News: Tenders out for Wentworth Woodhouse restoration

Leading firms and local suppliers are being offered the once in a lifetime chance to work on the restoration of one of the country's grandest stately homes - Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

A £7m deal for the largest privately-owned house in Europe was recently concluded by The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) which is working on plans for a sustainable business case for its secure future.

With the support of Historic England, the public body that looks after England's historic environment, the tender process is underway to find a conservation accredited architect to work on the project.

The £650,000 contract is for architectural services for the substantive repair to the House, Stable Block and Riding School. Phase I will cover the repair of the roofs of the South-East Wing (known as "Bedlam") and the Riding School. Phase II will focus upon the repair of the centre of the East Front (central nineteen bays), Chapel, Oak Staircase and Grand Staircase.

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Wentworth Woodhouse's claim to glory is as a superb example of two of the greatest architectural styles Britain produced – the baroque of Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor and the Palladianism pioneered by the architect Earl of Burlington.

Strangely for so great and famous a house the architects have never been firmly identified, though the richly detailed Baroque West front has echoes of Vanbrugh's Castle Howard while the long east front is attributed to Lord Burlington's protegee Henry Flitcroft.

The six column Corinthian portico is one of the most beautiful in English architecture, surpassing even those of the National Gallery and St Martin's-in-the-Fields in London's Trafalgar Square.

The WWPT has also begun the tender process for quantity surveyors to work on the two phased restoration project. The contract is worth an estimated £175,000.

With the tender process underway, the Trust has invited interest from contractors to carry out urgent roofing repairs on the house and outbuildings. The work includes both temporary and permanent repairs to lead and slate roofs throughout the property including the Mansion House and Stable Block, as well as works to high-level rainwater goods.

Under the ownership of the WWPT, the restoration and development will provide jobs, stimulate local employment and open the property to the public on a regular basis. The North wing is set to host a huge range of weddings and events and the stables will become home to dynamic small businesses. Within the 18th century house and outbuildings more than a dozen apartments and cottages will be restored as lets for holiday makers.

The aim is preserve the house and grounds on a long term sustainable basis and raise funds for repairs and other essential works. The total cost of repairs could be over £50m. Parts of Wentworth Woodhouse will continue to be open to public while phased repairs continue.

As well as trades people, the WWPT is still recruiting staff to the support the restoration. The latest being an events manager and a volunteer coordinator.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: Wentworth Woodhouse / Savills

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News: Transport study into unlocking potential of AMID

Consultants at WSP have been appointed to lead on a study into connectivity around the emerging Sheffield-Rotherham Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID).

Recognising that high value manufacturing can be key to driving innovation, productivity and exports, civic leaders have committed to the idea of "supercharging" the areas of advanced manufacturing in the Sheffield-Rotherham Economic Corridor. Based around the expanding Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and surrounding Enterprise Zone, the aim is to develop Europe's largest research-led advanced manufacturing cluster.

In the Government's Autumn Statement it was announced that £1.4m had been secured by the SCR to develop plans to provide high quality access to AMID, supporting and enabling growth.

The study will seek to reduce pressure on both J33 and J34 of the M1 by exploring options to provide alternatives to the M1 for local traffic, and potentially provide additional routes between Sheffield and Rotherham without the need for drivers to pass through existing motorway junctions.

WSP will provide a range of specialist services including transport modelling, environmental impact assessment, flood risk and ecology in conducting a feasibility and economic appraisal to create a viable scheme that can be funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) through its Large Local Major Scheme Fund, as announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement. The study also is supported by local stakeholders, Highways England and the Sheffield City Region LEP.

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Tom Finnegan-Smith, head of highways and transport at Sheffield City Council said: "We are pleased to announce this major new review of capacity issues around AMID which will provide an opportunity to deliver transformational infrastructure that will ultimately improve accessibility in and around the area for the benefit of the whole City Region. Tackling capacity problems in the area will enable the economy to achieve its full potential around the Innovation Corridor and throughout the Lower Don Valley between Sheffield and Rotherham."

A recent study by car insurer, Admiral found that the journey time from Rotherham to Sheffield Town Hall down the Parkway increases by 185% during rush hour.

Poor connectivity into and around the AMID has been identified by the Council as a key priority in its aim to attract more companies to move there, enabling people and businesses across the Sheffield City Region to access new opportunities in growing markets. Improved transport links will also help facilitate improved access between rapidly emerging economic growth sites in the area which include almost 4,000 new homes at Waverley and further commercial developments at the Sheffield Airport Business Park.

Mike Holmes, technical director at WSP in Leeds, said: "We need to facilitate the strategic infrastructure required to support the City Region's aspirations to create the UK's largest research-led Advanced Manufacturing cluster which has the potential to be its primary economic driver and a major part of the Northern Powerhouse. Current capacity issues are only set to increase as more businesses and residents locate in the area which already suffers from a lack of good public transport links. It's vital that we find deliverable solutions to improve connectivity by road and sustainable transport options, whilst anticipating the future growth of the site."

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Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “This important transport study on two major motorway junctions in Sheffield City Region is excellent news. The Sheffield City Region Innovation Corridor is an important project for our region and for the country and the investment in the study demonstrates recognition by Government that our region needs infrastructure investment to unlock its true economic potential. Connectivity is key to developing a centre of business excellence, and this funding will enable us to continue building a better-connected economy which works for businesses and residents.”

A £20m, alternative, all transport route which bypasses the congested M1 junction 34 South by providing a new section of highway beneath the Tinsley Viaduct opened last year. Work has also taken place to widen exit slip roads and roundabouts at Junction 33 and Rotherham's capital strategy includes a £45m plan to widen the Parkway to three lanes between the M1 and Catcliffe.

The city region secured £37m in the latest round of the Government's Growth Deal programme which is set to be used to support for the Integrated Infrastructure Plan, opening up new employment sites and delivering new homes, with particular priority given to developing the AMID and securing growth at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

The plan identified the need to tackle delays with an explicit need to widen the Parkway. The plan also highlights the need to "reduce forecast delay impact" on the A630 and A6178. It states that there is potential for a bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail solution to achieve this.

Damien Wilson, Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "We are very proud to see the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District fast becoming the UK centre of excellence for research, manufacturing and technology. The AMID is ideally situated in the heart of the UK and this funding will allow us to investigate and put a good case forward for an improved infrastructure to support this expanding area, leading to faster journeys and promoting further future growth across the region."

WSP website

Images: Harworth / Bond Bryan / RMBC

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News: Crawshaw hits 50

Crawshaw Group PLC, the Rotherham-based fresh meat and food to go retailer, is heading past the 50 store mark with a new outlet close to home at the Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre in Sheffield.

The AIM-listed Hellaby firm announced growth plans in 2015 that included £200m of investment, opening 200 stores and creating 2,500 jobs. It secured new investment in April this year that is expected to enable Crawshaw to restart its accelerated new store opening programme, with an initial focus on factory shop locations.

The new store in one of the centre's exterior units will be opening this week next to McDonald's and opposite supermarket Sainsbury's. It was previously home to Blockbuster.

Lee Greenwood, centre manager at Crystal Peaks, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming another great high street name to the Crystal Peaks family of shops. Crawshaw's is one more exciting new name joining the complex as we look forward to building on our current success in the second half of 2017.

"Through 2016 we attracted 13 million visitors to Crystal Peaks and by continuing to attract the best names on the high street we can expect to further improve on that figure, ensuring we offer everybody a great shopping experience."

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Operating from 49 stores, turnover for the full year ended January 29 2017 was up 19% at Crawshaw to £44.2m from the £37.1m reported in the previous year. Investing in expansion plans, the group made a loss before tax of £1.4m, an increase on the loss of £0.3m in the previous year.

With a more disciplined approach to growth, Crawshaw said that it has a sufficient pipeline and capability to open a further four factory shops during the current financial year.

Noel Collett, chief executive officer at Crawshaw plc, said: "The UK grocery market will remain competitive and, with industry-wide pressures emerging in commodities and labour costs, the UK consumer outlook will continue to be more challenging than we have seen in recent years. Whilst we would ordinarily expect these to have a modest impact on margin in the short term we believe that, with our cost management measures and margin additive initiatives, together with the expected cost reduction in our business rates, we are well placed to navigate through this challenging environment.

"This year has started in line with our expectations as we continue to build on the momentum and improvements from the last six months.

"Our clear value proposition, underpinned by our unique vertically integrated concept, remains highly differentiated and competitive which we believe will further strengthen our retail offering. Furthermore, with the performance of our standalone factory shops being a real highlight of the year, we are very excited at opening more of this format."

Crawshaw website

Images: Crawshaw / twitter

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News: Plans to reopen Rotherham quarry

A mothballed limestone quarry in Rotherham could be brought back into use as the construction industry picks up.

Operators, Tarmac (previously Lafarge), have not used Harrycroft Quarry, which is in a Green Belt site between South Anston and Lindrick, for a number of years. It had previously operated with phased extraction and restoration (with imported inert materials) since original planning permission was granted in 1960.

Following a pause in work on site due to the recession, an application was submitted in 2006 for the submission of a revised scheme for the restoration of the site should mineral extraction/waste infill cease for a period in excess of twelve months. A further amendment was made in plans submitted in 2010 to extend the operations.

Harrycroft still has permitted reserves of 2.55 million tonnes of limestone. It has been identified as a historic source of building material for prestige buildings and is a likely source of architectural and dimension stone for heritage restoration projects.

In 1840, the Palace of Westminster was built with a sand-coloured limestone from the nearby Anston Quarry.

Now plans are set to go before the planning board at Rotherham Council that would extend the time periods for extraction and restoration from December 31 2018 to 2031 for extraction, and to 2033 for restoration.

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A planning report states: "For the last five years since the 2010 permission was granted, limited extraction and sales have taken place at Harrycroft due to the economic recession reducing demand for construction materials. The company had to tailor its output to match those lower levels of demand. However there has now been a gradual increase in demand in the region which means that the already permitted mineral is now needed to assist in meeting product orders."

The applicants state limestone production levels will remain at up to 300,000 tonnes a year, and inert infill material will continue to be used in the progressive restoration of the quarry floor. Nearly 700,000 cubic metres of material is required to achieve the final restoration scheme. Recycling operations on site would continue within the 25,000 tonnes per annum limit.

Traffic generation from the site operations are expected to average eight haulage vehicle movements per hour, up to a maximum of 13 movements per hour.

Following public consultation, the operators have agreed to restricted working hours that include no blast working on Saturdays, and for a new route for a Public Right of Way.

The site is close to Anston Stones Wood and Lindrick Golf Course, and a number of impact assessments have been submitted with the application, relating to noise, environmental and traffic impacts. The planning board are being recommended to approve the plans, subject to a number of conditions.

A petition against the plans and 11 letters of objection, including one form Anston Parish Council, have been received by the Council.

A report to the planning board concludes: "The principle of the quarrying on this site has previously been accepted and the application to vary conditions and extend the mineral extraction until December 2031 is acceptable. The proposal retains a comprehensive restoration following the end of mineral extraction, which will have potential ecological gains. Furthermore it is preferable to have the minerals quarried from the site and then the site restored, rather than sterilising the minerals which are there."

Tarmac website

Images: Trent and Peak Archaeology

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News: Mountain Warehouse set to pitch up in Rotherham

Outdoors specialist, Mountain Warehouse, looks to have snapped up the last remaining unit at a £36m retail development in Rotherham.

Work is close to completion at the Cortonwood Shopping Park where Sheffield contractor, J F Finnegan has led on the work to demolish the vacant 150,000 sq ft ALBA warehouse, and then construct 11 new retail units totalling 120,000 sq ft.

Before work even began, leading name retailers had signed up to take units - Outfit, H&M, New Look, River Island, Marks and Spencer Simply Food, Clark's, JD Sports, Wilkos, Poundland and Frankie & Benny's.

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The last unit looks to have been taken by Mountain Warehouse as it sets out plans to open 40 new stores in the year ahead, 20 in the UK.

The developer, Helical plc, said in its latest financial report to the stock exchange that construction is continuing with completion due in July 2017. Stores are set to open in August.

The developers believe that the new retail park will create between 279 and 372 jobs (equivalent to 186 full time jobs).

Mountain Warehouse recently published record results with profits jumping by 22% to £19.8m for the year ending February 2017, while sales were up 30.8% to £184.8m. Like-for-like sales increased by 16.5% over the period.

Founded in 1997, the business now sells mainly own brand clothing, footwear and equipment. It operates 260 stores worldwide and aims to have 300 UK stores and expand further overseas.

Helical Retail pre-funded the development to clients of Aberdeen Asset Management for £36.3m. Only passed on appeal, it forms an extension to Cortonwood Retail Park which was developed by St Paul's Developments, totally transforming the site of the former Cortonwood Colliery, where the 1984 miners' strike began.

On the same site, Palmer Capital recently acquired Dearne House for £5.25m, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.75%. Acquired for the Palmer Capital Income Fund and securely let to The Royal Mail Group Limited for a further 13 years with fixed uplifts, Dearne House comprises 51,671 sq ft of modern office accommodation.

As the regenerated site becomes a retail destination, Palmer Capital said that the deal offers "Royal Mail superb local amenities and the fund with a strong residual value position at the end of the lease."

Mountain Warehouse website
Helical website

Images: Mountain Warehouse

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News: AMRC invents game-changing hybrid 3D printing process

Engineers at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing have developed a unique hybrid 3D printing process.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. Its Design and Prototyping Group, which includes the Medical AMRC, develop everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries.

The group has developed a patent-pending process it calls "THREAD" where electrical, optical and structural elements can be introduced throughout an additively manufactured component as it is being made.

It has so far been successfully demonstrated on machines used for 3D printing polymer components and will be an advantage in the manufacture of components requiring encapsulated electronics. Components such as those used in medical prosthetics, consumer electronics or structural components that require electrical connections and until now, would have been secured externally to the component.

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In the medical sector, the introduction of digital monitoring systems to implants could pave the way for real-time diagnosis that prevents contamination and provides a more accurate way to monitor the condition of artificial prosthetics.

In the aerospace sector, integrating remote real-time data services would enable the continuous monitoring of vital aerospace components such as wing parts, fuel ducts and engine systems. This could allow for more accurate insight into the condition of costly and advanced equipment.

Mark Cocking, AMRC development engineer and AM specialist, said: "THREAD has scope to simultaneously add multiple industry-recognised threads of differing materials into one component, giving the component additional functions. This will open AM up to a greater variety of uses.

"The development of this process is a potential game-changer. It could be used across many sectors such as medical, aerospace and automotive; where weight and size of components is critical or where components would benefit from integrated data transfer and the protection of sealed connective tracks."

"THREAD has potential to be developed as an add-on technology for existing AM platforms and also incorporated into next generation AM technologies."

Re-thinking the design process, the AMRC are further developing the THREAD process and technology for various commercial markets.

Chris Iveson, who is driving the commercialisation of the technology, said: "We see THREAD transforming the functionality of additively manufactured components. Feedback from our contacts in various industries indicates a real need for this capability, with new potential applications being discussed daily. This is a great example of the AMRC using its unique expertise to solve real industry problems."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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News: Forge Island parking plan

Plans to increase the number of car parking spaces to over 500 on Forge Island in Rotherham town centre are being progressed as the former Tesco store bites the dust.

The site on the River Don was purchased by Rotherham Council for around £1.5m earlier this year. Ultimately it is set to play a key role as a catalyst for further regeneration of the town. The wider development incorporating Forge Island and adjacent sites could deliver a 25,000 sq ft cinema, 20,000 sq ft hotel and 6,000 sq ft of restaurants and bars. It has an estimated project value of £43.5m.

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In the meantime, as local demolition firm, Demex, take down the retail store that was vacated in 2014, the site is set to continue as a car park, offering mixed short stay, long stay, free and permit parking.

If approved, new plans would enable the Council to operate a car park on the whole of the 4.23 acre site, previously the Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills, on a temporary basis for three years.

The site currently has 309 spaces, including 70 spaces in the "red zone" which is free for two hours in the week. All parking is completely free on weekends. Plans show space for an extra 235 spaces on the site of the old store.

With the buildings demolished, the proposed development will utilise two vehicular accesses to the site. The current access is from the bridge to Market Street, but there is a proposal for a new entrance to the car park via a junction with Bridge Street and Forge Lane, close to Rotherham Central Station.

Originally constructed to form a delivery / service yard access for the supermarket, the access road will be operated via a one way system and not as an exit.

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A transport assessment submitted with the plans from Rotherham Council concludes that: "The proposed temporary car park is not expected to result in any material impact upon the highway network and certainly would not have any severe cumulative impact."

The plans show that the car park is fulfilling a need as a short stay car park as the majority of users make use of the free parking offer. Some 509 of the 774 users on average per weekday. It is not clear in the plans how many spaces will remain in the "red zone" and be free for short stays.

Changes were made to parking charges in Rotherham town centre in 2016 to help fill a deficit in the Council's parking services budget. Councillors wanted an option to to increase charges on the basis of free (off street) parking being provided on Saturdays but this was not acceded to.

The Council's planning board recently approved plans from Tesco to introduce parking restrictions at its Extra store on the other side of town.

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Another international R&D project for Metalysis

Rotherham-based Metalysis has announced a new research and development project with Kazakhstan to develop high value metals and alloys for additive manufacturing.

The Manvers company holds the worldwide exploitation rights to a process which sees specialist powder metals created in a simple, cost effective process with significant environmental benefits. Backed by investors and grants, the Cambridge University spin out secured £20m of investment last year and recently opened a new Materials Discovery Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Metalysis carries out bespoke, commercial R&D projects to produce exotic metal powders for high performance alloys in the aerospace and automotive industries. The latest project will support developing Kazakhstan's metal additive manufacturing industry, basing in-country efforts within the Central Asian country's Park of Innovative Technologies – a science and technology complex aimed at diversifying national, economic and industrial development.

The Autonomous Cluster Fund of Kazakhstan and Metalysis signed a metal additive manufacturing partnership at the Astana Mining and Metallurgy conference this week with company representatives and UK and Kazakh Government officials attended the signing ceremony.

Metalysis is in the process of commercialising the technology which produces metal powder directly from oxide using electrolysis and has the potential to significantly increase production volumes. It is being used to produce titanium, tantalum, and related high value alloys that are used increasingly by major worldwide industries such as aerospace, marine, medical, chemical, automotive and electronics.

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The partners in the latest collaboration will use Metalysis' disruptive technology to develop metals and bespoke alloy powders suitable for additive manufacturing. Kazakhstan is embarking on a strategy to further diversify its economy from raw materials into other value-added industries.

Initially, an R&D programme will be conducted at Metalysis' new Materials Discovery Centre and subject to its findings, the Partners will then seek to develop Kazakhstan's metal additive manufacturing industry, basing their efforts within the Autonomous Cluster Fund's Park of Innovative Technologies - the country's "Silicon Valley" - weighing opportunities for in-country production of metal alloy powders and printing commercial products using additive manufacturing techniques.

As the ninth-largest country in the world by area, Kazakhstan's mining industry is huge and it produced the fourth most titanium in the world at 27,000 metric tons in 2013. Iluka Resources, the Australian mineral sands mining firm that has invested millions and taken a 28.8% stake in Metalysis, has an ongoing exploration drilling program in the former Soviet Union country.

Dr. Malek Deifallah, director of business development at Metalysis, said: "This is an exciting time for Metalysis. We are very pleased to partner with the Autonomous Cluster Fund, and together pursue the clear opportunities Kazakhstan presents for metal alloy powder production and additive manufacturing. We look forward to providing future updates as we go about applying our unique know how and technology."

Sanzhar Kettebekov, CEO of Autonomous Cluster Fund (Almaty Tech Garden), added: "For the purposes of adhering to the priorities outlined in the President's Address, we are working to grow new industries with the use of digital technologies. Our cooperation with Metalysis is aimed to develop Kazakhstan's industry sector in the field of metal additives production.

"We are delighted to have established such a partnership, which will contribute to the diversification of the economy of Kazakhstan."

Last week, Metalysis announced a new R&D programme focusing on a high value aluminium-scandium alloy that is being carried out with an international partner.

Metalysis website

Images: Metalysis

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News: Rotherham waste facility operator reports on difficult year

Renewi plc (formerly Shanks plc) has reported on a difficult year for its municipal division which included "challenges" at its multimillion pound Rotherham facility.

Earlier this year Rothbiz reported on the temporary closure of the 220,000 sq ft "BDR" development at Brookfield's Park in Manvers to address a "latent defect and upgrade certain areas of the facility."

In its financial results for the year ending March 31, the international waste-to-product business reported that revenue at its municipal business grew by 8% to £203m as a result of the full year effect of commissioning its facilities at Wakefield and Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR), and construction activity in Surrey, Canada. However, the division recorded a trading loss for the year of £2.7m, compared to a profit of £9.4m in the previous year.

The UK business made a trading loss of £4.2m, compared to a profit of £7.8m in the previous year, impacted by the markets for the fuel that the plants recover from waste which "have experienced significant challenges over the past year and these worsened rather than improved in the second half."

The Manvers centre creates material suitable for recovery and recycling and includes Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities.

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Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham Councils secured £77m through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for the scheme and Shanks Group plc joined in partnership with SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy plc) to progress the plans. Known as 3SE, the operators signed a 25 year contract worth in excess of £750m with the councils for the treatment of black bag waste.

The operator, now known as Renewi following the merger between Shanks and the Van Gansewinkel Group, said in its report that: "The PFI sector in the UK has continued to face significant challenges for market participants. An increasing number of PFI contracts across the country have come under pressure as a result of austerity measures, poor performance or because the contracts are inappropriate in the current market environment. Within this unfavourable market background, our Municipal Division's portfolio of assets has been vulnerable contractually to the volatile recovered fuel markets, rising incinerator gate fees and the weakness of Sterling."

It added that first full year in production of Wakefield and BDR facilities "was challenging from an operational perspective" as it struggled to get the plants up to full optimisation. A new managing director and a recovery plan have been put in place which involves implementing urgent plans to bring the facilities up to full capacity and to maximise power generation, particularly in generating gas at the BDR plant.

Work to improve productivity and plant up-time by optimising maintenance and equipment reliability is also taking place to reduce unplanned stoppages.

The firm also said that it would negotiate off-take terms and secure better priced outlets for both refuse derived fuel (RDF), solid recovered fuel (SRF) and certain recyclates where appropriate. It will also negotiate improvements to local municipal contracts where possible.

The financial report also shows that accountants have included onerous contract provisions of £28.2m on the balance sheet relating to the municipal division. A new £8.6m provision relates to the BDR operating contract and a £9m provision covering incremental capital works that are required at BDR and Wakefield to enable the plants to function as intended.

Peter Dilnot, CEO of Renewi said that the company "will fix the Municipal Division and build up momentum for sustained growth and earnings accretion in 2018/19."

Renewi website
BDR website

Images: Renewi

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News: Dearne Valley Business Centre opens in Rotherham

A disused church in Rotherham has undergone a full conversion to create much-needed high-quality business space, ideal for enterprises taking the next step.

The former Wesleyan Reform Church on Coronation Road in Wath was sold by trustees and has recently opened as Dearne Valley Business Centre under the brand of "My Head Office."

Ten office "pods" ranging in size have been created in the 7,000 sq ft building, which has undergone a redesign and restoration to offer unique space complete with high ceilings, parquet floors and large windows. Suitable for one, two or three people, the units are aimed at growing small businesses from the local area that are taking the next step, moving out of the home office or up the premises ladder.

Property investor, Stephen Hollings was supported in buying the property by Smiths Chartered Surveyors in Barnsley. It was advertised as a residential development plot.

"Everyone else who looked at it wanted to flatten in," said Hollings (pictured, left), proudly showing off the conversion work that has taken place. "But we saw the appeal of creating a business centre which is close to the community.

"The building is fresh and unusual and now we are focusing on creating an ethos. Our motto is for it to be a place where businesses thrive. We want tenants to buzz of each other."

The centre is certainly unusual, with original features retained alongside a very modern solution for the new occupants. The church piano remains in the foyer alongside the hi-tech printer.

Much of the work on the building has been done using suppliers from the local area who also attended the recent launch event where the outgoing mayor of Rotherham, Lindsay Pitchley, cut the ribbon in one of her final engagements in the role.

The centre is working with Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, RIDO, the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council and the Federation of Small Business to further develop linkages and networks.

One way of helping businesses with their next steps is that there are no additional costs that often come with renting premises. Utility charges and service charges are included with rents that start from £100 a week.

It is not just the tenants that are looking to grow, but the developers too. Hollings added: "This is the pilot, we are aiming for ten more centres."

My Head Office website

Images: My Head Office

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News: Council confirms INEOS seismic survey

Rotherham Council has confirmed that INEOS' oil and gas exploration and production business is set to carry out a 3D seismic survey in part of the borough from early June, as reported by Rothbiz last week.

The company, which owns licences to pursue a range of oil and gas exploration activities in the region, is assessing the suitability of the area for hydraulic fracturing (fracking). It has submitted details about the areas to be surveyed and how the survey will be undertaken. The full survey area covers approximately 250 square kilometres (approximately 17.32 sq. km. in Rotherham) and also includes parts of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Areas in the Rotherham borough include the villages of Thorpe Salvin and Harthill, where INEOS is already pressing ahead in the search for shale gas as it prepares to submit a planning application for a proposed test drilling operation.

The test drilling operation requires a planning application but, subject to certain restrictions and giving prior notification to the Council, planning permission is not required for the seismic survey as Government planning rules state that it is "permitted development."

Paul Woodcock, assistant director for Planning, Regeneration and Transportation at Rotherham Council said: "Subject to certain restrictions, the company is permitted to undertake the seismic survey without planning permission in line with national planning rules. However, any further development, including test drilling to explore for shale gas below ground, will require full planning permission."

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Seismic surveying uses the principles of seismology to allow deep subsurface geology to be imaged and mapped in either two or three dimensional (2D or 3D) detail. INEOS will require an agreement with affected landowners and occupiers although local parish councils have already refused to allow surveys on land they own.

Turley, planning consultants for INEOS, has stated that the seismic survey will last for no longer than six months and it is assumed that it will commence from June 5 2017.

Taking place between 7am to 7pm on a 7 day a week basis, activity ranges from deploying small recording equipment, to a convoy of three trucks that hydraulically vibrate the ground for between 20-30 seconds with increasing frequency. "Shot holes" could even be used. This more invasive source involves the loading and detonation of a small explosive charge at the base of a shallow pre-drilled hole.

The survey will help INEOS to gain a better understanding of the geology and rock formations below the ground to understand where shale gas might be located.

The company has already identified a Greenbelt site between the villages of Harthill and Thorpe Salvin because it is within an area of interest to INEOS based on existing seismic data. It is here that plans are coming forward to enable a period of surveys before a period of drilling, coring and testing. A well would be drilled to approximately 2,800 m using a drill rig of maximum 60 m rig height followed by three months of testing.

Rothbiz reported last week that Rotherham Council has ruled that the proposed operation "would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment" in relation to national planning guidelines.

The authority did however ask INEOS to include an Environmental Impact Assessment alongside any planning application. In response to the request Ineos will submit an Environmental Report addressing, among other topics, the aspects of water environment, ecology, noise, landscape and visual effects, and cultural heritage.

INEOS website

Images: INEOS / Turley

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News: Skills shortages and hard to fill vacancies

A round table event is taking place in Rotherham next month in conjunction with the Sheffield City Region's (SCR's) indepth survey into skills gaps and hard to fill vacancies.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is hoping to find out the details of what the region needs to provide the right skills, and help employers to fill jobs. It is part of a desire to create a truly demand-led skills system.

The online survey is open to business leaders from the construction, manufacturing, business, professional, financial and digital sectors. Running alongside it is a series of round table discussions throughout the region with key influencers and decision makers. The Rotherham event takes place at the AMP Technology Centre on June 7.

The findings of the survey, which will be known by the end of July, will allow the SCR to make well-informed decisions about adult education and skills training to help boost growth and jobs across the economy.

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Louisa Harrison-Walker, managing director at Sheffield's Benchmark Recruitment agency which has been appointed by the SCR to undertake the survey, said: "This is an opportune time for businesses to have their say and inform the Sheffield City Region of skills shortages and how this affects their business operation. It is important we get a true reflection of the reasons behind the shortages to shape the future of the region.

"We are aware of the challenges employers face in certain sectors and are keen to drill down to the root of the issues for employers and candidates."

Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair of the SCR's Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "We need much more detailed information from employers so that we can really provide first class access to skills training. We want to know if there is a link between certain missing skills – perhaps technical and social skills for example.

"We just need a few minutes of employers' time to fill in the survey – job hunters and unsuccessful applicants are also being asked what holds them back."

A similar survey on recruitment and retention is being carried out as part of the Sheffield City Region Quarterly Economic Survey, run by the LEP and the four Chambers of Commerce. The results will be presented at a free Quarterly Economic Survey Breakfast on Tuesday July 18 with a keynote speech on the economy by Alistair Cunningham, Bank of England, and a panel discussion looking at business recruitment difficulties.

SCR LEP website
SCR Economy website

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News: Harworth Group looks for new chair

Jonson Cox, the man who lead UK Coal plc through its 2012 complex restructuring, is set to step down from his role as non-executive chairman at Harworth Group plc next year.

Cox, who has held roles at the Royal Dutch Shell Group, Kelda Group plc and Anglian Water Group plc, announced his intention to stand down in 2018 before the group's AGM. Scheduled to take place at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham this morning, the meeting will be last time he will stand for election.

Recovery plans for UK Coal were put in place in May 2011 after they reported a pre-tax loss of £124.6m after a "further year of poor operational performance." The restructure created two separate businesses comprising the mining division and property division.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, the company, renamed Coalfield Resources plc, saw administrators called in for its struggling mining division, and a deal followed for it to completely acquire the property division for £150m. It is Harworth Group plc that remains trading on the stock market as one of the largest property and regeneration companies across the North of England and the Midlands.

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Lisa Clement, senior independent director at Harworth Group plc, said: "Jonson has served Harworth for seven years. These seven years have seen Harworth, or UK Coal plc as it was then known, evolve from a near-insolvent, over leveraged mining business with a capital constrained and non-performing property portfolio to a successful, ambitious and growing property company, delivering an annual double-digit return over the past four years.

"On behalf of the Board and all of our employees, I thank Jonson enormously for his significant contribution to the Company and leadership during this time."

The group, which is based close to its own flagship development at Waverley and owns and manages a portfolio of approximately 22,000 acres of land over 140 sites, said that the process to identify a suitable successor is underway. It is also expected to use the AGM to report that it continues to make strong progress in the first five months of 2017.

In March, the specialist in brownfield regeneration, raised £27.8m to accelerate growth of strategic land bank. It has created a number of joint ventures to bring forward development on its own land and is pursuing option agreements to acquire strategic land sites.

For the year ending December 31 2016, Harworth saw operating profit hit £45.8m, compared to £37.9m at the same time last year. Profit from operations was up to £2.2m from the £1.5m posted in 2015.

Harworth Group website

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News: Car People look to roll out further expansion plans

Fast-growing car sales group, The Car People, has submitted expansion plans for its Rotherham site that could create 25 new jobs.

Opening on the part of the Sheffield Business Park site which extends over the border into Catcliffe in 2007, the site is one of the largest of the Wakefield firm's operations which focus on selling cars in a hassle-free experience. The group sells around 18,000 vehicles a year.

Now a planning application has been submitted that would enable the erection of a new standalone body shop on the site to provide additional services for their customers.

The 8,500 sq ft portal frame building would be situated adjacent to the existing showroom, taking up 64 spaces for sold cars. Plans show that it would include four car spray booths, a dedicated wheel spray booth, staff offices and welfare facilities.

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The plans, drawn up by Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, state: "The body shop will provide additional services to that currently provided by the existing workshop and valet departments of the existing building, and allow The Car People to improve their customer offer at their existing site."

If approved, the proposals could create 25 full time jobs.

Work completed earlier this year at The Car People Wakefield on the construction of a new body shop and extension to the existing showroom.

The Catcliffe site is also home to the £170m turnover firm's customer contact centre, which expanded in 2015 and took the total staff numbers on the Europa Link site to nearly 150.

The investments are part of the company's recognition that the traditional car buying process changed and the role of the dealership has shifted – customers choose the car they want before visiting a showroom, with many contacting the dealer online or over the phone before visiting.

The Car People's used cars that don't fit their age or mileage parameters are sold at auction at the Motor Auction Group's Rotherham site.

The Car People website

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News: ENGIE completes deal for Keepmoat Regeneration

ENGIE, a leading energy and services provider, has completed the acquisition of Keepmoat's Regeneration division which includes a significant operation in Rotherham.

TDR and Sun Capital, the owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, signed an agreement in March to sell its regeneration arm for an estimated £330m. Completion of the transaction was conditional on anti-trust clearance, which was received from the European Commission in mid-April.

Keepmoat is the UK's leading provider of regeneration services specialising in the design, refurbishment and upgrade of buildings and places, helping to transform communities and strengthen local economies. It has an annual turnover of approximately £800m.

A regeneration team is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously known as Bramall Construction.

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ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm that specialises in electricity generation and renewable energy, said that the transaction will enable ENGIE to offer a complementary range of services to local governments, cities and businesses across the UK and strengthen its existing network of local authority partnerships.

Wilfrid Petrie, CEO of ENGIE in the UK & Ireland, said: "With Keepmoat regeneration business we are better positioned to support local government in meeting today’s challenges and addressing the needs of their communities. The joint expertise of both companies will allow us to further expand our services for places, develop our skills in energy efficiency and also progress our delivery of the connected home. These enhanced energy and services capabilities will help us to realise our ambition to be the number one partner for cities and places in the UK."

Effective from May 1 2017, the regeneration division's infrastructure and 2,500 employees is now part of ENGIE. The business will operate as Keepmoat Regeneration.

ENGIE has been operating in the UK for over 30 years and employs 20,000 people across the country. It is one of the UK's top suppliers of electricity and gas to UK businesses, is a major independent power producer and provides a range of outsourced services to the public and private sectors over 14,000 UK sites. Earlier this month it launched its home energy business in the UK.

Keepmoat Regeneration website
ENGIE UK website

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News: Former Rotherham Council boss arrested - reports

News broke on Merseyside yesterday that Ged Fitzgerald was reportedly one of four men arrested as part of an inquiry into financial irregularities at Lancashire County Council centred on the authority's joint venture with British Telecom (BT).

Fitzgerald, currently the chief executive of Liverpool Council, held the same position at Rotherham Council between 2001 and 2003.

The Liverpool Echo reports that local police had confirmed that four men had been arrested, not over fraud, but conspiring to pervert the course of justice and intimidating witnesses.

A protracted investigation has been ongoing at Lancashire Police into the Lancashire Council's former "One Connect Ltd" partnership with BT.

Fitzgerald was chief executive of Lancashire Council when the joint venture with BT was set up, similar to the one between Liverpool council and BT, Liverpool Direct (LDL). He was also in place at Rotherham Council when it too unveiled plans for a £150m partnership with BT aimed at revolutionising operations and making efficiency savings council wide.

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Formally known as RBT (Connect) Limited, the partnership was launched in 2003 and took over responsibility for five areas of work on behalf of the Council – ICT, revenues and benefits, HR and payroll, procurement, and Rotherham Connect (a telephone contact centre). The aim was for BT to invest £30m in world-class, leading-edge technology, new business practices, training and better ways of working and for the Council to benefit from £50m of efficiency savings.

Set to last 12 years, the contract was ended early in 2012. The partnerships in Liverpool and Lancashire were also ended early.

A police investigation followed Lancashire Council reporting on payments in excess of £600,000 to the partnership's former chief executive, a lack of governance and audit functions, a shortfall of £6.6m in the achievement of procurement savings and mark ups added to tenders by BT.

In Rotherham, terms and conditions were changed in 2008 and at the time of ending its contract in 2012, Rotherham Council said that there would be no "cost" to the Council of ending the RBT Partnership and that the Council made no payment for getting out of the contract early. The Council did however pay BT for the investments it made in services, financial investments that RBT had been recovering through the charges for the delivery of services and payments that ended sooner than originally envisaged.



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News: Parkway journey "one of UK's most congested routes"

A study of roads across 13 cities reveals that a rush hour trip down the congested Parkway from Rotherham to Sheffield is adding hours to the journeys of commuters.

The study has been carried out by insurance firm, Admiral and highlights that drivers spend an average of ten extra days sitting in their cars over the course of a year due to congestion.

Comparing the travel time of various routes into the centres of 13 major cities, the study looked at a 9am arrival on a Monday, one of the busiest times to be driving, and 9am on a Sunday, when the roads are at their quietest. A central landmark in each city was given as the destination.

The figures reveal the full picture of congestion across the country, uncovering the amount of hours drivers lose as they make their way to work.

A journey from Rotherham to Sheffield Town Hall takes 14 minutes on a Sunday, but this rises to 40 minutes on a Monday morning, highlighting the time spent stuck in traffic. With a % increase in driving time during rush hour of 185%, the important route is placed 7th behind routes in London, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Sheffield Parkway is one of the busiest routes into the city and is used by more than 50,000 vehicles every day. Around 63,750 workers commuted into Sheffield for work in 2011, primarily coming from the adjoining authorities of Rotherham (10%), North East Derbyshire (4%), Barnsley (4%) and Doncaster (2%).

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By comparison, the journey from Barnsley to Sheffield Town Hall, experiences an 85% increase in drive time from 35 minutes on a Sunday to 65 minutes on a Monday morning. This is considered the 6th least congested route in the study behind routes in Newcastle, Nottingham, Liverpool and Leeds.

Jo Cox, motor product manager at Admiral said: "These figures confirm what motorists have long suspected – that they spend a huge amount of wasted time sitting in their cars. You are more likely to be involved in an accident where you bump the car in front during rush hour than at any time of the day. These rear end bumps are the most common type too.

These local delays on the Parkway are nothing new, and the congested routes are earmarking for multimillion pound improvements.

£1.4m was secured from the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop plans for the Sheffield City Region Innovation Corridor - a scheme for new road infrastructure between Sheffield and Rotherham around the M1 focusing on the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) and improving access to Waverley, the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and Sheffield Business Park.

Work has taken place to widen exit slip roads and roundabouts at Junction 33 and Rotherham's capital strategy includes a £45m plan to widen the Parkway to three lanes between the M1 and Catcliffe.

The Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Investment Plan identified the need to tackle delays on A630, A633, A57, A6178 and at M1 J34 with an explicit need to widen the Parkway.

The plan also highlights the need to "reduce forecast delay impact" on the A630 and A6178. It states that there is potential for a bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail solution to achieve this.



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News: Views sought on £12.5m bus station refurb

Views are being sought on proposed improvements as part of the wider refurbishment work at Rotherham Interchange, long awaited work which has been delayed by discussions over the site's future use, and a fire that caused significant damage.

Architects at Jefferson Sheard are well underway with latest plans for the bus station, which also includes a multi-storey car park and retail units.

Work is likely to include refreshing the concourses with upgrades to flooring, plinths, glazing and cladding. It is not yet clear if the budget will stretch to replacing the cladding on the outside of the car park with stainless steel or highly durable anodised mesh panels which previous architects said would "softly shimmer as the sunlight is cast upon it."

Partners decided last year to focus on refurbishing the car park and bus station rather than a large scale redevelopment. Opened in 1971, the multi storey car park has since developed widespread defects. It is underutilised and "nearing the point of being beyond economic repair." The bus station, which has associated public safety issues, suffered a fire in 2016 which caused significant damage.

Plans were approved in 2014 for the detailed design of the renovation and re-cladding of the four-storey car park. However, the start date of the refurbishment was delayed following a decision to further investigate alternative development options on the site.

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Following the fire, essential remedial work included repairs to platform A, the windows, public toilets, offices and electrical cables affecting the lighting, customer information systems, automatic doors, and the passenger lift.

Drop-in sessions are being held this week at Rotherham Interchange to gain customer comments on proposed improvements.

Stephen Edwards, executive director at SYPTE, said: "We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the ongoing repair works are being carried out at Rotherham Interchange. The project team continue to work hard behind the scenes to maintain the operation of the Interchange whilst keeping customer disruption to a minimum.

"We are keen for as many customers as possible to speak to our representatives at the Interchange on the drop-in dates, and have their say on our refurbishment plans as they progress, to make sure improvements we make best meet passenger needs."

In March, Rothbiz reported that the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (CA) is preparing to borrow £12.5m so that refurbishment of the important town centre asset can be carried out.

Pre-application discussions with the Council identify the architect's scope of works and possible outcomes to improve the building's appearance, and to improve personal safety and the customer offer and experience. It provides a "shopping list" of the types of materials that could be used and ideas for a new customer service facility.

SYPTE website

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News: INEOS steps up search for shale in Rotherham

Planners at Rotherham Council have ruled that a proposed test drilling operation on a Greenbelt site by INEOS' oil and gas exploration and production business "would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment" in relation to national planning guidelines.

Rothbiz reported in March on the details of INEOS' plans for a site between the villages of Harthill and Thorpe Salvin for shale gas exploration, which involves building a drilling rig and drilling vertically, deep into the ground to find out how much gas is in the shale.

The application would provide temporary permission for a maximum of five years and the operation would involve various site investigation surveys and site preparation before a period of drilling, coring and testing. A well would be drilled to approximately 2,800 m using a drill rig of maximum 60 m rig height followed by three months of testing. It would use large plant, machinery and HGVs in site development and operationally.

The Common Road site would be restored after the activity has taken place and tests will be carried out on the suitability of the area for hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

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Rotherham Council planners have now determined that the proposed project falls outside the remit of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations which were established as part of national planning policies to ensure that local planning authorities make decisions in the full knowledge of the likely significant effects, and takes this into account in the decision making process.

The proposal would be EIA development if, in the opinion of the Mineral Planning Authority (in this case, Rotherham Council), it were likely to have "significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location."

The main reasons for this application not falling in the remit of EIA development is that it does not involve extraction of gas, it is not located in a "sensitive area" or flood risk area, the site exceeds 1 hectare, and that impact from noise, dust and any visual impact from the drill rigs are not likely to be significant in the context of the EIA regulations as any operations would be temporary.

The Council concludes: "The impacts from the proposed development are found not to be likely to be so significant, either individually or collectively, such as to require EIA. The conclusion which is therefore reached on behalf of the Council is that the proposed development would not be likely to have significant effect on the environment, in terms of the EIA Regulations."

Whilst it is not considered EIA development, Chris Wilkins, development manager at Rotherham Council, told the applicants: "Members have requested that INEOS be asked to submit an EIA with any subsequent application in order that all of the environmental issues can be fully assessed, and so as to hopefully address the significant concerns that have been raised by local residents to Members."

INEOS said that it plans to submit a planning application to Rotherham Council "in the near future."

Tom Pickering, operations director at INEOS Shale, said: "We are very pleased that the latest step in the process has now been completed. While we are not required to complete a formal EIA, all relative environmental concerns will be addressed as part of the application and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the Council and community to discuss these as the project moves forward."

Meanwhile, INEOS has confirmed its plans to carry out a shale gas survey on 25,000 hectares of land covered by Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The areas in Rotherham include Harthill and Thorpe Salvin.

Formal notification has recently been sent to Derbyshire County Council stating the firm's intention to carry out a 3D seismic survey for six months from early June.

INEOS has also submitted a planning application to explore shale gas reserves on an area of privately−owned land off Bramleymoor Lane, between Marsh Lane and Apperknowle, near Eckington.

INEOS website

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News: Rotherham-made pharma bottle perfect for LoneWolf gin

BrewDog-backed distillery LoneWolf has chosen a Beatson Clark bottle for its new craft gin that the Rotherham glass manufacturer originally intended for pharmaceutical products.

The Greasborough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

BrewDog is based in Aberdeenshire and has been the fastest-growing food and drinks company in the UK for the last four years. LoneWolf distillery began spirits production in 2015 and launched its first spirits into the industry last year with its V1 and V2 prototypes. In January 2017 it launched its V3 prototype gin which has an eye-catching look thanks to the new white flint bottle.

Beatson Clark's 500ml Sloping Shoulder Flat bottle was designed for medicines, but its elegant lines and unusual shape help to emphasise the revolutionary nature of LoneWolf's boundary-pushing product.

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It is not the first time a customer has found a novel use for an existing Beatson Clark container: last year London Rd Jam Jar Cocktails started selling its range of ready-to-serve premium cocktails in Beatson Clark’s 300ml glass food jar.

Charlotte Taylor, marketing manager at Beatson Clark, said: "We love it when customers give our glass bottles and jars a creative twist. With LoneWolf BrewDog have gone one step further and put a craft spirit in a pharmaceutical bottle, and we think the final effect looks great!

"BrewDog are long-standing customers of ours and we're pleased to have supplied two bottles for them in recent months – a 375ml embossed champagne-style bottle for their Abstrakt range of occasional brews and a miniature 100ml bottle for their Hop Shot beer.

"It's great that this partnership has now been extended with their sister company, LoneWolf Spirits, with this pharma bottle."

Beatson Clark is the UK's only manufacturer of pharmaceutical glass bottles and jars and holds a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit customers' requirements.

The range includes Winchesters, Tablet bottles and jars, Alpha Sirops and Sloping Shoulder Flats with a variety of neck finishes. Most can be produced in either white flint or amber glass and several are available from stock.

Beatson Clark website
LoneWolf website

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News: Rotherham hosts first food and drink show

Rotherham town centre has added a new event to its menu - a food and drink show to suit a wide variety of tastes.

The very first Rotherham Food and Drink Show will be taking place in the very heart of the town this weekend. Fabulous guest chefs will be in the town centre to prepare an array of dishes in the CookeryTheatre, along with vendors and stallholders to provide delicious street food, produce and drinks.

The two-day show offers free entry to the public who will be treated to live cookery demonstrations, artisans and specialists, drink and cocktail bars, street food and an assortment of restaurants will be cooking dishes based on recipes from around the world.

The show will run from 10am to 6pm on the Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on the Sunday.

A recognised figure on the Yorkshire food scene, chef Stephanie Moon will host demonstrations in All Saints' Square from fellow chef, Matthew Benson-Smith of The Chef's Academy and representatives of the Ministry of Food. Steph has worked for world famous chef Anton Mosimann and is currently Chef Consultant at Rudding Park.

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Stallholders range from Mexican street food to artisan brownies. Local enterprise, Pastures Moo, will also be taking a stall, selling various flavours of its handmade dairy ice cream.

Representatives from Rotherham College will be there on both days to promote the catering and hospitality provision of courses and apprenticeships, as well as answering any general questions and providing advice and guidance.

Catering students from The Wharncliffe will be selling plenty of ambrosial homemade delights for the occasion to spoil the customers for choice and on the Sunday, two of the Level 3 students, Ian Riley and Aaron Myers are set to run a 45 minute demonstration on the main stage from 3pm, preparing an Italian themed menu before the audience.

Last month, Rotherham town centre hosted the Garden Lovers Fayre and June sees the return of the popular Vintage Hop.

Rotherham Events Facebook page

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News: Metalysis in new R&D programme

Innovative firm, Metalysis has announced a new research and development programme, its second since opening new multimillion pound premises on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The Manvers company holds the worldwide exploitation rights to a process which sees specialist powder metals created in a simple, cost effective process with significant environmental benefits. Backed by investors and grants, the Cambridge University spin out secured £20m of investment last year and at its new Materials Discovery Centre, Metalysis will carry out bespoke, commercial R&D projects to produce exotic metal powders for high performance alloys in the aerospace and automotive industries.

The latest R&D programme focuses on a high value aluminium-scandium alloy and is being carried out with an international partner.

The programme will investigate the use of Metalysis' electrochemical technology to provide a scandium-rich feedstock addition, supporting master alloy production.

When used in combination with other common aluminium alloys, scandium can produce stronger, more corrosion resistant, heat tolerant, weldable aluminium products. Aluminium-scandium alloys are of increasing demand among high specification manufacturing applications such as in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Aircraft designers believe use of these alloys can reduce aircraft weights by 15%-20%, however, scandium's cost has proven to be prohibitive to its use in spite of its revolutionary properties. To date, it is largely mined as a by-product, with little surety of supply. As an alloy addition, scandium can as much as triple the cost involved in manufacturing.

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Dion Vaughan, CEO of Metalysis, said: "We are very pleased to welcome another international partner to our R&D project portfolio, and look forward to commencing a particularly exciting work programme together.

"Aluminium-scandium alloys are a huge subject of interest to Metalysis, and while their cost implications are well-known, so are their highly beneficial characteristics. The "unknown" element of this picture is how disruptive technologies will traverse historic barriers to manufacturing these alloys, and this is exactly what we will address.

"We will use Metalysis process to explore opportunities to materially improve their cost setting and deliver a high-demand, high-spec product. Achieving this would pose truly revolutionary results and create an important area of potential growth for both parties."

Metalysis' process is capable of producing a wide range of metals and alloys at a lower cost and environmental footprint than traditional melting processes, which may aid in resolving cost constraints encountered in manufacturing aluminium-scandium alloys.

The previous focus has been on producing titanium and tantalum, and Metalysis has successfully synthesised the "wonder metal" graphene at its Rotherham facility using its innovative electrochemical process. Another R&D programme sees Metalysis working with Mkango Resources Ltd, a Canadian listed mineral exploration and development company, to jointly research, develop and commercialise novel rare earth metal alloys for use in 3D printed permanent magnets.

Confirming a £10m investment, the company is also investing in its Materials Manufacturing Centre in Manvers where it is nearing completion of its "Generation4" technological expansion, taking production capability to new levels. Generation4 will enable "Generation5" manufacturing options for hundreds to thousands of tonnes per annum of high value metal and alloy powders. Metalysis anticipates commencing feasibility studies later this year.

Metalysis website

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News: Manager takes the wheel at Convert Your Van business

Vehicle conversion business, Convert Your Van Ltd, has been acquired by its manager and has relocated to new premises in Rotherham.

Husband and wife entrepreneurs Katrina and Scott Muldoon founded the business, which provides custom camper van conversions, as well as manufacturing and selling flat packed DIY camper van fit out furniture and products, and have now sold it to manager Daniel Staniland.

Staniland aims to grow and diversify the company from the lifestyle business the Muldoons had intended and after the pair's plans to exit the business were announced, Daniel assembled a buyout team consisting of Lisa Pogson, Mark Staniland and Julie Robinson and, with advice from Neil Large of Lupton Fawcett, concluded the deal in three weeks.

The newly acquired business has relocated to new premises at Redwood Court in Dinnington, with assistance from Andrew Nettleton at the Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO).

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As well as retaining the three existing employees, further jobs are also being created, with the immediate need for an extra member of staff.

The business has also received a cash injection to provide a funding line for expansion into new markets in the UK, while also targeting overseas markets, in particular Europe.

Daniel Staniland, manager at Convert Your Van (pictured front, right), said: "Having worked in the business for the last couple of years, I could see the huge potential for Scott and Katrina's business. What set out as a hobby was quickly turning into a full time business for them, so they asked if I wanted to take it on so they could concentrate on other new and existing business interests.

"I had no hesitation in grabbing the opportunity with both hands and I would like to thank my fellow investors, as well as Neil Large from Lupton Fawcett, for acting so quickly to enable the deal to conclude in just three weeks.

"There is untapped potential for Convert for Van and I am looking forward to building on the bedrock of success provided by Scott and Katrina."

Neil Large, corporate partner at Lupton Fawcett (pictured, front, left), added: "It was a pleasure to work with the four-person buyout team who are all highly focused and know exactly where they want to drive the business. There is a lot of consolidation in the market so these will be exciting times for the business under its new ownership.

"Daniel, who will be leading the operation, has a real passion for the business and a clear vision for its expansion and development. With the wider support from the whole buyout team at the strategic, financial and operational levels, I have no doubt revenues will increase quickly."

Convert Your Van website
Lupton Fawcett website

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