News: Rotherham pub joins in with chorus to save our venues

A popular Rotherham pub and live music venue is trying to remain positive but is warning that it faces closure due to the implications caused by Coronavirus.

The Cutler's Arms, one of Rotherham town centre's historic pubs, has joined a national campaign to prevent the closure of hundreds of independent music venues.

The venue is operated by Rotherham's own award-winning Chantry Brewery and is popular with real ale fans and fans of live music.

The pub has been open for five years and survived a fire last year that staff said could have destroyed the Grade 2 listed building. It will be exempt from paying business rates in 2020/21 but is now also joining a national initiative launched by Music Venue Trust in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 Grassroots music venues throughout the UK.

The charity trust has already raised over £182,000 thanks to significant donations from Amazon Music, SJM, a number of high-profile artists and music fans throughout the UK. It has now re-named its fund to the #saveourvenues fund and will form part of a wider initiative that will see artists raising money for individual venues with whom they have a personal connection.

Music fans are encouraged to show their support by engaging with the #saveourvenues shows and donating to their local venue's crowd funding pages but can also choose to donate directly to the main #saveourvenues fund via the campaign website.

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Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust, said: "We have received some magnificent support so far from music companies, but we need a lot more to step up and help save this essential part of the music eco-system. We cannot stress enough how critical it is that the music industry supports the #saveourvenues campaign as without them over 500 of the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues could go out of business, never to return, in the coming months."

The Cutler's Arms said on its fundraising page: "Our venue faces closure due to the implications caused by coronavirus. We still face ongoing bills and we've promised all of our staff 100% pay for as long as we can, this will all help us to ensure we can survive this hardship and keep all our staff in jobs. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we come back with a bang whenever that may be. We're trying to remain positive and hope that with all your support we can make the comeback we dream of.

"Your donations will be used to ensure that the Cutlers' will be back bigger and better than ever! We can't wait to see our Cutlers' family again..

"If we hit our target [£15,000], and we can prevent the closure of our venue, everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund to protect other venues just like ours, right across the country.

The Cutler's Arms crowdfunder page is here.

Music venues trust website

Images: Cutler's Arms / Facebook

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News: Flats plan for former business centre

A former enterprise centre in a Rotherham village could be converted from business units to flats, if recently submitted plans are approved.

The Enterprise Centre / Treeton Youth Centre has been vacant since the authority agreed to cut the Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE) service in 2018. It was most recently used by RYE for its staff and to offer start up premises to fledgling Rotherham businesses.

Originally built in circa 1887 as an infant school, the 6,445 sq ft building includes five workshops, five offices, a large hall and outside space.

The property sold for £280,000 at auction at the end of 2019 and now plans have been submitted that would see the conversion of the existing buildings to 14 apartments/dwellings.

Applicants, Century Grove Ltd, say that the conversion would provide 11 x one bed apartments and 3 x two-bedroom apartments on Front Street / Station Road utilising the existing access from Church Lane.

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Whilst not a listed building, the former Youth Enterprise Centre is located within the Treeton Conservation Area.

The plans, drawn up by Building Design Concepts Ltd state that: "The conversion would take place within the shell of the existing building, utilising all existing openings as far as possible. There would be no demolition of any parts of the existing buildings, and no extensions."

The centre was a number of assets sold off via Pugh Auctions by Rotherham Council. The former St Ann's building on the edge of Rotherham town centre sold for £91,000 from a guide price of £100,000 plus.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that Rotherham Council was asking for expressions of interest in the vacant property and three proposals were received.

Dating back to the 1800's, St Ann's Road Board School opened a new boy's department in 1893 on the corner of St Leonard's Road. Providing accommodation for 244 children, the stone building includes a 45 ft bell tower above the main entrance. It was also previously used as an annexe of the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology.

The Council's former Erskine Road depot sold for £100,000.

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News: Sponsors remain united with football club

Partners and sponsors are signing up to continue being part of the Rotherham United family.

Hodge Clemco has signed up until the summer of 2021, following a newly-extended deal which will see them unveiled as an early "Business Partner" for the 2020/2021 campaign.

The South Yorkshire-based company is a leading supplier and manufacturer of abrasive blast cleaning and surface treatment equipment and initially joined forces with the Millers as a "Business Partner" back in 2015 before then becoming the club’s home shirt sponsors, holding that position for three seasons, before moving their branding to the reverse of the shorts on the home and away strips throughout the current 2019/2020 campaign.

Steve Coakley, commercial director at Rotherham United, said: "It has been a genuine pleasure to work with everyone at Hodge Clemco since they first joined us as a Business Partner and I think the success of our working relationship is evidenced by the extension of the association between the two companies.

"I think it says a lot about the strength of the relationship that we've been able to do this during these uncertain times."

Neal Crisford, group managing director at Hodge Clemco, added: "In these difficult times it is even more important to support the local community and businesses and we all look forward to watching football in the not too distant future with the prospect of competing in the Championship still being very much alive.

"A large number of our Rotherham based employees follow the Millers and have really enjoyed the involvement and new experiences with the club in many ways. We all feel very much part of the family and have always been made very welcome by all at the AESSEAL New York Stadium."

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Another firm, Hughie Construction Limited, has agreed a commercial deal which will see their branding appear on the reverse of the Millers' kits for the 2020/21 season.

Hugie Construction is very local, having recently taken on offices within one of the corner units at stadium.

Richard Kirk, managing director at Hughie Construction, said: "We have really enjoyed all of our business ventures with Rotherham United, from helping out around the club with various building works to moving into our new offices here at AESSEAL New York Stadium. We see this kit sponsorship deal as the next logical step in what has been a really positive business relationship to date.

"It has been fantastic to work alongside the club who continue to do a fantastic job in ensuring revenue is still being generated at these troubling times, and we were delighted to be able to play a part by pledging our support now.

"We have found that being based at the stadium has only enhanced what was already a flourishing relationship and the close contact we have with the people at the club has, and will hopefully continue to, open doors for both parties."

Steve Coakley, added: "It has been great to see Hughie Construction go from strength-to-strength as a business in recent years and we are delighted to have them on our premises at AESSEAL New York Stadium, where we have regular conversations about our respective progress.

"Despite the circumstances in which we are all currently living, we are remaining extremely commercially active and we are thrilled to have agreed another deal in the absence of match action.

"I know I speak on behalf of everyone at the club when I say that I am excited to continue to work with Richard and his staff at Hughie Construction for at least a further year and I am hopeful that we continue to be successful together."

RUFC website
Hodge Clemco website
Hughie Construction website

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News: Rotherham Council changes procurement payments to support suppliers

Rotherham Council is taking measures to accelerate payments and support to suppliers.

The move comes after Government guidance was issued to contracting authorities saying that they must act now to ensure suppliers at risk are in a position to resume normal contract delivery once the Coronovirus outbreak is over.

Measures to accelerate payment to suppliers include making immediate payment to all suppliers on receipt of goods, encouraging discussions with suppliers over an increased frequency of invoicing and reviewing contracts to identify at risk suppliers.

Rotherham Council said that the measures respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to support suppliers during the period of restrictions.

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Government guidance explains: "The current outbreak of COVID-19 is unprecedented and will have a significant impact on businesses of all sizes. Many suppliers to public bodies will struggle to meet their contractual obligations and this will put their financial viability, ability to retain staff and their supply chains at risk.

"Contracting authorities should act now to support suppliers at risk so they are better able to cope with the current crises and to resume normal service delivery and fulfil their contractual obligations when the outbreak is over.

"It is vital that contracting authorities pay all suppliers as quickly as possible to maintain cash flow and protect jobs. Contracting authorities should also take action to continue to pay suppliers at risk due to COVID-19 on a continuity and retention basis. Contracting authorities can consider making advance payments to suppliers if necessary."

The authority is also funnelling Government grants to businesses. More than 2,700 Rotherham businesses have received Covid-19 financial support worth over £30m in the last few weeks.

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News: Rotherham college offering free distance learning courses

As the country continues to adapt to working from home and staying indoors, Rotherham College is offering free distance learning courses for adults in the local community, providing the opportunity to learn new skills from the comfort of their own home.

The courses allow learners to study flexibly and are available in a variety of subject areas including Health and Social Care, Mental Health, Education and Training, Nutrition and Health and Business Management.

Each course is made up of between two and four modules which offer a fast and flexible way to learn or update skills and gain a recognised qualification.

Rotherham College Assistant Principal Claire Godfrey explained some of the benefits of undertaking a distance learning course.

Claire said: "We've had so much interest in our distance learning courses over the last couple of weeks since people have begun the shift to working at home or have been unable to go into work.

"I think people realise that now is an opportunity for them to learn something new or update their skills. The beauty of distance learning is that you can fit it in around existing commitments and it is a flexible way to learn."

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RNN Group Director of Employer Partnerships James Godsell has spoken to several local businesses about distance learning options for their staff.

James said: "We've had enquiries from businesses who are looking for ways to keep their staff engaged and provide opportunities for upskilling and updating their knowledge during this uncertain period.

"Distance learning ticks so many boxes for employers, especially at this unusual time, as it offers a fast, free and flexible way to deliver training that their staff can complete at home and it can continue to fit around existing commitments even when business returns to normal."

Claire added: “Our College sites may be closed at the moment, but our commitment to education remains as strong as ever; we are committed to providing opportunities to learn!"

Rotherham College website

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News: Carriageway works complete at College Road Roundabout

Essential work has now been completed on the A630 College Road Roundabout which is a critical access point to Rotherham town centre and provides an important link across the borough.

The scheme to improve capacity on the "old B&Q" roundabout has been designed to enable future economic growth in the area - in the town centre and at nearby Bassingthorpe.

The works to widen the carriageway have been completed ahead of schedule, however the nationwide reduction of construction activity has meant a second phase of related works will need to be completed at a later date.

The remaining works, which includes new traffic light signals and landscaping works to improve the appearance of the site will be completed when it is safe to do so. 

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Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, Councillor Denise Lelliott, said; "This improvement scheme will provide long term benefits to the area by increasing the capacity of the roundabout, relieving congestion, and save the commuters time in the future as the volume of traffic is anticipated to continue to grow.

"I’d like to thank staff working on the site who have completed the project ahead of schedule through challenging winter weather conditions and during the implementation of the Coronavirus lockdown period."

The improvements add capacity to this "pinch-point" on the highway network, reducing future queues for motorists and maintaining the flow of traffic around the town centre in the long term. The investment follows the upgrading of the New York junction in recent years.

This scheme has been made possible by Rotherham Council's successful bid to the Government's National Productivity Investment Fund, gaining £3.2m worth of funding to deliver improvements to the local road network. 

The Council is providing a 30% match funding contribution of £1.386m for the project. Balfour Beatty is the main contractor.

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News: No plans to change venues for delayed UEFA Women’s EURO

Rotherham still has a shot at being part of the biggest Women's EUROs to date which organisers have confirmed will now kick off in 2022.

The UEFA Executive Committee this week confirmed that the postponed UEFA Women's EURO 2021 will be played in England in 2022 and it is planned to use the same venues that were originally proposed to host the event.

Rothbiz reported last year that Rotherham's AESSEAL New York Stadium was on to host four high profile international games at the tournament in 2021 including a prestigious quarter final on July 24.

The decision to move UEFA Women's EURO came after UEFA announced on 17 March that UEFA EURO 2020 would be postponed to 2021 following the global outbreak of COVID-19.

UEFA’s Chief of Women’s Football, Nadine Kessler, said: "The core question guiding us together with the English FA was: what is best for women's football? With the Olympics now being confirmed for summer 2021, we firmly believe that moving to 2022 is in the best interests of the tournament, the players, the fans, women's football partners and everybody involved in all areas and at all levels of the game. UEFA Women's EURO is Europe's biggest women’s sport event. It is also among the biggest sports events in the world, and therefore needs and deserves a platform of its own."

New York Stadium is one of ten grounds which will stage the tournament. 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.

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Sue Campbell, The English FA's Director of Women’s Football, said: "Our intention is to stage the same tournament that was being planned for 2021 in 2022 and we very much hope that all current venues and cities will continue to play a role in hosting the tournament. They've all been fantastic partners to work with to date, showing a great level of commitment and support both for the delivery of the tournament and women’s football more broadly.

"Prior to being awarded the tournament, we undertook a rigorous process to identify venues and cities who were interested in staging games. Notice was sent to all cities and councils, County FAs, Premier League, English Football League and FA Women’s Super League clubs. A total of 25 cities expressed an interest, and a Bid Steering group then reviewed all submitted responses.

"The final decision was based on the venues which adhered to the numerous technical requirements from UEFA, as well as host cities that could provide the required level of support to deliver a major event. A commitment from the City Council to support the wider legacy and sustainable development of the women's game was also an important factor.

"This was coupled with the need to strike the right balance for the tournament. Setting an ambitious ticket target – with more than 700,000 tickets available for fans – whilst seeking to achieve full venues where possible. This is a balance we believe we have achieved in the selected venues and cities, with England's Lionesses due to play all of their group stage games at Premier League grounds across the country."

Having previously hosted a number of youth internationals, the AESSEAL New York Stadium hosted five games at the 2018 UEFA European Under 17 Championships, including a semi-final and the final.

In 2013, England's women beat Canada 1-0 in a friendly at Rotherham, and in 2016 a crowd of 10,550 witnessed the Lionesses draw 1-1 with Belgium in a UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifier. In 2018, the £20m stadium also hosted the team in a friendly fixture against Sweden as they stepped up their preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

RUFC website

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News: Businesses punished for flouting lockdown restrictions

Seven Rotherham businesses have been served with Prohibition Notices by Rotherham Council for breaching coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

On March 23 the government stepped up measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives. With a few exceptions this included the types of businesses that must close including restaurants and public houses, barbers, the majority of retail stores, hotels, libraries and bingo halls.

These businesses and venues have had to close as they involve prolonged close social contact, which increases the chance of infection spreading and new Regulations extending the restrictions became enforceable by law in England due to the threat to public health.

The Rotherham premises served with notices are businesses are:

- Cafe Sport/Roxys Bar and Gym in Swinton
- Wath - Red Lion Public House at Wath
- WMC (Westville)  Public  House in West Melton
- Cutlers Public House at North Anston
- Ideal Rooms furniture store at Eastwood
- Jays Hand Car Wash in Masbrough
- 104 Westgate Rotherham Barbers Shop in the town centre



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A spokesperson from Rotherham Council said: "All had been investigated by our officers after we received reports from members of the public. On every occasion a warning was issued in the first instance, but Prohibition Notices were subsequently served after these were ignored."

If these notices are breached, a fixed penalty notice of £60 will be issued (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days). However, for each subsequent breach thereafter, the fixed penalty will be doubled, up to a maximum of £960.

Further proceedings for an offence under these Regulations may be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPRS) and any person designated by the Secretary of State. If prosecuted, businesses are liable for a maximum £5000 fine, with further punishments for continuation of the offence.

RMBC website

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News: Switch production to fight Covid-19

Mayor of the Sheffield City Region (SCR), Dan Jarvis, has issued a call to arms to South Yorkshire businesses, to join the national efforts to help make life-saving medical equipment during the Coronavirus pandemic.

South Yorkshire's manufacturers have already played a significant role in the production of ventilators for the NHS. Now the Mayor is asking industry to offer their help making Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – such as gowns, visors, masks, gloves and hand sanitiser.

The equipment will protect patients, doctors, nurses and all health and care staff against the Coronavirus, and help ensure the SCR's health and care facilities have equipment to save lives and keep people safe from the virus.

Significant progress has been made nationally by Government and industry to produce PPE for the NHS, and the call is to ensure any local businesses with the expertise and willingness to help can play their part too.

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Mayor of Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, said: "I have been working around the clock to ensure South Yorkshire has what it needs to respond to the Coronavirus and support our NHS. I have been in daily contact with the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System (ICS) and the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) throughout the pandemic.

"The NHS, all care and emergency services are working tirelessly to make the best preparations and I am incredibly grateful for the herculean efforts they have made to ensure people receive the best care possible, should they need it. We must all do our duty, as residents, businesses and communities, to support our dedicated NHS, care and emergency services workers on the frontline.

"Businesses and institutions across South Yorkshire – such as McLaren, Boeing and Naylor Industries and our universities – have already stepped up to the national effort. But I know many more businesses have been in touch asking how they can help.

"I would urge companies, from across our region, of all sizes, who have the capability to make PPE to do so. Every contribution will make a difference. South Yorkshire's makers and creators have powered our economy. Now their enterprise and dedication is helping save lives."

Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS, added: "Thank you for the offers of support we have received so far from the universities and local businesses, such as vets and dentists. We welcome these and many other local businesses have been asking how they should make contact with regard to supplying essential items, such as gowns, visors, masks, gloves and hand sanitiser. The answer is please contact england.syblocalityteam@nhs.net"

The health and care sector, which includes residential and care homes, works closely together and equipment is needed across this whole range of services and settings.

The Mayor and South Yorkshire ICS is calling for companies who can support with production of the following equipment to step forward:

- Companies and education establishments with 3D printers, and manufacturers of plastic, to help with the production of visors, gloves, face masks and aprons.
- Breweries or gin distilleries who can use their kit and alcohol supplies to make hand sanitiser, as well as new 500ml pump dispenser bottles, to decant hand sanitiser into and for infection control purposes.
- Textiles companies who can make scrubs and gowns.
- Manufacturers with machinery and equipment can still play a significant role in the production of ventilators.

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News: Changes made to first phase of Gulliver's Valley

Operators, Gulliver's, has reacted quickly to the changing economic landscape brought on by the Coronovus pandemic to make changes to the plans for its new £37m theme park in Rotherham.

Unfortunately, due to the current situation, construction work on the site adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park has stopped but the team are still working extremely hard behind the scenes to deliver a fantastic theme park that will entertain families for many years to come.

As previously reported, 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. In addition, a variety of accommodation will be available, including unicorn and princess suites, alongside Western Cabins and Lost World Lodges.

New plans submitted to Rotherham Council show that Gulliver's want to introduce more accommodation options from day one of opening, which is still scheduled for "late Spring" 2020. As you can see in the video below, the rides are currently getting a thorough testing before the park opens to the public.

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The plans, drawn up by County Planning Ltd, explain that the Government mandated shut down includes Gulliver's three other resorts which were closed over the Easter holidays - usually the start of the peak season.

In response, temporary planning permission is being sought for a period of five years to station static caravans/lodges/chalets for use by patrons of the theme park resort once opened. Offering accommodation is a key component, turning day visits into overnight breaks will assist Gulliver's in progressing the site and offering much needed jobs in the locality.

If approved, land originally marked for use as glamping pods, to the rear of the Castle Hotel on the approved plans, would also be used for the siting and use of caravans, lodges and chalets for short-let holiday accommodation (in addition to glamping pods).

The plans state: "It is strongly emphasised that the application is submitted in an unprecedented time when the UK is currently under a nationwide lockdown as result of a Covid-19 pandemic.

"The government mandated shut down of all public places (including leisure resorts and many hotels), has forced the closure of the applicant’s three other resorts and premises across UK. This risks adversely impacting on the Gulliver's Valley development timeline of the project if steps are not taken to help increase the profitability of the enterprise in the period 2020-2025.

"The temporary planning permission sought is aimed to help the developer stay on track toward delivering the social, economic and environmental benefits expected to be realised as part of the wider proposals."

Recruitment had begun before lockdown for the first of the 125 full time jobs and 325 part-time jobs that the development will create.

Gulliver's Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

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News: Retail rates relief in Rotherham

Over 900 businesses in Rotherham are set to benefit from the new business rates reliefs announced by the Government during the coronavirus outbreak.

403 businesses in the borough have already accessed existing retail reliefs and will now see their relief increase from 50% to 100%.

As part of a raft of unprecedented measures, 497 additional businesses are now also able to access the benefit following an expansion of the range of businesses who qualify by the Government.

A number of businesses will have already received their zero bills with the rest to follow over the next few days.

Judith Badger, Strategic Director for Finance & Customer Services at Rotherham Council, said: "We are delighted that the updated, zero bills have already started to go out. It's been a tough job to process these so quickly but we got ahead of the game by asking companies to provide information while we were still waiting on guidance from the government, which has helped us to get the help quicker to our businesses.

"We know that this will make a huge difference in helping to keep local businesses afloat, local people in jobs and in helping the local economy to recover quicker when we are in a position to begin the exit from coronavirus restrictions."

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The estimated value of the relief for Rotherham is just over £30m.

Eligible properties, including those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, will not pay business rates for the next 12 months. The smallest businesses in these sectors are also beginning to receive one off grants of either £10,000 or £25,000. The business rates holiday also applies to England's nurseries.

Rotherham businesses that qualify for small business and retail relief, with a rateable value less than £51k, are also being urged to complete the Council's online form to register their details for the Business Grants scheme. This is a vital step to enable payments to be processed with over 2,000 local businesses already receiving payments.

Eligible businesses will receive a cash grant of £10k or £25k depending on which scheme they qualify for. The total value paid out through the scheme by the council is almost £27m.

Rotherham Council website

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News: New Rotherham nuclear centre "a truly unique facility"

You don't have to claim to understand it, just know that a £22m fusion energy research facility set to open in Rotherham next year will be truly unique.

The centre currently under construction on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham will enable the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to work with industrial partners to put the UK in a strong position to commercialise nuclear fusion as a major source of low-carbon electricity in the years ahead.

The key role of the facility will be to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components – for example novel metals and ceramics. These will then be tested and evaluated under conditions simulating the inside of a fusion reactor. At its heart will be a new CHIMERA (Combined Heating and Magnetic Research Apparatus) facility which will be used by engineers with the creativity to design power stations of the future.

The site will help UK companies win contracts from the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) programme – the key international fusion project being built in the south of France.

A £14.3m contract for the design and construction of CHIMERA has been agreed between UKAEA and global professional services firm, Jacobs.

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Designing components to survive under reactor conditions is one of the key technological challenges engineers face in making nuclear fusion commercially viable. In addition, manufactured components or systems may require some form of qualification to ensure they meet requirements and perform as designed. The new CHIMERA facility is being constructed to address these needs.

Engineers describe CHIMERA as a "unique component loading machine", and it will enable testing of large component prototypes up to 1.8m tall. It will enable industrial partners to test prototype components giving them a head start in the commercialisation of fusion energy.

Tom Barrett, CHIMERA Technical Lead at UKAEA, said: "We're very pleased and excited to welcome Jacobs as our system integrator, they have a tremendous team who have already done impressive work and I have no doubt that they will successfully deliver a world-class testing facility. In CHIMERA we are building a truly unique facility which will benefit the UK but also promises to boost worldwide efforts for fusion technology."

Among the key components engineers want to test durability of are the vessel blankets. These cover the inner wall of the tokamak vacuum vessel (a device inside the reactor designed to harness the energy of fusion) in order to intercept high energy neutrons, protecting the vessel structure, breeding tritium fuel (by nuclear reactions with lithium) and enabling the extraction of fusion power for electricity generation.

The underlying technology remains relatively untested. CHIMERA will not simulate fusion neutron irradiation, nor will it test irradiated components, but by performing "semi-integral" testing in CHIMERA in parallel with advanced numerical simulation and digital twinning, the hope is to accelerate qualification of designs for fusion.

Damon Johnstone, Head of UKAEA Yorkshire, said: "This is a huge milestone for Fusion Technology and represents the sustained efforts of the Jacobs and UKAEA team to make this ground-breaking capability a reality. The collaborative approach adopted is exemplary – we have the foundations of a high performing project. We are moving forward with pace and I have full confidence we have the team to deliver."

UKAEA Yorkshire and the CHIMERA machine are planned to come online in February 2022.

UKAEA website

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News: Charity unveils plans for new multimillion pound facility

Paces, already a specialist in conductive education, has announced plans to build a new purpose-built home on the Waverley development in Rotherham.

A major fundraising campaign to allow the project to move forwards is launching and, subject to planning permission and other contracts being signed, it is hoped the new build can open in September 2022.

Sheffield-based Paces is a specialist centre, school and charity all rolled into one where the focus is on supporting children, adults and families living with Cerebral Palsy and Motor Disorders. Conductive education is a holistic package of educational support that aims to help children and adults obtain the greatest level of independence through a range of supportive physical interventions.

Outgrowing its current campus at High Green and being at full capacity, Paces has specifically designed a new centre at Waverley to meet the needs of the charity and school and provide a UK-hub for developments in conductive education.

The site is Yorkshire's largest brownfield redevelopment, with owner and developer, Harworth Group plc delivering a new community of 3,890 homes.

A new state-of-the-art purpose built facility has been designed to include a 64 FTE place school (creating both full time and part time SEN places – supporting up to 80 school children) and an outreach and "in-reach" programme for 0-4's supporting 28 children.

In addition, an assisted living facility for 20 individuals would provide ten adult assisted living overnight places and ten children assisted living overnight places.

A 12-place adult day service and an adult sessional programme supporting 100+ people each week is also included as are hydrotherapy facilities.

The site would also create a hub for the community to use alongside the charity – to place Paces at the heart of the development and the residents and employees who live, work and visit the area.

Designed by Sheffield architects Race Cottam Associates, and building on work started by Sheffield University Masters Architecture Team, the modern development aims to be interactive and imaginative, stimulating and calming with a connection to nature.

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Dr Spencer Pitfield, chief executive of Paces, said: "We're proud to have been at the forefront of the development of conductive education but we know that there is more demand for our care than we are currently able to support.

"Moving to a new site, still at the heart of South Yorkshire, will be a big change for us – we're proud of our High Green roots – but we need to make the leap to turn our vision of a National Centre of Excellence for Conductive Education a reality."

Paces Patron, Professor Rosemary Varley from University College London, added: "Paces is an inspiring place and I know the difference the work they do already makes to those living with Cerebral Palsy and motor disorders.

"Neuroscience research is revealing new ways we can enhance the capabilities of children and adults with neurological impairments. The new developments at Paces will support children and adults in achieving their potential, but also enable research into effective interventions. Conductive education has the power to change lives so it is absolutely right we should have a National Centre of Excellence and this vision of the future is hugely exciting. I look forward to see it become a reality."

Paces website

Images: Paces / Race Cottam

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News: AMRC 3D print protective face shields for NHS workers

Thousands of protective face visors to help keep frontline NHS workers safe in the fight against Covid-19 are being made by a team at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Engineers from the AMRC's Design and Prototyping Group (DPG) have responded to the national call to produce more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers by using technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting to make up to 1,000 face visors per week.

The shop floor at the centre, on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, has been transformed into an assembly production line and the team worked tirelessly over the Easter weekend to deliver the first batch of 934 protective face shields to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital on Easter Monday. An additional 1,000 visors were on there way to the Northern General Hospital the following week.

Joe Palmer, the Senior Design and Development Engineer who is leading the AMRC's response, said the team had coordinated its efforts with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to ensure visors are being delivered to the local hospitals with the greatest need.

He said: "We know these visors are needed now and not in a few weeks' time, so we’re really pleased that we were able to get almost 1,000 out of the door by Monday and into the hands of the frontline NHS workers who so desperately need them in order to stay protected as they battle this deadly virus to save lives.

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"When the visors were delivered to the medical stores department at the Hallamshire Hospital, everyone there was really appreciative and that was a real boost for our team.

"The AMRC is so grateful to those who have stepped up to help. It's not just been technical staff from the design team - we’ve had everyone from receptionists, composites engineers and senior project managers volunteer to help with the assembly.

"The manufacture of these visors has required an enormous amount of effort from a great many people and I want to thank everyone involved. People have been working in shifts for the past 12 days, working over the Easter weekend and on Easter Monday to make sure we could get this crucial kit to healthcare workers. It certainly would not have been possible without such a great team."

Craig Roberts, Head of the Design and Prototyping Group, added: "My hat goes off to everyone involved. The team has done a fantastic job and it's very humbling to see how quickly, safely, and effectively the AMRC can rise to a challenge."

The request for help to make face visors came less than a fortnight ago as demand for vital PPE kit for healthcare workers continued to grow nationwide.

Joe, who also teaches the next generation of engineers at the AMRC Training Centre, also on the AMP, quickly pulled together a team to see how the AMRC could help meet the national need by using advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, also known as additive manufacture (AM).

But before they could fire up the printers and begin the rapid manufacture and assembly of face shields, they first had to choose a suitable design, carry out test prints, source material and transform the workshop into an assembly line - all while maintaining the necessary social distancing and personal hygiene measures for coronavirus, as well as the usual fire marshal and first aid cover.

Another problem was getting hold of the clear film material for the actual visor, called PETG.


Last week Rothbiz reported on the AMRC's key role in the national response to Covid-19, helping Ventilator Challenge UK to produce an additional 50,000 ventilators for the NHS.

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse's backing for NHS heroes on display

Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse is in Coronavirus lockdown, but it is proud to be supporting the nation's NHS heroes and heroines.

The Grade I listed mansion is the latest UK landmark to become a beacon of the public's appreciation for NHS staff working through the pandemic.

To back the nationwide "Clap For Our Carers" campaign, its iconic facade, which is longer than Buckingham Palace, went NHS blue - with a huge health service logo centre-stage.

The house is closed and the 52 staff employed by the Preservation Trust (WWPT), which bought the house in 2017, have had to be furloughed.

But everyone, including the Trust's 212 volunteers, have been joining in the nation's rousing Thursday night mass applause from the safety of their own front gardens. For three employees, that means stepping onto the manion's lawns, as they live on the premises.

Supporters are urged not to head to Wentworth, though; for the sake of safety, the big light-up has already taken place and images and videos will go out via WWPT's social media posts at 8pm every Thursday.

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Adam Nicholson, of Manvers and  Phil Cooper, of Brampton Bierlow, who run DJ and lighting firm PA Entertainments, regularly light up the house for weddings and events and came up with the idea.

Sarah McLeod, the CEO of WWPT, said: "We thought it was wonderful. Everyone is indebted to the dedication of frontline NHS staff dealing with life and death on a daily basis, and other key workers risking their health just to do their jobs.

"We are a charity facing a huge struggle for survival during the pandemic, but we felt it was really important to demonstrate our support for them."

Adam, sales manager with North Anston-based Eagle Platforms,added: "Phil and I have been joining in Clap for Our Carers from our homes and have seen how much it brings people together.

"I'm on furlough from my day job and was laid in the garden when a plan came to me to get the house involved. It’s been done on buildings across the country and in this part of the world, everyone loves Wentworth Woodhouse, so I rang Phil, who is a key worker himself and we worked out how to do it."

Adam and dad of two Phil, a DPD courier, worked into the night to get the perfect image, which was captured by Andy Bernard of Video and Memories and photographer Joanne Heywood, of Creative Images.

Phil said: "If anyone saw a blue glow over Wentworth on Wednesday, that was us!"

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News: Gala Tent wins contract to supply new Nightingale Hospital

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has won the contract to supply thirty six large commercial emergency tents to be used as drive-through test stations at the recently opened Nightingale Hospital at the NEC exhibition complex in Birmingham, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

The latest deal sees the tents used on entry to the emergency hospital to provide preliminary testing to those admitted and will form a vital part of the operation which is being installed by global construction giant Interserve.

Jason Mace Managing Director at Gala Tent, said: "It's no secret that Covid-19 is hitting the personal and professional lives of every person in Britain and the wider world, so there’s little pleasure in knowing what the tents will be used for, as we all wish it wasn't necessary at all, but there’s huge pride in knowing that Gala Tent has contributed in such a significant way to fighting this horrible virus."

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The NEC Nightingale is the second such hospital to be built in the UK to help the NHS cope with a massive increase in Covid-19 related cases with the peak still yet to come, but it is the first to use Gala Tents in this way. It is the biggest such project that Gala Tent has been involved in during the pandemic, but just the latest of many that the company has supplied to, following Farnham Hospital's own testing station being launched last week.

Ryan Bracha, Business Development Manager at Gala Tent, said: "It's definitely bittersweet, but I'm really proud of the guys who went out of their way at the last minute to get in and get everything ready for dispatch. I was in Birmingham personally dropping off some other essential items that were needed at short notice, so I've seen what's going on in the grounds of the NEC, and the scale of the thing is immense. Interserve crews are working 24/7 to get it finished so more lives can be saved."

The overall site includes testing zones, an initial 500 emergency hospital beds, potentially raising to 5000 if necessary, and a mortuary. It is intended that the site will accept patients when local hospitals reach capacity, ensuring that treatment is delivered in the best place possible at all times.

Paul Cunnington, Project Manager at Interserve, said: "We've all pushed hard to get everything finished as soon as possible so that the hospital could begin to accept patients and lives could be saved. We got the tents up in a matter of hours, which was important as we didn’t have the luxury of a few days to erect a larger structure and Gala Tent was able to deliver."

Gala Tent website

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News: AMRC's key role in ventilator challenge

Futuristic headsets programmed to enable skilled aerospace and automotive production line operatives to rapidly switch to the manufacture of 10,000 life-saving medical ventilators were rushed from the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Rotherham to sites across the UK last week at the same time as its recently opened R&D facility in North Wales was turned into a production facility for the devices.

Rothbiz reported at the start of April on the engineers based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham that are working together with other businesses from across the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors, to produce medical ventilators for the UK.

The AMRC explains that the augmented reality equipment is critical to the success of a powerful industrial consortium which has come together to accelerate the production of thousands of ventilators before the Covid-19 pandemic reaches its peak and risks overwhelming the ability of NHS doctors and nurses to treat a sudden surge in patients suffering from the virus.

The industrial consortium, Ventilator Challenge UK, came together after the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, made a plea for an additional 50,000 ventilators to be delivered to the NHS within a matter of weeks.

Professor Rab Scott, Head of Digital at the AMRC, said: "What we are seeing in South Yorkshire and in North Wales is part of a truly nationwide and global response to the Covid-19 pandemic."

Under the leadership of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, the AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC, are at the heart of a multi-faceted campaign to deliver the additional ventilators. The AMRC is a network of world-leading research and innovation centres working with manufacturing companies of any size from around the globe. It has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, as does the Nuclear AMRC.

Dick Elsy, CEO of the HVM Catapult, which has seven centres across the UK including the AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC, said: "What we are seeing here is a truly collaborative, international effort, with the best and brightest engineering and manufacturing brains coming together to rally all their resources in response to the distress signal from the NHS."

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Within hours of the Prime Minister laying down his ventilator challenge, the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC were taking scores of requests for assistance, not just for ventilators, but also for medical equipment such as face masks and swabs and vials for Covid-19 test kits. To make sense of this, the Nuclear AMRC generated a communications log to streamline the most appropriate support by identifying those with the capability to best produce key products and sub-level components.

Professor Steve Jones, Chief Technology Officer at the Nuclear AMRC, said: "This information was refined and characterised to fit with the government's prescribed classification criteria. In the two weeks following the challenge, the Nuclear AMRC registered over 90 enquiries. These were then filtered to produce a focused and directly tangible suite of proposals to assess support from both within the Nuclear AMRC, the AMRC, our stakeholder community and the Fit for Nuclear supply-chain network."

To enable rapid acceleration of production at AMRC Cymru in Broughton in North Wales, HoloLens headsets will be used to fast track the training of operatives, while allowing them to keep a safe distance from one another in line with Covid-19 guidance. Microsoft tasked Professor Scott with coordinating their deployment across the country in the response to the government's Ventilator Challenge. The high-tech equipment – initially designed for use in gaming –- will be delivered with additional software provided by an AMRC partner, the US-based global augmented reality specialist PTC.

Professor Scott, added: "HoloLens and mobile devices will run PTC's Vuforia Expert Capture app to create and share training content, giving workers guided instructions in how to set up the new production processes needed to make the ventilators. In addition, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Remote Assist will offer hands-free video calling on the HoloLens to let operators collaborate with experts on a PC or mobile device, harnessing immersive digital tech to tackle a real-world pandemic."

Rather than putting wearers of the headset in a fully computer-generated world, as virtual reality does, HoloLens allows users to place 3D digital models in the room alongside them; users can walk around the objects they create and interact with them using gestures, gaze and voice.

At the same time as Professor Scott was putting the finishing touches to the HoloLens deployment, the AMRC's Machining Group, was scrambling staff working from home back to the Factory of the Future shop floor to make critical components based on designs from Luton-based Smiths Medical, to scale-up its tried-and-tested ventilators, already used in hospitals and ambulances.

Phil Kirkland, Interim Head for the Machining Group, said: "It was an incredible team effort and shows just how agile and responsive we can be, even in the middle of a global lockdown.

"With just four days to turn things around, a ten-strong team including essential maintenance, first aid and fire marshal cover worked to a combination of 2D drawings and 3D models with support provided remotely by engineering and management staff."

Component parts were manufactured from aluminium and brass supported by Sheffield-based Ian Cocker Precision Engineering.

Kirkland added: "Further work was carried out over the weekend verifying critical parts from 3D models to the 2D drawings to ensure that there were no discrepancies. This work was carried out remotely by a team of six engineers from the Machining Group, Integrated Manufacturing Group, the Design and Prototype Group and the Nuclear AMRC,"

The products proved out by the AMRC and the Nuclear AMRC will now be manufactured at assembly sites across the UK.

AMRC website
Nuclear AMRC website

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News: Auction firm looking long term at Maltby site

Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of heavy equipment and trucks, has signed a legal agreement with Rotherham Council so that planning permission can granted for its new UK auction site at Maltby.

Rothbiz reported last year that plans had been submitted for permanent approval to use part of the Maltby Colliery site. Temporary approval was previously granted to enable 4.7 hectares of the pit yard at the mothballed colliery to be used as an auction site which could accommodate large plant, machinery and equipment when auction events would be held up to ten times per year.

Ritchie Bros. will primarily use the existing site infrastructure, including the entrance security building, weighbridge and wheel wash along with hardstanding areas.

It is expected that the Ritchie Bros. auctions will create approximately 30 full time jobs and result in a multi-million investment program including the modification of an existing building to form an auction theatre, construction of a new check-in building and use of the existing workshop.

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Lee Weatherall, planning and development manager at landowner, Hargreaves Land, said: "We are delighted that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council have approved and issued this planning consent which will deliver important economic benefits.

"From the outset we engaged with key stakeholders to prepare the application as part of a longer term plan to create jobs and bring investment to the local area."

Ritchie Bros. works with many local service providers and suppliers to operate the Maltby auctions. In addition, customers from around the world attend the auctions and utilise the goods and services of airlines, car hires, rental cars, hotels, restaurants and more.

Due to COVID-19, all auctions are now online bidding only. The next Rotherham auction is scheduled for June 4 and 5.

Ritchie Bros. website
Hargreaves Land website



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News: Call to support businesses that "fall between the gaps"

Sheffield City Region (SCR) Mayor Dan Jarvis MP has called on the Government to provide support for businesses who currently fall between the gaps of their rescue packages in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Mayor Jarvis has written to Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, urging the Government to ensure that all businesses across the region are able to access help where needed.

A number of measures addressing business rates and a Job Retention Scheme were announced last month and the Government went on to announce a direct cash grant for the the self-employed of 80% of their profits, up to £2,500 per month.

In South Yorkshire, many businesses are smaller traders or self-employed, and two challenges have emerged since the Coronavirus, putting their survival at risk.

The first is facing small, pop-up firms who do not own the property they occupy, such as coffee shops and independent retailers in business centres, university innovation parks, markets and food courts, and independent co-working spaces, who are missing out on grants.

This is because they are not eligible for grants other businesses receive directly, due to them paying fees for the space they use rather than business rates. Many are also too new to access the scheme offered to self-employed workers – meaning they fall between gaps in Government schemes. This includes businesses operating in places such as Rotherham's Old Town Hall.

The second is self-employed workers in South Yorkshire whose operating profits are too low for them to be eligible for support. These people are in a more precarious position because they are operating in sectors that are lower paid, less secure and less resilient, such as home decorating, beauticians and cleaning. Even those eligible face an unacceptable three-month wait for support to arrive.

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Dan Jarvis said: "I am working around the clock to support jobs and businesses across South Yorkshire during this incredibly challenging time for our economy.

"That's why I established the South Yorkshire COVID-19 Economic Response Group to bring the region's major institutions together to plan our economic recovery from the virus.

"The Government has taken substantial measures to try and ensure the survival of businesses. However, we know many firms in South Yorkshire are going to fall through the gaps of support.

"I'm pressing the Government to close the gaps urgently. I believe local leaders are best placed to do this, but we need Government to act quickly where issues arise.

"Every hour matters. Otherwise we risk seeing South Yorkshire small businesses, entrepreneurs and hard-working sole traders going to the wall.

"The Government must ensure their support programmes are robust, accessible and support all businesses who need it."

Recommended reading: Where Do Online Casinos Fit in the UK’s Digital Economy?

Lucy Nickson, Vice-Chair of the SCR Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "Across the region, hundreds of sole-traders, self-employed people, and those with pop-up businesses are facing a time of huge uncertainty, with unprecedented challenges ahead.

"It is of immense importance for the government to plug the gaps in their support schemes and make sure that as many businesses as possible survive this crisis, to protect livelihoods and the wider economy."

SCR website

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News: Dental practice in Rotherham sold

It's smiles all round at Royd House Dental Practice in Rotherham which has new owners.

Royd House is a mixed-income dental practice that has been established for more than 75 years. The practice on Doncaster Gate enjoys a prominent position in Rotherham town centre. The practice has a significantly established NHS core, and invites the new owner to continue this legacy while also driving private revenue.

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, was brought in and the practice was sold from a guide price of £1.35m for the leasehold interest.

Royd House Dental Practice was brought to market by its three owners; two of which are planning their retirement. The third Principal, Dr Maddock, who is looking to remain working at Royd House long term, said that he was "… looking forward to working with the new owner as soon as we get back to normal working."

Ken Davies, a former Principle at the practice, said: "Even though I found the process of selling our expense-sharing practice quite challenging, with a number of ups and downs along the way, I am very grateful that Christie & Co found us a buyer we were happy to sell the practice to. I feared the worst with the uncertainty caused by the onset of the pandemic, but with a mammoth effort by all concerned, I was delighted to see the purchase completed on April the first!"

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Dr Jonathan Schonberg, who purchased the practice through Christie & Co, is a multiple operator who owns several dental practices across Yorkshire and the Midlands. Commenting on his latest acquisition, Dr Schonberg said: "We are delighted to have acquired Royd House Dental Practice in Rotherham. The practice has a strong NHS base, and we look forward to working with Steve Maddock to be able to also offer our patients private options in the future and continue as a FD training practice."

Jonathan Watson, Director (Medical) at Christie & Co, who managed the sale along with colleague Carl Steer, added: "Working with expense-sharing partners with different goals and timeframes can be challenging, so it is satisfying when a deal can be brokered which suits all parties. It’s also great to see the buyer appetite here, and to be able to assist on the sale of an NHS dental practice despite the current climate."

Christie & Co website

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News: Stelrad looking to expand Rotherham facility

Stelrad, the UK's leading manufacturer of stylish modern radiators, is hoping to extend its current facility in Rotherham after a sustained period of growth.

The company was founded in 1936 manufacturing steel column radiators from a purpose built factory in Southall. It now operates from facilities in both Nuth (The Netherlands) and in Mexborough (UK). The Swinton site handles the UK radiators business, coordinating an advanced production and distribution operation that spans a 17 acre site.

Since the warehouse was build in 2002/2003, The £70m turnover firm has grown its market share from a third to around half of the UK market. Stelrad puts this down to the efficiency of the warehousing and distribution facility. The growth has however resulted in increased pressure on the facility and to relive this pressure, more warehousing capacity is required.

Stelrad is now looking to squeeze every inch out of the site, which is home to around 165 staff.

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A recently submitted planning application for a 5,000 sq ft extension, drawn up by Topping Engineers, states: "The site at Mexborough is fairly restricted with limited space available for any new buildings however there are two areas of concrete hardstanding at either end of an existing canopy which are under-utilised.

"These areas would facilitate a warehouse extensions to be built. These extensions would be of modest scale compared to the existing building but would offer significant additional bulk storage. The extra capacity will assist in allowing the business to maintain its current levels of customer service and to continue its growth."

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News: Rotherham glazing firm undone by problems with major projects

The reasons why cracks started to appear and Facade & Glazing Solutions UK Ltd (FGS) ceased to trade have been revealed by the administrators.

Problems with major projects caused cashflow issues, and when a lending facility expired, the Rotherham-based firm went into administration at the start of 2020.

Employing around 200 staff and originally part of a large French multinational company, it rebranded from Sologlas in 2012 and brought together three separate operating divisions into its 65,000 sq ft premises at Manvers in Rotherham in 2011. In 2018, CoBe Capital, acquired the Glassolutions Installation business of the Saint-Gobain Group.

Anthony Barrell and Rajnesh Mittal of FRP Advisory LLP, were appointed as joint administrators on January 6. In their documents filed with Companies House it shows that following the 2018 acquisition, the management reviewed the trading activities of the business and decided to close the insurance arm and the regional projects business based in the south.

The documents state: "However, despite the refocus of trading activities, the company continued to experience cashflow pressure primarily due to: delays and issues with major projects acquired from Saint Gobain Glass, together with new major projects taken on by the company resulting in reduced profit margins; reducing major project work as the company did not win new tenders; increasing creditor pressure given it was a new company."

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The cash position worsened and directors sought funding but none could be secured. In October 2019, Vanadium, a connected party set up by the ultimate owners to lend funds, provided a £1.5m working capital loan. Despite the new funding, the company continued to suffer cashflow pressures.

A turnaround plan was devised but it was apparent that the company would still be loss making, even with the loan and a radical plan to cut costs and make a number of redundancies.

Workers found out over the Christmas shutdown that the firm would be going into administration. Most employees were made redundant.

At the start of February it was announced that Alucraft Systems, Ireland's leading designer, manufacturer and installer of architectural glazing systems, had acquired certain assets including the fabrication facility in Rotherham. The documents show that a deal worth £250,000 secured the regional projects, and repairs and maintenance divisions.

The major projects division was not acquired and leaves the administrators with a number of challenging contracts.

With assets available of just under £4m and creditors owed some £9.5m, many will be left out of pocket. Unsecured creditors totalled £6.7m and redundancy pay totalled £2.4m.

Images: FGS

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News: SCR Growth Hub ramps up advice service

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) is stepping up its efforts to help businesses across South Yorkshire, so they can access support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCR Growth Hub is the gateway for businesses to access specialist support. It has received increasing numbers of enquiries as people look for guidance on Government business support schemes.

A dedicated webpage which outlines all of the schemes announced, who is eligible for each, what the scheme is worth, how to apply, and who the scheme is operated by.

SCR has written directly to more than 7,500 of the region's businesses offering guidance during an unprecedented challenge for the economy.

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Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: "We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis any of us have faced. The Coronavirus also presents a massive challenge to our regional economy and I’m working around the clock to protect jobs and businesses across South Yorkshire.

"We know one of the biggest challenges facing firms is knowing what help is on offer and being able to access this quickly. That’s why I have put additional resources into the Growth Hub, so businesses of all sizes and from across South Yorkshire can get the help and advice they need.

"I am in regular contact with the Government to ensure South Yorkshire has what it needs to deal with Coronavirus. This week I convened the South Yorkshire COVID-19 Response Group, working with the region's anchor institutions, to coordinate our economic response together, as well as working closely with the other Metro Mayors around the country.

"There will be challenging days ahead, but I am determined that we build a prosperous future for our workers and businesses when the worst is over."

James Muir, chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: "The Mayor, the LEP and the Growth Hub are doing everything we can to protect our economy from the Coronavirus during this difficult time.

"The Coronavirus has brought about extraordinary upheaval and challenges for all businesses; from international manufacturers, to small limited companies, and the self-employed.

"Our Growth Hub is on hand for those who need guidance, advice and help working through the myriad of business support schemes that have been announced. I would urge any business, no matter how big or how small, to visit our website, get in touch, and make sure they get the support they need."

SCR Growth Hub website

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News: Government grants reach Rotherham businesses

£3.4m was granted to Rotherham businesses as the first companies receive support under a business grants scheme to support those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

As part of a raft of unprecedented measures thousands of high street firms are beginning to receive £25,000 cash grants and will be exempt from business rates.

The first 345 businesses in Rotherham received their grants this week.

Eligible properties, including those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, will not pay business rates for the next 12 months. The smallest businesses in these sectors are also beginning to receive one off grants of either £10,000 or £25,000. The business rates holiday also applies to England's nurseries.

An early payment of £3.4 billion was made to local authorities last week to ensure grants would get to businesses as soon as possible.

Rotherham Council said that it would recalculate and reissue the relevant business rates bills automatically for those businesses already getting retail relief, therefore, these businesses don't need to do anything. Businesses who are not currently in receipt of any retail relief, will need to fill out a claim which can be done online.

£3.4m is on its way to the first 345 Rotherham businesses under the business grants scheme as of today - and hundreds more payments will be made this week. If you're the owner of an eligible business, make sure you claim the support you're entitled to: https://t.co/e8cFJe2zej

— Chris Read (@christophe_read) March 31, 2020

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: "High street businesses are at the core of what keeps our economy thriving.

"That is why we are taking the unprecedented step to provide businesses with the vital cash they need to ensure their survival during this difficult time."

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Business Secretary Alok Sharma, added: "Business rates can often be one of the main fixed costs for small companies up and down the country, which is why today's suspension of business rates for retailers and our hospitality and leisure industries will offer much-needed support in these challenging times.

"The rates relief and grants are in addition to the government’s wide-ranging support for the economy. This includes the government paying the wages of millions of employed and self-employed people by covering 80% of monthly incomes through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme."

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