News: Continued growth for Rotherham economy

Rotherham's £4.7 billion a year economy is continuing to grow, but at a slower rate than in previous quarters.

Consistently near the top of the UK Powerhouse rankings for GVA growth, the year on year growth rate in Q3 2019 (October, November, December) for Rotherham was 0.9%, meaning that the borough slipped down the rankings to 37th.

The UK Powerhouse study is produced by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and provides an estimate of GVA growth and job creation within 46 of the UK's largest cities at least 12 months ahead of the Government's official figures. It uses a range of more timely indicators to create a "nowcast" of GVA and employment for a range of key cities across the UK.

GVA, or Growth Value Added, is the increase in the value of the economy due to the production of goods and services. It is widely recognised by Government and policy makers as a measure of local economies.

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Previously the fastest growing economy in Yorkshire and the North of England with growth rates over 1%, Rotherham has been overtaken by Doncaster (ranked 30th at 1.0% year on year growth), York (31st, 1.0%), Wakefield (32nd, 1.0%), Leeds (33rd, 1.0%) and Sheffield (35th, 0.9%).

Predictions for the year ahead are also included with Rotherham's economy expected to continue to grow by 0.7% in Q4 of 2020, ranked 33rd in the study.

Between Q3 2019 and Q4 2020, growth is expected to slow for nearly all of the 46 UK Powerhouse cities. The simple average annual growth rate across them was 1.2% in Q3 2019, but this is expected to be just 0.9% in Q4 2020.

The study also looks at jobs and ranks Rotherham at 27th with an employment level of 106,600 an increase of 0.9% on the previous year. looking ahead to Q4 of 2020, Rotherham is ranked 23rd with an employment level of 107,800, an increase of 0.8%.

Irwin Mitchell website
CEBR website

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News: New MP uses debut to focus on fracking

Alexander Stafford, the new Rother Valley MP, has used his debut appearance in the House of Commons to call for the current fracking ban to be made permanent.

The government ended support for fracking in November on the basis of a report by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), which found that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability or magnitude of earthquakes linked to fracking operations.

Exploratory work to determine whether shale could be a new domestic energy source, delivering benefits for our economy and energy security, has now been paused - unless and until further evidence is provided that it can be carried out safely here.

Rotherham has seen two planning applications from oil and gas exploration and production business, INEOS, for similar test drilling wells. It was successful at a public inquiry over its Harthill application and appealed against a refusal for a site at Woodsetts.

A decision on the Woodsetts application is expected in April.

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During a debate on climate change, Stafford asked the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng: "Will my right hon. Friend agree with the residents of Woodsetts and Harthill in Rother Valley that the best way his Department can tackle climate change is to make the moratorium on fracking permanent?"

In reply, the minister said: "On fracking, the moratorium is what it says: we are stopping it. The only way it can be resumed is by compelling evidence, which so far is not forthcoming. So the moratorium stays and fracking, for the time being, is over."

Images: Alexander Stafford / Twitter

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News: Public consultation set to launch on Sheffield city region devolution deal

South Yorkshire is a step closer to receiving tens of millions of pounds in additional powers and resources, after the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to proceed with the implementation of the Devolution Deal.

The deal was agreed by Mayor Dan Jarvis and council leaders in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield at a meeting of the Mayoral Combined Authority earlier this morning.

Prior to that meeting, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, voiced his support for the deal when he met Mayor Dan Jarvis at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). During his visit, Mr Jenrick met staff and toured Factory 2050.

In a joint statement, Mayor Jarvis and Mr Jenrick said: "We are delighted to announce that today the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority has agreed to proceed with the implementation of the Devolution Deal for South Yorkshire. The agreement to launch the required consultation represents a significant step forwards.

"Subject to its completion and the parliamentary process, the people of South Yorkshire will be able to benefit from the Deal this year, including from the £30m annual investment fund.

"We also look forward to the progression of discussions over the coming months on the role and functions of a Committee of Leaders from across Yorkshire, based on the existing Yorkshire Leaders Board.

"Through continued collaboration we will support more positive economic outcomes for people right across the historic county."

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Rothbiz reported earlier this month that local authority leaders had finally reached a consensus on the issue.

The devolution deal brings with it £30m a year in additional funding for economic growth, as well as power over the adult education budget totalling around £35m each year.

It also means additional powers for the Mayoral Combined Authority, in areas including transport, skills, and governance.

Following the leaders’ agreement this morning, a public consultation on the proposals will be launched next week, and run for six weeks.

Members of the public will be asked their views on bringing increased powers and resources to the region, and putting more decision-making responsibilities in the hands of local leaders.

Following this public consultation, an Order will be laid in Parliament, which will need to be signed by the four council leaders and Mayor Jarvis before the devolution deal is formalised.

Images: SCR

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News: Forge Island flood works continue

It used to be the sound of a drop hammer ringing out from Forge Island, now its the sound of new flood defences being hammered into place.

Work continues on the first phase of works to bring a cinema development to Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported that works had got underway at the end of 2019 and that the flood defence and enabling work on the Forge Island site includes retaining walls, terrace seating and high-quality public spaces. Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd had been selected to carry out works with a value of around £2.5m.

The contractors have been busy driving sheet metal pile into the ground to form the new flood defence walls. This will form part of the next phase of the flood alleviation works along the north and west boundaries of Forge Island. The flood defence wall will also form a backdrop to improved open spaces adjacent to the Canal.

The works are necessary to help deliver the full Forge Island scheme, which will include a cinema, food and drink outlets, a hotel, and a car park, with the new leisure facilities set within an attractive public space and a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the wider town centre.

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Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: "People may notice more activity and noises on the site as the plans to transform Forge Island continue to move forward. We know residents are keen to see the area develop and it’s great to see work progressing on a project which will bring a boost to the whole of the town centre."

Due to the flood alleviation works the footbridge over Rotherham Lock will be closed until further notice. Alternative routes to Forge Island Car Park are available via Bridge Street, Corporation Street (over the footbridge) or Market Street.

Urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, has exchanged contracts with Rotherham Council regarding the landmark mixed-use destination. A planning application is currently being prepared, with a view to being submitted in the coming months. Following consent and exchange of agreements with the main anchor occupiers, it is anticipated that construction will begin in late 2020.

Forge Island website

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News: Rotherham-Sheffield a "thriving innovation ecosystem, with the AMRC at its heart"

Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore MP, visited the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to see how its model for innovation is powering a manufacturing renaissance in the North of England.

With state-of-the-art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the minister was the latest to take tour of the AMRC - part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult - to see how it allows academia, industry and government to work together to address challenges around productivity, processes and skills in a range of sectors, including aerospace, energy and construction. He also took part in discussions about the type of investment, commitment and structures the North of England needs to build the innovation, skills and business base required to rebalance the UK economy, reshore industry and recognise the North's full potential.

Speaking about the visit Chris Skidmore said: "This excellent work is supercharging manufacturing in the North of England, demonstrating the importance of industry, academics and government collaborating to boost prosperity.

"Driving innovation in all parts of the UK is vital. We're determined to harness brilliant research like this, to grow the economy and secure our status as a global science superpower.

"Securing the economic benefits of R&D depend on levelling up the Development side of the R&D equation, and, as last year's Manifesto for the North states, strengthening collaboration to deliver productivity and growth.

"It's why the AMRC has been able to transform an area of Yorkshire, formerly best known for its mining pits.

"This is now a thriving innovation ecosystem, with the AMRC at its heart."

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Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, added: "At the AMRC we have a tried and tested model of innovation where government, industry and academia work together to drive innovation that makes a measurable difference to regional and national success. The AMRC model is unique because it offers a real space for innovation - where risks can be taken and the products and processes that emerge can be immediately tested in partnership with leading global companies.

"This model could be one of the key drivers for Northern Powerhouse growth, and we are excited to explore how we can work with other universities to adapt it to support towns, cities and industry sectors across the North of England."

The University of Sheffield AMRC is a network of world-leading research and innovation centres that work with some of the world's leading companies including Boeing, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and McLaren. The AMRC also undertakes vital research and development projects with SMEs and teaches apprentices of all levels at the AMRC Training Centre.

The majority of the AMRC facilities are based in Rotherham and Sheffield, but the AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC also have sites in Derby, Birkenhead, Preston and Broughton in Wales.

Last November, AMRC Cymru, a £20m state-of-the-art research and development facility in North Wales, was officially opened. In December, the University of Sheffield AMRC was given the green light to build a dedicated facility in the North West of England - AMRC North West.

AMRC website

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News: Rotherham recruitment specialist set to double workforce

A Rotherham-based entrepreneur who set his sights on tackling the critical skills shortages affecting the Sheffield city region's (SCR's) engineering and manufacturing sectors by applying his love of technology to the recruitment sector is planning to expand his business by doubling his number of employees as well as opening offices in West Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

Luke Bell realised that many companies operating in the engineering sector were being held back, simply because they were unable to find the skilled staff needed to grow. After teaming up with recruitment consultant and business partner Sam Wilkinson, the entrepreneurial duo began developing a specialist recruitment business, which sought to tackle the growing problem.

The duo began exploring the concept and after spending time researching, developing and testing their business idea, they launched Metalis, which is based in the RiDO-operated Fusion@Magna Business Centre in April 2019.

The combination of Luke's interest in problem solving coupled with Sam's knowledge of the recruitment sector has proved to be a winning formula. Within just a few months of opening for business, Metalis has secured significant contracts with some of South Yorkshire's best known engineering and manufacturing companies.

Today, Metalis employs seven members of staff and after enjoying an impressive first year in business, the company has ambitious expansion plans. It has recently launched a new dedicated division targeting the construction sector as well as doubling its workforce within the next quarter and opening offices in the East Midlands and West Yorkshire – with a long term of aim of expanding Metalis throughout the UK.

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Luke Bell, founder of Metalis (pictured), said: "Finding and retaining members of staff is a perennial problem which can stifle business growth. Many businesses invest vast sums of money each year in a bid to plug skills gaps within their workforce. Sam and I had worked together previously and we felt that our combined knowledge could help businesses to overcome a key issue which all too often stifles business growth.

"We launched Metalis with a view to providing specialist recruitment advice within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. When we first began developing the business, we realised quite early on that although the Sheffield city region is home to some amazing engineering companies, many faced similar problems when it came to finding the staff needed to grow. After hitting on the idea to develop the business, we needed to find the right premises to support our business, and after spending time looking at different options we chose the Fusion business centre.

"Fusion is quite close to the Sheffield-Rotherham border [at Templeborough] and surrounded by many of the businesses we felt we could support. Sam and I first began working together through a  business start-up programme for young people in 2016 provided by Rotherham Council and part of that support included access to office space at their Fusion Business Centre. Today we occupy three offices in the building and setting our sights on further growth, not only in South Yorkshire, but our long term goal is to see the business provide specialist support to engineering and manufacturing companies as well as construction and civil engineering businesses based throughout the UK."

Julie Hall, RiDO Business Centre Coordinator, Fusion@Magna, added: "Since being supported by Rotherham's start-up support, it became clear that Luke and Sam are natural entrepreneurs and the launch and success they have enjoyed to date is a testament to their dedication and hard work. Metalis is not only helping a number of significant employers in the Sheffield city region's engineering sector to overcome recruitment challenges they face, but they are also helping businesses throughout the UK.

"Our business centres were designed with the needs of entrepreneurs in mind, offering flexible easy-in, easy-out terms and one of the advantages of being based in a centre like Fusion is that you instantly become part of a business community. Luke has benefitted from ongoing support and guidance from the RiDO team, as well as offering the flexibility to take on additional office space as their business has evolved."

Metalis website
RiDO website

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News: AESSEAL make major investment in US manufacturing division

AESSEAL, the Rotherham-headquartered global manufacturer of mechanical seals and support systems, has increased capacity in its US operations with investments totalling almost $16m.

In Europe, AES Engineering Ltd, the group that also owns AESSEAL, has acquired the leading Dutch asset condition monitoring specialist, Van Geffen.

The multi award winning Templeborough company designs and makes mechanical seals and support systems for a wide range of global industries including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals.

Over the past year the AESSEAL group has ploughed around $11m into its US manufacturing facility in Rockford, Tennessee. The plant now has six state-of-the-art nine-axes machine tools.

The company will invest a further $5m in its fully owned subsidiary, MS&S, in Odessa, Texas which primarily focuses on the oil & gas industry.

The increased productivity will mean that 85% of mechanical seals and support systems offered for sale by AESSEAL Inc will be made in the USA.

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Pete Rouleau, CEO of AESSEAL Inc., said: "This investment represents the confidence the company has in the opportunity for our products in North America and recognises the importance of our ability to manufacture in the USA. Our ability to manufacture locally will further improve what we already believe is the best customer service in our industry, which ultimately will be to the benefit of our customers."

Chris Rea, group managing director of AES Engineering Ltd, added: "As our US business, AESSEAL Inc, has grown, the group has concluded that investment in the US market is essential to ensure that we continue to be true to our central goal of providing exceptional customer service.

"It is also a sign of confidence in the United States, which is the largest and most dynamic market in the world."

On the acquisition of Van Geffen, Rea said that it would allow both new and existing customers to benefit from a synergy of skills and service capabilities to help manufacturing companies reduce downtime and maintain and improve rotating machinery reliability.

Van Geffen is a recognised leader in reliability and vibration monitoring services, specialising in the prevention and solving of problems with machinery, foundations and structures.

AESSEAL website

Images: AESSEAL

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News: Life is sweet for enterprising Rotherham teacher

A business providing bespoke and tailored event hire services for weddings as well as special occasions has been "overwhelmed" by orders for its mobile sweet cart following its launch.

Little Miss Sweetie Hire was started at the end of last year by Jodie Hodkin after she left her position as Assistant Head Teacher at a local school, to allow her to spend more time with her seven-year-old daughter and make her hobby of making delicious snacks her new vocation.

Using a Kickstart Grant from UKSE, Jodie purchased event hire equipment and covered set up costs associated with the business.

UKSE is a subsidiary of Tata Steel tasked with assisting the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry

After receiving an influx of orders over the festive period for clients such as Wetherspoons and Rotherham Parent/Carers Forum, Little Miss Sweetie Hire is looking forward to helping couples make their special day memorable.

Alongside her sweet cart, filled with locally sourced sweets and homemade treats, Jodie also offers four-foot LED lights that spell out ‘LOVE’ which can be hired to display on a wedding dance floor.

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Jodie Hodkin, founder of Little Miss Sweetie Hire, said: "The positive reception I have received since launching the business is really promising and over the last month, I have taken a lot of bookings for Spring weddings which I can't wait to tackle.

"As my father worked for Rotherham Engineering Steel for 20 years the work that UKSE does is something that really resonates with me. I would like to thank them and the Rotherham Investment Development Office (RIDO) for helping me set up this business and I hope it will expand both in services and personnel over the coming years."

Alan Stanley, regional executive at UKSE, added: "It's great to see Jodie provide event hire services that were not already available in the local area. Her sweet cart is charming, and I wish her all the best moving forward."

Little Miss Sweetie Hire Facebook page
UKSE website



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News: Contractors appointed for UKAEA's new £22m Rotherham facility

A £22m fusion energy research facility in Rotherham is nearing reality with the signing of a lease and the appointment of a construction contractor.

Rothbiz reported first that the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham was being scouted by the UK government research organisation.

The key role of the facility will be to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components. It will bring 40 highly skilled jobs to the area, as well as work with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC).

Landowner, Harworth, agreed a 20-year pre-let with the UKAEA for a 25,000 sq ft bespoke facility where the agreed rent is in line with existing headline rents for the AMP.

Harworth Group has appointed Sheffield-based contractor and developer JF Finnegan to construct the new building.

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This project adds to JF Finnegan's growing portfolio of work carried out in the Sheffield city region for the research, development and manufacturing sectors. Previous schemes include Mclaren's Composite Technology Centre, two units for Castings Technology International, a production facility, offices and subsequent extension for Newburgh Engineering, new machinery facility for ATI Allvac plus working with The University of Sheffield on three state-of-the-art research facilities (known as LVV, RTC & ICAIR) for the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

JF Finnegan previously completed units 7 and 8 on the AMP for Harworth Group.

Gary Smith, managing director of JF Finnegan, said: "We are delighted primarily to be working with The Harworth Group again in an area where we have operated extensively in the last ten years. We feel privileged to be appointed to design and construct a facility that will be utilized to research energy and related technologies."

The UKAEA will be running a series of supply chain events during 2020 to showcase its major projects and highlight the contract opportunities they offer.

UKAEA website
JF Finnegan website

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News: Legal case over smart motorways

The grieving widow of a driver killed on a smart motorway has instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to begin work on a High Court legal challenge calling for them to be scrapped.

Jason Mercer was one of two men killed when they were knocked down by a HGV near junction 34 of the M1 at Meadowhall in South Yorkshire. Moments earlier Jason, of Rotherham, and 22-year-old Alexandru Murgreanu, from Mansfield, had been involved in a minor collision.

The stretch of road is classed as an all lanes running (ALR) motorway, meaning there is no hard shoulder in operation. Jason, 44, and the other man had pulled over as far as they could to exchange details. However, after they left their vehicles a lorry collided with the pair. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their deaths mean that five people have died on that route in the past year.

Highways England schemes through the borough include the £106m scheme on a ten mile stretch of the M1 between junctions 32 (south of Sheffield and Rotherham) and 35a (north of Sheffield and Rotherham) and a 20 mile stretch of the M1 between junction 28 (South Normanton) and 31 (Aston).

The projects include converting the hard shoulder to an extra traffic lane in both directions and variable mandatory speed limits and they deliver benefits at a significantly lower cost than conventional motorway widening, and with less impact on the environment during construction.

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Helen Smith, solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, said: "The safety of smart motorways which operate without a hard shoulder has been called into question on a number of occasions in recent years and the number of fatalities on such routes both locally and nationwide is a major cause for concern.

"In fact the Transport Select Committee has previously published a report warning that the government should not go ahead with all lane running motorways because they posed a dangerous risk to drivers and emergency services.

"Through our initial investigations and the increasing amount of families which have been torn apart because of fatalities on smart motorways, it is clear that a full and urgent review of their use needs to be completed."

Leading a Parliamentary debate this week, Rotherham MP Sarah Champion challenged the Government to improve safety on ALR Smart Motorways or face the prospect of more deaths.

She said: "The safety of motorists must always be paramount. It is totally unacceptable to risk lives in the name of cost savings.

"There is no evidence that shows me that ALR can ever be delivered safely. I therefore strongly believe the government must stop the rollout with immediate effect.

"Until the obvious and intrinsic risks which come with removing the hard shoulder are addressed, existing schemes should be revert to traditional motorways from today."

Images: Highways England

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News: Plans to reopen Rotherham village pub

Plans have been submitted that would see an old established pub in the heart of Brampton en le Morthern in Rotherham, rise again.

The Rising Deer closed over 12 years ago but now proposals have been drawn up that would see the village pub reopen, if planners approve an extension to the existing building.

The site is in the conservation area of Brampton en le Morthen and the plans focus on retaining and re-furbishing the current historic building. At the rear, the extension that houses the storage and toilet areas would be demolished and replaced with a two storey building that would take architectural reference and design from the original main building.

The plans have been submitted on behalf of Mr I Wild, an established publican with experience of running The Robin Hood pub at Aughton.

The extension is required as the pub in its present state and size does not allow for a viable business. The increase in trade area should create a traditional drinkers pub and a dining area for around 40 customers.

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The plans include "back up" areas of a commercial kitchen, storage and new customer toilets. The current bar is deemed totally in-adequate, having not been altered in the last 50 years. The car parking area is also set to be re-surfaced.

DRD Architecture state in the application: "There will be no change to the appearance layout of the original main building, the proposed extensions
equate to an overall increase of 64% increase in volume of the original building, which would ordinarily seem to be an in-appropriate development in a green belt area but we consider that in this instance special circumstances show the need for a development of this size."

The aim is to make the village pub the heart and soul of the village again, being "advantageous for the community, its societies and local groups to utilise and benefit from." New jobs will also be created.

2018 plans to convert the existing building to a pair of semi-detached dwellings was refused by Rotherham Council planners as the applicants could not demonstrate very special circumstances for residential use that was considered inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

Images: DRD Architecture

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News: Engineering firm offers new services to customers thanks to Skills Bank

Engineering design firm PES Performance has used Skills Bank to increase services available for existing clients, as well as target new customers.

The high-performance engineering solutions business based at Rotherham's Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) recently put four of their senior engineering design team through training with the support of the city region's Skills Bank.

The team attended Finite Element Analysis (FEA) after the company spotted the opportunity to grow their offer to existing and new clients.

Mike Maddock, managing director at PES Performance, said: "We had a positive experience of working with Skills Bank through a previous tranche of funding, and so when we heard that the opportunity for further support was available, we decided to contact Skills Bank again.

"We anticipated that the introduction of Finite Element Analysis as a new technology would have several benefits for our business, especially around growth. We knew it would increase the range of services that we could offer existing clients, plus allow us to target new clients.

"We are now able to target both new customers within existing market sectors, who would benefit from FEA, and new market sectors yet to be targeted by PES that would benefit from FEA analysis as part of their product development process. There are real prospects of gaining additional revenue from new clients in those sectors, meeting our ambitions to grow our business.

"Also incorporating FEA into our in-house capabilities provides the opportunity to improve our efficiency and productivity as now we don’t need to commission external suppliers to undertake this FEA analysis work in projects."

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PES have also received direct support from one of the Sheffield City Region (SR) Growth Hub's Skills Advisors, to deliver business support by assessing skills problems and offer solutions and finance advisor support; helping a business work out what finance support is available and the best options.

The firm successful secured funding from Funding Circle as a direct result of support received from the Growth Hub, the gateway for businesses to access specialist support.

PES also came through the Growth Hub Enhancement Project, which offered support for high growth companies, including hosting a series of free masterclasses to improve the skill set within the regions businesses.

Skills Bank provides employers across the SCR access to high-quality training and funding, to enable them to develop their business.

Training accessed through Skills Bank can be in the form of an existing qualification or industry-recognised training programme or can also be designed to meet bespoke requirements.

PES Performance website
SCR Skills Bank website

Images: Skills Bank

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News: Atrium takes space in Rotherham

A new self storage site has opened up in Rotherham aimed at making storage simple and secure for business and household customers.

Based at the popular business destination at Hellaby, Atrium Self Storage aims to give customers safe, convenient, purpose built indoor storage with personal lockable units

Following investment, the local firm has created 200 separate indoor units ranging from 25 to 150 sq ft, all quality checked by the Self Storage Association UK and available to rent on short or long term contract.

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Neil Taylor, facility manager at Atrium Self Storage, said: "we've invested heavily in state of art security and surveillance and proud of our modern, clean and convenient facility for our home and business customers who demand more than a dirty outdoor container unit. Our customer service is first-class, we know self storage isn't something people often rent and make the whole process from getting a price, to moving in, as easy as possible."

Other investments include CCTV surveillance with personalised electronic access to gated premises.

Some of the first customers include a local business wanting to archive materials in secure and GDPR compliant premises, and a customer whose house move was delayed and needed a short term to look after their possessions.

Atrium Self Storage website

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News: Henderson's withdrawal is a sauce of disappointment for Yorkshire Crisps

The Rotherham-based Yorkshire Crisp Company has had to stop producing its Henderson's Relish flavoured crisps.

The luxury hand cooked crisps and popcorn maker is based at Waleswood where its award-winning produce is made by a small, dedicated team using the finest local ingredients for a local, national and international market.

A match made in South Yorkshire saw Sheffield-based Henderson's combine its spicy sauce with Yorkshire Crisps back in 2008 but now the historic firm has decided to stop supplying the crisp maker.

Instead, the manufacturer has launched its new Worcester Sauce flavour.

A statement from Yorkshire Crisps explained: "This is in response to Henderson's decision to stop supplying us as they are exploring expansion opportunities to promote the Henderson’s Relish brand. They are focusing on their future priorities and, after much deliberation, are to no longer supply product to Yorkshire Crisps.

"Our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps are now available in single 40g bags and our re-sealable stay-fresh 100g drums. We are very disappointed to be unable to continue our association with the iconic Yorkshire brand that is Henderson's, which is local to our home town, but we respect their decision and hope you will enjoy our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps."

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The Yorkshire Crisp range now has four flavours that that are suitable for vegans – the new Worcester Sauce flavour, plus Sweet Chilli & Lime, Natural Sea Salt or Nowt On. The whole range is now gluten-free.

Tim Wheatley of The Yorkshire Crisp Company, said: "After listening to our customers and to feedback from our tasting panels, it became very clear to us that we needed to incorporate more flavours that are plant-based.

"This has allowed us to widen our audience appeal and respond to exciting current market trends and we are thrilled to have launched our new Worcester Sauce Yorkshire Crisps with this in mind."

Yorkshire Crisps website

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News: Rotherham specialists boost business prospects

Accurate Laser Cutting (SJS) Ltd, a Rotherham based laser cutting specialist, recently gained ISO9001 certification with dedicated support from the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub.

The Aldwarke company occupies both mainstream and niche markets in the laser cutting industry, concentrating on short run orders or awkward shapes, often with the need for other processes such as bending or folding.

The company had been under growing pressure from customers to become ISO9001 certified, and their usual response – "we're working towards it" – was becoming increasingly difficult to justify. They had a head start in that their sister group company based in the West Midlands already had certification, but the procedures and processes, although very similar, didn’t truly match what was happening in Rotherham.

Managing director Stephen Rolfe first enquired via the Rotherham Industrial Development Office (RIDO) to ask for advice, and was referred directly to the SCR Growth Hub, who passed the project over to systems specialist Steve Goodare to advise the company on the requirements of the standard, and how its system could best be developed.

SCR Growth Hub is the gateway for businesses to access specialist support.

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The process of setting up and running the new system took place more than three months and involved Steven and Accurate Laser working closely together over the period. As a result, the company took a good hard look at how it operated, both on a daily basis and strategically, a process which produced its own benefits as some gaps were high-lighted in their own disciplines going forward.

The outcome of Steve's support is a new Quality Management System which has been successfully audited by Alcumus, a UKAS accredited certification body.

Accurate Laser Cutting (SJS) are now looking forward to a sustained period of growth and are keen to start marketing themselves as ISO 9001 certified to boost their credentials, especially with target customers who demand high standards of quality and consistency of service.

Rolfe said: "We had the bare bones of a system but didn't really know how to make it fit what we did, the help we got free of charge from the Growth Hub via Steve really accelerated the process for us, without his help we’d probably still be struggling with it now. The strategic support was particularly very useful, and therefore invaluable to us."

Accurate Laser Cutting website
SCR Growth Hub website

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News: Charity fundraising proves good for business for Bluetree

An award-winning Rotherham business which brought in £11,500 for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice found that fundraising united its team.

Bluetree Group, one of the UK’s largest online printing businesses, employs over 400 staff at its factory at Manvers.

The company decided to focus its charity work by appointing Bluebell Wood as  its ever first Charity of the Year last January.

Based at North Anston in Rotherham, Bluebell Wood provides care and support to families who have a child who has a life limiting condition and is not expected to live into adulthood. It has to raise over £4m each year to continue its work, and receives less than 10% statutory funding.

Emily Gray, a content marketing executive for the group and head of its fundraising efforts, said: "Fundraising has always been a key part of our culture, bringing our team together and having fun in the process. Our team always enjoyed it and we decided to take things further and dedicate our efforts to a worthy local cause.

"We created an events committee and elected a Charity of the Year to focus our efforts. Choosing Bluebell Wood was an easy decision. We’ve been aware of its amazing work supporting families for a long time and have done various fundraising for it in the past. This was an opportunity to give something really substantial to a cause that we really believe in.

"At the beginning of 2019 we pledged to raise £5,000, but we more than doubled that and raised around £11,500. The fun and the opportunities it gave us to bring different team members together has only been good for our business."

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In June, 16 of its team became intrepid explorers and set forth at midnight to climb Mount Snowdon on the hospice's Sunrise on Snowdon fundraiser, raising £2,294.

A month later, two teams rowed in the hospice's annual Manvers Lake Dragon Boat Race, raising £1,151 in sponsorship. They also held a week of internal fundraisers involving leg-waxing, head-shaving, sponge-throwing, cake-baking, an auction and car-washing antics, bringing in £1,187.67.

Five brave colleagues even did a sponsored sky-dive, raising £2,614, and a Halloween bake sale and Christmas jumper event raised another £250.

In addition, the company gave the hospice £3,500 of free printing, £2,000 of envelopes and colleagues filled 50 hospice collection bags destined for its charity shops.

Julie Hampson, corporate fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: "We were proud to be the first charity Bluetree's staff have given an entire year of fundraising support to and delighted to hear that they have raised £11,500 for us.

"This is what happens when employees are given the chance to work together for a good cause. We have lots of support and encouragement ready to give to other companies who would like us to be their Charity of The Year in 2020.

"We are currently supporting over 300 families of children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire and it costs more than £4.8m to keep our doors open."

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News: Councils reach a consensus over Sheffield City Region devolution

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) devolution deal has been agreed by the Mayor and the leaders of all four councils in South Yorkshire.

A joint statement on devolution from Mayor Dan Jarvis, Sheffield's Cllr. Julie Dore, Cllr. Sir Steve Houghton at Barnsley, Doncaster's Mayor Ros Jones and Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council reads:

"We're pleased to announce that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed he will be working with us to progress devolution.

"Subject to the Sheffield City Region devolution deal being advanced to a positive conclusion, he has also agreed to progress discussions on the role and functions of a Committee of Leaders from across Yorkshire, based on the existing Yorkshire Leaders Board. All South Yorkshire councils will have the opportunity to join any full Yorkshire devolution arrangement if they choose to do so.

"We will be considering a paper at the Mayoral Combined Authority meeting on Monday 27 January and, subject to final agreement at that meeting, we will be launching a public consultation on the proposals.

"This represents a significant step forward in securing additional powers and resources for our region."

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A lack of consensus from the leaders has previously denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

A frustrated Cllr. Read said in 2018 that the 2015 deal was worth nearer to £75m a year. After this week's announcement he added: "It is good that we can now progress on South Yorkshire devolution, and a credit to all those involved. It is important that we now make quick progress to secure the funding that our communities need to create jobs and opportunities.

"Rotherham is one of the fastest growing economies in Yorkshire and devolution will accelerate that growth and support our aims to extend prosperity and opportunity, putting us alongside many other similar parts of the country who are already benefiting from devolution settlements."

Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber said: "Speaking on behalf of our members I welcome the efforts made by our politicians to achieve a devolution deal which will drive our region forward.

"The announcement made by Dan Jarvis today is something which we as a Chamber of Commerce welcome. We believe it will provide a genuine opportunity for our politicians to deliver positive change for South Yorkshire and one which will end the investment delay which was promised to the region several years ago.

"Having said this, our region must now play catch-up. We will continue to support the work being delivered by Dan Jarvis and his team, which will ultimately create a stronger South Yorkshire.

"Whilst this is clearly positive news for the Sheffield City Region, I would urge our politicians to continue to work collaboratively. There must not be any further delays in securing the investment promised to our region.

"After many years of uncertainty surrounding devolution, it is reassuring to see that our politicians have come together to produce a deal which will bring benefits to all parts of the local economy. We must now seize the opportunities that a devolution deal will bring and narrow the gap between the Sheffield City Region and other parts of the UK."

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News: Club provides update on Guest & Chrimes

Rotherham United have made positive progress with the Guest & Chrimes site, but are unable to say anything further.

It comes after Historic England confirmed that an application had been received to remove the fire-damaged building from the listed buildings register.

Sitting alongside the club's £20m stadium, the Grade II listed property on the edge of Rotherham town centre suffered a fire in July 2018. Following structural surveys, the historic frontage facing the River Don has been completely demolished.

Speaking at a fans forum, Paul Douglas, chief operating officer of Rotherham United was asked about the Guest & Chrimes building. He said: "I can definitely say we have made progress in the last 12 months, or I can say Tony [Stewart, Millers chairman] has.

"Unfortunately I can't say what progress, or how quickly anything will happen but certainly it has moved along in a very positive way."

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Rotherham United working with Historic England and Rotherham Council on proposals. It was previously estimated that investment of £8.8m would be needed just to bring the property up to a marketable condition and there has been little interest from developers in doing so.

The club has been in ongoing talks with investors regarding a trampoline centre, and have put forward a number of propositions.

Also at the forum, Douglas was asked about remaining empty retail units at the stadium.

With the office space in the main stand fully let, Douglas explained: "The one down on the far side is now very near to completion having been let out to a company.

"Tony has always felt that these spaces are a key part of the club's financial plan.

"There would be a large capital needed to get these empty spaces converted into bars and we are yet to be convinced on whether we can make that viable."

Rotherham United posted increased turnover and profit for the financial year that covered the team's last season in The Championship. Turnover was £14m for 18/19, up from £10m in the previous season. Profit before tax was £2.74m, up from a £500,000 loss the previous year.

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News: Locals set to have their say on Swinton redevelopment

Residents in Swinton will get the chance to see new proposals for the £8.4m redevelopment of their town centre at the earliest opportunity.

Rothbiz reported last week that a consortium had been identified as the preferred bidder by Rotherham Council to take on the regeneration of key sites within the key area in the north of the borough.

The Vesta Group, Quest Property and Conroy Brook, are in line to get the approval of the Council's cabinet to continue to work up plans based on new housing, refurbished community facilities, an upgrade to the parade of shops and landscaping.

The redevelopment would be funded through the sale of the vacant Rotherham Council owned former swimming pool, Charnwood House, neighbourhoods office and doctors surgery site for family housing. The site has been vacant since 2017.

The use of vacant land to generate income for the redevelopment proposals means the scheme can be delivered without cost to taxpayers.

Land values in the area are low which limits what can be achieved. As a result, a proposal to accommodate the civic hall facilities and library into one building has been dropped in favour of a refurbishment of the Civic Hall and café and a new library, based in the refurbished former customer service centre.

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "These are exciting proposals which would see major improvements to shops and public facilities in Swinton town centre, provide new family homes and bring redundant land back into use.

"The plans brought forward by the Vesta Group, Quest Property and Conroy Brook consortium meet all the aims of our ambitious development brief for a community-focused redevelopment. The investment will provide a huge boost to the economy in Swinton and subject to Cabinet approval, we look forward to sharing the detailed proposals with local residents and businesses."

If cabinet approval is granted next week, drop-in sessions for the local community to view and comment on the plans will be arranged, alongside an outline planning application to be submitted by the consortium.

Cllr Ken Wyatt, Swinton Ward member, said: "It's important from local members perspective that Swinton residents are involved at every stage of the process and I am pleased there is a commitment to share the detailed proposals with the community at the earliest opportunity, subject to approval."

If Cabinet and planning consent is granted, it is hoped that work could start on site in Spring this year.

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News: Gulliver's gearing up for opening of £37m Rotherham theme park - first rides confirmed

Gulliver's is a matter of months away from opening its brand new £37m theme park in Rotherham.

Construction work began in 2018 on phase one which includes the main family theme park with three themed areas with rides and lodges, and the huge indoor entrance hub.

Tickets can now be purchased online and Gulliver's has confirmed which rides will be in the resort from day one when it opens in the Spring.

The family firm, which also operates theme parks in Warrington, Matlock Bath and Milton Keynes, purchased 250 acres of land from Rotherham Council adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park that was previously an area of opencast mineworkings.

Gulliver's Valley Resort will feature more than 50 rides and attractions in areas such as Wild West and Lost World.

In the Lost World - Gulliver's dinosaur adventure themed area - rides include a river tour and the T-Rex Tower epic slide. At Smuggler's Wharf - the pirate themed zone - rides include Blackbeard's Barrels teacup style ride and the Galleon pirate ship. Western World will house rides such as the thrilling Apache Falls water ride, the Desperado Drop and the Sioux City Express train ride.

Toy Land and Lilliput Land are also confirmed areas and the indoor area is likely to include soft play areas and a climbing experience. Other Gulliver's sites incorporate splash zones and NERF zones.

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A spokesperson for Gulliver's said: "For more than forty years, Gulliver's have stayed true to their values. Providing great value days out and short breaks especially for families with children aged from two to thirteen years.

"Gulliver's Valley will feature more than fifty rides, attractions, shows and experiences all designed to suit the young adventurer and all at great value to suit the family pocket."

Over the festive period a select number of limited edition tickets were released for dates later this year.

Only 100 of these £12 tickets were released for each open date between June and October 2020.

Now standard £15 tickets are available to book online with the first available dates starting on June 6 2020.

Rothbiz reported last year that bookings were open for those wishing to have a short Summer break at the resort in 2020. Now bookings are open for group sleepovers - larger bookings which enable groups such as schools and sports clubs to take part in the Dinosaur Twilight Trail, a Unicorn Adventure or Pirate Quest.

Annual passports, which enable holders to enter all of Gulliver's parks, are also available.

Gulliver's Valley website

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News: Club pays price for stadium procedural failures

A lack of co-ordination regarding evacuation measures for non-match day events five years ago has led to large fine for Rotherham United's operating company.

At Sheffield Crown Court this week, the club pleaded guilty to a single offence under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dating back to January 2015 where, on a non-match day, the fire alarm sounding led to the evacuation of two functions held in the conference and events suites. There was no fire and nobody was harmed during the evacuation.

The incident highlighted issues in the co-ordination of evacuation measures for non-match day events at the stadium between the Club and its third party hospitality partner.

The Club was fined £150,000 and agreed to pay a proportion of the Council's costs for bringing the prosecution. The Club fully accepts that its procedures at that time in relation to such events were not as robust as they should have been and this is reflected in its guilty plea.

The New York Stadium was hosting a beer festival at the time of the fire alarm and launched an internal investigation and, in conjunction with its hospitality partner, Centerplate, took remedial steps to introduce more robust procedures.

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In sentencing, the Judge praised the club for its contribution to the local community and its conscientious approach in the specific improvements made at that time. Further, the Judge accepted that there have been no incidents since and no ongoing issues with non-match day safety.

Whilst the case did not relate to match day safety, the club was pleased at the Judge's recognition that there was and is no issue with the club's approach to match day safety and "that it has nothing but the highest regard for the safety of visiting and home supporters."

Rotherham United said in a statement: "The club has always taken its health and safety responsibilities extremely seriously. Provision of a safe Stadium from which football and many other social events can be enjoyed by the local community is, and always has been, at the heart of everything the club does

"The club is disappointed that the events of January 2015 did not meet the high standards it continually strives to achieve. The club is glad that the matter has now concluded and it can move forward focussing all of its efforts on pursuing continued success both on and off the field."

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News: Award-winning apprentices fly out to Boeing

Two model apprentices, who won big at the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre's annual awards, have returned from the trip of a lifetime touring Boeing’s state-of-the-art factories in Portland and Seattle.

The AMRC Training Centre is a £20.5m centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham where the focus is on students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships.

Mary Stickland and Craig Horton, who are both from Rotherham, earned the opportunity to spend eight days in Oregon and Washington by winning the Siddall Achievement Award in March 2019.

The prize, which was new to the 2019 AMRC Training Centre Apprentice of the Year Awards ceremony, was donated by retired Silicon Valley CEO Graham Siddall. From Attercliffe, Graham was an apprentice himself and attributes the skills he learned as a young apprentice to laying the foundation for a successful career in precision engineering and semiconductor technology.

Nominations for the annual awards are made by employers and trainers to recognise the achievement or contribution apprentices have made to industry, and are judged by a panel of AMRC Training Centre staff and award sponsors.

"It was such a shock to win the award because I had no idea that I was even nominated," said Mary, 22. "Graham stood in front of everyone, explained who he was and about his background, then he called my name out as one of the two winners."

Craig, 24, added: "We went up on stage to meet Graham where he told us he had made plans for this trip to Boeing."

Mary and Craig, joined by skills manager at the centre, Gareth Wilkinson, began their trip at the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington where the 737 aeroplanes are built, followed by a tour of Boeing's Composite Wing Center in Everett.

At the University of Washington campus in Seattle there were visits to the College of Engineering and The Boeing Advanced Research Center where the company's instructors work with faculty and students on joint research projects.

It was the time spent at Boeing that sparked Mary's imagination: "The factory tours were unbelievable, you can’t appreciate the size of the buildings until you are there and being driven around in a golf buggy.

"We were also shown Boeing's Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC) Training Academy, which is based on the AMRC Training Centre, where they are trying to recreate the successful apprenticeship programme we have in Rotherham."

The week-long stay in the north west of the US concluded with a tour of the Boeing factory in Portland, Oregon by Global Program Manager Bill Gerry and then the chance to sit in a Concorde during a VIP tour of the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

"That was my favourite part of the trip. The number of planes they have on show there is amazing. As well as Concorde, we had a look around Air Force One and their space shuttle trainer; the thought of the people who had been on those planes is incredible," said Craig.

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Graham added: "It was such a fun week and as much a learning experience for myself and my wife Brenda as it was for our visitors. Mary and Craig were a little nervous at first but it was good to see them relaxing and growing in confidence as the week progressed."

Craig, a Research and Development Engineer at Technicut in Sheffield, said he will use his experience in the US back home.

Jennie Mitchell, HR manager at Technicut, said: "Through his learning and hard work at the AMRC Training Centre, from advanced apprenticeship to degree level study, Craig has become an excellent engineer.

"He is a great ambassador for Technicut and for our apprenticeship programme and as he continues to grow, he will be able to draw on his experience from his prize visit to the United States. He is testament to the value we place on apprentices and the key role they play in developing the future of our business together with our talented workforce."

Mary started a Mechanical Maintenance Engineering apprenticeship in April 2018, working at Pryor in Sheffield. Simon Dunn, operations director at Pryor, said: "This award is testament to Mary's dedication and how hard she has worked during her apprenticeship.

"I am really pleased with the success of Pryor apprentices which reflects not only the determination of the individual apprentices but also the dedication of the experienced Pryor team members who are mentoring and developing the skills of our future workforce."

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News: Revised Rotherham regeneration plans resubmitted

A planning application has been submitted for a long-awaited regeneration scheme that aims to create a new housing development on vacant land at Thrybergh.

Rotherham Council put the key brownfield sites at Chesterhill Avenue and Whinney Hill back on the market after a previous scheme with its partners, Keepmoat (know part of ENGIE) failed to materialise.

Local communities have been "understandably frustrated at the lack of visible progress" as the development agreement with Keepmoat commenced in May 2014 but a start on site was not achieved within the agreed period and the legal agreement ended in 2017.

Now ENGIE has come back in with proposals and three partners on the project which is for a total of 239 dwellings of various sizes and tenures.

The plans explain: "Great Places will provide a proportion of the affordable units and Sanctuary Homes is a housing developer that provides a range of tenures, and on this site it will provide an element of the affordable housing and all of the proposed shared ownership dwellings. Both of these development partners are registered providers of social housing.

"Sigma is leading the delivery of private rented housing in the UK and will be delivering the Private Rented Sector (PRS) element of this development. Together, these development partners will be the long-term landlords and management arm at the site."

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There are set to be 147 affordable units, 12 shared ownership and 80 private rented sector properties. The northern sections of the site is with Sanctuary, the south western portion is with Sigma and the south eastern portion is with Great Places.

Dwellings include two and three bed bungalows, one and two bed flats, and houses ranging from three to five bedrooms in size.

The development will be accessed from the three existing access points on Oldgate Lane and the levels of the sites has been one of the major constraints to overcome. Pockets of public open spaces are included in the full plans and the green buffer between the site and Doncaster Road is set to be retained.

ENGIE website
Great Places website
Sigma website
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News: Rotherham tech firm in jobs drive

On the back of another record-breaking year, Rotherham-based Gala Technology, the innovative development team behind the card data protection solutions system, SOTpay, has announced exciting expansion plans as they look to expand their team with nationwide opportunities.

Having won a multitude of industry awards, the Manvers firm has enhanced their glowing reputation, as they look to provide businesses of all shapes and sizes, with cost effective, secure card payment technologies.

Cloud based, secure and PCI DSS compliant, SOTpay is a unique payment transfer system which uses a series of rigorous card and customer checks to prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place.

SOTpay is designed to secure mobile payments by directly sending a link to the cardholder via email or text. The software enables merchants to check the payment process step-by-step in real-time.

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Fraud related chargeback is a big issue for online retailers. Losses to payment card fraud have risen to £671m in the UK.

Jason Mace, chairman of Gala Technolog, said: "Gala Technology demonstrated exceptional growth in 2019, as more and more organisations look to protect their customers sensitive card information, whilst protecting themselves from the ever-growing threat of fraud related chargebacks and reducing cost and risk.

"Working in conjunction with industry partners, we are now looking to expand our team and services to include other merchant services across a whole host of channels and create 50 jobs with exciting nationwide opportunities offering uncapped commissions and flexible working options."

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News: Get up to Speed secure headline sponsors for 2020 event

Get up to Speed with STEM, Yorkshire's largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction careers event, promises to be an outstanding showcase of 10 years of achievement, as organisers work-wise announce their headline sponsors.

Liberty Speciality Steels, CBE+ and AESSEAL plc will sponsor the event, which in 2019 attracted 3,000 visitors from 69 schools and involved 90 businesses. The event will take at Magna Science Centre, Rotherham, on Wednesday March 25.

Over the past ten years, Get up to Speed has showcased engineering career opportunities to over 19,000 young people and their families from across the South Yorkshire region and beyond.

John Barber, CEO of the work-wise Foundation, said: "This event is made possible because of the strong support of local businesses, but, in particular, our headline sponsors. Liberty Steel, CBE+ and AESSEAL have supported us for many years now and it is fantastic to consistently receive such strong support from some of the region's most respected manufacturers. This year we’ll be showcasing just what local pupils, apprentices and employers have achieved by working together and being part of Get up to Speed over the past 10 years. It will be a fantastic celebration of achievement at all levels.”

AESSEAL' designs, manufactures and supplies mechanical sealing and reliability focused engineering solutions to major companies around the world, across a broad range of industries. AESSEAL® employs more than 1,600 employees in some 230 locations worldwide, of whom approximately 650 are in the UK and more than 330 in Rotherham, home to its Global Technology Centre HQ.

Julia Bloomer, Head of Learning and Development and HR at AESSEAL plc, said: "Over recent years there has been a vast decrease in the number of students choosing engineering as a career within the UK. As an employer within this industry, we feel it is our responsibility to raise awareness of the amazing careers available within the industry. By attending Get up to Speed each year, we are able to work with other companies in the region, to showcase the opportunities available to students, teachers and parents."

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Liberty Speciality Steels, which has facilities in Sheffield and Rotherham, is a highly experienced manufacturer of engineered steels, with capabilities ranging from liquid steel production right through to high-value precision engineered components.

Mick Hood, HR Director, Liberty Steel UK, said: "We have been the headline sponsor for the Get up to Speed event from its inception and the company is proud to continue this association. The event brings awareness to the next generation of engineers and is critical to sustaining the skills and capability needed to support our business."

Chesterfield-based CBE+ is a specialist precision engineering multi-disciplinary sub-contractor, with divisions dedicated to Electroless Nickel Plating, Gear manufacture, Beam Pumps and Laboratories.

Marie Cooper, Group CEO of CBE+, said: "There are many reasons why we sponsor Get up to Speed and the main one is that it allows us to build on our relationships with the next generation of engineers. We recognise that by our region hosting such an influential event, young people are being inspired to follow their dreams into many different roles in engineering – this can only be a good thing, not only for our business but for the manufacturing sector in general."

Get up to Speed with STEM is an annual event, which is designed for young people, their families and teachers to see some of the UK's best innovations first hand, hear from and talk to those involved in their success and learn about the future of the sector and its evolution through technology.

This year's event will include a particular focus on robotics and renewables, feature ten zones to mark ten years and include presentations from previous visitors that have gone on to secure a career in STEM-related industries as a result of past events.

also gives companies the opportunity to showcase their business whilst helping to address the skills gap in STEM-related industries.

The free event is open to young people, families, individuals, schools and employers to visit.

Get up to Speed with STEM website

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News: Liberty to make steel redundancies in South Yorkshire

In its first backwards step since acquiring operations in South Yorkshire, Liberty Steel has announced hundreds of redundancies, including at its sites in Rotherham.

International industrials and metals group, Liberty House, closed a deal with Tata Steel UK to acquire its Speciality Steels business, including the electric arc steelworks and bar mill at Rotherham, for a total consideration of £100m in 2017.

Re-starting the mothballed the N-Furnace at Aldwarke, the group has created 300 new jobs since the takeover and boosted production of high-grade steels, aiming to reach output of more than a million tonnes a year by 2020.

But now the firm has announced that 355 redundancies have been propsed for its sites in South Yorkshire and Wales. 250 at Stocksbridge in Sheffield, 17 at Aldwarke and 15 at Brinsworth, both in Rotherham.

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Cornelius Louwrens, chief executive at Liberty Steel UK, said: "Liberty has taken enormous strides in improving the performance of the steel mills it has acquired over the last six years. We've re-started mothballed plants and demonstrated a commitment to invest in the UK.

"Unfortunately, the steel industry in the UK is facing challenging conditions and we have made the difficult decision that there is a need to reduce the workforce at a handful of locations, in order to make them sustainable for the long-term."

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said: "I am extremely concerned and saddened by today's announcement of job losses at Liberty Steels in Rotherham. My deepest sympathy goes to those facing redundancy and their families. People losing their salaries will have far reaching repercussions and a direct impact on local communities and businesses.

"I will be urging Liberty to ensure they support affected employees to find new jobs and opportunities and to give reassurance that their long-term plans for the business still stand. I will also be working with the Council and Government agencies to see that a package of support is in place.

"For the last seven years I have repeatedly challenged the Government to address the underlying issues that hold back steel production in the UK; high business rates, high electricity costs, imports of cheap steel and a failure to prioritise British steel in government procurement. Unless the government removes these massive obstacles to having a competitive UK steel industry, the future of this vital strategic industry remains bleak. It is their duty to protect the steel sector and I have requested an urgent meeting with the Minister to hold them to account on these points."

Liberty Steel website

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