News: Recognition for young sign maker

James Stuchbury, an apprentice sign maker at Signs Express (Sheffield), has been nominated as a finalist in the British Sign and Graphics Association's (BSGA'a) Young Sign Maker of the Year award.

Based at Templeborough, Signs Express (Sheffield) pride themselves on their expertise and innovative solutions to help businesses come up with perfect signage solutions, tailored specifically to their requirements. In February 2004, Steve and Carol Morris opened their fully equipped sign making centre in Rotherham, since then, they have expanded their territory to include all of Sheffield.

The award is a unique category in the BSGA awards as it judges the talent of a person and rewards their dedication and skill instead of an entire project. James was nominated for his ability to quickly absorb practical information and skills, as well as his unfaltering drive, which has seen him take on managerial responsibilities, freeing up the current production manager to focus on sales.

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Steve Morris, director of Signs Express (Sheffield), put James forward for the award. Steve said: "James has been an invaluable asset to our team, learning from our experienced production manager in order to take on some of the responsibility. James has gone above and beyond and has learnt so much so quickly that we have no fear leaving him to not only make signs, but manage large projects. He is well deserving of an award and any recognition this affords him."

James has played an important role in a number of impressive projects since he began at Signs Express (Sheffield) a year ago. Most notably, the ongoing work with Artfelt, Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity, who are steadily transforming various spaces within the hospital buildings into creative, less frightening, colourful places, where families and children can feel safe.

James is close to securing his NVQ in printing and graphic communication, which will mean he is at the end of his apprenticeship, but he is excited to stay on at Signs Express (Sheffield). He said: "Being nominated as a finalist in this award has been a pleasant surprise. I sincerely appreciate working in such a positive environment, Steve, Carol and the team are a pleasure to work with. I would like to thank them for nominating me for this prestigious award."

James is up against three other young sign makers, one of whom is from Signs Express (Exeter). The winner will be announced on November 9 at an awards day at the Athena Events Centre located in the heart of Leicester's cultural quarter.

Signs Express (Sheffield) website

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News: £7m funding for overseas trade for yorkshire SMEs

Yorkshire businesses that are new to exporting or already selling overseas could be eligible for match-funded grants of up to £5,000 towards the costs of investigating new international markets.

Under the £6.7m European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Exporting for Growth programme SMEs in the Leeds and Sheffield City Regions and the Humber LEP can access matched funding of up to 60% of the costs of developing exports.

Investment eligible for financial support under the programme, which is delivered by Enterprise Growth Solutions (EGS), includes overseas travel, international exhibition costs, language training and export consultancy. Registering products in new markets and developing internationally targeted marketing materials is also eligible.

In addition to the funding, companies will receive impartial and tailored advice from an International Trade Adviser who will be happy to assist businesses throughout the process and project.

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Over the next few years this project aims to engage with and support over 1,000 local SMEs to find new profitable customers in overseas markets, resulting in the creation of 750+ new jobs in our region.

Victoria Boldison, network manager of ExportExchange, a network for exporters in the region, said: "The new source of ERDF funding will be a great help for many small businesses in Yorkshire that are struggling to meet some of the costs involved in investigating and penetrating overseas markets. Finding the money to make that step is very often the catalyst that enables overseas trade, and we are looking forward to hearing more success stories as the Exporting for Growth programme becomes more widely known."

Export support is one of the types of business support brought together by the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub which acts as a gateway so that local businesses can access specialists in any field of business development: including innovation, exporting, accessing finance or training.

SCR Growth Hub website

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News: Rotherham fracking plans heading for refusal?

Rotherham Council is currently minded to recommend the refusal of planning permission for a shale gas test drilling well in Harthill, having raised concerns over access to the Greenbelt site.

A special meeting of the planning board was pencilled in for November 23 to decide on the application due to the fact that over 1,000 objection representations have been received, but this may not now go ahead.

INEOS' oil and gas exploration and production business selected 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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Chris Wilkins, development manager at Rotherham Council, said: "We might not be on for that [the 23rd] because we've got a problem with the access from our point of view and we are looking to recommend it for refusal.

"The applicants are wanting to come back and discuss that with us a bit further which means that we wouldn't be able to get it on for the 23rd. We are pressing them to give us an extension of time until probably the end of January, or the beginning of February it is more likely to be."

The project is expected to generate 70 total daily movements with 60 HGV movements for a period during site development and establishment and the drilling, coring and pressure transient testing stage.

Ian Ferguson, senior highway development control officer, said: "The Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and Route Management Strategy (RMS) submitted as part of the application were not considered to provide adequate mitigation in terms of protecting the safety of other road users along the intended route (Packman Lane and Common Road)."

The Council is concerned over road safety regarding "the introduction of a significant number of additional large commercial vehicles along these narrow country lanes."

Some of the vehicles visiting the site would be abnormal loads and are wider than the roads currently available when measured between boundary hedges.

Further mitigation has been discussed between the council and applicants and includes setting up one way traffic diversions so that convoys approaching/leaving the site would travel when the one way working was in operation and other road users would be required to follow the diversion route during these periods.

Rotherham Councillors recently passed a motion to ban any fracking related activity on Council land.

INEOS website

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News: Innovative back-to-back housing for Waverley

A new housing scheme, complete with unique roof gardens and expansive glazing, is set to be built on the Waverley regeneration site having secured planning permission.

Sky House Company (Waverley) Ltd, which has been created by the award winning architects at CODA Studios, has put forward an innovative scheme for 44 houses on land off Lescar Road on the Harworth Group's Waverley site - the largest brownfield redevelopment in South Yorkshire.

Approved in 2010, the largest, most complex, planning application ever considered by Rotherham Council gave outline approval for a new community on the site of the former Orgreave coking works, including 3,890 homes across 741 acres.

The reserved matters planning application is for 40 two bedroom homes with rooftop gardens and four three bedroom homes with private gardens, set out in four terraced blocks. The back-to-back houses are three stories high.

The plans also include 48 car parking spaces and a community pocket park. One condition relates to affordable housing provision.

Charles Dunn, planning consultant at the agents, Coda Planning, spoke at the board. He said: "It is fair to say that the proposals do stand out in design terms from most of the traditional family housing that has already been delivered in the new community. This the result of a conscious and joint effort between the applicant and planning authority to deliver a greater variety of housing types, and to really raise the bar in terms of the level of design and sustainability of the homes being built at Waverley.

He added that this contemporary design and different sort of housing is very much in demand.

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Nigel Hancock, assistant planning manager at Rotherham Council, told the planning board: "The houses are very different to what has been built up there so far, but this is deliberate. It's to ensure that it really and truly is an inclusive community."

The design of the scheme was described as being a bit like Marmite by board members who went on to vote ten to one to approve the proposals.

The houses are set to be built close to where the proposed £50m retail mixed use local centre will be. The scheme also gained approval from the planning board of Rotherham Council at the same meeting.

Around 800 homes are completed or being constructed and earlier this year, Harworth sold a further 8.17 acres to Taylor Wimpey, for the construction of 130 houses. This is Taylor Wimpey's third purchase of land at Waverley, following previous land purchases in 2013 and 2015 for a total of 192 plots.

Harworth also said that it plans to complete further residential sales at Waverley in the second half of 2017, reflecting the underlying strength of Yorkshire's housing market.

Sky House Co website

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News: Fly through new £50m Rotherham retail scheme

Joint developers Harworth Group plc and Dransfield Properties Ltd have welcomed the unanimous backing of the planning board at Rotherham Council for their £50m retail, office and leisure scheme at Waverley in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported last week that the application was being recommended for approval by Council planners. And so it was - the members of the board voting eleven for and 0 against, having heard how the benefits will outweigh any negative impacts.

The plans will now be referred to the Secretary of State's National Planning Casework Unit for a final sign off.

The applicant stated at the meeting that work could get underway in June between the residential and commercial developments at the regeneration site on the former Orgreave coking works. Construction would take an estimated 72 weeks.

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Known as Waverley Square, the plans are for "the piece of the jigsaw" creating a local centre for residents and businesses. It includes some 100,000 sq ft of retail space including a 20,774 sq ft foodstore; high spec office space covering 38,285 sq ft; restaurants, coffee shops and a gym; a medical and community facility covering 11,464 sq ft; and a small bus station.

Owen Michaelson, chief executive of Harworth Group plc, said: "This is a key development for Rotherham and for the Sheffield city region in that it will create the sort of high-quality local facilities that both businesses at the Advanced Manufacturing Park and local residents increasingly expect. Waverley is growing into a prominent placemaking destination in the region and these facilities will further attract new residents and businesses to live and work at the development."

Mark Dransfield, managing director of Dransfield Properties, added: "We are delighted that our application for Waverley has now been approved by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

"We have been keen from the outset to design a genuinely outstanding scheme befitting of Waverley, with architecture and materials to match. With the combined experience and knowledge of our two companies we are confident we will deliver an excellent scheme for Waverley to serve this growing community over the next two and a half years."

The planning board heard how the applicants had worked with Council planners to bring forward a scheme as the retail, commercial property and housing sectors had changed since the outline approval of the Waverley scheme in 2010. The application site had originally been envisaged as becoming home to a large Government office campus.

Working with South Yorkshire architects Dixon Dawson, the bus station in the scheme draws architectural inspiration from Kings Cross, whilst rooftop space draws inspiration from the High Line public space in New York. Overall the scheme is very similar to Dransfield's Fox valley scheme in Stocksbridge.

Nigel Hancock, assistant planning manager at Rotherham Council, told the board: "This is a large mixed use centre, a large development. It's in an out of town location and it is for some town centre uses. So it does need some careful consideration.

"The applicant themselves have shown a willingness to adapt the scheme and worked very hard with us to overcome our original concerns."

Objections had been received, mainly from local residents raising concerns regarding traffic, parking and operating hours.

Variations were made as the Council was concerned over the impact on other town centres, including Rotherham town centre. The planning permission comes with a number of conditions over the gross retail floorspace, net comparison goods floorspace, and a restriction over the range of comparison goods to be sold.

The application states that the development could create 700 full-time equivalent jobs and generate business rates in the region of approximately £1.5m once fully occupied.

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Mark Dransfield spoke at the board meeting. He told members: "This has been the subject of 18 months work of our company and consultants and we have worked very closely with members and officers. We do take our position in our community very seriously and we have consulted with residents, town councils and MPs. We have listened to what people have had to say and the scheme has changed significantly since we first started.

"We are aware of the residents' concerns and hopefully we can allay some of those fears, maybe not all, but we will do our utmost to do that. We are acutely aware that those are our customers as well so we would not want to do anything that would offend our residents.

"We appreciate also that you are concerned about the health of Rotherham town centre. We as a company objected to Meadowhall vehemently because my company is "town centre first" and whilst it is treated at the moment as an out of town application, I believe that this is a local centre and we will be servicing a local need here.

"Just to give you some names - Martin's Newsagents, Timpson's, Domino's, Home Bargains, Boots, Iceland, Vets4Pets, Specsavers. They are all in your town centres and they are not going to come out of the town centre because we are putting them in here. This services, in our understanding, a different catchment."

At the same meeting, plans were also approved for Coda's innovative plans for new style back to back housing on the Waverley site.

Harworth Group plc website
Dransfield website

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News: Wolf Components lay foundations for growth with HSBC backing

Wolf Components, a new start-up manufacturer based in Rotherham, has secured a multi-million-pound funding package from HSBC to support ambitious growth plans.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month that the company has taken on a unit at Waddington's Aldwarke Wharf speculative development in Rotherham having been established in Spring 2017 after owners Anthony Joyce and Stephen Baul spotted an opportunity in the market for British-made bed springs to supply British mattress manufacturers.

Anthony Joyce is the former managing director for UK and European bedding manufacturing at Steinhoff International (which operate the Bensons for Beds, Harveys brands in the UK), and Stephen Baul is a former executive at US manufacturer, Legett & Platt.

The pair approached HSBC for funding and have since been able to purchase manufacturing machinery for their Rotherham facility.

At present, the business employs 12 people but has ambitious plans to double its workforce over the next 12 months.

The funding will support Wolf Components' ambition to become a £13m turnover business within three years as it serves markets in the UK and Central Europe.

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Anthony Joyce, owner of Wolf Components (pictured, right), said: "Since establishing the business earlier this year we have focused on setting up a UK manufacturing base and understanding the requirements of our clients.

"The funding package from HSBC puts us in a great position to move forward with our growth plans, which includes increasing business across the UK and Europe and expanding our local workforce in Rotherham."

The deal was completed by Lee Manterfield, a relationship director in South Yorkshire Corporate Banking, Paul Bryne from HSBC equipment finance, and by Robert Watson, a managing partner at Gibson Booth, who acted on the client's behalf.

Mike Swift, area director for West and South Yorkshire at HSBC (pictured, left), said: "Wolf Components is a great example of the type of dynamic business we are delighted to support.

"The owners have considerable experience and knowledge of the market and have identified a great business opportunity, with strong potential for growth.

"We look forward to seeing their business thrive."

Wolf Components website
HSBC website

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News: Education Secretary revisits her Rotherham school

Education Secretary, Justine Greening this week visited Oakwood High School in Rotherham, the comprehensive secondary school she attended as a pupil in the 1980s, for the official opening of its new, state-of-the-art buildings.

The school has undergone a £12.2m refurbishment as part of the Government's Priority School Building Programme, which is focused on rebuilding and revamping school premises. The new facilities at Oakwood High include specialist science, art and music rooms, a large gymnasium, and a separate dining hall – all under one roof.

The Conservative minister, who went on to attend Thomas Rotherham College, was given a tour of the school by current pupils and by former teachers Richard Townsend and John Bingham, who taught at Oakwood High during her time as a pupil at the school.

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Education Secretary Justine Greening said: "Returning to Oakwood High School was incredibly special to me. I had amazing teachers here who inspired me.

"I want every young person to be able to reach their full potential and great teachers are at the heart of that. It's great to be back in Rotherham and to see Oakwood High helping raise the aspirations of new generations of young people from the area, making sure they have the skills and knowledge to achieve their goals."

.@JustineGreening "It's been amazing to be Secretary of State for Education & to be able to come back" @OakwoodHSchool in #Rotherham pic.twitter.com/T5A3DvXoCy

— DfE (@educationgovuk) October 26, 2017

David Naisbitt, headteacher at Oakwood High School, said: "We understand that children and young people need positive role models. Here in Rotherham, our young people need to see that opportunity does not lie beyond their grasp – it rests firmly within the realm of their possibilities.

"There is no better example of what can be achieved than the Secretary of State; a local girl, educated in her local community.

"The new school building will act as a beacon and stands as a clear statement to this community of the value of education."

The first comprehensive school educated secretary of state for education studied at Southampton University, earning an MBA from the London Business School and used to work in business.

Kier Construction was the lead contractor on the Oakwood project.

Oakwood High School website

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News: Rotherham Primark store on the market

With national retailer, Primark, looking all set to open its new Rotherham store next month, the current unit on the High Street is looking for new tenants.

Rothbiz reported in March that Primark was to open a new store at Parkgate Shopping, relocating from Rotherham town centre.

Sitting alongside M&S and Curry's/PC World, the new Primark store will occupy 33,100 sq ft of retail space over two levels and will create over 40 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to 107.

BMO Real Estate Partners, the owners of Parkgate Shopping, have moved quickly to fit out the store to Primark's latest contemporary shop fit, including a double-height glazed frontage, new signage and an extension to the mezzanine trading level.

With the impending move from one former BHS unit to another, joint agents at Smith Young and Edgerley Simpson Howe have been brought in to market the prominent High Street unit.

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One of the largest retail units in Rotherham town centre, 11-13 High Street is described as a "prime retail opportunity" and extends to some 22,343 sq ft on the ground floor, currently in use by Primark. The first floor covers 19,237 sq ft and there is over 1,000 sq ft on the second floor.

The property is being advertised as leasehold but freehold offers will be considered. The rent for the property has been given a guide price of offers in excess of £200,000 per annum exclusive.

The rateable value, which influences the business rates payable by the occupier, is £192,000.

Rotherham Council has acknowledged that the retailer's move will have an impact on the already falling footfall rates in Rotherham town centre. The authority said in August: "The recently announced move of Primark to Parkgate will have an impact on footfall on High Street and the wider town centre. The closure is scheduled for the last quarter of 2017 and Council officers are seeking a meeting with Primark to discuss plans for the store, which is owned by Primark."

Associated British Foods plc, which owns Primark, reported this week that the chain "performed particularly well in the UK where full year sales are expected to be 10% ahead of last year on a comparable basis and our share of the total clothing market has increased significantly."

1.5 million sq ft of selling space has been created by Primark this year and 30 new stores were opened across nine countries - nine in the UK. With 345 stores, over 1.2 million sq ft of additional selling space is being planned for next year.

Primark website

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News: New transport strategy for Sheffield city region

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) has published the first draft of its transport strategy 2018 – 2040 outlining the strategic transport priorities for supporting economic growth and improving quality of life for all.

A Transport Prospectus was published earlier this year setting out three geographical priorities – national, Pan-Northern, and the Sheffield city region. The long term strategy builds on this and provides overarching goals, policies and conditional outcomes for the city region's transport system.

The vision is to be "a forward-looking city region with integrated transport connections that support economic growth and improve quality of life for all."

The strategy adds: "Transport has a pivotal role to play in achieving our vision for 2040. We must look forward and consider the future of our City Region, and transport as a part of it, in order to respond optimally.

"Transport infrastructure plays a key role in supporting the economic growth of our City Region. It provides the means by which residents can access employment, education, retail and leisure opportunities, as well as providing the mechanism for businesses to transport goods and services. Our evidence suggests that congestion is already restricting our growth, and without intervention could significantly restrict the future productivity of our City Region. In addition, gaps in connectivity could further limit access to employment, labour, and higher value jobs."

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The current Transport Strategy was published in 2011 and the new strategy includes high level policies for improving access, making streets healthier and being at the forefront of technological innovation. An implementation plan will follow the strategy outlining how rail commuter flows between northern cities can be increased, how journey times to the airport can be reduced and how congestion can be reduced.

Some strategic interventions are included, such as an HS2 Growth Strategy which will look at an integrated connectivity package "so that the essential connections to key growth and economic areas, and our wider City Region, are in place."

Specifically for Rotherham, the strategy makes reference to a new Rotherham Parkway Station, options to improve connectivity and reliability through the M1 Junction 33-34 innovation corridor, SCR Mass Transit, building on the tram-train pilot project, and improving accessibility and streetscape between the railway station and town centre in Rotherham. The city region is also looking at Park & Ride provision for bus as well as tram, train and tram-train, including a tram/train option at Magna at Templeborough.

SCR website

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News: Harworth chief joins SCR LEP board

The head of Rotherham regeneration specialist, Harworth group plc, has been appointed to the business-focused board of the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Owen Michaelson is the chief executive of Harworth, the brownfield regeneration and property investment specialist that owns the Waverley site and has its headquarters nearby. The company, one of South Yorkshire's largest publicly listed companies, was created following the complex restructure of UK Coal.

Michaelson joins four new members of the local enterprise partnership (LEP) board that were announced recently: Laura Bennett – a Sheffield-based specialist in entrepreneurship and digital technology; Alexa Greaves – chief executive of AAG, the IT managed services company of Barlborough, Chesterfield; former Master Cutler Neil MacDonald – a finance director in international engineering industries; and Richard Stubbs – senior manager in national health and innovation organisations, Yorkshire and Humber.

The Sheffield City Region was given the green light to establish one of the UK's first LEP in 2010. Led by the private sector, LEPs are the Government's model to promote economic development. They provide the strategic leadership required to set out local economic priorities, and better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas they serve.

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The new members will be supported by former members Chris Scholey and Simon Carr, who will continue work on specific priorities including housing and infrastructure. Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, has also agreed to be co-opted to the board to help lead on skills and employability.

Sir Nigel Knowles, chair of the SCR LEP, said: "These appointments continue to strengthen our work, which is central to stimulating economic growth across the region. We have an enviable group of people here, who will build on the work done so effectively by the current and previous members.

"We've seen 37,000 jobs created in the region in the past two years, and we lead the way in many international projects, with supercar manufacturers McLaren Automotive and aero giant Boeing opting to join us because of our reputation for research and innovation and our track record of getting things done.

"I look forward to a great future for Sheffield City Region with our Board driving economic success."

Current members of the board are Sir Nigel; Vice Chair Nigel Brewster; Gavin Baldwin, CEO of Doncaster Rover FC; Sir Keith Burnett, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield; Julie Kenny, Chairman of Robson Handling Technology; Martin McKervey, Partner at CMS and the nine local council leaders that make up Sheffield city region.

SCR website

Images: Harworth

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News: Rotherham's selective licensing back on the agenda

Rotherham Council is putting together a business case for the introduction of further selective licensing designations to tackle the low housing demand and significant and persistent levels of antisocial behaviour related to the private rented sector.

The authority has already designated four areas as Selective Licensing areas where a licence fee for each property must be paid for by the landlord or agent and where each licence contains a set of conditions that the landlord must meet.

Now housing officers are due to present a business case for further selective licensing designations and are hoping for backing from the Council's cabinet next month.

Utilising powers under the Housing Act 2004, the designations came into force on May 1 2015 and will last for five years. The areas are: Eastwood, Masbrough, Dinnington and Maltby South East as these have been deemed, or are likely to become, areas of low housing demand.

Nearly 2,000 licence applications have been made. The £1.2m income is expected to cover the costs of administration of the scheme over the five year period.

Following consultation, the council's cabinet approved in December 2014 the licensing of privately rented properties in selected areas with the aim of improving conditions for local tenants and the surrounding community. This was despite the council's own Improving Places Select Commission preferring a landlord led, voluntary, borough-wide, quality landlord scheme as an alternative to mandatory selective licensing.

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Further designations would require further public consultation. Details on timescales and the areas that would come under selective licensing have not yet been published but the cabinet decision would affect all wards in the borough.

The 2014 consultation results showed 63% of the total respondents were in favour of the proposals, with the vast majority of those in support being residents. Concerns over the costs of licences were raised, predominantly from landlords, that the licensing fee per property (around £600) is too much. Also that, expecting payment upfront, would severely affect landlord's businesses.

A legal challenge brought by local landlords was defeated in 2015.

A review of the scheme was carried out earlier this year. It showed that 76% of licensable properties had applied but enforcement action was required to reach an objective of 95%.

The review also showed that housing conditions across the designated areas are generally substandard at the initial Council inspection but following the rigorous inspection and enforcement process, landlords are choosing to improve properties.

Rotherham Council website

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News: Rotherham restaurant frying high

Whitby's in Rotherham has been named as one of the best fish and chip restaurants in the country.

Opening in Catcliffe in 2011, the new build site at Poplars Business Park includes an eat-in restaurant which can seat 180 customers, alongside a traditional takeaway.

Developed and built by Foers Contracts and designed by Freeman Associates, the two-storey building has a footprint of around 6,000 sq ft, with on-site parking facilities providing 77 spaces.

The Rotherham restaurant has now been named as one of the UK's top 20 fish and chip restaurants as part of the 30th anniversary National Fish & Chip Awards, organised by Seafish.

To reach this stage of the competition, the 20 restaurants have been assessed against a wide variety of judging criteria, including menu development and innovation, responsible sourcing policies, staff training and development processes and marketing and promotional activity.

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Over the coming weeks, judges will make unannounced visits to respective restaurants to undertake mystery dining assessments. This next stage of competition judging will whittle down the shortlist and establish the top five fish and chip restaurants that will compete for the overall national title to be presented at the awards ceremony in London on January 25 2018. It is one of 15 categories in the 2018 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Marcus Coleman, chief executive at Seafish, said: "With the popularity of fast casual dining on the increase, the fish and chip restaurant experience has now come up to par with the traditional fish and chip takeaway, and we are seeing a whole host of innovative and forward thinking outlets come to the fore.

"The rigorous judging process behind this award ensures that not only the quality of the fish and chips being plated up is of the highest standard, but that the restaurants are offering customer dining experiences that are second to none.

"The top 20 restaurants should be extremely proud of their achievements and I congratulate them all."

Seafish is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) set up by the Fisheries Act 1981 to improve efficiency and raise standards across the seafood industry.

Whitby's has two South Yorkshire restaurants, in Rotherham and Doncaster. Executives behind the business include Lord Kirkham, the founder of furniture chain, DFS, and James Foers of local construction contracting firm, Foers.

Whitby's website

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News: Horbury lined up for car park contract

Horbury Facades, part of the Rotherham based Horbury Group, is detailing, supplying and installing an "inspirational" new façade as part of the £107m Bridge Street Quarter Regeneration Scheme in Warrington.

Working on behalf of main contractor for the Bridge Street car park project, I&H Brown, and alongside Muse Developments, Horbury Facades' skilled team is installing an intricate rain screen backing rail system to stepped light steel vertical cassette panels and then carrying out the complex task of installing individually coloured terracotta tiles to meet the architects' design specification and colour aspirations.

Designed by architects Leach Rhodes Walker, the terracotta tiled façade, features stone stair towers with complementary granite at ground level. It features an intricate design with tiles supplied by Taylor Maxwell in four colours: pearl white, basalt, gold and black.

The tiles are installed on the main entrance and rear elevation of the car-park and were complemented by an inset cassette. Compared to assembling multiple panels on site, the cassette system allowed the terracotta tiles to be installed up to 50% faster. Horbury Facades is also installing a feature Bullnose aluminium capping at the roofline to all three stair cores for enhanced aesthetics and weather performance.

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At ground level, Horbury Facades is supplying and installing a granite rain screen façade system, as well as adding a full height attractive exterior of natural sand stone to the three stair cores. Stone supplied by Tiles International Ltd complements the same façade of the new town hall which is a stone's throw from the car-park. The company also installed feature panels, again using the cassette system, to the front and rear of the building. The whole project is being completed within a 20 week period.

Paul Rowley, project manager for I&H Brown Ltd, said: "“This was a major redevelopment, involving the complex removal of an existing car park building and construction of a much larger eight storey structure on the same site, with an attractive new aesthetic that fitted in with the larger regeneration project.

"The terracotta tiles play an important part in the look and feel of this building close to the centre of Warrington. The Horbury Facades team had the skill and expertise to be able to deliver a facade that met the project's requirements exactly."

Adrian Storey, general manager at Horbury Facades, added: "This was quite a complex project involving a number of different construction techniques and a variety of materials. It is testament to the skills of our team that we were able to execute it to meet the deadline and achieve the architect's vision for what will undoubtedly be one of the most iconic buildings in Warrington town centre."

From its headquarters in the Moorgate area, the Horbury Group combines a number of subsidiaries that specialise in areas including joinery, ceilings, dry lining and health and safety training.

Horbury Group website

Images: Horbury

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News: New order comes in to force in Rotherham town centre

An important measure to address declining footfall in Rotherham town centre has come in to force as partners aim to tackle perceptions around antisocial behaviour.

Rothbiz reported in July on proposals for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Rotherham town centre and Clifton Park after the Council said that it continues to receive complaints about a minority of people who behave in an unacceptable way.

Reassuring members of the public that the town centre is safe, the order introduces a number of prohibitions to address the anti-social behaviour of individuals visiting these areas. By outlining these prohibitions it makes it clear what kind of behaviour is acceptable in the town centre.

The new orders replace a range of other orders, including dog control orders and alcohol orders.

Enforcement will be carried out by both the Council and Police officers and individuals who break the order may receive a £100 penalty or face prosecution.

Chief Inspector Paul Ferguson said: "We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to reduce anti-social behaviour, as the inconsiderate actions of a handful of people are tainting the enjoyment and experience of Rotherham town centre for others.

"Our officers will support those of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in robustly dealing with those who choose to break the prohibitions contained within the Public Spaces Protection Order."

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Prohibitions include:

- Behaving in such a way or using language that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to another person
- Making unsolicited approaches, in the open air, for the purposes of face-to-face fundraising and marketing of commercial products, carried out by organisations without prior written permission from the Council
- Failing to keep a dog on a leash and under control (otherwise than within the dog exercise area within Clifton Park, where dogs may be off leads but must remain under control - see maps at bottom of the page)
- Littering
- Urinating or defecating in a public place, other than within designated public toilets
- Spitting saliva or any other product from the mouth
- Consuming alcohol other than on licensed premises or at a licensed event

As part of the consultation, visits were made to 82 town centre businesses and a report on the development of the PSPO showed that support for the order was given by 99% of the local businesses consulted regarding conditions relating to rowdy behaviour and foul language.

In total, officers gathered 525 responses through the various methods. Of those responses, 492 (93.7%) were in favour of the introduction of the PSPO.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Rotherham Council, said: "Members of the public were highly supportive of this approach, and the new powers will enable us to tackle the minority of people in the town centre that prevent other people enjoying it.

"The Council listened to the feedback received during the consultation and we have amended the order to reflect this."

Rotherham Council has pledged to support existing businesses in the town centre until the catalyst regeneration schemes featured in the new masterplan come to fruition.

Images: SY Police

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News: Rotherham digital marketing agency celebrates two years in business

SUM, a digital marketing agency based at Manvers in Rotherham, is celebrating two successful years of trading.

Based at Concept Court, SUM works with start-up businesses, SME's and corporate companies to deliver online and offline marketing services; including web design, branding, SEO and social media management.

Last month, the design team at SUM created presentation visuals for Greg Dyke, founder of Vine Hotels and former chairman of the FA, who presented in front of 800 people at the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester.

SUM is also celebrating success from the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards earlier this month. The agency was highly commended in the Most Promising New Business Award and a finalist in the Digital and Creative Award.

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James Coughlan, company founder at SUM, said: "We've grown rapidly from a team of two to a team of nine with a second office in Surrey. I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported me throughout SUM's journey. I never dreamed we'd be where we are today, but I'm so proud of what the team have achieved."

Keen to make difference to the local community, SUM deliver a programme of free education workshops to help boost digital knowledge within Rotherham organisations.

Working in partnership with NatWest Business and Swinton-based Brearley & Co Accountants, SUM delivered their first sold-out workshop at Rotherham United's New York Stadium last month. The fast-growing agency is a business partner at the League One club.

Due to demand, the agency will deliver a second workshop at the stadium this week on October 25, and the final workshop of the year is scheduled for November 22.

The free to attend events include an interactive workshop that get businesses thinking more strategically about marketing spend and return.

SUM.Agency website

Images: SUM

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News: Rotherham Greenwoods store saved

The Rotherham store of historic national retailer, Greenwoods Menswear, has been saved from closure as a new buyer takes on the business.

Adrian Berry and Clare Boardman of Deloitte LLP were appointed joint administrators on September 6 with 300 jobs and 60 stores at risk.

The retailer has stores nationwide and specialises in men's formalwear and smart casual clothing whilst also developing the 1860 Brand, a hire wear specialist of wedding, evening and Highland wear suits. The company also operates its niche brand "Mansize" which caters for the larger man, whilst still retaining high quality styling and fabrics.

The Rotherham "flagship" store opened on College Street in 2011 in the former Music Zone unit. The move into the store was helped by an £8,000 grant from the Council's Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme.

The stores have continued to trade, despite third party supplier ACS Clothing Limited, which supplied the suit hire to Greenwoods Menswear, pulling out.

The latest deal via the administrators will see 40 stores, central warehouse and its 11 staff, and head office and its 15 staff now operated by Versatile International Trading. The move means 181 jobs have been saved, but 88 people will lose their jobs thanks to the closure of 22 stores.

The Rotherham store is set to remain open.

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Adrian Berry, joint administrator, said: "This sale represents the best outcome for the business, which has been trading in administration for over six weeks. A significant proportion of the employees now have their jobs protected and we would like to thank all of them for their support during this difficult period."

The firm has struggled in the challenging retail sector before. In 2009 Greenwoods was bought out of administration by Harvest Fancy Hong Kong Ltd, an arm of Bosideng, one of China's biggest clothing chains. Under subsidiary, Pacific Trend Investment, the business was then acquired by fully by Bosideng in October 2014.

An investment and restructuring plan was underway but it was reported earlier this year that Bosideng, which has around 10,000 stores in China, was pulling out of its flagship London store which was expected to be a launchpad for a move into Europe.

For the financial year to March 31 2016, turnover at Greenwoods was £2m down on the previous year at £22.2m. Pre-tax losses went from £1.7m to £1.4m.

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News: Rotherham roundabout set for £4.6m revamp

£3.24m of Government funding has been secured for an improvement scheme at the College Road roundabout on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

The money is part of a £345.3m funding package announced by the Department for Transport to improve local roads and public transport across the country. Almost £10m is set to be pumped into three different transport schemes in Sheffield city region.

Known by most as the B&Q roundabout, despite the DIY retailer moving from the Thornhill area into larger premises across town in 2009, the key part of the A630 Centenary Way is seen as important to the regeneration of the town and the large development planned for former Green Belt land at Bassingthorpe Farm - one of the largest proposed housing schemes in the city region.

DfT funding of £3.24m will contribute to a £4.63m scheme to improve capacity on the roundabout, to enable future economic growth in the area. The remainder of the funding needed will come via Rotherham Council.

The bid document states that the scheme would support 3,116 homes in the town centre and at Bassingthorpe and some 71 hectares of employment land. The estimated number of associated jobs (direct / indirect) is 16,141 with an uplift in GVA to the local economy of £403m a year.

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Sir Nigel Knowles, chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: "Here in Sheffield City Region we are already achieving transformational change and building a thriving, super-connected and successful economy. Transport links are absolutely key to this.

"It is vital that transport infrastructure continues to unlock economic growth in the city region and across the UK, and that local, regional and national funds continue to support us in achieving improvements in our road capacity.

"We at Sheffield City Region have a strong track record for getting things done, and I am delighted that, working in close collaboration with our local authority partners, we have secured this funding."

Cllr Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added: "This improvement scheme builds on the work we have already done to improve traffic movement through Rotherham town centre towards the M1, as well as allowing greater access to the town centre.

"Two years ago we completed a road improvement scheme for the A630 in Rotherham town centre, now known as New York Junction, and this has made an improvement to traffic flow in and out of Rotherham.

"The College Road junction scheme will add to this improvement, and we hope this will act as a further catalyst for the economic growth Rotherham needs."

Work could start on the roundabout in December 2018.

The local authority has also been keen to secure Government funding to carry out much needed repairs for Centenary Way.

Images: Google Maps

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News: instantprint seeks pioneering new business idea

Fast growing Rotherham-based online printer, instantprint, is on the search for a new business idea which has bundles of potential and deserves the launch of a life-time.

The firm merged with fast-growing print experts, Bluetree Design & Print Ltd in 2012. It then moved into bigger premises at Manvers where staff numbers have passed the 250 mark. From new premises, the Bluetree Group operates through a number of different brands, including Route 1 Print and instantprint and is expecting to turnover £30m this year.

From logo design to legal advice, instantprint want to provide an innovative business idea with the foundations they need to flourish and succeed in today's competitive market.

With only 3% of small business owners using Government funding to grow, initial capital can be difficult to raise. Earlier this year, instantprint conducted a survey of small business owners to unearth the issues entrepreneurs are facing. The survey revealed many SMEs are struggling to grow under a mountain of red tape and funding issues, therefore instantprint believe the "Launch of a Lifetime" will help them continue their mission to support the UK's small businesses.

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James Kinsella, co-founder of instantprint, said: "As instantprint began as a micro-business with only two of us trying to grow the business organically, we understand how difficult it is to find the capital needed to start generating revenue. We're delighted this competition will not only highlight the incredible ideas British business owners have, but give one amazing Startup the marketing and legal support they need to grow."

When childhood friends Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, graduated, they had already spotted a gap in the market for online printing. The duo founded Instantprint in 2009 using second-hand printing equipment and a borrowed office.

instantprint have teamed up with massive B2B brands such as iZettle and Dotmailer to give away over £6,500 worth of resources to the winner of their search that cover a huge range of costs start-ups have to cover.

All entrepreneurs have to do to enter is pitch their business idea on the instantprint website.

The winner will be someone who instantprint believes could take their business to huge heights with the right support.

Prizes include: iZettle reader with £2500 worth of fee transactions; Logo Design, Email Marketing Template and 6500 Printed Materials from instantprint; a 12 month Dotmailer email licence with 240k emails; social media strategy, SEO marketing strategy and a marketing campaign plan from global marketing agency, Intermarketing; legal advice and templates with a 1-year Access package from Lawbite.

Instantprint website

Images: instantprint

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News: New lease of life for Rotherham pubs

Two former pubs on the edge of Rotherham town centre could both be in for a new lease of life, if planning approval can be secured to change the use of the buildings.

Known by many as the The Moulders Rest, the prominent building on Masborough Street has previously been operated as restaurants since the pub's closure in 2009.

Now, CR Civil Engineering Ltd, a firm that is based in the East Midlands and works throughout the UK, is hoping to bring the premises back into use as a new regional office.

CR Civil Engineering Ltd carries out work on large projects such as drainage, earthworks and surfacing. Previous projects in the area include surfacing at Hitachi's Doncaster rail depot, work on Charter Square in Sheffield and £1m worth of works on the Doncaster to Water Orton - Railway Station Platforms Realignment project.

The expanding firm is aplpying to change the use of the building from restaurant to office use. If approved, the bar and restaurant areas would all be converted into office space for 14 staff members. The plans also include a reception area, toilet and kitchen facilities, meeting room, car parking provision for staff and visitors, and external storage space for materials and small, specialist machinery.

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The Masbrough area has been given a mixed use allocation in the latest local plan and Rotherham Council has considered that a sequential test is required in line with national and local planning policies. Sequential tests ensure that development is located in the most sustainable location first (usually in town centres), before other, less sustainable locations are chosen.

A report from the Council's planning policy team indicates that they are satisfied that alternative sites in the town centre have been appropriately discounted, and that there are no other appropriate available alternatives.

The 3,900 sq ft property went up for sale last year with agents Knight Frank seeking offers in the region of £300,000 exclusive for the Freehold interest.

At the other end of town, on Wellgate, another set of plans have been submitted for the former Masons Arms. Here plans have been submitted that would convert the pub building into a ground floor retail unit with an eight bedroom HMO (house of multiple occupation) above.

M2 Design & Planning Consultants have been commissioned by Yasir Hussain to develop a plan for the building. Their application states: "The proposal is to convert the existing premises to a more suitable use by the applicant. The former public house ceased trading and was put on the open market, which was then acquired by the new owner with view to developing the site to a more suitable use, taking into account the current needs and demands from the area."

The 7,037 sq ft property has been marketed by CBRE and Everard Cole and was given a guide price of £175,000.

Using the existing building structure, the plans show that 1,550 sq ft of A4 retail space would be created and plans for the upper floors include eight bedrooms, two kitchens, two bathrooms and two toilets.

Pre-application discussions had been requested with the Council earlier this year regarding the potential conversion of the pub into a residential care home facility.

Britain has lost 28,000 pubs since the 1970s, according to the CAMRA's latest Good Beer Guide.

Images: Knight Frank / CBRE

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News: Liberty appoints new UK CEO

Peter Hogg has taken on the role of chief executive of Liberty Speciality Steels with Jon Bolton's appointment as chief executive of the enlarged UK steel division of global metals and industrials group, Liberty House.

Bolton was the first chief executive of Liberty Speciality Steels which was created this year with the £100m deal to acquire the Speciality Steels division of Tata Steel UK.

He was previously Liberty's director of UK steel development, with responsibility also for the group's plates and speciality units, but, following major acquisitions by Liberty House over recent months, he has been given overall responsibility for the expanded and restructured steel business in the UK.

Liberty, part of the GFG Alliance, now has three steel operations in the UK – rolled products, speciality steels and pipes – each with its own chief executive.

Speciality Steels includes several South Yorkshire-based assets including the electric arc steelworks and bar mill at Rotherham, the steel purifying facility in Stocksbridge and a mill in Brinsworth.

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The appointment means that Peter Hogg, previously chief operations officer of Liberty Speciality Steels, will take on the role of chief executive for that division.

Jon Bolton has more than 30 years' steel industry experience both in the UK and internationally, including senior positions with Tata Steel and its predecessors Corus and British Steel. He spent five years in the USA, where he led the construction and subsequent operation of a 2.2 million tonnes-a-year "mini mill" in Alabama and two years based in France while managing director of Corus Rail.

In addition to his company role, Jon is chair of the employers group, UK Steel, and jointly chairs the UK Steel Council along with the Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, advising government and providing strategic leadership to the sector.

Peter Hogg (pictured, below), joined Liberty from British Steel, where he became a director at the company's inception in 2016, following a 25-year career that spanned top leadership roles in the sector across the world.

Since entering the industry as a Cambridge University engineering graduate in 1991, he has distinguished himself in a series of key manufacturing and commercial roles with Tata Steel UK and its predecessor companies. This included a period as managing director of Tata's Speciality Steels division.

The chartered engineer is also a member of the management board of UK Steel and has been a leading member of the industry team constructing a "steel sector deal" with the UK's Government's department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Sanjeev Gupta, executive chairman of the Liberty House Group and GFG Alliance said: "Following our expansion in the UK over the past two years, we are now able to serve the market with a full range of long and flat products and we are very pleased and encouraged to have such a talented and experienced management team to lead these excellent operations."

Liberty House has previously announced that it will be creating around 300 new steel jobs at sites like Aldwarke in Rotherham and Stocksbridge in Sheffield.

Earlier this month saw the official re-activation the "small bloom" caster at Aldwarke more than 18 months after it was mothballed by previous owners during the steel crisis.

Following the initial £20m investment, production from the arc furnaces in Rotherham is expected to rise to over a million tonnes per annum and there are plans for the bar mill to roll over 400,000 tonnes a year.

Liberty Speciality Steel website

Images: Liberty House / British Steel

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News: McLaren powering growth in UK's specialist car manufacturing sector

The decision by British supercar manufacturer, McLaren, to build a 75,000 sq ft facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham has received further vindication in a new report that shows that the sector is set to be boosted by increasing global demand.

New analysis published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirms that Britain is home to the largest and most diverse specialist car manufacturing sector in the world, with some of the most globally recognised and iconic brands.

The UK Specialist Car Manufacturers Report 2017 includes the latest figures that show that in 2016 these car makers turned over a collective £3.6 billion, up 52% from 2012. In addition, they employed 11,250 people – an 11.5% increase on five years ago – the majority in highly skilled, specialist roles, while also supporting tens of thousands additional jobs across the supply chain.

Thanks to an increasing number of affluent buyers and new markets taking an increasing interest in performance driving and luxury models, production is on an upward trend. Output has risen by a quarter (25%) since 2012 and, by 2020, it is forecast to surge 60%, from the current 32,000 units to some 52,000.

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The sector is an important contributor to the UK economy, with 65% of the vehicles it produces exported to markets worldwide, including the EU, US, China, Japan and the Gulf States. Meanwhile, it supports an equally diverse UK supply chain, sourcing, on average, two thirds (65%) of vehicle content from local tier one companies and a further 30% from across the wider EU.

The report also raises issues and uncertainties for UK carmakers caused by the Brexit vote.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: "Our specialist car manufacturing sector is one of the UK's global success stories – making world-leading products and pioneering next generation technologies that benefit everyone. For this to continue we need certainty on Britain's future trading relationships, including customs plans, market access, regulations governing the design, production and approval of vehicles, and rules around movement of skilled workers. This will provide the assurance the sector needs to remain competitive and make investment decisions that enable it to continue to develop innovative, exciting and desirable products that are the envy of the world."

The sector's current growth forecast is based on increasing demand from consumers in key global markets, but also previously announced investment in new facilities from the likes of Aston Martin and McLaren.

Construction is underway on the new 75,000 sq ft facility for McLaren on the AMP. The £50m McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) will enable the development and manufacture of the Monocell and Monocage carbon fibre chassis used in future McLaren models.

The centre is set to create more than 200 jobs and will comprise approximately 150 production staff and 50 manufacturing support staff.

Following a period of research and development alongside the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the centre is expected to be running at full production from 2020. Reshoring production from overseas, McLaren is targeting cost savings of around £10m annually compared to today and the chassis supply will increase average percentage (by value) of a McLaren car sourced in the UK by around 8%, from its current average of around 50%.

McLaren Automotive posted sales of £649.8m for the year ending December 2016, up 44% on the previous year. Profit was up a massive 179% to £65.8m. The Woking-based company completed its 10,000th sports car last December, only five years after the first rolled out of its hi-tech production centre. It now has an objective of producing more than 4,500 vehicles annually by the end of 2022.

McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Technology Group are being brought together under one corporate structure to be called the McLaren Group. The Group is valued at £2.4 billion and now employs more than 3,400 people.

McLaren website
SMMT website

Images: McLaren

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News: £50m Rotherham retail mixed-use development set for planning OK

Plans for a £50m retail, office and leisure scheme at Waverley in Rotherham are being recommended for approval by local authority planning officers.

Land owners and developers, Harworth Group plc established a joint venture company, Waverley Square Limited, with Dransfield Properties, the Barnsley-based company that specialises in retail led regeneration schemes, to bring forward the "the piece of the jigsaw" between the residential and commercial developments at the regeneration site on the former Orgreave coking works.

An application was submitted earlier this year detailing some 100,000 sq ft of retail space including a 20,774 sq ft foodstore; high spec office space covering 38,285 sq ft; restaurants, coffee shops and a gym; a medical and community facility covering 11,464 sq ft; and a small bus station.

The application is set to go before the planning board at Rotherham Council next week with officers recommending that members approve the 12 acre scheme. It will also need to be referred to the Secretary of State's National Planning Casework Unit for a final sign off.

With the expertise of Dransfield, the scheme has been designed and updated to create a lively, mixed scheme including food and non-food retail, alongside food and drink outlets, offices and leisure uses.

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Revisions include replacing the hotel with office space, relocating the proposed 20,000 sq ft foodstore to the other side of the courtyard, and the inclusion of a pedestrian bridge and rooftop space.

The development is Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) liable.

A number of objections have been received with some residents raising concerns over traffic, parking and operating hours. Support has been received from local MPs and occupiers of the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) such as Rolls-Royce who said that the plans are of a "necessary scale and ambition to match the quality of existing occupiers at the AMP and will create a vibrant heart to the wider development that Rotherham and the wider Sheffield City Region can be proud of."

The application states that the development could create 700 full-time equivalent jobs and generate business rates in the region of approximately £1.5m once fully occupied.

Having been satisfied over the potential negative impact by transport and environmental health officers, the planning report states: "Having assessed the principle of development it is necessary to consider it as part of the overall planning balance. A number of benefits would result from the proposed development, including the creation of jobs and the provision of community facilities which include a health and community centre, bus station and food and drink provision. These are important community benefits that will aid in the continued sustainable development of the Waverley New Community and adjacent AMP.

"The other benefits of the proposed development include the regeneration of this previously undeveloped site to the benefit of the self-sufficiency of the new community and surrounding areas, the provision of permanent jobs and benefit to the local economy; the provision of leisure and recreation facilities and connection of the centre with the AMP via the new pedestrian links across Highfield Spring, which include the provision of a new signalised pedestrian crossing, bridge into the proposed development and access ramp on Waverley Walk."

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A submitted sequential test rules out sites earmarked for other uses such as Forge Island and vacant town centre units that are too small. The Waverley scheme is also not expected to impact on potential investment in the town centre coming out of the new masterplan.

An impact assessment recognises that the scheme will draw trade from some existing centres including Rotherham town centre but adds that the level of trade division and impact is considered to be within acceptable levels and would not be classed as "significant adverse" against national planning policy terms. It is expected that the new retail offering will prevent Rotherham spend leaking into Sheffield.

It means that controls are proposed over the gross retail floorspace, net comparison goods floorspace, along with a restriction over the range of comparison goods to be sold. There will be a limit on the A1 retail space and how much floorspace can be used for the sale of clothing and footwear and toys and games for example.

The planning report concludes: "The impact of the Waverley development obviously needs to be seen in the context of the wider cumulative impacts of committed and proposed retail developments in the local area. There are further retail developments which will add to the growing impact upon the health of Rotherham town centre, which is of significant concern, but after further consideration, it is considered that a suitably controlled development can avoid the claim that it is likely to have a significant adverse impact on Rotherham town centre.

"When these benefits are weighed against the impact of the proposal on the town centre, a balance has to be struck."

Harworth Group website
Dransfield Properties website

Images: UKSE

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News: Rolls-Royce powers Airbus A330neo first test flight

The Trent 7000 engine from Rolls-Royce, complete with key components manufactured in Rotherham, has powered the new Airbus A330neo into the skies for its first test flight.

The innovative engine, the exclusive power plant for the A330neo, is the seventh member of the Trent family which has become the engine of choice in the wide body market over the last 20 years.

The flight in Toulouse also marked an important milestone for Rolls-Royce as it celebrates its third "first flight" in less than 12 months, the others being the Trent XWB-97 and Trent 1000 TEN, an unprecedented achievement in the aerospace industry. Each programme has brought together more than 20,000 parts to create an engine that then undergoes rigorous testing at a number of test beds and facilities around the world.

Before the first flight, the Trent 7000 has undergone a series of ground tests that has included: altitude, icing, cross-wind, noise and cyclic testing in USA, and endurance, operability and functional performance testing in UK.

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Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce, President – Civil Aerospace, said: "This is a great moment for Airbus and Rolls-Royce and I am proud to see the latest member of the Trent family power this outstanding aircraft for the first time today. We have helped Airbus create a new product that offers customers a transformation in performance and economics. We are now focused on supporting the flight test programme and ensuring our customers have a smooth entry into service."

Drawing on the technology and experience of the most advanced family of engines in the world, key components include the turbine blades which rotate at 12,500 rpm, with their tips reaching 1,200mph – nearly twice the speed of sound. At take off each of the engine's high pressure turbine blades generates around 800 horsepower per blade - similar to a Formula One racing car.

The most advanced turbine blade casting facility in the world was officially opened on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham in 2014. The 150,000 sq ft facility employs 150 people and has the capacity to manufacture more than 100,000 single crystal turbine blades a year. The advanced turbine blade castings are produced for the company's most modern, high-thrust engines.

There are two types of turbine blade manufactured at the Rotherham facility: high pressure (HP) and intermediate pressure (IP) single crystal blades. There are over 65 in every iconic Trent engine and 182 turbine blades in each Trent XWB engine.

Rolls-Royce website
Airbus website

Images: UKSE

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