News: Continued appetite for new Rotherham restaurants

New restaurant venues look to be on their way to a popular Rotherham suburb with changes to retail units set to be approved and an existing site being refreshed.

Having seen planning permission turned down for a real ale / craft beer bar, new plans are being recommended for approval that would create a new restaurant inside empty retail units at The Courtyard in Wickersley.

Rothbiz reported last year that Rotherham Council were refusing to allow current and new drinking establishments to take on retail units.

A new craft beer style bar wanted to open in the former Village Butcher premises on Bawtry Road and an application followed from the owners of The Courtyard who wanted to expand the popular bar into an adjacent retail unit.

Updated plans are due to be discussed at the planning board at Rotherham Council next week. They involve a change of use at 151 and 153 Bawtry Road and Unit 6 on The Courtyard to create a combined unit as a restaurant.

The applicant is "Seasons Restaurant."

Officers are recommending that members approve the plans, despite concerns about late night noise nuisance and the reduction in the percentage of A1 (retail) uses below 65% in the area, contrary to newly adopted local planning policies.

Applicants show that there are 31 A1 uses (including vacant units which could return to this use) which account for 67% of units within the primary shopping frontage. The proposed use would result in the loss of two A1 and one sui generis unit, combining these to form one new A3 unit. As a result the total number of units would be reduced by two. The number of A1 uses would therefore reduce slightly to 66%.

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A paper to the board concludes: "This proposal is materially different in policy terms to the earlier refusal and is in accordance with the above policy. The proposal is therefore considered acceptable in principle.

"The site is within a sustainable location and whilst this does not have on site car parking and will rely on the public highway for staff/customer car parking, the Transportation Unit do not consider that the proposal would have an adverse impact on highway safety.

"There are several existing A3 restaurants and cafes operating in the local area and it is not considered that this change of use would have any additional adverse effect on residential amenity."

Further along Bawtry Road, changes are taking place at the venue previously known as Sloane's and Urban Kitchen.

Here plans were approved last year for a single storey side extension to create a toilet block and canopy to the front. Now planning applications have been submitted for a canopy over the first floor balcony, new signage and the erection of street lamp - part of a rebranding.

The venue is set to be called The Gaslamp Brasserie & Bar.

Licencees, Wickersley Bars Ltd, has the same directors as The Olive Lounge Wickersley Ltd.

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News: MBO at Rotherham mattress retailer is a dream deal

Rotherham-headquartered Mattressonline.co.uk Limited; the leading independent online mattress and bed retailer supplying market-leading brands to consumers across the UK has changed ownership in a Management Buy-Out (MBO), led by managing director, Steve Adams.

Established in 2003 by Steve Adams and Steve Kelly, the company was one of the first on-line mattress e-retailers. Kelly has now taken the opportunity to realise his investment in the business through the transaction.

With its HQ and warehouse at Aldwarke, Mattress Online aims to offer their customers the best choice and value in mattresses and associated products stocking a huge range of brands including; Silentnight, Sealy, Rest Assured, and Sleepeezee alongside manufacturing its own range of premium products.

Steve Adams, managing director of Mattress Online, said: "I am proud and excited to have the opportunity to continue developing Mattressonline and I am grateful to the professional teams at Castle Square, Lupton Fawcett and Yorkshire Bank who have helped make this possible.

"There is a clear opportunity for the Company to further develop our product range whilst maintaining our exceptional customer service levels. I would like to thank Steve Kelly for his support in developing the Company into the premier independent online retailer."

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Sheffield-based dealmakers; Castle Square Corporate Finance provided corporate finance advice to the management team leading negotiations on deal structure alongside running the fundraising process. Lupton Fawcett's Sheffield corporate team provided legal advice and support to the MBO Team on the acquisition which included specialist input from Lupton Fawcett's Sheffield based corporate tax, banking and real estate teams.

Steve Bell from the Castle Square Team led on the deal, running a structured process which resulted in Yorkshire bank being selected to provide the necessary finance to complete the transaction. He said: "It is fantastic to have advised Steve Adams on the transaction as it is clear that the team at Mattressonline has established an exceptional market position delivering premium products and consistently exceeding customer expectations. The buy-out will allow the company to further develop its customer offering."

Neil Large, corporate partner at Lupton Fawcett, added: "We are delighted to have worked with Steve Adams, Yorkshire Bank, and Castle Square Corporate Finance on the transaction. This buy out had several moving parts which, through superb teamwork and effective collaboration between all parties and advisers, were seamlessly pulled together to get the deal delivered with least business disruption, on time, within budget, and with minimum stress and hassle.

"Mattressonline is a hugely successful business which is going places and fast. The company has huge growth potential and we are looking forward to working with Steve Adams on its next chapter under new ownership."

Following the structured debt fundraising process led by the Castle Square team, Yorkshire Bank emerged as the preferred funding partner. Yorkshire Bank team provided the acquisition finance on the transaction alongside working capital facilities.

Steve Roe, senior director, Corporate and Structured Finance, at Yorkshire bank, said: "Mattressonline is a well-established business with a strong market position and significant potential for future growth. Having spent time to understand the business, we are delighted to be chosen as senior debt provider for this transaction which helps Mattressonline to realise the next stage in its future growth strategy."

Freeths Sheffield Corporate team lead by Lisa Wallis provided advice to Steve Kelly, whilst Claire Boyce at Freeths provided tax advice. Yorkshire Bank were advised on the legal aspects of the transaction by Jenny Crew at DWF in Leeds and financial due diligence was provided by Hawson's Sheffield's team, led by Peter Wilmer.

Mattress Online website

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News: Six new trustees at Wentworth Woodhouse

Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust's (WWPT's) pool of expertise has been strengthened with the appointment of six new trustees.

Established to secure a long-term future for Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham, the trust is now governed by a dozen trustees.

Their valuable skills and knowledge range from construction and law to finance, business management, conservation architecture and the upkeep of historic buildings. But the newest is a 19-year old student from Kimberworth.

Toni Paxford is learning the ropes as an apprentice trustee - and bringing the views and interests of young people to a board which from the off has included the Duke of Devonshire and Rotherham businesswoman Julie Kenny CBE, whose passion drove the £7m purchase of the historic Grade I listed mansion in May 2017.

Toni is no stranger to making her voice heard. She is a former member of Rotherham Youth Cabinet and in 2017 launched Paige's Project, a support group for 11-25-year-olds with an "invisible" illness.

Toni said: "Wentworth Woodhouse has always fascinated me. My grandparents and mum used to tell me stories of the house and the family and as a young person who is very active in the community my aim is to spark an interest with other young people."

Julie Kenny, chair of the WWPT, added: "We are keen that the voice of the younger generation is represented at board level and are very proud to have Toni in our team. She is determined, driven and passionate. She will spend a year as an apprentice, learning the ropes, and then become a full trustee."

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Meanwhile, Henry Boot Construction boss Simon Carr has added his weight to the board.

Simon has been with the Sheffield-based construction giant for over 30 years and was made its MD in 2009. He is also a non-executive director of Wildgoose Construction, Alfreton.

Simon recently stepped down from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, having served as a private sector board member from 2010 to 2018. He is also a board member and former chair of the National Federation of Builders, a board member and past president of the Yorkshire Builders Federation and sits on the CBI Construction Council.

Simon said: "I first heard of the good work being undertaken at Wentworth Woodhouse from Julie Kenny. I jumped at the chance to get involved in saving such a beautiful and important building. It was an absolute privilege to be appointed as a trustee."

The Trust also welcomes the senior-level financial expertise of Sheffield Chartered Accountant John Caldwell, MD of Rotherham-based international firm S3 ID Group, which designs and sells electronic safety equipment for the oil, gas and energy industries.

John said: "I am delighted to be able to use my professional experience to support Wentworth Woodhouse, a majestic building with a very important social history which I found out about just four years ago when I read the book Black Diamonds and took tours of the house."

Also welcomed is Keith Knight, a specialist conservation architect for over 30 years. He is a former English Heritage historic buildings architect and a Building Conservation Officer for a National Park and a London Borough.

Now running his own practice in York, Keith is chair of the Yorkshire Branch of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

Lawyers Rachel Cowper and James Berry have also been welcomed as trustees. Rachel, of Wetherby, is Head of Legal for Yorkshire developers Berkeley de Veer Group. She was a real estate partner at Leeds law firm for 10 years and co-ran the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme.

James is a partner with national law firm Freeths LLP and specialises in Dispute Resolution for clients in manufacturing, construction and technology. He lives in Sheffield and is a governor at Sheffield Park and Sheffield Springs Academies.

Sarah McLeod, CEO of WWPT, said: "We now have an immense range of experience, knowledge and support in our board of trustees. We are extremely grateful for their time and commitment. They give us a very strong core foundation as we build Wentworth Woodhouse's future."

Wentworth Woodhouse website

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News: Swinden House site up for sale

Tata Steel's Swinden Technology Centre (STC) in Rotherham has been put on the market for residential conversion with agents, Harris Lamb.

The historic buildings of Swinden House, the Coach House, the Lodge and Sitwell House on Moorgate Road are set to be converted to high quality apartments and preserved as landmark buildings within the new development.

A full planning application for the 6.7-acre site on Moorgate was submitted last year. It includes 101 new properties, including 27 high-end apartments incorporating the conversion of the existing buildings.

Chris Jones, head of residential Land at Harris Lamb, said: "This is a high-quality opportunity for developers seeking prime locations. The site is surrounded by high-quality residential buildings and is set in a peaceful, quiet environment, benefitting from a strong landscape belt around its periphery, and a tree-lined access road off Moorgate Road.

"The site was previously used by Tata Steel as a centre for Research and Development having a mixture of buildings across the site including the Grade II Listed Swinden House, along with its associated buildings and Sitwell House.

"We are now seeking unconditional offers for this rare opportunity. We anticipate high levels of interest from developers keen to take the helm of what is sure to be a desirable conversion project within the region."

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According to planning documents, the scheme has estimated development costs of over £30m.

United Steels acquired the site in 1946 and in addition to research laboratories, it also includes Swinden House, the former home of Rotherham solicitor Thomas Badger, plus playing fields, tennis courts and orchards. The Grade II listed building, previously known as "Red House" was completed in around 1880. The stable block, walled garden and the lodge are also protected.

The site also includes Sitwell House, a late nineteenth century house that is not a listed building.

The facilities at STC were claimed to be, by the 1960s, one of the largest research organisations devoted to metallurgy in Europe.

Tata Steel considered that it is no longer a suitable home for the R&D arm and announced in 2014 a relocation to Warwick University.

Harris Lamb website

Images: Tata Steel / Harris Lamb

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News: AMRC Training Centre judged as "good" in every area

An inclusive culture of high expectations sees apprentices challenged and supported to achieve their full potential at the University of Sheffield's AMRC Training Centre, according to a new report by Ofsted.

At the multimillion pound centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) the focus is on students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships by big names and local manufacturers. Part of the The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, apprentices have opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses, doctorates and MBA levels.

The report published this week said there has been a "relentless focus" on improving the quality of education apprentices receive at the training centre and weaknesses identified at a previous inspection had all been successfully addressed.

Judged as "good" in all areas by Ofsted following a full inspection last month, inspectors praised the centre's leaders and managers for "successfully creating an inclusive culture of high expectations throughout the apprenticeship provision’ and for carefully planning the development of apprenticeship provision in a way that is "well aligned" to the needs of employers.

"Apprentices benefit from very well-equipped training facilities, high-quality resources and knowledgeable teachers with strong industry experience," the report adds. "Apprentices demonstrate the exemplary standards of behaviour expected of successful employees. They are courteous and helpful, attend well and work to deadlines effectively."

In 2017, Ofsted judged that the centre "requires improvement."

Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC Training Centre, said: "Since the last inspection we have been working relentlessly and I'm thrilled we are now on our journey towards becoming outstanding. We're pleased inspectors recognised that we have made sustained and continuous improvement and can see how that is having real impact in the success and achievement of our apprentices.

"This result has been achieved by working hand-in-hand with the wider University of Sheffield, our Industry Board, employers and our apprentices – and we’re extremely grateful for that continued support.

"We're meeting the skills needs of the economy through the careful way in which we have designed our curriculum and how we are delivering it around the regional need."

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Keith Ridgway, founder and executive dean of the University of Sheffield AMRC, added: "This is great news for Nikki and her team and for the growing numbers of young people across our region who see engineering apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships as a debt-free pathway to a challenging and rewarding career that makes a positive impact on the world around us.

"It's great, too, that the report recognises how Nikki and her team have successfully created an inclusive culture of high expectations for our apprentices, and how this leads to exemplary standards of behaviour in apprentices who are confident, courteous and helpful, attend well and work to deadlines effectively. We produce great engineers and good citizens.

"As the report says, there is a significant need for skilled engineers in the region, both from indigenous companies and from inward investors who increasingly see the Sheffield City Region as the place to put down roots.

"This Ofsted report gives us all the more reason to want to widen access and participation both to meet the growing demand for skills and to open up new opportunities for communities in our region who can sometimes feel left behind and ignored."

The report remarks on outcomes for apprentices, action to improve the retention of female engineering apprentices, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good, along with the personal development, behaviour and welfare of apprentices.

Since opening in January 2014, 1,300 apprentices from more than 300 employers in the city region have been trained in engineering skills, which have helped businesses to grow and secure a sustainable future.

AMRC Training Centre website

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News: Expo gets bigger with relocation to Magna

The highly acclaimed Sheffield Business Show is re-branding as the bigger and better South Yorkshire Expo and has chosen to relocate to Magna in Rotherham.

The free to attend event will take place on Thursday May 16 2019 with Magna's Big Hall housing a bustling exhibition and lively programme of seminars and workshops.

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.

After three successful years at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane, organisers, Fresh Start Events (FSE), felt the time was right to elevate the event to the next level with a larger venue allowing the show to grow in size and stature.

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Marc Gordon, managing director of FSE, said: "The business economy of South Yorkshire is booming, its community is vibrant and dynamic. We saw the need for a whole sub-regional B2B event attracting delegates and exhibitors from Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. We love that Magna gives us that space to grow."

With 50% of exhibition space already sold, there will be a broad range organisations on show including of Tesla, Shorts Accountants, RA Info Systems, VeryPC, XPS Solutions as well as representation from Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Doncaster Chamber.

Nick Sievewright of Footprint Photography based in North Anston, Rotherham, said: "After the huge success of the Sheffield Business Show over the last three years it was a no-brainer to snatch this great opportunity to participate once again in South Yorkshire's premier business show."

Emma Pritchard, business development manager at Magna, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to host the flagship South Yorkshire Expo to Magna. What an honour. The event is just what the South Yorkshire business community needs and we have no doubt it will continue to grow from strength to strength. Magna's Big Hall is 2,000 square metres so we have plenty of space for it to spread out over the coming years!"

South Yorkshire Expo website
Magna website

Images: Magna

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News: Sheffield city region devolution deal breakthrough

Dan Jarvis and the four leaders of South Yorkshire's local authorities have reached a consensus on the way forward for devolution in our region.

After years of impasse, a breakthrough letter has been sent to Secretary of State James Brokenshire today (Monday 25 March), asking for powers and resources to be unlocked.

An estimated £75m a year of Government funding earmarked for much-needed economic development projects is yet to make it to the SCR due to the stalled devolution deal.

In that letter, Mayor Dan Jarvis, Cllr Julie Dore, Cllr Sir Steve Houghton, Mayor Ros Jones and Cllr Chris Read say that they have had "productive conversations", and set out plans as to how, together with Government, devolution for the Sheffield City Region can now move forward while also furthering the future devolution ambitions of individual authorities.

Mayor Jarvis said: "This is an important day for our region. After months of negotiations, I'm delighted to have brokered a joint devolution position with all of South Yorkshire's leaders, that I believe will enable us to access the powers and resources that our region needs to continue its economic transformation.

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"It is a pragmatic solution that enables first and foremost, the unlocking of the Sheffield City Region deal, whilst also supporting wider Yorkshire devolution ambitions.

"It is a solution that gives effect to the mandate upon which I was elected, is in line with the community polls held by Barnsley and Doncaster, and accords with the Government's own stated position regarding the next steps for devolution."

The letter to Government asks that millions of pounds in funding is unlocked for the SCR. This is on the understanding that each authority is able to move to other devolution arrangements, should they wish to do so, in 2022 – the end of Mayor Jarvis' current term of office.

The next step will be for the Government to respond to this joint letter.

Mayor Jarvis added: "It is now for Government to work constructively with us to agree our plan and release the powers and money that the Sheffield City Region needs."

SCR website

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News: First prototype chassis delivered from new £50m McLaren Rotherham facility

The first prototype carbon fibre MonoCell, the tub that forms the main structure of McLaren's cars, has been shipped from the company's new £50m innovation and production centre in Rotherham to the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey.

Codenamed "PLT-MCTC - 01" - which stands for "Prototype Lightweight Tub, McLaren Composites Technology Centre - 01" - the tub completed its 175-mile journey to the British sportscars and supercar maker's global headquarters from the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC). There it will be involved with stringent crash testing duties.

The MCTC was opened on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) last year by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge alongside HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain, as part of McLaren's ambitious plans to increase the rate of innovation of its famous lightweight carbon fibre chassis that are at the heart of all its cars.

The new 75,000 sq ft facility will help the company to innovate and produce lightweight carbon fibre "tubs" that will enable it to deliver the lightest in class products. Monocell and Monocage carbon fibre chassis used in future McLaren models will be sent to the MPC where the company's vehicles have been hand-assembled since 2011.

The MCTC currently employs around 60 people which will rise to over 200 when full production commences in 2020.

This will help the firm's designers and engineers to find further weight savings as the company develops its next generation of vehicles as part of its ambitious Track25 business plan.

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Global sales for McLaren Automotive peaked at 4,806 cars in 2018. With sales up 43.9% on the previous year, this is another record for the company which has increased sales every year since its formation in 2010.

McLaren aims to win the automotive race to lightweight which will become ever more important as cars move towards hybrid powertrains which are generally heavier than their traditional petrol counterparts. All McLaren's sportscars and supercars will be hybrid by 2024.

Wes Jacklin, plant director, MCTC, McLaren Automotive, said: "The delivery of the first prototype carbon fibre tub by the new MCTC to McLaren HQ is not only an exciting day for everyone who has directly worked on the project but also a significant milestone for McLaren Automotive's ambition to be world-beaters in lightweight and composites technology which goes hand-in-hand with our move to hybrid powertrains as part of our Track25 business plan.

"We never innovate for the sake of it; we innovate to continually fulfil our promise to create iconic sportscars. It's increasingly clear that with future heavier powertrain requirements, exploiting innovative lightweighting techniques and technologies is going to be a significant key to unlocking all the handling and agility characteristics that our customers demand."

McLaren Automotive website

Images: McLaren

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News: Plans approved for reuse of Rotherham colliery

Plans have been approved to allow Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, to use a former colliery in Rotherham as its new UK location.

The proposal will create an estimated 30 full time jobs and 40 additional temporary jobs, and result in an estimated £3m of investment into Maltby Colliery.

Rothbiz reported on the plans in January that would enable part of the pit yard to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year. Around 575 attendees are expected at each auction event over two days.

Deemed a success, the first auction was held under permitted development rights in February. The approved plans are for a smaller area for temporary period of 12 months with plans set to follow for the full 26 acres for a longer period.

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Planners concluded that whilst the plans were not fully in accordance with the local plan policy for the former colliery, "the benefits that the proposal will bring in terms of job creation and inward investment to the area are to be afforded significant weight.

"Additionally, it is noted that the application site is only part of the former colliery site and would not prejudice any further future development on the remaining area.

"When taking into consideration the benefits the proposal would bring locally it is considered that the planning permission should be granted for the development."

Lee Weatherall, planning and development manager at Hargreaves Land, said: "We are delighted that planning consent has been secured to enable Ritchie Bros. to operate for a 12-month period at Maltby Colliery. This is the first step of a longer term plan which could extend to 26 acres for a 25-year period subject to planning."

The next Ritchie Bros. auction at Maltby is taking place on April 9.

The reclamation scheme for the rest of the colliery is expected to commence soon.

Ritchie Bros. website
Hargreaves Land website

Images: Ritchie Bros.

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News: Free parking spaces in Rotherham increasing to 1,000

Visitors to Rotherham will soon benefit from 1,000 free weekend parking spaces in the town centre.

From Saturday April 6, parking will be free on Saturdays in the Drummond Street and Wellgate Multi-storey car parks – as well as on Forge Island.

New parking incentives have been introduced over the years, but the authority has stopped short of offering free parking across the board.

Last year saw half the current free "red zone" spaces provided in Forge Island transferred to the Council's car park at Drummond Street where customers are entitled to one session of two hours free parking per day in a limited number of parking bays.

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Most town parking fees have been frozen again and previously introduced offers included visitors claiming two hours free parking at the expiration of a two hour session purchased in some town centre Council operated off-street car parks on Saturdays.

The cost of day parking is set to increase from £3 to £3.50 on Forge Island and in the temporary car park at The Statutes where regeneration proposals are moving ahead.

Spaces are set to be re-introduced on Forge Island now that the temporary bus station has closed and the revamped Interchange has re-opened.

The £12m refurb of Rotherham Interchange includes structural repairs and deck defect repairs to the multi-storey car park (pictured) as well as the painting of columns and ceilings to improve the visual appearance and new cladding, comprising a non-flammable expanded metal mesh mounted on a frame, fully covering the exterior of the car park.

Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "More permanent free parking at weekends will help shoppers and businesses alike.

"Shopping and spending leisure time in the town centre, including at the many cafés and restaurants, gives a vital boost to local businesses. If everyone spent just a few pounds locally each week, it would make a huge difference to Rotherham's businesses."

Images: SYPTE

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News: Extra cash for innovative Rotherham housing scheme

Rotherham Council needs another £5m to deliver over 200 new houses on a cluster of sites it owns.

The authority is bringing forward some of its "more challenging" sites using a innovative development model. Wates Group, one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK, successfully secured a multi million pound tender and is acting as the Council's development partner to proceed with sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The first houses under the "Rother Living" brand are at Northgate in Maltby.

With original overall developments costs of £29m, this week, Rotherham Council's cabinet approved an increase in the budget to enable all 217 homes to be built.

A report stated: "At the point of reporting to Cabinet in 2017, the total scheme cost could only be estimated. The sites are extremely challenging and extensive ground remediation work has been necessary to make them developable. Other unforeseeable costs have arisen from utilities diversions and an industry-wide increase in the cost of materials and labour."

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Cllr. Dominic Beck, cabinet member for housing at Rotherham Council, explained: "We are asking approval for an additional net cost to the HRA [Housing Revenue Account] budget of £4.99m to deliver our site clusters programme that was formerly approved by Cabinet in October 2017.

"We were very clear that some of the costs associated with the scheme were based on estimated costs and now we are in a position were we know that little bit more about how much it is actually going to cost the council to deliver those 217 homes across those seven sites.

"We are also clear as well that we want to renegotiate the contract with Wates to a fixed maximum price."

Discounted options included reducing the overall number of homes being built, and progressing without a guaranteed maximum price.

Cllr. Brian Steele, chair of the scrutiny committee at Rotherham Council discussed the rising costs and it was recommended that officers share learning from the contracting on this project to ensure that large scale projects undertaken are well managed and controlled.

Rotherham Council has set itself a target of delivering 109 homes during the year via direct Council intervention and is on track to do so.

This scheme uses a new delivery route for the Council and creates the opportunity for it to maximise the value of its assets and deliver a greater number of high quality new homes, as opposed to simply selling the individual sites on the open market.

Houses sold will lead to sales revenue provided directly to the local authority (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subsidise the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

Rother Living website

Images: Rother Living

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News: Rotherham-made pies amongst upper crust

A platter of pies from Rotherham have seen a slice of success at the recent British Pie Awards.

The awards are a national celebration of British pies in all their varieties and they have been running since 2009. The 2019 awards were held in Melton Mowbray earlier this month, hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association.

Open to all producers of pies sold commercially in the UK – pie makers, butchers, bakers and those who exhibit at shows, 23 classes of pie are judged by a prestigious group of foodies.

Pie-Eyed, the start-up piemaker that launched in 2014, picked up its first ever award with a win and gold award for its Chicken, Leek & Tarragon pie.

Founded by Jack Norman in 2014 after finishing university, Pie-Eyed is based at RiDO's Century Business Centre at Manvers. Having started supplying pies at events in a converted horse box, the award-winning pies can be found at Sheffield culinary venue, The Cutlery Works.

On the award win, Jack (pictured) said he was "over the moon to say the least!"

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Lawns Farm Shop was recognised for six of its pies including gold highly commended awards for its lamb & mint pie and the Lawns Farm Pasty.

Now run by four brothers of the Ross family in the small Rotherham village of Morthern, Lawns sells home grown food and locally sourced produce as well as milk from its own on site dairy.

A spokesperson for Lawns said: "Two second places in the British pie awards out of over 1,000 entries. Gold for the Lamb & Mint, silver for pork pie and silver again for Steak, bronze for Steak & Stilton and Steak and Cheddar - that's every pie we entered gaining a place.

"We're amazed. Thanking all our customers for your continued support and to all that help make the British pie awards the massive success that it is and well done to all that participated."

Pie-Eyed website
Lawns Farm Shop website

Images: Pie-Eyed

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News: Strong interest expected for new Rotherham units

Network Space Developments is expecting strong interest for a new high-specification industrial warehouse development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month that a planning application has been submitted for the remaining land at Woodhouse Link which will comprise four individual units, ranging from 15,800 sq ft to 48,900 sq ft and is being delivered in partnership with Rotherham Council and Sheffield city region (SCR).

The units have each been designed to appeal to a wide range of logistics and industrial occupiers and will benefit from self-contained and segregated yards, generous office and car parking provision with 8 to 10m eaves heights and dock level doors on the two larger units.

The eight-acre site is situated within the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District, just minutes from the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and close to Junctions 31 and 33 of the M1.

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Stephen Barnes, managing director (development) at Network Space, said: "Although our intention is to build speculatively at Woodhouse Link, we expect interest to be strong due to the high quality of the units and the excellent strategic location of the site.

"We have worked closely with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Region to draw up plans for the site so that the development best suits the needs of the area and we anticipate that the range in unit sizes will appeal to a broad range of occupiers."

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said she was pleased to see yet another new development in the pipeline that would strengthen the commercial property offer in Rotherham.

"The AMP and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District continue to go from strength to strength," she said. "This is great news for Rotherham and the city region as we look to grow the local economy, employment opportunities and skills for our local residents."

If approved, the development would provide the opportunity for 150 new jobs.

Network Space website

Images: Network Space

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News: MoD becomes Metalysis customer

Metalysis has secured a deal with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), to supply titanium powder through the Materials for Strategic Advantage research programme.

The Manvers company holds the worldwide exploitation rights to the FCC Cambridge process which sees specialist powder metals created in a simple, cost effective process with significant environmental benefits. It is in the process of commercialising the technology to produce titanium, tantalum, and related high value alloys. These are used increasingly by major worldwide industries such as aerospace, marine, medical, chemical, automotive and electronics.

The order is the first that Metalysis has announced from its industrial plant, known as Gen4, housed within its Materials Manufacturing Centre in Rotherham.

Gen4 recently commenced commercial production at Manvers. It is the first facility of its kind in the world.

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The MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides UK Government with sensitive and specialist research, advice, analysis, technical and systems risk management and assurance. Based in Porton Down it has already revolutionised the production of titanium by reducing the 40 stage process down to just two steps and potentially halving the cost. It is based on the FASTForge project being carried out at the University of Sheffield which relies on Metalysis technology.

Dr Dion Vaughan, CEO at Metalysis, said: "Naturally, we are pleased to welcome Dstl as the first announced customer from our newly operating industrial plant.

"Commencing production from Gen4 marked a positive outcome following years of technological development. Dstl is a global leader in recognising and supporting scientific breakthroughs, and an ideal customer for Metalysis.

"We look forward to continuing to work together. Separately, we anticipate reporting positive outcomes from other customer discussions in coming months."

Backed by investors and grants the Cambridge University spin out has secured over £30m of investment and opened a Materials Discovery Centre in a 22,000 sq ft unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), also in Rotherham.

At Manvers, Metalysis has successfully produced both of its intended Gen4 launch products - titanium family alloys and an aluminium-scandium master alloy.

Metalysis website

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News: Wetherspoons calling time on Rotherham pub

J D Wetherspoon plc has put 16 pubs up for sale - including a popular venue in Rotherham town centre.

The national operator, which recorded a turnover of £889.6m for the 26 weeks ended January 27 2019, is bringing the pubs to market via CBRE and Savills.

The list includes The Rhinoceros on Bridgegate in Rotherham.

The move follows on from the company's disposal of The Corn Law Rhymer, at the top of the nearby High Street (which is back up for sale) and would leave one remaining Wetherspoons pub in the centre of Rotherham - The Bluecoat at The Crofts.

The pubs continue to trade as normal but if the agents cannot secure a buyer, they are likely to be closed. Wetherspoons said it would look to redeploy staff to its other pubs in the region.

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Following a review of its estate, Wetherspoons has placed around 100 pubs on the market, most of which have now been sold.

With a 7% increase in turnover, the chain, which has 879 trading pubs, reported a pre-tax profit of £50.3m which was 18.9% lower than the prior year.

Tim Martin, founder and chairman of J D Wetherspoon plc, has warned of increased costs, particularly rising wages, and is looking to Brexit to lead to free trade and a reduction in prices in shops and pubs.

The Rhinoceros, locally known as "Rhinos" is named after The Rhinoceros Vase which was made in 1826 at the Rockingham Works near Swinton. At the time of its production the 1.15m high vase was the largest piece of porcelain to have been fired in one piece anywhere in the world.

J D Wetherspoons website

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News: Tropical Butterfly House celebrating 25th birthday

The Tropical Butterfly House, Falconry and Wildlife Park in Rotherham will celebrate its 25th anniversary this weekend and is marking the milestone event with a variety of commemorative activities throughout the year.

When the North Anston park first opened in 1994 it was just the butterfly house, a nature wildlife trail and a small shop and café.

It opened on a shoestring budget, during an economic depression with three employees, butterflies, peacocks, a tarantula spider and a snake followed by barn owls, an eagle owl and later in its first season, goats and chickens.

Discovering in the first year that the key to future success could be allowing its visitors to handle and get closer to the animals they love, this very same ethos remains its USP today. Now renowned for its collection of exotic animals from around the world including many endangered species, the park offers its visitors daily up-close animal encounters and free-flying bird displays alongside views of the best of British wildlife.

New additions over the years include Lemur Heights and Meerkat Mansion. The site also includes purpose built conservation areas for native wildlife.

Visitor numbers have grown to over 150,000 per year in 2018 and the park now has over 60 staff.

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Andrew Reeve, wildlife park manager at The Tropical Butterfly House, Falconry and Wildlife Park, said: "Since arriving as park manager eight years ago the park has constantly been changing and developing. We have grown from a 4.5 acre to 8-acre site, doubling our visitor numbers at the same time.

"Our collection has become more focused on endangered species, with lots of new species being added over the years, from lemurs and otters to vultures. This has driven our fundraising efforts, for example when the visitors see the lemurs here and learn about their story, they are essentially helping to raise funds for survival in their native wild habitat."

Kim Bellis is the managing director and the owner's daughter and has spent all her life at the park and will be taking over the reins. She said: "As a family business we are all very proud of what the team have achieved here over the last 25 years.

"The legacy of my dad's labour of love brings it back to where it all began, inspiring the next generation's passion for nature. Now following the success of the park, he is now able to return to his passion for plants and animals and enjoy all the new challenges the new conservation sites will bring."

Tropical Butterfly House, Falconry and Wildlife Park website

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News: AMRC continues to go global

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has formalised a partnership with RMIT University in Australia.

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

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalised at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the two universities will jointly undertake industry-driven research that is relevant to a range of problems in advanced manufacturing.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Martin Bean CBE said: "Our excellence in aerospace and automotive engineering, and our focus on applied research across engineering materials and advanced manufacturing means that our innovation centres are helping industry to address real-world problems.

"Through ongoing collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry, we can increase competitiveness, develop new products and build a pipeline of talent and skills."

The two universities are seen as a blue-print for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry that has transformed industrial and economic performance by making step changes in productivity, increasing competitiveness, developing new products and processes, and training new talent and skills.

With the University of Sheffield housing the most advanced example of a research and innovation facility for manufacturing in the UK, RMIT has also expressed an interest in working with the AMRC to establish its own "factory of the future" to showcase its engineering capabilities to industry, schools and the local community.

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The original £15m state-of the-art Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future (pictured) opened in Rotherham in 2008 and was extended in 2012. The main open-plan workshop is focused on machining research, housing an array of state-of-the-art machining centres and other manufacturing equipment. It is designed to allow partner companies to develop and trial new technologies and processes before introducing them to their own factories.

The universities also intend to jointly assist SMEs across the UK and in Australia in forwarding their research ambitions, with new advanced manufacturing techniques.

Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the AMRC, said: "As a global research facility it is vital for the AMRC to build relations with like-minded engineering and manufacturing institutions around the world, and Australia is the sort of can-do, entrepreneurial place where we can help to make difference."

Closer to home, The AMRC is operating a new £20m research and innovation facility backed by the Welsh Government in a bid to replicate the regeneration, inward investment and productivity boost seen in Rotherham and Sheffield.

Dave Cooper, managing director of Tarvin Precision in Flintshire, said: "If there can be a mirror effect for AMRC in Wales to what has happened in Sheffield, and the growth to the area and industry, I think this is a huge moment for North East Wales as well as other areas. I see a ripple effect, almost a shock wave emanating from AMRC in Wales. In time I expect to see current industry expanding but also new players and technologies emerging in this area."

Back in the Sheffield city region, the university is pressing ahead with its next investment - establishing a national Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) on its AMRC campus on the site of the former Sheffield airport.

AMRC website

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News: Pension fund to invest in South Yorkshire

The South Yorkshire Pension Fund (SYPF) has allocated £80m for regional investment in South Yorkshire.

This funding line will support the ongoing economic growth of the region and will work alongside the SCR JESSICA Fund, increasing regional development funding for the Sheffield city region to over £120m.

Managed by experts at CBRE, JESSICA is a financial engineering mechanism used to create a revolving fund that could be used for regeneration projects such as the creation of new commercial floorspace, brownfield redevelopment or investment in infrastructure.

CBRE's Investment Advisory team, part of CBRE Capital Advisors, has now been appointed to manage the pension fund and will originate and advise on all investments, expanding their existing remit managing the SCR Jessica fund.

The two funds will operate independently from each other, with the South Yorkshire Pension Fund having complete autonomy over investment decisions. However, opportunities to make strategic joint investments will be a focus and will enable investments into larger scale projects as well as into alternative sectors, including residential and leisure.

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Will Church, senior director at CBRE Capital Advisors, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed to manage The South Yorkshire Pension Fund’s regional investment allocation. This will complement our ongoing work with the SCR Jessica Fund and enable us to develop a strategic investment plan that will maximise socio-economic growth in the wider region."

Recommended reading: Frozen Pension Payments Prevent State Pensioners from Receiving Increases

Councillor Sue Ellis, Chair of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, added: "We are pleased to be working with CBRE to achieve financial returns for our scheme members while at the same time supporting delivery of investment in communities across South Yorkshire. This is an example of an area where we can achieve the commercial return we need to pay pensions at the same time as ensuring the delivery of schemes which will improve the long term prospects of the local economy."

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The JESSICA fund supports job-creating commercial property schemes through grants and loans. It has been used to kickstart Rotherham developments on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and at Beighton Link.

John Mothersole, Chair of the JESSICA Investment Board, said: "The commitment by the SYPA to invest alongside, albeit independently from, the SCR JESSICA Fund in the South Yorkshire economy is really welcome. Not only does it demonstrate a ringing endorsement of the work undertaken by the SCR JESSICA to date it also creates more opportunity for investment in the wider South Yorkshire property market, including areas such as residential, where the JESSICA has some limitations. Working with CBRE I am sure both Funds will be able to stimulate further economic growth in our region."

CBRE website

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News: Planning board votes on stance ahead of INEOS public inquiry

The planning board at Rotherham Council has voted on officer's recommendations to withdraw objections on highways grounds from INEOS' Woodsetts appeal process "in light of the lack of evidence."

Rothbiz revealed last week that officers believed that it could not fight its refusal of the plans by the oil and gas exploration and production business for a test drilling well on a Greenbelt site.

The plans were recommended for approval, having previously been refused on ecological grounds and on highway safety. The planning board went against officer's recommendations and refused the plans based on highway grounds and noise and general disturbance. Having been successful at the inquiry over its Harthill application, INEOS appealed against the Woodsetts decision.

Chris Wilkins, development manager at Rotherham Council, explained at a board meeting this week: "Following the refusal of the planning application the Transportation Unit have reviewed the information raised by Members in relation to safety concerns and, while recognising that these concerns are valid, do not consider that they would warrant a refusal of planning permission for the proposed development.

"For reasons of transparency and to allow an independent review of this assessment the Highway Authority [the Council] has then attempted to commission consultants who could re-assess the information and represent the Council's case at the forthcoming Public Inquiry.

"Responses were received from five separate consultants who had reviewed the information but were unable to provide a robust case to support the reason for refusal. One further consultant has indicated that they would be prepared to provide expert evidence in support of the highways reason for refusal but the information provided is not considered to be sufficiently robust to defend the decision to refuse the application on the highways grounds."

Costs to the Council and legal advice also points to the highway grounds refusal being withdrawn and that the decision is seen as "pragmatic and appropriate."

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The noise and general disturbance reason will still be defended at the appeal by the Council, especially in relation to the HGVs used in developing the site. Woodsetts Against Fracking (WAF) have gained "Rule 6" status, which means that they will have equal standing to the Council and INEOS at the public inquiry and can still raise objections on highways and other grounds.

Richard Scholey, of WAF also spoke at the meeting and said that members voting to refuse planning permission in September was "a fine example of the planning system working as it was intended as planning officers should not have the final say on planning decisions." He added that nothing had changed since members voted for refusal.

The campaigner also accused the Council of self-protectionism and a lack of transparency.

Ian Ferguson, senior highway development control officer at Rotherham Council, told the board that he feels that the highways reasons for refusal would be "very difficult to defend" at an appeal.

Planning board member Cllr. Jenny Whysall, said: "At the meeting where we refused this application, I can't actually see any reason to change the views that we put forward then. And I'm not saying this lightly - I've thought long and hard about this - I think we have to look at what we do, and are, as a planning board because it seems to suggest to me that we are superfluous if we accept that officers are always right. And I say that with admiration for our team of officers but I think on this one, we have a moral obligation.

"We have every right to disagree and it's no reflection on anyone when we do that. We are not professional planners but we do know the places that we represent."

Fellow planning board member Cllr. John Williams: "We have got to have the confidence as decision makers that the Council has got a good chance of winning that appeal because to do otherwise, I think, is irresponsible. Cllr. Whysall talked about a moral responsibility but we also have a legal responsibility. We have to make good, responsible, sound and legal decisions."

He added that the consultants not being able to provide a robust case showed that there was a strong reason to remove the reasons for refusal.

The planning board voted to approve the recommendation to remove the highways grounds from the appeal objections.

INEOS said in a statement: "This has been a waste of time and money for everyone involved and we are disappointed that this objection was mounted in the first place. The Council has now acknowledged that defending a Planning Enquiry on the grounds it presented was a futile exercise that would incur significant cost and that dropping it was pragmatic and appropriate. We regret that this outbreak of common sense didn't occur earlier and that the Council's frivolous attitude to public money still continues in the form of their other objections to the scheme."

Images: INEOS

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News: Funding boost SCR's active travel plans

The Sheffield city region (SCR) will be able to get the wheels turning quickly on active travel schemes having secured £4.2m from the Government, although this is less than half of what it bid for.

In his Spring Statement, Philip Hammond, The Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed that £60m from the Transforming Cities Fund is being invested in ten cities across England.

Rothbiz reported in September that the Sheffield City Region (SCR) was one of ten areas to be shortlisted for a share of Government money to transform the way people travel.

A £1.7 billion Transforming Cities Fund was announced in the Autumn Budget 2017. The majority of the fund, to improve local transport connections, was divvied up to regions which had elected mayors, for them to control and spend as they see fit. As the SCR did not have an elected mayor at the time, the combined authority has had to bid into the remaining funds to get the cash to back its new transport strategy.

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At the heart of the SCR bid is the proposal to develop a new Global Innovation Corridor that stretches across the region, linking people to key sites including Sheffield city centre, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham and Barnsley's Digital Campus. In addition, the bid seeks to improve connectivity for communities and businesses across the Dearne Valley.

The Government asked for submissions on schemes that can commence delivery before the end of March. In total, SCR bid for £9.3m from Government, to go alongside £6.3m in match funding. The total value of its six schemes was more than £15m.

In Rotherham, the plans are for a direct cycle route linking Greasbrough, Kimberworth and Wingfield to Rotherham town centre, as well as providing an early phase of a link to the planned Bassingthorpe Farm housing development, which comprises around 2,400 houses. This would involve an off-road cycle track for much of the route and an on-road section closer to the town. Side roads will be treated to provide priority for cyclists and pedestrians.

This bid is the first phase of transformative strategic cycling and walking infrastructure planned for Rotherham which will provide a step change in the way people access the town centre, growth zones and major interchanges.

Two region-wide schemes were also put forward. These involve retro-fitting buses with emission reduction systems to make them cleaner and greener, and also installing Real Time Information (RTI) at 45 bus stops to provide passengers with up-to-date public transport information.

Dan Jarvis, mayor of the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority, recently led a Westminster Hall debate about the importance of increasing regional transport infrastructure spend.

He said: "When we have strong transport networks in place around good economic infrastructure, we know that our communities can thrive. A prime example of this is the Great Yorkshire Way, which is a stretch of road built to link up Doncaster Sheffield Airport with the M18. The last mile of this road is probably the most significant for a decade.

"Because of private and public-sector investment, our region unlocked £1.8 billion of investment and created 1,200 jobs. We know that we can do it, but we can only achieve these great results if the Government support us."

SCR website

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News: Expanding Rotherham IT firm is well connected

An expanding Rotherham-based software development company, which has pioneered new ground-breaking technology to protect members of staff in the workplace during emergency evacuations, has launched a new South East division.

Founded in 2015 by experienced software engineers Paul Chatwin and Andy Ford who drew on their extensive development expertise to launch a new range of products which support businesses with large numbers of staff.

The enterprise moved into RiDO's Moorgate Crofts in 2016 and has been responsible for pioneering "Roll Call" – a unique and ground-breaking software system designed to protect employees during emergency evacuations.

Just ten months after launching the business, Connected Data Solutions moved into one of the centre's dedicated business incubation units. It proved to be an ideal platform to grow the business further and within just four months, the firm had outgrown its first unit and was ready to recruit additional members of staff. With further contracts and a doubling in employee numbers, Connected Data Solutions relocated to a larger unit.

Andy Ford, co-founder, Connected Data Solutions said: "We were keen to find premises which could not only provide us with a platform to grow our business, but crucially also helped us to access business support. Working in Moorgate Crofts is like being a part of a community; everyone supports each other and there is an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise within the building. The building had everything we needed and we knew that it would not only support our short term goals, but also had great facilities to help us grow the business.

"Like many new entrepreneurs we were unsure how quickly the business would grow. The flexible leasing terms offered at Moorgate Crofts has enabled us to source office space which suits our needs, and as we have recruited additional members of staff, we've been able to move to larger units without the added hassle of changing our telephone numbers or address."

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Amanda Parris at RiDO, added: "Connected Data Solutions has enjoyed rapid growth over the past three years and with a number of exciting projects in the pipeline the business has a very bright future. It was very clear from an early stage that it was equally important for the business to be able to find the right business support, as well as sourcing suitable premises. We have helped the company to access specialist support from the RiDO business support team as well as specialist help from the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

"At RiDO we understand no new business owner has a crystal ball and the needs of a company can change rapidly. The flexible leasing terms we offer enables companies to relocate to larger units without the stress and costs of relocating to new business premises."

The company's new South East division will operate from Whitstable, Kent and create up to five new jobs. The centre will be used to support the company's growing national portfolio of clients which includes 3M and Epson as well as providing additional capacity as the company continues to invest in developing its own range of products.

In addition to producing its own range of products, Connected Data Solutions also acts as a delivery partner for the global software developer Kronos, a leading developer of workforce management software.

Paul Chatwin, director at Connected Data Solutions, said: "Launching a new South East division for the business is an important part of our future growth plans. I grew up in the area and felt Whitstable offered an excellent platform to continue growing our business.

"Since launching the business, we have developed a national client base, and our Roll Call software, the result of more than a decade of research and development is helping to ensure companies with large numbers of employees are accounted for quickly during emergency evacuations.

"We're at a very exciting time in our business journey and with a number of new products currently in development, our new office will support our operations in South Yorkshire and we are planning to create a number of new positions within both locations."

Connected Data Solutions website

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News: Burgess Commercial becomes chamber patron

Rotherham's only chartered surveying practice to deal exclusively with commercial property is celebrating 10 years in business by becoming a patron of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber – the highest level of membership available.

Founded in January 2009 by Paul Burgess and Neil Keally at the height of the global financial crisis, the experienced surveyors drew on their extensive knowledge of the commercial property market to provide a comprehensive range of commercial property services including overseeing sales, leases, property management, rent reviews and valuations, aimed specifically at the South Yorkshire market.

Today, Burgess Commercial boasts a client base spanning across the UK and is responsible for managing a range of business parks throughout the Rotherham Borough. The company handles approximately 75% of all commercial property transactions within the Rotherham Borough.

Over the past decade the company has been responsible for brokering some key property deals within the Borough, including securing the vital land needed to secure Rotherham United's return to their home town and the creation of the New York Stadium.

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Neil Keally, director at Burgess Commercial (pictured, left), said: "At the time we launched the business, the property bubble had well and truly burst, the banks were being bailed out and Britain was facing its most serious recession since the 1930s. We knew from the outset that it was a difficult time to launch a new business, but throughout our business journey we've worked closely with the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber and felt we were well positioned to help others access specialist commercial property advice. We are looking forward to working with clients old and new as we continue to grow our business model.

"Today, Rotherham's economy is outperforming many other areas of the Sheffield city region and the UK. I would like to think that we have played a small part in that success story by helping business owners access the vital premises needed to fuel their growth aspirations. We felt becoming a Patron of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber was a fitting way of celebrating the tenth anniversary of our business."

Shane Young, membership manager at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber (pictured, right), added: "For the past decade Burgess Commercial has played a key role in contributing to the local economy and becoming a Chamber Patron is a reflection of the commitment the company has made towards investing in and supporting the local economy.

"The company has played an active role in Chamber activities since it first opened for business and as a member of our representation council, Neil has drawn on his wealth of knowledge and expertise to support others by helping business owners source the right premises at the right time."

Burgess Commercial is the second Patron to join Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber this year and the number of patrons has increased to 18.

Burgess Commercial website
Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

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News: Global validation for Xeros system

The Hydrofinity washing system is the first commercial washing machine globally to be awarded Environmentally Preferable Product Certification by international body, SCS Global Services (SCS).

The certified 25kg capacity machine uses XOrbs — created by Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) based parent company Xeros Technologies — to reduce water consumption by up to 80%.

SCS Global Services, is a trusted leader in third-party environmental, sustainability and food quality certification, auditing, testing and standards development.

To complete the assessment SCS Global evaluated the Xeros' Hydrofinity machine over more than 20,000 wash cycles, testing factors including: water use, energy demand and carbon emissions among other environmental impacts.

The results showed that the Hydrofinity machine demonstrated better performance across the board including energy savings of up to 86% (during the use stage) and water savings up to 63%.

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Mark Nichols, chief executive officer of Xeros Technology Group, said: "The results of SCS Global's certification is validation of the work we are doing to apply our innovative, sustainable technologies across our Hydrofinity business.

"In a world where precious natural resources are becoming increasingly stressed, we can no longer accept conventional thinking about every-day, water and energy intensive processes such as laundry.

"At Xeros we are committed to developing our innovative technologies to reimagine these processes and divert resources away from industrial processes to where they are needed most – people."

Hydrofinity has also been awarded ISO 9001:2015 certification, an internationally recognised standard that ensures their products and services meet the needs of customers through an effective quality management system.

The Rotherham-based team underwent an extensive company-wide audit that included quality management system development, a management system documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment, and clearance of non-conformances.

Mike Ferrand, managing director at Hydrofinity, said: "Achieving ISO 9001:2015 certification is fantastic news and means our customers have complete assurance our products operate to the highest quality standard.

"I am extremely proud of my team for their achievement, which proves theirs and the company's commitment to ensuring quality and providing the best possible service to our clients. We are dedicated to constant improvement and development and achieving and maintaining an ISO 9001:2015 accreditation ensures we have the processes and systems in place for this."

Hydrofinity website
Xeros website

Images: Hydrofinity

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