News: Regeneration of Rotherham town centre will continue to focus on residential and leisure

As it goes on the search for further funding, Council bosses continue to reiterate that the regeneration of Rotherham town centre will not solely be based around retail and will continue to focus on residential and leisure.

The Council has confirmed that it is finalising a bid for just over £20m to the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) which would help deliver the redevelopment plans.

As Rothbiz revealed last week, the bid has aims that follow on from the town centre masterplan. The plans would help deliver the transformation and reorientation of town centre including schemes to redevelop the markets and to improve open spaces along key gateways within the town, complementing the work to be undertaken as part of the Forge Island development.

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Cllr. Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "The plans put forward are big, and they needed to be. The priority has been securing the funding to bring those plans into reality.

"We are laying solid foundations with our partners with the new University Centre, refurbished bus station and the Tram Train service already in place. Work on Forge Island also continues; bringing us another step closer to the exciting cinema and leisure scheme that is planned. There’s also £30 million being invested to create housing and breathe new life into three town centre sites.

"Our Town Centre Masterplan sets out our vision, moving towards a more diverse mix of uses with a focus on residential and leisure, quality open spaces and better connectivity."

Documnets put before the Council's cabinet showed that the four main themes of the draft bid are:

- Redevelopment of Rotherham Markets that will include the relocation of the Central Library, a Community Hub and Food/Entertainment Court.
- The TCM identifies a number of residential development opportunities, creating an attractive Town Centre residential offer and in particular housing within the Forge Island development.
- Updating and re-imagining the Public Realm that links these sites, along with other key sites included in the TCM, and guides the town's footfall is seen as another key priority
- Facilitating the retention of Grimm & Co, an innovative literacy charity, by supporting their relocation to larger premises enhances a truly unique offer and visitor attraction in Rotherham's town centre, this would be 100% grant funded and would not have any revenue implications for the Council.

The FHSF plans are subject to change and further consultation will take place before the final bid is submitted. The Council's final bid is due for submission in April, with successful bids expected to be informed in the summer.

Images: RMBC

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News: Rotherham pub plans passed

Plans have been approved to enable an old established pub in the heart of Brampton en le Morthern in Rotherham to rise again.

Rothbiz reported last month that The Rising Deer had been closed for over 12 years but new proposals had been drawn up that would see the village pub reopen with a new extension to the existing building.

The plans were submitted on behalf of Mr I Wild, an established publican with experience of running The Robin Hood pub at Aughton and planners have recently given their approval.

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 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.

Rotherham Council said that it had received four representations all in support of the application from local residents and a representation in support of the proposals from the Brampton-en-le-Morthen Village Association.

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On granting approval, planners explained: "The proposed extensions would together represent an overall increase in volume from the original building of 64%. The Council’s Policies and Guidance normally restrict extensions to buildings in the Green Belt to a maximum volume increase of 33%. As such, the proposed development represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt. In terms of the impact on openness of the Green Belt.

"In view of the above, very special circumstances need to be provided to justify the harm caused by way of the inappropriate development."

Those special circumstances approved by the Council include bringing the pub into use and providing a hub for the local community. Planners also acknowledge that the proposed extension would allow for up to 40 diners as well as a separate drinking area along with a kitchen and customer toilets, making the pub a viable prospect.


Planners conclude: "It is noted that the public house has been closed since 2008 and is the only public house in the village. It is considered that it's re-opening would only be of a benefit to the village and provide a valuable community facility for the local residents.

"As such, it is considered that the proposed extensions whilst representing a 64% increase in volume over the original building, it is not excessive in terms of bringing the premises up to a modern standard. Indeed, it is considered that the extensions are essential to make the public house into a viable modern business."

Images: Google Maps

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News: Rotherham to play its part in biggest Women's EUROs to date

The borough's involvement in the UEFA Women's EURO 2021 is set to not only raise the profile of Rotherham United, but that of the town as a whole.

Rothbiz reported in December that Rotherham's AESSEAL New York Stadium will host four high profile international games at the tournament including a prestigious quarter final on July 24.

Now in its 13th edition, the UEFA Women's EURO 2021 is poised to be the biggest women's EURO to date, with over 700,000 tickets available to fans and extensive coverage of every game of the tournament available on free-to-air television, radio and online. Fans will be able to see some of the world's best players in action on home soil as 31 matches are played across 26 days of competition.

New York Stadium is one of ten grounds which will stage UEFA Women's EURO 2021. Other host venues include Bramall Lane, Old Trafford and Wembley. England, who reached the semi finals of the Women's World Cup in 2018, will be joined by 15 other nations, with qualifying running until October 2020.

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Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United, said: "We are incredibly proud to once again be given the chance to showcase the football club and the town at another high-profile international event. We have really enjoyed welcoming our friends from UEFA in previous years and we look forward to doing so again as the UEFA Women's European competition takes place next summer.

"Our involvement will not only help to continue to raise the profile of Rotherham United, but that of the town as a whole. It will be great to see so the region benefit from all the activity. I am sure many local businesses will also reap the rewards from the supporters attending both domestically and overseas.

"We are in fantastic company, it is a real honour and a testament to the wonderful facilities at the New York Stadium for us to have been selected to be involved with a tournament of this magnitude. The women’s game continues to grow in this country and it would be great if we could once again be involved with that, whilst also displaying the positive attributes that Rotherham United can offer in the process."

Throughout the tournament aspiring footballers, members of the public and visitors from across Europe will have the opportunity to get involved in a range of activities, as well as being able to watch the action live at the stadium.

Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities, Cllr. Sarah Allen, said: "Hosting the UEFA Women's Euro is a great opportunity for local girls and women to become involved in sport, offering them a chance to see inspiring female athletes on their doorstep. It’s also a chance for the town to showcase what Rotherham has to offer visitors, including our heritage sites, town centre and exciting new attractions such as the Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park resort.

"Most of all, it's a fantastic way for the Rotherham community to come together and celebrate."

Registration is open to find out more about tickets and volunteering opportunities.

RUFC website
The FA's EURO 2021 website

Images: The FA

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News: "Region’s largest car retailer" to be created in Rotherham

A recruitment drive which could run into the hundreds is underway in Rotherham as an expanding car retailer looks to pitch up in Yorkshire.

Indicators are that the UK's fastest growing car supermarket chain, the Trade Centre Group, is looking to take on the former Homebase unit at Parkgate, which has had a chequered history as a DIY retail location.

Headquartered in Neath, the company encompasses Trade Centre Wales and Trade Centre UK and originally had three showrooms throughout the South Wales region; Neath, Merthyr, and Abercynon, before expanding into the West Midlands. A former Homebase unit in Rochdale (pictured, above) was converted last year as the expansion continued North.

The Trade Centre UK's entry into Rochdale created 130 jobs and now recruitment is underway for a vast range of jobs at a new Rotherham site which promises a massive 1,200 cars on display.

Job roles include positions in sales, parts, the workshop, logistics and customer service.

The job advert reads: "A completely new car buying concept is coming soon to South Yorkshire!

"Based in Rotherham, Trade Centre UK will be the region’s largest car retailer with twelve hundred cars on display all ready to drive away in an hour!

"We're now recruiting great people to provide outstanding customer care across a variety of customer facing roles including reception, car sales, car finance, handover and warranty administration."

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The Trade Centre Group, founded by Mark Bailey and 100% owned by the Bailey family, has expanded rapidly over the last four years, growing turnover from £77m in 2015 to £257m in 2018.

Rothbiz reported first that the Homebase store at the Northfields Retail Park at Parkgate would be closing. It was previously occupied by Bunnings having been purpose built for initial occupiers, B&Q.

After the 70,000 sq ft unit was closed by B&Q, numerous planning applications were approved in order to increase its attractiveness to potential occupiers. In 2017 this included an application that enables the site to operate as a car showroom which is not a main town centre use seen as entirely appropriate for the site.

The approval means that Trade Centre UK can use the existing building and the wider curtilige of the site (car park) for the sale and display of motor vehicles.

Trade Centre UK website

Images: Trade Centre UK

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News: Rotherham car components site closure on the cards

Hydro is closing its car components facility in Rotherham as part of a wider restructuring of its Extruded Solutions operations.

The site on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate is part of Hydro Components UK Ltd which offers surface finishing and mechanical fabrication solutions for the automotive industry. It specialises in aluminium fabrication.

Previously known as Sapa, Hydro is part of Norsk Hydro ASA, which is headquartered in Norway and one of the largest aluminium groups worldwide.

Hydro supplies to all UK based automotive manufacturers (Jaguar/Landrover, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Aston Martin etc) and also exports approximately 20% of its turnover into mainland Europe (Volvo, Fiat, BMW).

Bosses at the firm said last year that there was a negative demand in Europe and North America for its extrusions products driven by weak macroeconomic development. In response, the company announced that its Extruded Solutions subsidiary was "taking firm measures in weak markets."

These measures included restructuring in Europe and North America with the full closures of its sites in Pinto (Spain), Redditch (UK), Rotherham (UK), and American sites at Belton (South Carolina) and Kalamazoo (Michigan). Plus its warehouses in Wakefield (UK) and Lodz (Poland), and its Dusseldorf office (Germany). Divestment in Chisineu Cris (Romania) was also announced.

Business is set to be largely transferred to other sites and additional restructuring and cost reduction initiatives are under way. Hydro has a number of other sites in the UK, not least at Gloucester where plans are being progressed for an expansion in order to create a one stop shop automotive standard manufacturing facility with all key processes under one roof.

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Underlying EBIT (earnings before taxes) for Extruded Solutions decreased in Q4 of 2019 compared to the same quarter last year, from NOK 202 million in Q4 2018 to NOK 85 million. Results in all business units were lower than the same quarter last year, mainly driven by lower volumes due to the declining market, partially offset by higher margins. Results were positively impacted by insurance compensation of NOK 187 million related to a cyber-attack in March 2019.

Hilde Merete Aasheim, president and CEO of Hydro, said: "We have taken firm measures in a weak market. Our improvement program as well as cash release ambition are ahead of plan. Our improvement efforts will continue with full force, in line with our agenda towards lifting profitability and driving sustainability."

The Rotherham site has been taken over a number of times. Back in 2010, Swedish aluminium manufacturer, Sapa, completed the acquisition of the automotive related integrated roof rail business from Thule. Sapa formed a 50/50 joint venture between Orkla and Hydro in 2013 before Norsk Hydro's acquisition of Orkla's 50% ownership in Sapa in 2017.

Hydro website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Sheffield manufacturer expanding on to AMP

Safety Engineering Products Limited, a leading UK designer, manufacturer and supplier of height safety equipment, has taken on a new unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) site in Rotherham.

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for development and investment, has successfully let one of its two remaining built units on a ten year lease to the Sheffield firm which is expanding in the Spring as part of its plan to increase production following successfully delivered projects at the likes of Battersea Power Station and Canary Wharf.

The deal for the 13,223 sq. ft Unit 5B is at a rent of £7.50psf. Gent Visick acted as letting agent and Keebles acted as Harworth's lawyers.

This deal means that only one unit – the 17,359 sq. ft Unit 5A – remains to let at the Advanced Manufacturing Park. Harworth has now built 1.5m sq ft of its 2.1m sq ft consent, aimed specifically at growing manufacturing businesses wanting to be close to either the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) or to existing occupiers at the park including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, McLaren Automotive and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The AMP forms part of Waverley, Yorkshire's largest ever brownfield redevelopment set over 750 acres that has already delivered 900 new homes of a 4,000 home consent and will also deliver a range of new community & leisure facilities. 2,000 people now work at the AMP, four times the number that worked at the former Orgreave Colliery & Coking Works that sat on the site over three decades ago, and is estimated to deliver a total of 3,500 high-value jobs once fully developed.

Peter Henry, Director of Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group plc, said: "Our vision for Waverley was to create Yorkshire's biggest and best new community and the delivery of space to support the growth of a quality local manufacturer firmly fits within this. We now have further land available for the AMP's next phases and ultimately we want to attract further original equipment manufacturers and their supply chains to be part of its ongoing success.

Mark Richardson, Managing Director of Safety Engineering Products Ltd, added: "Safety Engineering Products are excited to relocate the business to the prestigious Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham. The new 13,000 square foot unit will enable us to sustain and increase the growth of business we have seen in the past 18 months."

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Harworth will spend the remainder of 2020 promoting its remaining unit to let, alongside its continued promotion to advanced manufacturers of the remaining available land and its in-house building delivery service to provide the units to their specific requirements. Gent Visick and Knight Frank continue to act as agents for the development.

Tim Powner, Asset Manager, Harworth Group plc, said: "This is an excellent deal for all parties, supporting Safety Engineering Products' growth whilst delivering a long-term income stream to Harworth that pays for the overheads of our business. Reported demand at the AMP from occupiers wanting to be close to the University of Sheffield's AMRC is strong and we expect to let our remaining unit in short order."

Dan Walker, Chartered Surveyor at Gent Visick, added: "The lack of quality new supply in the region, combined with the high quality of the units at R-evolution, was a perfect fit for Safety Engineering Ltd's business. Unit 5A is the last remaining building of a high quality energy efficient scheme, benefitting from a clear height of seven metres, and we’ve already had strong interest in the first month of this year."

Safety Engineering Products website



Images: Harworth

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News: New tenant measuring up former Rotherham Mothercare unit

Plans are being progressed for a new tenant to take on the former Mothercare unit in Rotherham which has been vacant since 2018.

The 15,000 sq ft unit at Parkgate is currently listed as "under offer" with agents, Montagu Evans and it looks set to be taken on by the UK's largest kitchen retailer.

Wren Kitchens has recently applied to Rotherham Council for planning permission that would enable new signage at the prominent unit on the popular retail destination.

Founded in 2009, Wren Kitchens has 90 showrooms across the UK and is described as the UK's fastest growing bricks and mortar retailer. It utilises cutting edge technology, modern transport fleets, integrated systems and inspirational showrooms.  In the financial year of 2019 it recorded revenue of £700m.

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In the UK, Wren designs, manufactures and delivers over 2,000 kitchens every single week. To keep up with expansion plans, it recently had proposals approved for a £120m state-of-the-art kitchen manufacturing facility located behind its existing factory at Barton-upon-Humber.

The Rotherham outlet has been at the nearby Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that Mothercare was hoping to secure its future by implementing a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to close underperforming stores and reduce rents across the remaining portfolio.

The Parkgate store had closed even before the national retailer went into administration in 2019.

Wren Kitchens website

Images: Sapphire Creative Signmaking

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News: AMRC weaving a way to fusion energy

A 3D woven composite component, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures inside a fusion nuclear reactor, is being developed at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The project is in collaboration with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as part of the effort to accelerate the delivery of limitless zero-carbon fusion energy and is a precursor to the authority's move into a new £22m research facility alongside AMRC facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. Its Design and Prototyping Group (DPG), develops everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries.

The UKAEA is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power with the mission to lead the commercial development of fusion power and related technology and position the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

Exploring how composite materials could produce components that are stiffer, lighter and easier to manufacture that those currently in use, but which retain the necessary capabilities is important to the UKAEA's work in developing the next generation of magnetic confinement reactor called a tokamak.

In a reactor, fusion occurs when two types of hydrogen atoms, tritium and deuterium, collide at enormously high speeds to create helium and release a high energy neutron. Once released, the neutron interacts with a much cooler breeder blanket to absorb the energy. This must capture the energy of the neutrons to generate power, but also prevent the neutrons escaping.

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Steffan Lea, research fellow at the AMRC Composite Centre (pictured), said: "Currently, their steel modules are limited to approximately 500˚C so UKAEA asked us if there was anything we could do to get it up to 600˚C. We set out to see what materials we could use, that would enable higher temperature operation."

Engineers at the AMRC proposed to make use of high performance ceramic composite materials and to form a unitised 3D woven structure with additive manufacture components. The cooling tubes in the breeder blanket would be integrated into the material and 3D printed parts used to define features such as connectors and manifolds.

Senior Project Manager at the AMRC’s Design and Prototyping Group, Joe Palmer, was involved in the design of the component demonstrator, and said: "We wanted to maximise the available surface area for heat transfer while being as lightweight as possible, but ensure it occupied a similar volume to the existing breeder blanket designs.

"To achieve a lightweight, temperature resistant structure, a silicon carbide composite material was chosen for the breeder blanket, with the internal flow channels being created by forming the composite around a disposable core."

With a computer-aided design (CAD) model produced, Chris McHugh, Dry Fibre Development Manager at the AMRC Composite Centre, then created a weave design for the composite. Chris explained: "The design I created had multiple weave zones and had multiple layer weaves. The structure needed holes robust enough to include tubes and needed to maintain the preform shape without distortion.

"What we were able to produce on the loom was a 3D woven structure with pockets for the 3D-printed tubes which could be formed into a ridged component."

The initial concept was successfully demonstrated and work is set to continue on silicon carbide composite development so that a demonstrator can be tested inside a reactor test facility.

AMRC website
UKAEA website

Images: ITER / AMRC

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News: Schools quick to sign up for Get Up To Speed

Get up to Speed with STEM, Yorkshire's largest annual employer-inspired science, technology, engineering, manufacturing (STEM) and construction careers event, has sold out for schools for its tenth anniversary.

The event will take at Magna Science Centre, Rotherham, on Wednesday March 25 and over the past ten years, it has showcased engineering career opportunities to over 19,000 young people and their families from across the South Yorkshire region and beyond.

This year promises to be an outstanding showcase of businesses from the Yorkshire region and beyond, including over 100 exhibitions, plus a number of interactive zones which includes Rail, Construction and Uniformed Services.

Other attractions include the National Videogames Museum, McLaren Automotive Supercars, Plant Genetics Growth Chamber, University of Sheffield Maker Bus, past and present fire engines, the Rail Human Library and Quantum Physics activities, amongst others.

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John Barber, CEO of organisers. The work-wise Foundation, said: "Every year Get up to Speed gets bigger, but we are usually able to add on a few schools and exhibitors in the final weeks. With just under two months to go until the event, this is the quickest we have ever sold out. Our tenth anniversary really does look set to be our biggest year yet."

This year we have increased the number of attractions, added more interactive zones, where young people can engage directly with businesses on specific projects, and we've released more tickets. Already over 3,000 places have been snapped up by schools, so we have started a waiting list for any others wishing to come along. We do however still have afternoon slots available for any individuals and their families that wish to register."

Recommended reading: Yorkshire Development Studios Eying Up a Huge 2025

Get up to Speed 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, sponsored by Sheffield’s Liberty Speciality Steels, Chesterfield's CBE+ and Rotherham's AESSEAL plc, will focus on robotics and renewables and include presentations from previous visitors that have gone on to secure a career in STEM-related industries as a result of past events.

Get Up To Speed website

Images: work-wise

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News: Rotherham recruitment ramps up at Gullivers Valley

With the opening a matter of months away, seasonal staff are being sought for Gulliver's Valley in Rotherham.

The multi-million pound development in Rother Valley, is on the hunt for talented, fun loving people to take up seasonal and part time roles in indoor attractions, entertainment, rides, catering, retail, housekeeping as well as receptionist and accommodation assistants.

Opening in the Spring, it is estimated that approximately 120-150 jobs will be created during this first phase of development.

The theme park will be home to more than 50 rides and attractions including an indoor climbing centre, an indoor play area, and a Lost Jurassic World area.

Rothbiz reported on some of the rides here.

There will also be a variety of accommodation available, including unicorn and princess suites, alongside Western Cabins and Lost World Lodges. In addition, various packages for groups will be on offer including sleepovers, longer residential options and educational workshops.

Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts, said: "As we get closer to opening Gulliver's Valley later this spring, we are getting incredibly excited about the opportunities that are arising for the local community to get involved. Launching our recruitment drive is a major part of this as it would be wonderful if we could recruit individuals from the South Yorkshire area so they can really take advantage of this new theme park which will be on their doorstep.

"We are looking for people who share our aim to give families and children quality time and memories, through fresh air and fun activities. The right candidates will be enthusiastic, fun loving, have good communication skills, be flexible and show great initiative."

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Inclusivity and ensuring people from all walks of life feel able to apply for roles with Gulliver's is also extremely important to the business.

Julie added: "As part of our continuous commitment to inclusivity, we will be holding additional and bespoke evening recruitment sessions dedicated to those candidates with additional needs. This allows for a more comfortably paced process, fewer crowds, assistance with application completion and helps us to identify special talents. We employ people of all abilities at our existing locations and have a track record for growing the confidence of those with additional needs in the workplace.

"We have been a family-run business for over 40 years and I can confidently say anyone who joins becomes part of that family. We are proud to be a family-owned, family-run and family-focussed business and we always work hard to involve local people, organisations and businesses in what we do. We hope as many people as possible will be interested in a career with us here at Gulliver's Valley."

Again keeping it local, Gulliver's Valley has named Sidekick PR as its local supplier.

Charlotte Dimond, director at Sidekick PR and Rotherham Pioneer, said: "We are really excited to be working with Gulliver's Valley. Two of our directors are Rotherham based so the new theme park is almost on our doorstep!

"We're looking forward to working creatively and strategically to help Gulliver's Valley attract visitors from across the region and beyond.

"We'll also be working with the region's business community and local communities to build relationships that help to place Gulliver’s Valley firmly in the fabric of the town."

Gulliver's Valley jobs website

Images: Gulliver's

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News: Rotherham Council outlines aims for town centre cash

Rotherham Council has set its four main aims that it hopes to see addressed by the Future High Street Fund - the Government pot announced to help areas to develop plans to reinvent their high streets.

Rotherham town centre has been shortlisted for part of the £1bn fund but it is competitive and it is not yet known what, if any, cash the borough will receive.

Around £86m of projects have been identified in the draft Rotherham business case. There is potentially £25m from the Government and £34m of private sector investment is also incorporated, mainly from the Forge Island development.

The authority's annual budget document highlights how the council would use the money. The aims follow on from the town centre masterplan (TCM) which places the focus on more leisure and residential uses and a diversifying of the high street from being retail focused.

The papers state: "The Council is one of 100 areas that have been shortlisted for Stage 2 of the bidding process having been successful with its Stage 1 expression of interest (EOI), submitted in March 2019.

"The high level vision for the expression of interest was drawn from, and supported by, the Council's strategic plans particularly the Town Centre Masterplan. This funding will further enable the implementation of the masterplan, especially for Forge Island, markets and public realm."

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The council papers show that the four main themes of the bid are:

- Redevelopment of Rotherham Markets that will include the relocation of the Central Library, a Community Hub and Food/Entertainment Court.
- The TCM identifies a number of residential development opportunities, creating an attractive Town Centre residential offer and in particular housing within the Forge Island development.
- Updating and re-imagining the Public Realm that links these sites, along with other key sites included in the TCM, and guides the Town’s footfall is seen as another key priority
- Facilitating the retention of Grimm & Co, an innovative literacy charity, by supporting their relocation to larger premises enhances a truly unique offer and visitor attraction in Rotherham's Town Centre, this would be 100% grant funded and would not have any revenue implications for the Council.

Remaining money from the Council's Town Centre Investment Fund (TCIF), set out in earlier budgets, is set to be used to match fund aspects of the bid. Just short of £8m of this pot is remaining and councillors are being asked to approve an additional £5m over the next four years to finance the proposals put forward in the business case.

Notification of successful bids and the value awarded will not be expected until Summer/Autumn 2020.

Rotherham Council has also been granted some capacity funding by the Government to assist a bid into the £3.6bn Towns Fund which aims to help to increase economic growth in 100 areas with a focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture.

Images: PWP / RMBC

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News: Re-imagining a Rotherham retail unit

A prominent unit at Rotherham market could be in line for a new lease of life if plans are approved to create something unique in Rotherham town centre.

35 Howard Street was advertised to let by Rotherham Council back in 2018 and with the local Methodist Church forced to relinquish its premises on Talbot Lane due to dwindling numbers, plans have now been submitted for an exciting new initiative.

The proposals involve converting the large unit on the corner of Howard Street and Eastwood Lane, most recently used as a fast food outlet, to create a "Tropical" Church on the 650 sq ft ground floor – an indoor garden space with a baby changing facility, indoor water feature and fish tank. The larger 1,500 ft first floor could also be converted into memorial / museum space.

The new initiative would be something new for the church and the town. For example, it would not open on Sundays but instead open during the rest of the week when the market is at its busiest.

Supporting documents submitted with the plans explain that the vision is to "create a new type of presence for Methodism in the bustle of Rotherham Market.

"Based in a shop unit, we would be freed from the intimidating barrier entering of church building, but would still be distinctively and openly Methodist and Christian. We will choose a location in a place that thousands of people who do not yet attend our churches pass every day and create reasons for them to dwell with us.

"As a project owned by the whole circuit, we would create links with new people and, through conversation, relationship and trust, invite them to a well-suited Methodist church near their home. Eventually this may even grow into a new church community of itself.

"In a broken, hurting town, where churches are too often in the press for the wrong reasons, we reach out to offer healing and reconciliation. The Church will provide services for the lonely, will offer services to tackle social isolation and male mental health issues."

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The new space would enable the church to carry on delivering support and hosting various group meetings including bereavement support, male mental health care and toddler singing sessions.

The tropical church idea is a way of making the premises engaging for adults and children alike – a green indoor oasis similar to the Winter Gardens in Sheffield but on a smaller scale. In essence an indoor garden for those who don't have a garden.

Rev. Jo A.Siddall said in the application: "Not many churches have tried something like this, but the few that have, have discovered that people who had never entered their chapels now wanted to engage with them.

"We will never be certain it will work unless we try. We will take advice and build it up carefully step by step. If we discover that it does not work, we will change it or try something different in the same location.

"We certainly know that if we do not try bold new things we will continue to decline."

Rothbiz reported last year that the Grade II listed Talbot Lane Methodist church closed and was put up for sale following dwindling attendances. Rotherham literacy charity, Grimm & Co has plans to take on the building.

Rotherham & Dearne Valley Methodist Circuit website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Scott has successful self-employment all sewn up

A Rotherham-based entrepreneur who channelled his creative talents into producing custom-made dresses has stitched up a bright future for his fledgling business after relocating the company to the RiDO-operated Fusion@Magna business centre.

Life could have been very different for Scott Nickson who seized a “now or never” moment when he was made redundant from his shelf-stacking job in a national hardware chain. Determined to try and earn a living by harnessing his natural creativity, Scott decided to try his hand at dressmaking.

Largely self-taught, Scott received his first sewing lessons from his mother, who spent much of her career working as a professional seamstress and he quickly discovered that his new talents were in high demand.

To keep his start-up costs as low as possible, Scott opted to transform the family dining table into a makeshift studio, whilst turning to his mother for sewing lessons. Within a relatively short period of time, Scott began receiving his commissions from friends and family who were impressed by the quality of his work and attention to detail, however with his designs in high demand, Scott realised that he had outgrown the family home and in 2017 he set about looking for new premises.

After spending time scouring the local market for a suitable location for this business, he chose Fusion@Magna at Templeborough to become the home for his growing company. Relocating his company to the centre proved to be perfect fit for Scott's business, which has seen him build the business through word of mouth recommendations and referrals.

However, all that changed when Scott launched his first website, resulting in orders being secured from across the UK, from Birmingham to Belfast, as well as helping him to land his largest order to date.

Each hand made design takes Scott between 8-12 weeks to produce from scratch and are carefully tailored to suit the tastes of his growing number of satisfied customers. However, the additional space provided in Scott’s new studio enables him to work on a larger number of designs simultaneously.

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It is fast approaching five years since Scott transformed his passion of dressmaking into a vibrant and successful business, with RiDO helping to provide Scott with a good level of business confidence and other valuable entrepreneurial attributes, but he isn’t done just yet. And with hopes of continuing to support prom nights, weddings and even dipping his toe in the world of costume design, he is working towards realising his long term goals of seeing his designs feature in London Fashion Week.

Scott Nickson said: "When I first started the company I wanted to try and keep my overheads as low as possible, but working from home wasn't ideal, particularly when I was working on a number of different orders, so I began scouring the market for suitable premises to develop my business further. Since relocating the business, I've noticed that I've become much more productive and it has also helped to improve things like time management, as there are a lot fewer distractions in the office than there was when I was working at home.

"One of the best things about the centre is that it’s filled with lots of like-minded entrepreneurs and I feel as if I've become part of a community which is helping my business to grow. The centre is everything I hoped it would be. It helps me to offer my clients a private place for fittings, as well as enabling me to concentrate upon growing and developing my business further. It’s been quite a journey over the past five years, but the five years of hard work and time I've invested in my company are starting to pay off, and I’m setting my sights on building and developing my business further in the future."

Julie Hall, RiDO Business Centre Coordnator, Fusion@Magna said: “Scott’s keen eye for detail has stood his business in good stead, and it was clear from the time that he relocated his business to Fusion@Magna, that he has the passion, talent, and entrepreneurial knowhow to succeed. Scott’s beautiful bespoke dresses are a testament to Scott’s skills and I am sure it won’t be long before we see his designs parading on the catwalks as part of London Fashion Week.

“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. Scott 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.”

Scott Nickson website
RiDO Business Centres website

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News: Rotherham as a filming location provides economic boost

Rotherham has scored plenty of the action in the first year of operation for Screen Yorkshire's Film Office. Just this week parts of the borough were used for a new teen drama being filmed for Netflix.

Since it opened for business in November 2018, the Film Office team has handled over 360 film and TV production enquiries and has received wide praise from key industry figures.

As the first port of call for producers looking to film in Yorkshire, and needing specialist advice and help, the Film Office supports international, domestic and regional productions. Its work spans feature film, high-end TV drama and childrens' content as well as factual, entertainment, comedy, corporate and advertising campaigns.

27 high-end TV productions and 14 feature films have filmed in Yorkshire in the last 12 months, generating over 1500 days of work for regional crew. The value of filming activity to Yorkshire and the Humber is substantial with budgets for high-end TV dramas and feature films averaging between £10m and £20m per project. The regional figures are released following last week’s news from the BFI, revealing a record-breaking year for film & HE TV, which is the fastest growing sector in the UK.

For Rotherham, productions include the big screen feature, Downton Abbey, the drama, Gentleman Jack for the BBC, and psychological thriller, The Feed, for Amazon Prime, which all made use of the breathtaking backdrop of Wentworth Woodhouse.

Other recent filming in the borough includes the much-anticipated Everybody's Talking About Jamie which used Swinton Academy, and Zero Chill, a Netflix teen drama whose production crew set up base at Herringthorpe Stadium last week (pictured below).

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Sally Joynson, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, said: "Just do the maths and you'll understand the scale of the business and the economic clout that comes with it. The Film Office is a critical, expert, component in driving this business to Yorkshire and in its first year alone has demonstrated just how valuable a resource it is."

For Gentleman Jack, the long gallery at Wentworth Woodhouse was used as a grand house in Hastings for an emotional flashback scene. The impressive marble saloon was transformed into a merchants offices.

Phil Collinson, producer on Gentleman Jack, said: "Screen Yorkshire's talented bunch are a brilliant mix of local knowledge, passion for the job and intense creativity. We simply couldn't have made the show in Yorkshire without them."

Based on the musical of the same name, Everybody's Talking About Jamie is set to be released in October. Jonathan Butterell, the film's director said: "Yorkshire is home. Like its people, Yorkshire is robust, straightforward, rugged, diverse, and downright bloody gorgeous. Everyone should film here."

Screen Yorkshire website

Images: BBC / HBO / Tom Austen

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News: Celsa submits plans for Rotherham processing plant

It might be 200 miles away but Celsa is progressing plans to open a new operation in Rotherham to support its steelmaking facilities in South Wales.

The Spanish group operates Celsa Steel UK in Cardiff, one of the largest manufacturers of long steel products in the UK. It currently has a steel mill and two rolling mills dedicated to the manufacturing of corrugated steel, light profiles and commercial bars.

The company has now submitted a planning application to create a shear processing plant on a scrap yard off Sheffield Road, Ickles.

Plans are for the proposed construction and operation of Rotherham Metal Recovery Centre which would process, store and distribute up to 75,000 tonnes per year of ferrous scrap metal.

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Drawn up by consultants at TNEI, the plans state: "Collection would focus mainly on the form of cars, white goods/household appliances and  sorted light  collector's  scrap from industrial and medium sized businesses within the local Rotherham area. Following collection, approximately 15% of material would be re‐distributed and the remaining 85% processed through a mixture of shearing and screening operations on site.

"The recovery of metal in this way helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uses much less energy than producing metal from virgin ore. Recycled metals have already been refined and processed once and therefore the use of recycled metals reduces the use of natural resources and energy as the second time is much less energy‐intensive."

The land is adjacent to the rail line running to the east of the site and that is used for the delivery and shipment of metals to the Celsa Cardiff site.

Employing six staff, the operation is expected to generate traffic in the form of ten lorries, five skip lorries and six bulk tippers per day.

Celsa UK website

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News: Inspiring young people to aim high

A regional outreach scheme to increase the number of teenagers from South Yorkshire going on to higher education has helped more than 15,000 so far.

The Higher Education Progression Partnership South Yorkshire (HeppSY) aims to support young people most at risk of missing out on higher education.

It is part of the newly launched Uni Connect programme funded by the Office for Students (OfS). As part of Uni Connect, it has now launched a regional hub to reach even more young people considering their options.

Mike Garnock-Jones, director, Higher Education Progression Partnership, said: "It's great to have reached this major milestone to transform the career and life prospects of thousands of young people in our region who might not have otherwise gone on to consider studying a degree at college, university or as part of an apprenticeship.

One student who has benefited from the programme is Lewis Rookes, aged 17, who is studying A Levels at Thomas Rotherham College.

Lewis (pictured) said: "I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into higher education and that I could never achieve the grades I needed. I still worry about it a bit but I know that I'm able and have the ability to get into university."

"Most of my family hasn’t been to university so I thought that might lock me out, but I've realised university is open to anyone and you don't have to have all As, A*s. I've applied to a mix of universities.

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HeppSY works with young people from Year 9 who live in 45 target wards in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, and parts of North East Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire and has worked with 15,600 so far at 46 schools and colleges.

Lewis added: "Without HeppSY, and the college's support, I wouldn't have had the confidence to apply to universities away from home. Before HeppSY, I believed what I saw on TV shows. I thought only smart people could go to university and you'd be studying day and night with set teachers and set hours.

"But actually if you apply to the right place there's something to suit everyone and a variety of courses out there. It was the same with student finance. I was worried that I'd be in debt for the rest of my life and everyone had said that to me, but in actuality it's only a student loan and you pay it off depending on circumstances."

The evidence shows that higher education participation of young people in these areas is both low and much lower than expected based on GCSE-level attainment. The definition of higher education includes degree level courses at further education colleges and universities in addition to higher and degree level apprenticeships.

HeppHub website

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News: PM hints at "High Speed North" as HS2 under review

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last week that HS2 will go ahead, but added that there will be a pause to review how both HS2 and NPR would work as a fully integrated railway for the North.

Rothbiz reported last year that an independently-led government review will use all existing evidence on the project to consider its benefits and impacts, affordability and efficiency, deliverability and scope, its phasing, including its relationship with Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR - the East-West links across the North).

There has been much opposition to the HS2 scheme from within Rotherham since a 2b route realignment was recommended to Government in 2016.

In a statement to Parliament the PM set out that after careful consideration of the independent Oakervee review, the decision has been taken to proceed with HS2.

The Prime Minister told Parliament that he is committed to Phase 2b of the project, extending high-speed rail from the West Midlands to the North. In order to work out how best to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail and Phase 2b more effectively, government will draw up an integrated plan for rail in the North, informed by an assessment from the National Infrastructure Commission.

This will work to identify the most effective sequencing of all relevant investments in the north, and look at how the two schemes can work together alongside wider investment in transport for the North and Midlands. It will also have a focus on ensuring that lessons are learned from Phase 1 of HS2 to drive down costs.

Recognising that better East-West connections are a priority for local leaders, the Government will look at how best to accelerate the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, including looking at options for a new delivery body.

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In his statement to the house, Johnson said: "We will start treating HS2, north of Birmingham, Northern Powerhouse Rail and other local rail improvements as part of one integrated masterplan, High Speed North.

"Because something has to change. Those who deny this, who say we should simply build 2B and Northern Powerhouse Rail according to the plans currently on the table, are effectively condemning the North to get nothing for 20 years.

"And that would be intolerable. So as we draw up this plan we are not asking whether phase 2B is not to be. That is not the question, Mr Speaker. The question is how we can bring a transport revolution to the north sooner.

"Together, this revolution in local and national transport has the potential to be truly transformative for the entire country."

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: "HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are crucial to level up the economy and provide vital upgrades to our creaking Victorian infrastructure. We must ensure they benefit South Yorkshire and unlock prosperity and better connectivity right across our region.

"The decision to review Phase 2b, which includes the route through South Yorkshire, gives us the opportunity to look again at the impact of HS2 on communities in our region. The Government needs to ensure this review is undertaken thoroughly but speedily so we can minimise disruption. I'm acutely aware that some of our local residents now face further uncertainty and are unable to plan for the future. I will be meeting with the Secretary of State today to discuss these matters in more detail."

The Government has previously been urged to include a HS2 parkway station in South Yorkshire and a Northern loop out of Sheffield Midland, which at present is only set to be served by a spur.

Studies have also identified potential new stations in Rotherham and in the Dearne Valley on a proposed NPR line.

Rotherham Council's previous stance was a preference for the South Yorkshire HS2 station to be at Meadowhall on a through route to Leeds. The new route is seen as having negative impacts, such as adverse environmental impacts and the impact during construction, outweighing the perceived benefits of the scheme.

In its response to the Oakervee review, the council said it was aiming to cast as much doubt as it can in the Government's mind about its HS2 phase 2b plan.

Images: Boris Johnson / twitter

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News: We'll meet again - Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival returns

The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is reaching for the skies and organisers are calling on beer lovers to come together to support its Battle of Britain-themed beer spectacular, which returns later this month.

Back at Magna in 2020 after last year's event was cancelled, organisers have warned that this year's festival could be the last.

The event, which also includes the Champion Beer of Yorkshire competition is open to the public between February 27 to 29.

with an RAF theme chosen to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and to celebrate the important role South Yorkshire played in defending Britain's shores from invasion during the summer of 1940. Inside the festival, bars will be named after some of the iconic aircraft which took part in the first major campaign to be fought solely in the skies.

Starting at Oakwood School in 1992, the event has gone on to become the largest indoor beer festival outside of London.

For the first time the festival will also host a special gin bar and has also been chosen as just one of two festivals in the UK which will receive an exclusive beer, produced by Timothy Taylors. Throughout the three day event a diverse range of live entertainment will take to the stages inside the festival, bringing together some of the best local bands and tribute acts in the business.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support Rotherham Cancer Care Centre which provides support to people who have cancer or been affected by the disease, by providing a range of therapies and counselling sessions designed to improve quality of life.

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However, festival organiser Steve Burns has urged beer lovers to back the popular event, and warned that this year's festival could be the last.

Steve Burns, festival organiser (pictured, right), said: "This year's festival promises to offer something a little different. We've chosen beers from across the UK to reflect the Battle of Britain theme, and teamed up with South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum to bring a few surprises to this year's festival. We're also showcasing some amazing new beers which have never been tasted before as well as a fantastic entertainment line-up.

"For many the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival is one of the highlights of the annual social calendar. However, our last outing was severely affected by circumstances beyond our control. To paraphrase Churchill, never has so much been enjoyed by so many, as a result of the efforts of so few and we're hoping to rekindle part of the blitz spirit to ensure that this year's festival is not our last."

A 25 year old furniture designer impressed judges with her RAF-inspired design as part of the festivals' logo competition. It will feature on this year's commemorative glasses, as well as being used throughout the popular event, which is set to welcome over 5,000 visitors.

Kesia Elliott, competition winner, said: "I've visited the festival for a number of years and always enjoyed it. When I saw the chance to get involved with this year's event, I decided to put my creative skills to the test and I was shocked when I received the telephone call saying that I'd won the competition. It’s been amazing seeing my design featured on this year's posters and I'm really looking forward to this year's festival."

Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival website

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News: New Starbucks opens in Rotherham

A new Starbucks Drive Thru store has opened in Rotherham creating 20 new jobs for the local area.

Operated by Starbucks licensee Soul Coffee, the long-awaited store has been constructed at the Foundry Retail Park at Parkgate.

Rothbiz reported back in 2015 that outline plans had been submitted for a 1,959 sq ft drive thru coffee shop by the owners of the retail park.

The store has already selected its charity partner, the Rotherham-based children's hospice, Bluebell Wood. Since 2008, Bluebell Wood has provided vital support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families, including residential care and activities, physiotherapy, and counselling. The Rotherham store team looks forward to supporting this important cause, including fundraising on opening day.

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Beata Grabowska, district manager for Soul Coffee, said: "We are so excited to open this new Starbucks Drive Thru in Rotherham and look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to our new store. Our store team is proud to support Bluebell Wood in its important mission of caring for children in the local area suffering from illness and their families."

The store includes comfortable seating and free wi-fi. Customers looking to recharge while on the go can use the convenient Drive Thru lane.

With over 28,000 stores worldwide Seattle-based Starbucks plan to open 1,000 franchise stores in the UK over the next five to seven years, of varying asset types, partnering with a maximum of 25 franchisees.

Starbucks' first UK franchised business partner, 23.5 Degrees operates the first major outlet in Rotherham (after the one at Woodall Services) when it opened at the Beighton Link development in 2018.

Starbuck's UK website

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News: £51m needed to protect Rotherham homes and businesses from flooding

Rotherham Council has identified a pipeline of projects that are required to protect the borough from flooding. It just doesn't yet have the £51m needed to implement all of them.

With households and businesses still mopping up after flooding caused by heavy rainfall in November 2019, cabinet members are due to receive an update on its Major Incident Plan (MIP) and on future flood alleviation projects.

Several flood alleviation projects have been completed and funded since the June 2007 floods, most notably around Templeborough and the town centre, but future phases have stalled due to a lack of funding.

To support regeneration in Rotherham town centre, flood works are well underway at Forge Island. £4.1m of council funding has been ringfenced already for this work which is 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.

Another project progressing is around the New York Stadium and council offices at Riverside House, but budgets have risen. A condition of the stadium construction is the construction of a sluice gate and pump station to ensure that increased river levels do not cause flooding to occur behind the flood barriers.

The work should protect areas such as the railway (Rotherham Central was closed again due to flooding in November), Centenary Way and sites adjacent to the canal, including electrical supplies to central Rotherham.

The total cost of the project, on the books since 2012, has gone up to £2.62m from initial estimates of £1.7m, with the Council expected to foot the bill for a further £1.1m. The need to replace the adjacent highway bridge has also been identified to an estimated value of £934,076. A canal barrier at Forge Island is also required.

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The council has begun lobbying the Government for funding and town centre projects could be included in the bid for the Government's Future High Streets Fund.

Cllr. Emma Hoddinott gave an update at the recent full council meeting, saying: "There was a number of areas around the borough that did flood [in November 2019] and indeed there are schemes that we want to put in place in terms of flood defences to protect those places in the future.

"Both the leader [Chris Read] and the mayor of the city region [Dan Jarvis] have been raising this. We need the funding from the Government to put these flood defences in place. The ask from Rotherham is £51m. We know the works that need to be done. We need that funding in Rotherham now in order to start those works."

To complete the the £24m town centre flood alleviation scheme, the next area, which does not yet have any funding, includes downstream phases from Forge Island to Parkgate, and Kilnhurst.

Specifically at Parkgate, which also suffered flood damage where flooding comes from multiple sources (e.g. River Don, watercourses and Yorkshire Water systems), around £10m would be required to create large upstream storage areas in rural areas on Wentworth Estates land and localised capacity improvements in urban areas. An additional £4m is required to address flooding issues on the main road network.

At Catcliffe, an area synonymous with the 2007 floods, council officers have identified that £5m would be required to create a permanent pumping station.

Another badly affected area, Templeborough, needs £1m to upgrade the road network and improve drainage.

Another key area is Whiston Brook where £4m is needed to create large storage areas upstream of the village. £3m is also required to address flooding issues around Dinnington and Laughton Common at Eel Mires Dike. Smaller scale work at the Pit House West site has already earmarked £50k of council funding to alleviate a potential high flooding risk for an adjacent housing estate and main railway line.

A council report states: "Several flood alleviation projects have been completed and funded since the June 2007 floods. Several more projects have been identified utilising the current levels of Council funding that is available to the Drainage team, and these are at various stages of development, including some at inception stage, some in their pre-construction stage and one at construction stage.

"Significant funding is needed to deliver the high priority projects which the Council believes are required, with initial estimates being that £51m of external funding is needed."

Images: Don Catchment Rivers Trust / twitter

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News: Argos set to close Rotherham store

Argos looks set to be the latest in a catalogue of retail closures in Rotherham town centre.

The retailer, a subsidiary of Sainsbury's, has picked out the Howard Street outlet as part of a national programme of store closures.

A notice on the storefront states that the shop will close on March 7 with staff expected to be offered the opportunity to redeploy to nearby stores.

Nearby clothing store, Bonmarché, which went into administration at the end of 2019, has also placed "closing down sale" signs in its windows.

The Argos store on Howard Street opened in 2005 after Home Retail Group plc, the previous owner, bought and converted stores from closed rival, Index.

Stores were updated in 2014 with "digital makeovers" as part of its new strategy to bring the convenience of online shopping to its physical stores.

In 2016 Home Retail Group agreed a takeover deal from Sainsbury's for around £1.4bn. In response to changing customer shopping habits and reducing costs throughout the store estate, the firm announced a store management structure last year.

In September, bosses announced plans to create 80 new Argos stores within Sainsbury's locations and close 60-70 Argos shops.

Argos operates from retail park destinations in Rotherham - at Parkgate Shopping and Cortonwood but the borough does not a large Sainsbury's superstore.

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A trading update showed that a full impairment review by management on the property portfolio resulted in an impairment charge of £177m. £80m of the charge is in relation to properties identified for closure. £97m relates to unprofitable and marginally profitable trading stores for which the cash flows no longer support the carrying amount.

Store closure costs were recognised of £26m - £23m in onerous contract charges and £3m of other provisions, including redundancy.

Retail changes were highlighted by the company's Q3 trading update which showed that Argos had its biggest digital Black Friday to date and record sales through mobile and via Argos Click and Collect.

Bosses also added that Argos stores in Sainsbury's supermarkets performed particularly well "as customers value the convenience of being able to do more of their shopping under one roof."

Peacock's was named as the preferred bidder to buy Bonmarché out of administration but the deal has not yet concluded.

Argos website

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News: Enterprising former bus driver's route to success

Developing a new business can be a little bit like waiting for a bus. Nothing happens for ages and then two arrive at once. When Conrad Kirk decided to leave his bus driving job last January, little did the Rawmarsh-based entrepreneur realise he would be at the helm of not one, but two successful businesses within just twelve months.

Keen to build a new career which allowed him to balance childcare commitments with his partner, the former area sales manager turned bus driver decided to draw on experiences from his former careers to pioneer a leaflet and distribution business.

Since taking the plunge into self-employment last January, from his initial 1,000 leaflet drops, Conrad and his team have delivered more than a million leaflets throughout Yorkshire during his first year of operations. Today, the company employs six permanent and fifteen casual members of staff after securing help for his business idea from the Launchpad programme, a unique initiative which supports aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners which have been trading for less than three years.

Conrad hit on the idea of leaflet distribution as he realised the business could provide the flexibility in his working day to balance raising his young family. After trialling the idea and securing a number of small orders, the business moved from a bedroom office at home to a larger site in Barnsley.

As the business grew, Conrad has invested in technology enabling customers to check when their leaflets have been delivered as well as sharing live data from his distributors including the speed they are walking and the areas they have visited in real-time.

Securing additional space wasn't the only challenge faced by Evolution: larger leaflet deliveries meant larger quantities of packaging to dispose of. Sensing a fresh business opportunity, the new entrepreneur wasted no time in launching a second business aimed at recycling waste paper which is shredded and transformed into decomposable horse bedding.

Although Conrad's focus remains firmly on growing and developing his distribution company, Ecolution currently processes over 20 tonnes of waste paper each month after securing partnerships with several schools within the Dearne Valley.

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Conrad Kirk, founder of Evolution and Ecolution said: "Working as a bus driver gave me lots of time to reflect on my future. I had enjoyed a successful career working as an area sales manager previously, but felt guilty that I was unable to play a greater role in supporting my partner and our young family. We have four children under the age of four, including twins and I just felt there was a better way to earn a living. When I saw the advert for Launchpad, I realised it was a now or never moment and my ideas began to fall into place.

"At that time I had no real idea as to what my business would look like, but I wanted to realise a better work-life balance, and reduce our enormous outlay on childcare costs. I felt self-employment offered a golden opportunity to shape my future and since starting my own business I haven't looked back.

"The biggest challenge I faced was securing new customers. I realised that whilst a small run of leaflet distribution would help me to test the idea, if the company was to grow to a point where I could earn a living from the business, it needed to be scalable. I took part in a number of workshops hosted by Launchpad which helped me to understand what's involved with running a business, particularly when it came to understanding what’s involved when securing premises and especially when employing other people, which can be a legal minefield."

Recommended reading: 4 Taxes Small Businesses Should Be Aware Of

Julie Millea, Launchpad Business Advisor, added: "Conrad is a natural entrepreneur who is always brimming with lots of different business ideas, but ultimately he wanted to achieve a better work-life balance, but to do this he knew he needed to secure larger orders but wasn't sure how to access these.

"Through our one-to-one sessions, as well as taking part in a series of workshops, Conrad has successfully developed a robust business model which isn’t just helping to achieve a better lifestyle for himself and his partner, but after realising he was not alone in facing problems balancing childcare responsibilities with earning a living, he's also helped others to return to the workforce."

SCR Launchpad website

Images: SCR Launchpad

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News: Corner Café opens in prominent Rotherham town centre unit

Crossroads Care is inviting visitors to join them for a coffee and a chat at "The Corner" in All Saints Square.

Rothbiz reported last year that planning permission had been secured to enable the charity to convert a prominent unit where Rotherham Council closed its dedicated visitor centre on Bridgegate in 2018, relocating services to the Makers Emporium on the nearby High Street.

Crossroads Care is Britain's leading provider of support for carers and the people they care for. It works with over 35,000 individuals and their families, helping carers to make a life of their own outside caring. The Rotherham branch has its offices at Templeborough.

The charity shop and café was officially opened by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Jenny Andrews, recently and is full of information for unpaid carers as well as providing training and meeting room facilities. The site makes up part of the historic White Hart Buildings.

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Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "This is a great addition to the town centre and will provide a comfortable place for carers and visitors to chat and enjoy a drink and cake as well as providing support for Crossroads Care.

"We're determined to see Rotherham town centre thrive, not just survive. The café's arrival will certainly contribute to the town centre’s transformation as a leisure destination as we move towards the development of Forge Island and the Masterplan. I wish Crossroads Care all the best of success in its new venture."

Crossroads Care will use all funds raised through The Corner towards developing new support services in the town.

Crossroads Care website

Images: Crossroads Care / facebook

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