News: Magna to invest £100,000 at Rotherham visitor attraction

Operators of the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham have announced an additional investment in the renewal of some of the main exhibition areas.

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

With the popular Christmas party events taking place from next week, proceeds from these and other high profile events such as Magna Mayhem and Oktoberfest, are being set aside to carry out maintenance and renewal of the attractions.

Due to an increase in visitor numbers and events revenue, Magna has raised over £100,000 of additional funds to be invested back into the Science Centre which will be closed to the public from Friday November 30 2018 for maintenance and renewal of some of the main exhibition areas. The centre will reopen on Tuesday Jan 8 2019.

Visitor numbers to Magna saw a 17% increase for 2017/18 compared to the previous year plus a 50% rise in footfall for this August alone with over 42,000 people enjoying the fun both indoors and outdoors at the Templeborough attraction.

Over 30,000 school children have visited Magna over the last year enjoying workshops to support a range of science topics.

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The £100,000 investment pot has been significantly helped by the increase in bookings through Magna's huge conference and events centre which earlier this year was voted Best Unusual Event Space by the Corporate Hospitality Show.

Kevin Tomlinson, CEO at Magna, said: "We are very proud to have built up a cash reserve to pay for extra maintenance and renewal of the Science Adventure Centre. The whole Magna team have worked tirelessly to increase visitor numbers and improve efficiency.

"We live and breathe our charity mission; to keep the vibrant steel heritage alive through education, and this investment is key to our future."

Billed as "The Biggest Bassline Event Ever," Magna hosts Bassfest on New Year's Eve. Events already pencilled in for 2019 include a performance to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Ska and 2-Tone in February and Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings From The Jam are set to perform in March.

Tomlinson added: "Please bear with us whilst the maintenance is taking place and from January 2019 when you do visit, either for the first time, or with your annual pass, please tell a friend, buy a coffee, purchase a souvenir from the gift shop, or book onto one of our many events.

"Every penny helps us to keep Magna and the steel heritage alive for future generations. Thank you for your support."

Magna Events website

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News: Sabin’s Furniture making it in Rotherham

A family-run business which specialises in manufacturing bespoke wooden furniture for the corporate and consumer markets has launched in Rotherham after receiving a £500 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) Kickstart Fund.

Established in September 2018 by Lee Sabin and his son James, a skilled carpenter, Sabin's Furniture is the newest addition to Bolton Road Business Park in Wath.

Producing unique, industrially designed furniture meeting individual customer specifications, the business manufactures pieces using locally sourced timber and metals – selling their goods online, as well as in small, independent retail units in the area.

The support from UKSE - a subsidiary of Tata Steel tasked with assisting the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry - enabled the duo to market the business on opening, as well as to purchase some much needed tools.

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Lee Sabin, owner of Sabin's Furniture (pictured, right), said: "Earlier this year James and I decided to combine our skillset – with him overseeing production, and me managing the business side of things – in order to pursue our dreams of working for ourselves and producing beautiful, bespoke furniture for our customers.

"The £500 funding from UKSE was extremely useful, and it allowed us to purchase tools that we needed in order to get the business up and running, as well as fund an initial marketing campaign to raise awareness of the fact that we had opened.

"Furthermore, the support and guidance that we have received from UKSE throughout the journey has been invaluable and we're excited to put all of our efforts into making the business a success!"

Alan Stanley of UKSE (pictured, centre) added: "Both Lee and James are clearly very passionate about making this work and I have no doubt that their hardworking mentality and production of quality products will stand them in good stead for success – best of luck to them both."

Sabin's Furniture Facebook page
UKSE website

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News: SVM Global celebrates ten years

SVM Global is proudly celebrating the tenth birthday of its UK office at Parkgate in Rotherham.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, e-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.

Under its parent company in the US, SVM have been growing for over 20 years. In the last decade the UK office has grown from two to over 60 staff. Initially, the company dealt solely in the gift card reselling industry, providing single and bulk orders across the globe. Now, the company also supplies rewards and benefits tools and platforms to companies across the country and works with top retailers such as TUI, Tesco and Starbucks.

Matthew Webster, head of retail at SVM Global, said: "I can't believe it's been ten years already. Those ten years have been a mix of frustration, education and exhilaration with some big highs. In the words of Big Chris from one of my favourite films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; "it's been emotional." To have been part of it since the very start is something I'm incredibly proud of; I'm still learning something new every day and long may that continue."

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Angela Webster, excellence and operations director at SVM Global, added: "I am very excited to be celebrating SVM Global's tenth birthday, and I'm proud to part of the original crew. Working at SVM Global is hugely satisfying, every day is different and what makes it so special is working with talented, passionate people. I am very proud of the service we offer and I'm looking forward to where we will go in the next ten years."

Based on Coleman Street, the firm transformed its business model in 2016 to be based on pre-payment with little credit extended to clients. It also took an extra 12,000 sq ft of space.

The latest big name partnership sees SVM Global taking on exclusive responsibility for all gift card, reload and eGift elements for Peacocks, the leading high street family fashion brand with over 500 stores in the UK. The company is part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which incorporates other brands such as Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert.

Reccomended reading: How to Save Big on Corporate Gifts

David Rollinson, managing director at SVM Global, said: "Since joining the company in March, I have been proud to be part of the SVM Global team. The anniversary of our tenth birthday is a celebration of the innovation and market leading attributes of the company.

"Our years within the industry have given us the insight and wisdom that can only be gained with age. But, it's our hard working, passionate staff that keep us at the forefront of creativity and invention that has allowed us to become market leaders over the last ten years. It is also with this great team that we will continue to evolve over the next ten."

SVM Global website

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News: INEOS Harthill judicial review moved to 2019

A legal battle to overturn a planning inspector's decision to approve proposals for a test drilling well in Rotherham has been pushed back to January.

Rothbiz reported last month that a community group had been granted a hearing date for a judicial review into the planning inquiry held earlier this year which favoured INEOS and its proposed development at Harthill.

The hearing was set to take place on November 13 at the High Court in London as it has been categorised a "Significant Planning Court Claim."

The hearing for the application has now been scheduled to be heard in Leeds Court on January 25 2019.

The case relates to the oil and gas exploration and production business submitting an updated travel plan, leaving Rotherham Council in a difficult position just weeks before a public inquiry.

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The inquiry took place in June and the Harthill Against Fracking (HAF) group say that because of the late evidence and their outstanding request for an adjournment, which was not decided upon until the first day of the hearing, they did not know the full case they had to meet until the inquiry had started. Consequently, they were unable to adduce evidence or make submissions, informed by an expert, in relation to opposing INEOS' case.

The group has been given permission for a statutory review under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 of the decision of the Secretary of State, given by his planning inspector. HAF is asking the court to consider whether, in refusing the request to adjourn the planning inquiry, the inspector acted in breach of the rules of natural justice.

Having been given the "hurry-up" by Government, INEOS appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the non-determination of the application for a drilling rig on Greenbelt land between the villages of Harthill and Thorpe Salvin. It said it had encountered "unreasonable delays" in dealing with Rotherham Council. The company is hoping to carry out tests on the suitability of the area for hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking.

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News: Resi plans for Rotherham college building

A former college building close to Wath town centre could be converted into apartments under new plans submitted to Rotherham Council.

The freehold of The Rockingham Centre was recently put up for sale and the new proposals include 28 residential apartments.

Dearne Valley College identified the 5,611 sq ft building as surplus to requirements and the centre is currently vacant. It is thought that the building closed as an efficiency measure with the facilities transferred to the college's Manvers site.

Empire Property Concepts Ltd has now submitted a planning application for a change of use of the building. The plans state: "The conversion will provide 25 x one bed apartments and 3 x two-bedroom apartments. The existing car park to the front of the Rockingham Centre will be rationalised to create ten standard car parking spaces plus one disabled space. Provision is also made for a cycle store in the lower ground floor area.

"The existing soft landscaping at the frontage of the building will be retained and additional new soft and hard landscaping will be provided to the frontage and side of the existing building."

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Planned external alterations include new windows and replacing all of the existing windows.

The site, which sits alongside Montomery Hall, is allocated as a community facility and planning policies state that sites can only be considered for reuse where there is no proven need for the facility. Plans also show that a marketing exercise has been undertaken for the property for the required 12-month period and that there was no interest in the building for a community facility.

Leading Rotherham commercial property agents, Burgess Commercial, acted on behalf of the owners, Rotherham Council, to agree the sale. It was given a guide price of £295,000.

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Rockingham College of Further Education opened as a college of further education in 1976. It has its origins in a mechanics' institute which later became an adult education institute.

In 1996, it was renamed Dearne Valley College and was largely relocated to a new multimillion pound building in nearby Manvers. The Wath centre previously provided for catering and for students with learning difficulties.

The site is close to Wath Hall, which is also being disposed of by Rotherham Council.

Fernie Greaves is currently marketing another nearby property - Wath Trinity Church and Cottage. The freehold is being offered for development at £200,000 and the property, which is understood to date back to 1903, provides some 3,730 sq ft of space.

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News: Nuclear AMRC in Canadian partnership

Nuclear AMRC has signed a new agreement with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to work together to develop new clean energy and next-generation nuclear technologies.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

CNL is Canada's premier nuclear science and technology organisation. CNL is a world leader in developing peaceful and innovative applications from nuclear technology through its expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering.

Mark Lesinski, president and chief executive officer of CNL, and Andrew Storer, chief executive of the Nuclear AMRC, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Canada-UK Energy Summit in London. The annual conference aims to expand ties between the energy sectors in Canada and the UK, both of which are committed to combating climate change by transitioning to low-carbon, low-pollution and resource-efficient economies.

Under the agreement, CNL will join the Nuclear AMRC as a tier one member alongside leading nuclear organisations from around the world.

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Lesinski (pictured, left), said: "Both CNL and the Nuclear AMRC are committed to fighting climate change through the advancement of clean energy technologies, and this MOU allows us to work in partnership towards that end.

"For CNL, membership offers tremendous benefits, including access to unique capabilities and training programs, participation in cutting-edge manufacturing innovation projects, and networking opportunities with some of the world’s leading nuclear organisations. In turn, CNL can offer the Nuclear AMRC access to our expertise and facilities from a wide range of nuclear science and technology disciplines. Overall, the MOU builds on the close relationship between both countries, and paves the way for a bright future in the pursuit of clean energy technology."

Storer (pictured, right), added: "We are very pleased to be strengthening our collaboration with CNL, which is a testament to the longstanding relationship between the UK and Canada in driving innovation in the global civil nuclear industry. Working closely with CNL will give us access to world-renowned engineering expertise and additional manufacturing research programmes linked to the development of small modular and Candu reactor technologies. We look forward to building a prosperous partnership with CNL in the years to come."

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Many of CNL's technology areas intersect with those of the Nuclear AMRC. The two organisations intend to collaborate on fields including materials characterization and performance, and advanced manufacturing methods for small modular reactor (SMR) safety-critical components.

Lesinski, added: "CNL is currently undergoing a major transformation, funded by a $1.2 billion investment from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) on behalf of the Government of Canada, to revitalise our Chalk River campus and renew our science and technology programs. As part of this transformation, we are working to develop new products and services that include the deployment of SMRs, the use of hydrogen to decarbonise Canada's transportation sector, the development of new methods to fabricate next-generation nuclear fuels, and many others.

"These programs are ambitious in scope, and will certainly require the expertise and technologies of key partners – such as the Nuclear AMRC and their UK-based membership – to fully realise their potential."

Nuclear AMRC website

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News: Civil aerospace lifts Bodycote as Rotherham facility takes off

Bodycote, the world's largest provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, has seen revenues soar from its civil aerospace division and its recently opened Rotherham site is growing fast.

Bodycote improves the properties of metals and alloys, extending the life of vital components through heat treatment services and specialist thermal processes, Hot Isostatic Pressing and surface technology.

Over the summer, Bodycote opened a new facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham to support the aerospace and power generation markets in the UK and Europe.

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The move followed a contract win with Rolls-Royce's Civil Aerospace business that is expected to be worth over £160m in incremental revenues over the 15-year period. Sales will ramp up over the next five years. Rolls-Royce also has a manufacturing facility on the AMP.

For the four month period October 31 2018, Bodycote reported group revenue of £243.5m, 5% higher than the comparative period last year. Civil aerospace revenues grew strongly at 14% compared to the same period last year, with North America and Western Europe both registering good growth.

The Macclesfield-headquartered firm said that this reflects increasing output for the LEAP program (work for Safran Aircraft Engines) and "an easing in the OEM supply chain bottlenecks for Titanium castings."

Bodycote is featured in the latest issue of Manufacturing Today. On the Rolls-Royce deal. Stephen Harris, CEO at Bodycote, told the publication: "As it is a sole source contract we are operating under, meaning that we are Rolls-Royce's only supplier for thermal processing on particular components, we have to meet certain standards, in terms of capacity. In order to achieve that, we opened our latest UK facility in July 2018, in the Advanced Manufacturing Park, in Rotherham, where we offer numerous heat treatment processes, the principal ones being HIP and vacuum heat treatment.

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"The good news is that we have already started expanding the new site, shortly after we built it. Rolls-Royce is not the only customer available to us; we are looking to support other clients, too, but at the moment, Rolls-Royce is especially demanding for our services, which is helping the Rotherham factory grow very fast."

The most advanced turbine blade casting facility in the world was officially opened by Rolls-Royce in Rotherham in 2014. The 150,000 sq ft facility employs around 150 people and has the capacity to manufacture more than 100,000 single crystal turbine blades a year.

Bodycote website

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News: Xeros aims to raise £20m to complete commercialisation

Rotherham-based Xeros Technology Group plc has announced plans to raise £20m as it aims to complete the commercialisation of current applications by the end of 2019.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that uses polymer technology to significantly reduce the amount of water used in a number of major applications. The AIM-listed firm is moving to "IP-rich, capital-light" business models.

In an update to the stock exhange, Xeros bosses said that they intends to raise approximately £15m before fees and expenses by a placing of 150,000,000 new Ordinary Shares with existing and new institutional investors at a placing price of 10 pence per share. Qualifying Shareholders will also be given the opportunity to subscribe for up to 49,588,971 new Ordinary Shares through an open offer to raise up to £5m before expenses.

Mark Nichols, chief executive of Xeros, said: "These additional funds will allow us to continue to execute on our IP-rich, asset-light strategy to commercialise our technologies, which address the key global environmental issues of water scarcity and pollution.

"The commercial benefits and sustainability improvements that our technologies deliver have been validated by a number of recent contracts. These clearly demonstrate that our platform technology is capable of broad deployment in scale industries.

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"Our focus is on increasing the commercialisation of our technology in each of our markets working with channel partners and manufacturers whose businesses and customers are facing ever increasing pressure on their water use."

Recent contracts include a "Symphony Project" licensing deal which is set to see Sea-Lion integrate Xeros' technology in its commercial washing machines and sell them though its own extensive distribution network in China on an exclusive basis. It expects to receive first revenues in 2019.

Also in commercial cleaning, which Xeros has now renamed Hydrofinity, export orders through overseas partners have also been secured in America, South Africa and the UAE.

On domestic cleaning, Xeros previously said that it is in discussions with leading domestic washing machine brands regarding licenses for China, India, EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific over a project which enables Xeros technology to be embedded in the production lines of existing manufacturers. Xeros will look to receive up-front payments and a royalty per machine sold.

In tanning, which uses huge volumes of water during the process, Xeros recently signed a ten year contract with LEFARC to convert its re-tanning operations in Mexico to use Xeros' patented polymer technology. Xeros expects to convert further customers, grow its contract base and plans to trial its technology in the upstream tanning process in 2019.

Xeros is also targeting the completion of trials with denim and garment manufacturers in 2019 and, if successful, would pursue commercial agreements with first revenues in 2019.

Xeros website

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News: Brearley & Co take on town centre premises

A Rotherham accountancy firm is continuing its expansion, acquiring a local accountancy office and taking on new high profile premises in the town centre.

Brearley & Co has been established for over 30 years in Swinton, Mexborough and offers a range of added value services for businesses including payroll, taxation and corporate accounts.

The firm, which also has an office in the south of the borough, in Dinnington, has recently moved into additional new premises in Rotherham town centre at The Crofts.

With the expansion of Handelsbanken, one of Sweden's leading banks, to new offices at Templeborough, Brearley & Co moved quickly to snap up the premises behind Rotherham Town Hall - in the heart of Rotherham's financial and professional district.

Mark Smallman, managing director of Brearley & Co, explained: "We have a good relationship with Handelsbanken so when we knew they were moving out, we got in touch about taking on the town centre office.

"It is all part of our strategy for taking Brearley & Co to the next level. Our Swinton office is full and our Dinnington office is doing well. Taking on additional premises in Rotherham town centre will help us move into new markets and target firms in other areas."

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The Mayor of Rotherham is set to officially open the new premises this week.

The office is inside one of the two-storey late nineteenth century houses close to the earlier listed school building, now The Bluecoats public house. Now dominated by Rotherham's Town Hall, The Crofts was previously a cattle market of regional importance, which remained a cattle market until the early 20th century.

Also part of the firm's expansion, Brearley & Co has recently purchased M P Beahan & Co Chartered Accountants (MPB). MPB were located on Laughton Road, also in Dinnington and following the conclusion of the deal, the team and clients have merged onto Brearley & Co's Dinnington office.

On the deal, Smallman added: "It creates a great opportunity for us to introduce cloud accounting to MPB clients and ensure they are making tax digital compliant. We look forward to getting to know our new clients and adding value service like management accounts and tax planning."

Brearley & Co website

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News: Rotherham pub back on the market

The Corn Law, a popular pub in Rotherham town centre, is back on the market, two years after it was previously acquired.

Rothbiz reported in 2016 that Hawthorn Leisure acquired the Rotherham site from J D Wetherspoon for an undisclosed sum, one of eleven acquisitions by the innovative new pub company across the country.

The freehold of the 6,000 sq ft High Street premises is now back up for sale with agents, Savills.

Earlier this year, NewRiver, a specialist listed real estate investment trust (REIT), focused primarily on retail and leisure property, acquired Hawthorn Leisure from an affiliate of Avenue Capital Group for an enterprise value of £106.8m.

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NewRiver, which acquired a number of pubs from Marston's in 2013, identified the pub sector as an attractive investment to deliver on its business strategy.

At the time of the acquisition, Allan Lockhart, chief executive of NewRiver, said: "The acquisition of Hawthorn Leisure is absolutely aligned with our strategy of investing in retail & leisure assets at the heart of the communities across the UK. The portfolio is highly complementary to our existing pub portfolio and the combined portfolio remains below 20% of our total assets.

"We now look forward to applying our active asset management and risk-controlled development expertise to produce profitable opportunities for our occupiers, and growing and sustainable cash returns for our shareholders."

But now the company appears to be offloading the Rotherham property. The brochure from Savills states that offers in excess of £350,000 are being invited for the freehold.

Hawthorn, which has been advertising the pub to potential new operators, add that the property was subject to a £120k investment in November 2016 when it relaunched as "Stone & Taps."

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The substantial corner building currently has its ground floor as a large open plan trading area with bar servery to side. The first floor is used as kitchen and beer cellar, with the second floor used as stores. The property has an approximate gross internal area at ground floor of 4,769 sq ft.

The Corn Law Rhymer is housed in a property purpose built for the Yorkshire Bank when it opened in 1968. It is on the site of the long-standing Crown Inn which was first recorded in 1605. Previously know as The Litten Tree, its current name recalls Ebenezer Elliott, who achieved fame as the Corn Law Rhymer. The Rotherham-born poet's hard-hitting verses played a significant part in ending the unpopular corn laws which caused widespread hardship in the 19th century.

Hawthorn Leisure website

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News: "Let communities decide" on fracking

Rotherham Council leader, Chris Read has joined 850 councillors and other elected representatives in signing an open letter opposing government proposals to allow fracking companies to undertake exploratory drilling without local planning applications.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that the Government said it would consult on whether shale exploration should be treated as permitted development, which enables certain types of work to be carried out without the need to apply for planning permission.

INEOS appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate last year for a decision on its proposed test well at Harthill with Rotherham Council upset by the way the oil and gas exploration business took the decision out of the hands of its planning authority.

Over 800 councillors have signed an open letter calling for the withdrawal of proposals that treat exploratory drilling by fracking companies as permitted development, and to respect the rights of communities to make decisions on shale gas activities through the local planning system.

The Government is proposing that exploratory drilling for shale gas should be granted planning permission through a permitted development right. This right means fracking companies don’t need to apply for planning permission from the local authority. Permitted development is a category of planning originally designed to facilitate minor structural changes to homes such as extensions and putting up sheds.

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The government consultation closed on October 25 and has prompted hundreds of Councillors to express concern that the proposals are an affront to local democracy and risk industrialising the countryside. The letter – sent to the Secretaries of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, James Brokenshire MP and Greg Clark MP – has also been signed by MPs, Parish Councillors, and London Assembly Members.

Cllr. Chris Read said: "Permitted Development is designed for minor home improvements, not major industry. Ministers should drop these proposals."

Rotherham Council's approved response to the consultation, said: "The Council does not consider that any such non-hydraulic fracturing exploration should be permitted development, primarily as it would remove the local level of decision making and local accountability that communities expect.

"Whilst exploratory drills are not for full hydraulic fracturing (fracking), they can still have a significant impact on the locality, as evidenced at Harthill and Woodsetts. The correct route for such development is through the normal planning application and, where necessary, appeal process."

Plans for a test well at Harthill were approved by the planning inspector. The Woodsetts plans were refused by the planning board at Rotherham Council.

Images: INEOS

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News: Community hub steps in as Council pulls out

A newly opened day centre in Rotherham has become the flagship location for a state-of-the-art Sensory Box designed to provide young adults with Autism a bespoke space for relaxation.

The Base Community Hub, which launched in October 2018 following Rotherham Borough Council's decision to close Oaks Day Centre, Wath, earlier in the year, promotes and facilitates learning, social interaction, sports and work experience for young adults with Autism and mild-moderate learning difficulties.

Supported by a £500 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise Kickstart Fund, business owners Michelle Harris and Anthony Wilson are delighted to have the centre as the flagship location for a brand new, high-tech Sensory Box which was developed in China and supplied by Paul Robinson of Ego-Podzone.

The Box, which is the first of its kind in the UK, fully equipped with air conditioning, colour changing lights, an LED interactive screen and a plush interior, is a fully adaptable environment that facilitates well-being and relaxation, allowing users to tailor the space to their own requirements.

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Michelle Harris, co-founder of The Base Community Hub, said: "Following the closure of a number of day centres in and around the area, there was a growing need to offer alternative activities for adults with learning difficulties.

"At The Base Community Hub, users can benefit from tailor made packages that encompass learning, social activities as well as general well-being.

"Coming from a background in Design Engineering, my goals has always been to bring STEM learning to disabled children and, with both myself and Anthony being qualified English Athletics Coaches, we wanted to incorporate fitness into the schedule as part of a wider push for well-being and social interaction."

Currently a core team of two with a number of volunteers in training to support the running of the activities, The Base Community Hub are looking to expand the team and are planning to take on a further four members of staff in the New Year.

UK Steel Enterprise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel. Its Kickstart Fund provides grants of up to £500 to start-up businesses to purchase essential equipment and or services that can get them trading.

Alan Stanley from UKSE (pictured, right), said: "It goes without saying that Michelle and Anthony are providing a much needed service for the area and it's amazing to hear that The Base Community Hub is the flagship location for the Sensory Box!

"Our Kickstart grant scheme is designed to support the growth potential of budding entrepreneurs and their businesses and it's been a pleasure to support such a crucial facility that I'm sure many people will benefit from for years to come."

Base Community Hub website
UKSE website

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News: Rotherham Hospice chosen for Master Cutler's Challenge 2019

Rotherham Hospice has been chosen alongside St Luke’s in Sheffield, as one of the two chosen charities for the 12th annual Master Cutler's Challenge.

The Master Cutler's Challenge was launched in 2008, when the Master Cutler for that year, Gordon Bridge from AESSEAL in Rotherham, invited companies to transform a £50 investment into as much charity fundraising as possible.

Every year has seen the event grow – more than 500 companies have taken part to date, raising in excess of £1m for a range of charities.

And for 2019 Master Cutler Nick Cragg is aiming to see more businesses, groups and individuals than ever take up the challenge of raising money for his chosen organisations.

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Cragg, the 380th Master Cutler since the first in 1624, said: "We are really grateful to Outokumpu, Senior Architectural Systems, Nicholas Associates and Jenkinson Insurance who have generously sponsored the seed fund to allow this to happen.

"My wife Liz and I have visited both hospices and were immediately convinced that these were two organisations that we wanted to work with because they do such fantastic work.

"We were overwhelmed when we learnt the amount of money both hospices have to raise annually simply to keep functioning on a daily level and that is why we want our supporters to start their fundraising activities and make a difference to two charities that make such a great difference to the lives of so many people."

Liz Barran, Head of Fundraising at Rotherham Hospice, added: "We are delighted to be chosen as one of 2019's benefitting charities from the Master Cutler Challenge. It's not only an honour to be part of such a prestigious challenge it is also humbling to see so many local companies willing to get involved for the two charities involved.

"Here at Rotherham Hospice we need to raise over £2.5m per year to continue to provide the first class care that we do, both in the hospice its self and out in the community. Being chosen to be involved with the Master Cutler Challenge is such an exciting time for all involved and we can't wait to get started."

The Master Cutler Challenge kicks off on February 7 2019 at in the stunning surroundings of Cutler's Hall in Sheffield.

Master Cutler website

Images: Rotherham Hospice

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News: Tram-train arrival prompts parking restrictions at Parkgate

Visitors to the popular Parkgate Shopping retail park in Rotherham are being warned about a new Car Park Management Enforcement System restricting parking to five hours. It comes after the innovative tram train services began linking Parkgate with Rotherham, Meadowhall and Sheffield.

Passengers in South Yorkshire are the first in the country to benefit from the innovative tram-train pilot, which entered public service at the end of October. The special vehicles use pioneering technology to run on both Sheffield's tramlines and the rail network in Rotherham.

A new station has been built to the rear of Parkgate Shopping and an area of the car park near Matalan is now reserved for tram-train users - with 31 spaces.

Users of the service hoping to "park & ride" will need to use the reserved car park or move their vehicle before five hours if using the car park usually used by shoppers. New signs show that the free parking offer also comes with a "no return within two hours" rule.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Northern Rail and Network Rail have been working together on the £100m+ pilot project which was first announced in 2009. Securing Government funding, the aim of the project is to help determine whether tram-trains can run in other parts of the country.

For the local area, the aim of the project is to help people in Sheffield and Rotherham travel to jobs, education and training. The extra transport link offers better connections between businesses in the two areas and across the region to help the local economy to grow.

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BMO Real Estate Partners owns Parkgate Shopping and private company, TPS UK, operates the car park. Back in 2009, civil enforcement officers at Rotherham Council commenced patrols of Parkgate Shopping with the intention of penalising people parking in a designated disabled bay with no valid blue badge or on double yellow lines.

Attracting seven million visitors a year, the park, which has 42 shops, has 2,000 free parking spaces including bays for blue badge holders and parents with young children.

A FAQ from SYPTE, explains: "There are 31 dedicated parking spaces for tram-train customers within Parkgate retail park. There is no charge for this parking. A "drop off/pick up" facility near the platform at Parkgate is also available for passengers using tram-train. Parking facilities outside of the 31 dedicated spaces for tram-train customers is subject to the parking terms and conditions of Parkgate retail park. This includes terms of maximum stay.

"Parking at Rotherham Central is managed by Northern Rail and is for Northern Rail customers only. Tram Train customers wishing to park close to the station should use the existing off-street car parks. SYPTE is proposing to provide additional parking facilities for Tram Train customers at Rotherham Interchange when it reopens in February. More information will be provided closer to this time.

"Park & ride facilities are available at Meadowhall and Nunnery Square for Supertram and tram-train customers."

It is understood that more tram-train stops could be introduced in other places if the pilot is successful and this can be funded. SYPTE's business plan for 2018 includes an aim to investigate the feasibility of a tram stop (and park & ride) at Magna in Rotherham.

The plan adds: "It is unlikely that tram-train will make a sufficient financial return on its own and there is a need to understand whether additional stops could support this in the longer term."

Supertram website
SYPTE website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: United Caps progress Rotherham plans

United Caps, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, has submitted detailed plans for its multimillion pound new facility in Rotherham that will manufacture beverage and dairy closures.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that the Luxembourg-based multinational had selected a site at Dinnington for its first UK location.

The plans are for phased development on a 4.1 hectare site on the former Dinnington Colliery site.

The plans, drawn up by William Saunders, state that United Caps has purchased the land from developer St Paul's Developments who produced the masterplan for the wider area, and have also sold adjacent plots of land to other developers for industrial development. This month Trebor Developments secured detailed planning consent for a 78,458 sq ft industrial speculative development on the site.

Formerly known as Procap, the company is a European leader in the development, production and sale of plastic caps and closures. A preferred partner to the world's leading companies, United Caps produces custom designed specialty closures for the likes of Arla, Danone, Unilever, L'Oréal and Pfizer.

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The initial facility will be 54,000 sq ft, with an option to expand to 215,000 sq ft as business growth demands. Four phases of between 50,000 sq ft to 60,000 are proposed. Each phase will add an additional bay incorporating further factory and warehouse accommodation. The offices will be constructed fully as part of the first phase.

The proposed development site is bounded by a sewage treatment works to its north, and Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice to the southwest. Access is from Todwick Road and plans include a car park to the offices with parking for 74 cars.

The factory itself is comprised of an incoming materials area with roof mounted plant deck, production areas, and warehousing. The offices and incoming materials areas are the closest to the adjacent children's hospice. These areas feature the lowest parapet height.

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Production is expected to begin at the end of 2019 and will initially focus on beverage and dairy closures. This project represents an estimated €20m (£18m) investment including the first phase of machinery and is expected to increase group turnover by 15% in phase one and will initially employ 20 staff.

The investment in Rotherham is being backed by a £1.5m direct grant from the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority.

United Caps currently has seven production plants across Europe, in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg (pictured) and Spain. It employs around 529 staff and had a turnover of €137m at the end of 2017. Last month, it announced it would also open a new manufacturing plant in Alençon, France to further its "Close to You" Strategy.

United Caps website

Images: United Caps / William Saunders

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News: Rotherham students team up with Wentworth Woodhouse

Foundation degree graphic design students at the University Centre Rotherham (UCR) have created a variety of marketing materials for a number of events at Wentworth Woodhouse, including Christmas markets, tours of the house and a lecture series.

The new £10.5m university campus opened its doors to students and adult learners in Rotherham town centre in September.

A re-brand project of the Wentworth Woodhouse café is also one of the projects the students had the chance to take on with a real-life client.

Mark Williamson, commercial manager at Wentworth Woodhouse, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us as a team to work with students from UCR that may have a completely different outlook to what our materials need to look like.

"We don't want Wentworth Woodhouse as an estate to have a feel of old, dusty and serious, so a fresh and contemporary look to our branding may be just what we need to attract our audience."

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Each project included a presentation to display the theory behind each design as well as an example of what each design could possibly look like as a final product. Design ideas ranged from a focus on one of the house's large chandeliers, an iconic piece of furniture, to more modernist themes.

Brad, one of the students who has been involved in the project said: "I really enjoy making my design with a modernist approach, with a strong focus on the content rather than just the visual image.

"My brief was to create a leaflet for the lecture series, but I felt the word "lecture" would perhaps put people off attending the programme; and so I swapped it for a more relaxed style and simply re-branded to "let's talk.""

The designs chosen are being used by Wentworth Woodhouse to promote their upcoming events. The Grade I listed mansion hosts an antiques and fine art fair next week and a Christmas market in December.

UCR website
Wentworth Woodhouse

Images: UCR

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News: Gleeson gets go ahead for £12m Rotherham housing scheme

The planning board at Rotherham Council has given its approval for Gleeson, the Sheffield-based urban regeneration and strategic land specialist, to help local people put down roots on a former allotment site with a £12m housing development.

Rothbiz reported last year that plans were being updated for the site at Dalton, which has been overgrown scrub land for a number of years.

The Council has led on the disposal of the site which was being sold under a tri-partite agreement between the relevant land owners.

The latest application now has full planning permission for the erection of 145 dwellings comprising a mix of two, three and four bedroom properties in the form of detached, semi-detached and terraced dwellings.

Gleeson focuses solely on building low cost homes and only builds affordable homes. It has developed a range of financial support packages for prospective buyers and makes use of Government incentives such as Help To Buy. With 65 sites in the North of England, it has previously built the popular Carlise Park development (pictured) with 381 new homes located between Kilnhurst and Swinton.

Based on comparable regeneration sites, the company expects that approximately 80% of new occupants at Dalton will be first time buyers, mainly from the local area.

Discussions with the Council have led to the applicant offering a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the affordable housing offer. In addition, the developers do not sell to landlords.

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Steve Gamble, land director at Gleeson Regeneration, said: "We specialise in the provision of low cost, for sale housing. We are giving customers at the lower end of the housing market a chance to afford to buy their own home.

"We take special care in determining prices that are affordable to as much of the local market as possible and always consult the Government's annual survey of earnings for a given area to ensure that both our two and three bed entry level prices are at a point that are affordable to at least 90% of local working couples.

"At this site it gets a little bit better because at Dalton we are offering all of our 39, two bed properties at a fixed price which will only be available to first time buyers under the age of 40. The prices of these homes will be capped throughout the development at a price of £95,000 with any annual sales price limited to no more than the annual percentage rise of the Government's national living wage rate.

"A two bed sold to a first time buyer with Help To Buy would reduce the initial mortgageable sum to £71,000. A weekly cost based on a fixed two year mortgage product would be just £52 a week. Yes these homes do require a 5% deposit, which is around £4,000, but once that is done, the mortgage repayments mean that these homes are much more affordable to young people than renting, or even renting a local authority house."

Gamble added that Gleeson is committed to using local apprentices on the scheme which will see an investment of around £12m - around a third will be on wages for directly employed labour or indirectly through suppliers and sub-contractors.

Construction on this site is expected to help to sustain or create 213 full time equivalent direct jobs during the anticipated six year construction phase.

MJ Gleeson website

Images: Edward Architecture / RMBC

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News: Free parking in Rotherham returns for the festive season

Rotherham Council has re-introduced free weekend parking for visitors to Rotherham town centre in the run up to Christmas in all council-owned on-street bays and off-street car parks.

The annual lights switch-on event taking place last week signaled the start of free car parking on Saturdays. Sunday parking remains free as normal, as does on street parking after 6pm.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "We will provide free Saturday parking in Council-owned car parks and on-street bays over the festive period which will help shoppers and businesses alike. Local traders have said that the free parking in the run up to the festive season gives them a vital boost to their businesses.

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"Shopping in the town centre gives lots of choice for customers and we encourage them to come along and use the free parking to see the great range of gifts and products on offer.

"This Christmas, we hope that everyone in Rotherham gets behind their local shops and businesses - your support can really make a difference to our local economy."

Maximum stay restrictions will still apply and Saturday parking charges will be applicable again from January 5 2019.

Events in the town centre this year include "Christmas Mix" aimed at children and families on December 8. On December 15 the town will welcome festive performances from The City of Sheffield Pipe Band, Liberty Church Choir and Thorpe Hesley Brass Band

Santa's Grotto is at Rotherham Markets from November 24 and this year's pantomime, Dick Whittington, has its first performance at the Civic Theatre on November 30.

Images: RMBC

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News: Planning consent for Dinnington development

Just months on from purchasing a five acre plot at a regeneration site in Rotherham, Trebor Developments has secured detailed planning consent for a large industrial speculative development.

The project, called Atomic 31, will deliver a single unit of 78,458 sq ft on the remaining land at the former Dinnington Colliery which is an easily accessible site, located less than 2.5 miles from Junction 31 of the M1.

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The former Dinnington Colliery site has been transformed. The remaining 44 acre site on Todwick Road, adjacent to the existing 45 acre Dinnington Business Park, already had outline planning consent. Local specialist developer, St Paul's Developments agreed in 2015 with the Homes and Communities Agency (now called Homes England) to create a 750,000 sq ft logistics hub and the site was granted Enterprise Zone status.

New plans have also been submitted from another local specialist developer, E V Waddington Ltd, and included creating a speculative development on around 12 acres of land off Todwick Road.

Trebor Developments's speculative development has the potential to be used for B8 use (storage and distribution) or B2 general industrial use. The planning approval comes with a number of conditions relating to things like noise and drainage.

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Bob Tattrie, managing partner of Trebor Developments, said: "We are delighted to receive detailed consent that allows us to now implement this great development. We will be on site in the spring to provide occupancy for Autumn 2019, offering much needed quality industrial accommodation on a lease basis."

The acquisition of the five-acre site, for an undisclosed sum, was the second between the partners following the announcement in March 2018 at MIPIM that Trebor had entered into a long term strategic partnership with Hillwood to undertake industrial and logistics developments across the UK. Trebor Developments LLP was formed in 2008 by Tattrie, the former managing director of Alfred McAlpine Developments.

Trebor/Hillwood are advised by agents at CBRE in Leeds, CPP in Sheffield and Knight Frank in Sheffield.

Images: Trebor/Hillwood

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News: Bake Off winner backs Primary Engineer campaign

Rahul Mandal, the Rotherham-based engineer who impressed everyone with his creations to win the recent series of The Great British Bake Off, is helping to inspire the next generation of engineers.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has teamed up with Primary Engineer – a national not for profit organisation bridging the gap between industry and education - to develop engineering skills for teachers and inspire children to see themselves as the problem-solvers and innovators of the future by bringing engineering to life in classrooms across the Sheffield city region (SCR).

In the inaugural year of the partnership schools from the city region are taking part in Primary Engineer and Secondary Engineer teacher training programmes where teachers are partnered by "classroom engineers" from the AMRC and trained to deliver whole class engineering activity for pupils.

It was launched at the AMRC Training Centre by Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield Councillor Tony Downing, and children from Dinnington Community Primary kick-started the campaign – with the help of AMRC STEM Ambassador and Great British Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal - by using basic engineering skills to build and decorate shoebox cars.

Rahul said: "Programmes like this are incredibly important for empowering teachers with the right skills. They need to bring engineering to life in the classroom in a fun and creative way. We need to make a real impact on young minds to try and inspire more children in the Sheffield city region to consider engineering as a cool career.

"I became a STEM Ambassador, to help inspire young kids to do science and engineering because I think there is a huge need for more engineers. If we want to inspire people, we need to do it from school age level."

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Rahul now works with a variety of light-based measurement technologies including confocal microscopy and interferometry for weld inspection, to ensure that components produced at the Nuclear AMRC meet stringent quality requirements.

He added: "If you can do baking, you can do science and engineering and if you're doing engineering, then you can bake.

"I always like to talk about chocolate tempering – when you temper chocolate, it's a lot like what you do when you temper stainless steel. The principle is the same, and it has science behind it. Physics, chemistry and engineering is what baking is made up of."

The programme culminates in a celebration challenge event at the AMRC where teams from each school will bring along their project entries and compete against fellow schools.

To spark pupils' imagination, engineers from the AMRC will visit schools to talk about engineering and their role within it, they will also give examples of how engineers solve problems. Awards will be presented to the winners at an annual prize-giving event hosted by the AMRC followed by a public exhibition of entries from all participating schools. Staff and students from the AMRC will select and build a prototype of one or more of the shortlisted designs.

Shortlisted designs are judged by a panel of engineers and awards presented at an event hosted by AMRC followed by a public exhibition of entries from all participating schools. The AMRC will also make a prototype of one or more of the winning designs.

Cllr. Gordon Watson, Deputy Leader at Rotherham Council, said: "This scheme inspires children to get involved in science and technology at an early age.

"It gives pupils the opportunity to try something new, get creative and develop their engineering skills in the classroom. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre also provides teachers with suitable resources and expertise to guide engineers of the future."

AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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News: Finance broker aims to support SCR's SMEs

A South Yorkshire based finance specialist with 13 years' corporate banking experience has launched his own commercial finance business to deliver a range of business finance services to SMEs across the Sheffield city region.

Jamie Baggaley, based at Waverley in Rotherham, has set up J&J Commercial Finance, with support from the council backed Launchpad project, to help local businesses find the right lending solutions to match their growth objectives.

By advising on financial products such as commercial mortgages, development finance, bridging finance, business loans, and asset and invoice finance, J&J Commercial Finance work with SMEs ranging from start-ups through to established businesses to find them the right lending solutions tailored to their individual requirements.

Jamie Baggaley founder of J&J Commercial Finance, said: "Having worked in banking all my life I've seen how the banks have changed, from the 2008 "credit crunch", through to the ever changing branch network. Through my experience of working with major banks, such as Halifax and Lloyds. I've seen how both sides of the bank works from managing a brand to working in central functions, supporting specialist divisions.

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"This has enabled me to set out our value proposition to managing directors and finance teams who are responsible for performance and insight, as I have seen first hand the challenges they face, and how important it is for them to be able to access the services of a knowledgeable and straight talking commercial finance broker.

"Focusing on the personal interaction with customers holds the key when helping deliver long-term success for our customers, as all parties will have a complete understanding of both the short and long-term objectives they are working to."

The independent commercial finance broker has access to over 250 lenders and offers advice on accessing all types of business funding and also provides support on how to secure funds via the Government Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFGS).

With long-term growth plans of their own, J&J Commercial Finance aim to grow with their client base. Jamie added: "Looking into the future I hope to expand the business and employ more people, meaning that we can continue to support SME business across the Sheffield City Region and continue to provide them with our personal and professional service."

J&J Commercial Finance website

Images: UKSE

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News: Horbury Group secures £4m contract

Horbury Facades, part of the Rotherham based Horbury Group, has secured a contract with Sir Robert McAlpine worth £4m to deliver a "through-wall" solution on a new multi-occupancy residential development in Manchester.

Forming part of the £80m regeneration of Salford's Chapel Street area, the scheme on Gore Street, Manchester, consists of 375 private rent homes, including 364 apartments and 11 townhouses, split across three blocks that range between 22 and 13 storeys in height.

Working in collaboration with OMI Architects and SRM project delivery team, Horbury Facades is installing a complex horizontal plank rainscreen system, featuring multi-coloured aluminium panels incorporating complex balcony penetration details on the three residential blocks.

Horbury Facades is also installing an SFS substrate utilizing an EOS framing system and non-combustible Siniat weather defence board. The scheme is set to be completed by 2020.

Adrian Storey, general manager at Horbury Facades, said: "We are very excited to have secured the contract to work on the innovative redevelopment of Gore Street, we have extensive experience in delivering external envelope schemes and look forward to working with the team to bring their ideas to life to create vibrant new buildings."

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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.

Another subsidiary, Horbury Property Services, has been appointed by Carlisle-based Castles & Coasts Housing Association to provide fire safety services across its housing portfolio.

The contract will see Horbury Property Services providing fire door and fire compartmentation remedials followed detailed fire risk assessments.

Horbury Property Services will be working across 250 different residential schemes on behalf of the housing association, including apartments and houses, as well as supported and sheltered accommodation.

Richard Sutton, general manager at Horbury Property Services, said: "This is the latest in a number of fire safety contract wins with social housing providers. As FIRAS-approved contractors we have the experience and skills to be able to deliver fire safety works to the highest standards to ensure compliance to the regulations."

Horbury Group website

Images: Horbury

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News: Council approves land sales for redevelopment

Two plots of land on the edge of the town centre are set to be disposed of by Rotherham Council - one to a developer through a procurement exercise and one by private treaty.

Rothbiz reported this time last year on the Council's plan for York Road, Eastwood, where it hopes to see land used for the delivery of new homes.

Rothbiz has also reported on the disposal of a former boys' school at St Ann's that dates back to the 1800s.

The 1.17 acre site at York Road comprises two car parks and a garage site which is largely cleared and almost ready to be redeveloped. Market testing has been carried out regarding a redevelopment opportunity and it is expected that 30 houses could be built on the site.

Cabinet members have now agreed the final terms of the disposal and/or development agreement, with a procurement process to be carried out to sell the land.

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Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, explained: "Part of the reason why we are doing it like this is so we get some control over the development rather than just selling the land off and leaving it open to whatever a private developer might come in. We can't guarantee that it might do all the things that people might like but we are trying, as far as possible, so that the Council has as much control as possible."

Six responses were received during market testing "demonstrating a healthy appetite for the scheme." Bidders will be now given the deadline of the second week in March 2019 to submit proposals.

St Ann's Road Board School opened a new boy's department in 1893 on the corner of St Leonard's Road. Providing accommodation for 244 children, the stone building includes a 45 ft bell tower above the main entrance.

The original boys department became the St Leonard's annexe of the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology in late 1979. The former girls department and infants department building was converted into the Unity Centre in early 2000. This would not form part of the proposed sale.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the local economy at Rotherham Council, explained: "Formerly leased to the Unity Centre it has unfortunately come into disrepair and we decided to take it back and do market testing to see if there were any expressions of interest for this building. It came back, and there were, so it is recommended that the property be sold to one of the parties that put forward an offer.

"A bit like the York Road sale, there will be conditions put on so that it will get redeveloped. We don't want another situation where we've sold a building and then nothing happens."

Potential bidders, or the expected income that the Council could achieve from selling both plots, have not been made public due to commercial sensitivities.

Images: RMBC

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News: Progress at Forge Island as flood defence plans revealed

Plans are progressing for the multimillion pound flood defences that are key to ensuring that the proposed leisure-led redevelopment scheme can be built on Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

Newly released details show that new 3.75 metre high retaining walls and a new flood gate are required. A terraced amphitheatre and improved canal path are set to enhance the new waterside destination.

Muse Developments is Rotherham Council's preferred partner for Forge Island with a proposal that includes a cinema, food and drink outlets and a hotel. The leisure facilities will be set within an attractive public space and will include a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the rest of the town centre.

Having secured the land from Tesco, and surrounding land such as the law courts, the authority went out to the market earlier this year in an effort to realise its vision for a £60m leisure-led development on the key town centre site.

As reported previously by Rothbiz, Rotherham Council is estimating that it will need to spend £2.5m - £3m on flood defence work before the redevelopment work can commence.

Now a planning application has been submitted detailing what measures are required to ensure that the flooding of the site seen in 2007 is not repeated.

The plans, drawn up by consultants, Waldeck for Rotherham Council, state: "The proposals comprise of L-Shaped retaining walls aligned approximately 8m adjacent to the western edge of the canal wall and a guillotine flood gate at the entrance of Browns Cut providing flood protection for a 1:100 year plus climate change event.

"The flood defence walls will incorporate landscaping along the canal frontage to create a high quality, modern waterside destination for Forge Island."

A new concrete L shape flood wall will join with Main Street bridge and a new eight metre wide landscape / pedestrian access along the west side of the site, along the canal, will also be created.

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A costly plan to raise the entire site was considered but discounted. The £14m first phase of the Rotherham Flood Alleviation Scheme, aimed at reducing flood risk over a 3.5km (two-mile) stretch of the Don from Templeborough to the town centre, saw construction completed in 2008. It was hoped to continue directly into Phase 2 with further European funding but was hit by funding cut backs.

The proposal also provides the opportunity to create a high quality modern waterside destination and improve the public realm. Where the existing pedestrian bridge links Forge Island to the Magistrate's Courts site, proposals include the creation of a terraced amphitheatre relating to Rotherham Lock.

A separate application has been submitted for a fish pass, enabling fish to travel further up river passing the weir in Rotherham - a relic of the site's industrial past as Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills. The weir is the one remaining barrier to salmon being able to migrate to spawning grounds in the upper catchment.

The alignment of the existing river walls has been shown on maps since 1850 and may be at least 160 years old. Original features associated with the Canal are set to be retained wherever feasible.

Further details submitted with the application discuss how the new flood defences would look, drawing inspiration from successful waterside regeneration schemes like King's Cross in London (pictured): "The potential for visual intrusion by the solid concrete flood wall is reduced by the dense planting scheme, which will mask this feature; whilst the proposed "amphitheatre" is located in immediate proximity to "Rotherham Lock" providing a viewing platform for activities around this feature.

"Corten steel insets will be added to the flood wall, further reducing its visual impact, providing a reference to the areas iron and steel heritage and creating a themed reference to the "Rotherham Red" masonry."

If approved, the works will be carried out whilst the existing car park and temporary bus station remain operational.

A draft timeline has Muse and the Council working towards a planning application for the leisure scheme being submitted early in 2019 after agreements over the lease are made. Work is set to begin later in 2019 with the first phase opening in 2020.

Images: Muse / RMBC / King's Cross Central Limited Partnership / PWP Design

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