation enhancement, and temporary ancillary and associated activities and the export of the residual stocks of mineral involving up to 65,000 tonnes of coal fines and 20,000 tonnes of deep mined coal to market."

Planning permission was refused last year for the importation of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of MRF - a fine slurry-like material which is formed during the washing and reclamation of coal fines (tiny coal particles).

The lagoons need to be filled and tip areas need to be lowered. The site is set to be treated with grass seeding, tree planting, ditching, fencing and the creation of paths, "which will result in an appropriate and productive landform with a range of habitat types and uses including amenity grassland, agriculture, public access and nature conservation."

It is set to include 19.8 hectares of new native broadleaved woodland and scrub; 23.1 hectares of neutral grassland with wildflowers; 47.2 hectares of amenity grassland and/or biomass; and 3.6 kilometres of new public access routes linking with the wider rights of way network.

The site sits within the borough's Green Belt and the majority of the Maltby site is being put forward through the Local Plan as remaining in the green belt with a pocket of development, which includes the pit yard, associated buildings and access, not considered suitable for a business park with offices or industrial units but instead used for "for waste and energy activities."

Work is set to start in the south west, nearest to Maltby, then proceeding to the north and then north east. The planning permission would allow for up to 300,000 tonnes per annum to be imported from a variety of sources over a five year and seven month period. The maximum quantity of fill required to achieve the proposed landform through recovery is estimated to be a total 1,320,000 tonnes - a worst case scenario for the relative density of the imported fill material.

Mostly brought to site by road, the possibility of using the rail sidings to import material is discussed. The plans add: "The number of vehicles which could be added to the local highway network would remain small, involving an assumed worst case of five to six HGV arrivals per hour (or ten to 12 HGV movements)."

Consultees have reacted largely positively to the initial plans but council officers are waiting on a more detailed Transport Assessment before commenting on the potential impact on the road network.

It is anticipated that the fill material to be imported will "typically be inert and non-hazardous wastes such as construction and demolition arisings."

Around 20 jobs would be created as the six phase restoration is scheduled to start in September 2016 after the remaining coal is exported. This figure would reduce to 14 jobs after the first six months.

The plans admit that local residents will experience some disturbance from the reclamation scheme but add that it will provide longer term benefits to the quality of life for residents and visitors. They conclude: "The reclamation scheme which has been prepared represents a safe, sustainable and appropriate proposal. The restoration proposals incorporate ecological, landscape and recreational enhancement measures which will contribute to the quality of life in the locality of the former colliery."

The former colliery pit yard is set to be retained for another five years following restoration. The immediate future of the site is as Maltby Energy Park, with operator Alkane Energy generating energy from the coal mine methane assets for an estimated period of up to 15 years.

The restoration scheme is to be funded by Hargreaves. Previous external funding schemes used to regenerate colliery sites at Dinnington and Manvers have disappeared. Hargreaves intends to use the proceeds from the exported coal, and "gate fee" revenue from imported material to help fund the restoration.

The Durham firm recently announced that it was scaling back its coal business as part of a restructure plan aimed at growing revenue from transport, property and renewable energy.

Hargreaves website

Images: Hargreaves / Signet Planning

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News: Foreign Direct Investment increases in region

The UK gave an outstanding performance attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2015, bringing in a record 1,065 FDI projects and creating over 42,000 jobs, the most in any year since Ernst & Young launched the Attractiveness programme in 1997.

The multinational professional services firm analyses the attractiveness of a particular region or country as an investment destination and the report is designed to help businesses make investment decisions and governments remove barriers to growth.

According to the latest UK Attractiveness Survey, Yorkshire and the Humber landed the 83 projects, which represent an increase of 66% on 2014's figures when the region attracted 50 projects.

31 FDI projects were recorded in Leeds in 2015, seven in Sheffield; six in Barnsley; and three in Rotherham.

Stuart Watson, Yorkshire & Humber senior partner at EY, said: "The work that has taken place to position the whole of Yorkshire & Humberside as a strong investment location in the global marketplace is starting to pay off. These figures show that the international investment community has seen the potential in the region with its access to the right skills, infrastructure and strong supply chain networks."

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London dominated overall but the report also showed that manufacturing FDI is powering the UK's regional resurgence. With London attracting only a tiny slice of manufacturing production investments, any increase in the UK's performance in securing manufacturing FDI has a disproportionately positive impact at a regional level. Yorkshire and the West Midlands were the big winners when it came to manufacturing FDI.

For the year Yorkshire and Humberside attracted 42 investment projects in the manufacturing sector. This included six HQs, three R&D facilities and 27 plants.

The report shows that the UK has a 14% European market share of manufacturing FDI projects versus over 20% on average across all sectors. Its authors add that, given the difficult environment facing the manufacturing sector, it's important to act now to attract more projects of this type. Watson added: "The UK attracted more manufacturing projects than Germany for the second year running, underpinned by the strong performance of the North. But there is still more market share to be had. We need a more clearly articulated and ambitious manufacturing strategy. Investors in this sector particularly highlight how important infrastructure, especially roads, is when deciding where to locate.

"Improving transport links throughout the North is particularly important for achieving economic growth. The groundwork for this transformation is now taking place, and recent developments such as the establishment of Transport for the North committee and the development of the Northern Transport Strategy should serve to provide clear ideas and a unified voice for advancing the North’s transport investment priorities with the Government.

"The demand for good transport infrastructure makes projects such as HS3 and the electrification of the transpennine rail route are all the more essential, as they will bring better connectivity within the region, reduce logistic times, and could expand the catchment for skilled labour."

While the US dominated in all UK regions, significant sources of investment for Yorkshire and the Humber were India, the Netherlands and Germany.

India was the second biggest origin for FDI projects for Yorkshire and the Humber in 2015, compared to fifth by number of projects for the UK as a whole. China, however, which was ranked 3rd in the UK as a whole didn't rank in the top nine in Yorkshire and the Humber.

FDI projects covered by Rothbiz in 2015 include South Korean multinational KD Navien choosing Rotherham for its UK HQ.

investments came in the form of Nikken Kosakusho Europe opening its £4m development on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and planning for a £3m extension; American-owned JELD-WEN, the leading manufacturing company, investing almost £4m in its Woodhouse Mill production facilities to meet increased product demand; and Irish-owned MGB Plastics, making a seven figure investment in new machinery at its Rotherham facility to help increase production and target new markets.

Takeovers included Rotherham-based Hempel Wire, one of the world's leading round and shaped wire manufacturers, being acquired by Canadian firm, Central Wire Industries; and the acquisition of Rotherham-based Acorn Industrial Services Group, one of the largest power transmission distributors in the country, by the Swedish industrial group, Axel Johnson International.

March saw Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners invest £150m when it acquired 100% of the Brite Partnerhsip's biomass-fired power plant project at Templeborough.

EY website

Images: EY

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News: Enterprising Amy recruited for new role

Amy Stephenson, the founder and director of Human Recruitment in Rotherham, has been matched with local school, Wickersley School and Sports College, as part of a Enterprise Advisers programme, which sees volunteers from the world of work and business team up with schools to increase the quality and quantity of careers and enterprise learning for young people.

After being one of five pilot areas that helped to develop the scheme last year, the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) wants to match a volunteer Enterprise Adviser from the business and public sector with every secondary and special school and college in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Enterprise Advisers will help schools and colleges to prepare young people for future jobs and careers, develop a whole school strategy for careers, enterprise and employer engagement and link them to local business contacts and networks.

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Fourteen schools and colleges have already been matched through the programme in Rotherham, with more schools expressing an interest to join.

Amy was the first local business person to complete the application process to become an Enterprise Adviser when the Enterprise Adviser Network programme started in earnest earlier this year.

Founded three years ago, Human has offices in RiDO's Moorgate Crofts business centre and at Albion House in Sheffield and an independent and ethical approach to recruitment. It is a specialist HR, marketing and commercial recruitment and search agency.

Amy Stephenson, director of Human Recruitment (pictured, centre), said: "For me, the Enterprise Adviser programme is about giving back. My parents had businesses so I was introduced to the world of work at a young age, and I've worked with many business across the region throughout my career. I am really passionate about enterprise and employability skills and what they can do for young people and their futures. I had it instilled in me that anything is possible with hard work and a bit of determination. I want young people to feel as empowered as I did when I first left education."

Amy recently met with Rachel Mullins, head of careers at Wickersley, and Jess Stevenson, the school's assistant head. Rachel said: "We were looking for an Enterprise Adviser who had broad knowledge about what's out there and what employers are looking for, and Amy's background is ideal for that. We're excited about how the programme will add value to our work."

Assistant head, Jess Stevenson, added: "Our students are keen to hear directly from business people and employers about the world of work. It helps inspire them, and informs their thinking. This process will help us create more opportunities for young people to have those encounters."

Human Recruitment website
Enterprise Adviser website

Images: Enterprise Adviser SCR

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News: Over 250 attend inaugural Skills Summit

More than 250 businesses attended the Sheffield City Region's first official Summit.

Businesses that took part in the Skills Summit listened to high profile speakers discuss how taking on an apprentice can help their business, the wide range of support available to businesses and some of the real skills success stories in the Sheffield City Region.

Held last week at Rotherham United's £20m New York Stadium, keynote speakers were Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills, and Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP.

Skills Minister Nick Boles described how the summit showed the seriousness of the region in taking control of the issue of skills, showing commitment and enthusiasm to increasing productivity.

He said: "Skilled people are the lifeblood of a strong economy. That's why we are working in partnership with employers to ensure young people have the skills businesses need to grow and compete. The Sheffield City Region's economy was built by small businesses. Events like the Skills Summit offer businesses the opportunity to work with the City Region to ensure that any investment meets the real needs of the business community."

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Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP, added: "The Sheffield City Region provides a straight-forward and reliable business environment with a sensible regulatory system that champions innovation and creativity. This business-minded culture comes from our track record of working together to grow our businesses and the local economy, and to make the region an even better place to live. In order to capitalise on this innovation we need to continually invest in the development of skills at all levels of the workforce, from apprentices to senior managers. The Skills Summit enabled businesses to discover how we intend to achieve this goal and ensure that the city region realises its ambitious targets."

The former global co-chairman of law firm, DLA Piper added that businesses investing in skills is just the same as investing in new technology in that skilled staff are a source of competitive advantage.

The event also saw the official launch of the SCR Skills Bank - the £17m fund which will be used to upskill employees.

Nigel Brewster, vice chair of the LEP, discussed the Skills Bank which is based on business feedback on provision which needed simplifying. The provision is complimentary and a test of how to link skills to business growth.

"The Skills Bank is unashamedly about co-investment and unashamedly about growth," said Brewster. "Businesses wanting to use the fund will need to show how it will help them grow. The extent of matched funding will vary for each skills deal depending on the GVA [Gross Value Added] potential."

SCR Skills Bank website

Images: SCR LEP

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News: New research to explore additive repair for aerospace

Additive manufacturing experts at the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham are leading international research into innovative repair technologies for the aerospace industry.

The Amos project (Additive manufacturing optimisation and simulation platform for repairing and remanufacturing of aerospace components) is a collaboration between researchers and manufacturers in Europe and Canada, led by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) 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.

Amos will investigate a range of direct energy deposition techniques which combine welding tools with automated control to accurately deposit and melt metal powder or wire. Many of these techniques are already used in aerospace and other industries to build new parts to near-net shape.

The project will focus on additive technologies already being used by the partners, including the wire-feed gas tungsten arc process used in the Nuclear AMRC's bulk additive cell. The team may also look at other additive techniques used at the Nuclear AMRC, such as powder diode laser.

The aim is to see if the techniques can be used to repair or remaunufacture components such as turbine blades or aircraft landing gear. This would significantly reduce the time and cost of regular maintenance and repair for the aerospace industry, while reducing material waste and extending the life of expensive components.

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Dr Rosemary Gault, European project coordinator at the University of Sheffield AMRC, said: "There's a host of additive manufacturing technologies available to aerospace manufacturers, but they tend to be focused on new production rather than repairing damaged parts. The Amos project is bringing together some of the world's leading research organisations and companies to identify which additive technologies are best suited for repair and remanufacture, and develop them for commercial use."

Other partners in the project include Ecole Central de Nantes in France; GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, based in Sweden; and DPS, a French SME specialising in process simulation and optimisation.

Canadian partners are McGill University, Montreal; the University of Ottawa; jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada; landing gear supplier Héroux-Devtek; and automated welding specialist Liburdi.

The four-year, €2.6 million project is supported by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 programme and by Canadian funding agencies CARIC and NSERC. It is one of the first European-Canadian projects to be funded under the "Mobility for growth" collaboration in aeronautics R&D.

AMRC website
AMOS Project website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Local legal firm in charity challenge

Where there's a will, there's a way to support Rotherham Hospice, thanks to a month long initiative at local solicitors, Malcolm C Foy & Co.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers. The charity needs £5m a year with £2.2m needed to be raised each year through voluntary support.

With offices in Doncaster and Rotherham, Malcolm C Foy & Co are offering a 50% discount on Wills between May 23-27. After that, throughout the whole of June, the firm will draw up a professionally drafted Will for you, and will ask only for a donation to Rotherham Hospice in return.

It is estimated that 30 million adults in the UK who do not have a will so the solicitors are calling on them to bite the bullet and get their affairs in order, and at the same time support the brilliant work of the hospice.

Sarah Hartley, director at Malcolm C Foy & Co, said: "We are really proud to be supporting Rotherham Hospice this year by taking part in the Make A Will Month. Rotherham Hospice needs to raise £5m every year to continue running and providing critical support at the time it is needed most, and I am confident that the people of Rotherham will come out in force to support their local hospice."

Suggested donation amounts are £90 for a single Will and £160 for joint / mirror Wills, Malcolm C Foy & Co provide you with a receipt, and send your whole donation to Rotherham Hospice.

The solicitors are taking part in the Master Cutler's Challenge 2016 which sees local firms take a £50 investment and do everything in their power to see it grown and raise money for Master Cutler Craig McKay's two nominated charities, St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice.

As part of the challenge, the MCF team recently took part in the 2016 Rother Valley Colour Run.

Malcolm C Foy & Co website

Images: Malcol C Foy

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News: Pyronix acquired by Hikvision - significant investment planned

One of Rotherham's manufacturing success stories, Pyronix, has been acquired by China's Hikvision, the world's largest supplier of video surveillance products and solutions.

Based in Hellaby, Pyronix is an award-winning manufacturer with an extensive range of electronic security equipment for intruder alarms.

The firm sells around £11m worth of security products to the UK market and new markets export markets such as Italy, Russia and Poland have been identified where the aim is to replicate the sales success.

Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange where it has a market capitalisation of $18 billion, Hikvision was established in 2001 and boasts "the industry's strongest R&D workforce" and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to design and develop innovative CCTV and video surveillance products.

In 2015, the Hangzhou-based company captured 16.3% of the global market share in CCTV and video surveillance equipment and reported more than 5% growth over the previous year. The company enjoyed $2.82 billion in total sales revenue in 2014.

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The deal, for an undisclosed amount, sees Jiang Feng Zhi, become chairman of Pyronix. Julie Kenny CBE DL, the founder and major share holder has led the growth of Pyronix as chair and chief executive.

Founded in 1986 and now in its 30th year of operation Pyronix employs around 155 staff in the manufacture, sales, production and distribution of high quality security alarms, and with turnover around £22m, the firm exports to over 70 countries worldwide.

Julie Kenny, founder of Pyronix, said: "This acquisition represents a huge opportunity for Pyronix, Rotherham, and the region. The foreign direct investment that this will bring to the UK will be huge. Hikvision has big plans for the growth of Pyronix and the continued development globally. In the last 15 years Hikvision has demonstrated what can be achieved in the video surveillance market. With this guidance, Pyronix can achieve great things in the global market place."

Jiang Feng Zhi, chairman of Pyronix, added: "These are exciting times for Pyronix and Hikvision as the two companies work together. Hikvision has plans for significant investment in the UK and particularly in its UK-based manufacturing, with plans to dramatically expand operations. We are delighted to welcome Pyronix to Hikvision group, and we look forward to growing the business through introduction of intruder alarm products to the global market."

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The companies believe that with Hikvision applying Pyronix expertise and know-how in intrusion detection systems to its leading position in the video surveillance market, the result will mark the future of security systems.

Sebastian Herrera, chief executive officer of Pyronix, said: "Hikvision and Pyronix combined know-how will bring new advancements and innovative products to the market, converging two security technologies in video surveillance and intrusion detection."

In addition to recently taking a further 18,000 sq ft of space at Hellaby. A 14,500 sq ft extension of existing premises is also being realised to meet future demands. More of the high end manufacturing has been brought back from China.

Pyronix website
Hikvision website

Images: Pyronix

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News: Rotherham Civic Society disappointed with "cut and paste" masterplan

Rotherham Civic Society has expressed its profound disappointment at the quality of an updated masterplan for Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported first on the town centre masterplan in March which identified eight "key moves" to continue the regeneration of the award-winning town centre.

The first key move is the development of a leisure hub on Forge Island, others focus on further residential development, supporting "Making and Trading," redeveloping the bus station, improving gateways and pedestrian movement, opening up the riverside for development and creating a connected "Green Network."

As part of the consultation on the plans, which are set to become a Supplementary Planning Document, the civic society has cast a critical eye over the work of ARUP, the external planning consultants brought in by Rotherham Council

Rotherham Civic Society stands for protecting and preserving all that is best in the heritage of the town and district. It backs proposals for Forge Island and wants to see the potential redevelopment of the Guest & Chrimes building happen quickly. The success of the heritage-led regeneration of the High Street is hailed but there is no mention in the plan for similar new schemes. The borough was knocked back in a bid to secure further Lottery funding earlier this year.

The society goes on to call for the inclusion of more work on car parking provision and the development of cultural and community facilities and accuses the consultants of "padding out the report" with sections that are seemingly cases of "cut and paste." The society also picks out statements of "total nonsense," and that lack "any credibility whatsoever," asking "what parallel universe is the consultant living?"

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Peter Hawkridge, secretary of the Rotherham Civic Society, said: "The Society's overriding feeling is one of profound disappointment. Not in terms of aspirations. Quite understandably these have been scaled down in part due to national financial circumstances. Rather it is the quality of the narrative presented by the consultants which leave the reader with the impression that this has largely been a desk based study involving the most fleeting of visits to the town centre.

"In the Society's view there is only one purpose in employing an external consultant and that is to bring to the table expertise, knowledge and innovative thinking not already available within RMBC's Planning Service. This report however reads almost like a series of standard planning clichés, green corridors/riverside/town centre living etc containing warm words that the client likes to hear and skating over the significant difficulties the town centre faces.

"The consultants themselves seem uncertain about the town centre's future. The national image of Rotherham has undoubtedly been damaged significantly in recent years but that is no reason why future plans for the town centre should be so inward looking.

"This report provides insufficient detail to support investment decisions by the private sector and in some ways by speculating in general terms on the future of the market and Corporation Street is more likely to adversely affect the investment decisions of local firms and traders."

Once finalised, the document will provide additional guidance to a number of Local Plan policies which can be taken into account when determining planning applications.

Following the consultation, the Council will publish a statement which summarises the main issues raised during the consultation period, the Council's response to these issues, and details of the changes to the Supplementary Planning Document as a result.

A report will then be taken to councillors regarding adoption of the Supplementary Planning document to support Rotherham's Local Plan.

Rotherham Civic Society website

Images: RMBC / ARUP

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News: Business secretary visits Rotherham

Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, visited Rotherham this week to witness how the borough is backing business, supporting innovation and boosting skills.

On a visit to the world class Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham the business secretary officially opened the park's newest commercial property - the 32,000 sq ft state-of-the art facility at the AMP Technology Centre.

Already 50% let, the new building is part of the park's incubation space. Landowners, The Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), which took on the assets from Yorkshire Forward, expect that the £4.2m building will provide innovative SME companies from the initial centre the opportunity to expand into larger premises, as well as attracting high technology companies from further afield.

MetLase, the joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart Group, has taken 10,000 sq ft in the new centre.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured above, centre), said: "South Yorkshire has long been synonymous with manufacturing. This new building will be a welcome addition to the next generation of advanced manufacturing and technology innovators in the Northern Powerhouse.

"Many of the companies here are inventing, designing, developing and manufacturing products and technologies years ahead of their time, giving them a vital role in the region’s growth and the UK economy."

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Jacquie Boulton, area manager at the Homes and Communities Agency, added: "The official launch of this new building marks a significant milestone for us.

"The AMP Technology Centre opened in 2006 and since then we've worked hard alongside managing and lettings agent Creative Space Management to "cluster" similar businesses which benefit from sharing knowledge and expertise from like-minded companies.

"The Technology Centre is now at almost 100% occupancy and to ensure that these companies, which generate valuable high-net worth jobs, stay in South Yorkshire, we need to make sure we provide the type of specialist office and workshop space in which they can grow and develop. This building will allow them to do exactly that."

The secretary also met young apprentices during a visit to the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC). The £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Mr Javid praised the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre's new Foundation Degree in Manufacturing Technology developed with employers that aims to provide young people with the skills of the future, while in employment and avoiding major debt.

Javid said: "We introduced degree apprenticeships so that young people across the country have a real alternative to a traditional university degree, while helping UK businesses develop the skills they need to grow.

"For too long, ambitious school leavers have been told that university was their only option, but that isn't the case anymore. Top class apprenticeships that include degrees like those being offered at the University of Sheffield mean our young people have a choice about their future."

The University is already one of the first in higher education to offer quality advanced manufacturing Foundation, Undergraduate and Masters degrees using the apprenticeship model jointly funded with businesses.

Professor Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the University of Sheffield AMRC, said: "To compete in a global economy it is essential that our engineers of the future have a wide range of generic skills in addition to core engineering competencies.

"This course ensures students gain a balanced knowledge and understanding in the context of engineering manufacture with the right mix of academic and vocational learning."

The Nuclear AMRC also showcased the research taking place into the development of small modular reactors, which promise to be much more affordable in the UK than the large scale reactors planned for projects like Hinkley Point C, and can be manufactured in the UK.

AMP Technology Centre website
Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Creative Space Management / Nuclear AMRC

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