News: New Rotherham restaurant fired up for opening

A new Rotherham restaurant is waiting to see if it will be allowed to open as planned next week.

Rothbiz revealed in September that The Big Smoke was taking on the former Florence Nightingale pub at Moorgate, which was most recently Modern China.

Operators recently set a date for opening of December 4.

But as we move out of a second national lockdown, the Government has announced that England will instead continue to use a sensible approach based on three tiers.

And if Rotherham and South Yorkshire are placed in the "very high alert" tier, as it was in October, it would mean that Big Smoke and other restaurants would be unable to operate as normal. In Tier 3, hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed but they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.

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A post on the Big Smoke Facebook page yesterday explained that they were waiting for the announcement today before making any decisions on what to do moving forward.

Before becoming "The Florence," the building and the site on the edge of Rotherham town centre links back to the former Moorgate Hospital, and before that the Rotherham Workhouse. It is within the Moorgate Conservation Area.

With a 4,600 sq ft ground floor, the transformed restaurant has recently launched its menu which features a range of burger with names such as "Return of the Mac" and "The Porky Peppered Pig." Seven types of steaks are joined by ribs, chicken, brisket and "The Yorkshire Sarnie."

Another new Rotherham restaurant, Rancheros, is also hoping to open next week at Stag.

Big Smoke website

Images: Big Smoke / Facebook

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News: McLaren's all-new Artura first to feature Rotherham-made platform

McLaren Automotive has announced that its next launch model, the Artura, will be powered by a hybrid engine, and it will also be the first car to be built on an all-new platform architecture manufactured in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year on the supercar firm's introduction of an all-new, flexible, lightweight vehicle architecture which will underpin its next generation of electrified supercars. And that they will be made in Rotherham.

The McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) was opened on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham in 2018. The new architecture, designed specifically to accommodate new hybrid powertrains, has been entirely engineered, developed and produced in-house in the UK at the 75,000 sq ft site which has enabled the company to innovate and produce lightweight carbon fibre "tubs."

The Artura marks the beginning of a new era for the pioneering British company. The Artura is McLaren's first High-Performance Hybrid series production supercar.

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The first car to be built on an all-new, platform architecture optimised for electrification and designed and manufactured in the UK at the MCTC, the Artura furthers McLaren's commitment to super-lightweight engineering principles that have their roots in motorsport.

The additional mass of the High-Performance Hybrid system has been largely offset by the application of weight-saving technologies throughout the chassis, body and powertrain. Additionally, the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) at the heart of the Artura not only enables the car's class-leading weight advantage, it is also the base for the dynamic excellence inherent in every McLaren.

Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer at McLaren Automotive, said: "Every element of the Artura is all-new – from the platform architecture and every part of the High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, to the exterior body, interior and cutting-edge driver interface – but it draws on decades of McLaren experience in pioneering super-lightweight race and road car technologies to bring all of our expertise in electrification to the supercar class."

The new Artura marks the debut of an all-new compact twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, designed to combine with an electric motor in a new lightweight High-Performance Hybrid powertrain that retains the performance benefits of McLaren’s larger capacity V8 engines and has the additional attraction of improved torque response at low engine speeds to deliver scintillating acceleration. The Artura can also run on electric power alone for everyday emission-free urban journeys.

McLaren website

Images: McLaren

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News: How Rotherham businesses can claim Covid 19 support grants

Rotherham businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions in South Yorkshire can now access financial support through the Council’s online application process.

Businesses that needed to close under tier 2, tier 3, or the current national lockdown rules and who pay business rates are entitled to support under the government's national scheme. Further support is also available for businesses in sectors that remained open but were severely impacted.

Many businesses that have received Covid-19 funding via Rotherham Council earlier this year will be contacted directly so they can receive payments from the new schemes automatically, without needing to re-apply (emails have been issued to those automatically paid). Others can find advice on the Council's website.

In addition, cash-limited funding of £30m is available across South Yorkshire for other business required to close, but which do not pay business rates. This discretionary local funding is available through the same application process.

The local grants will be distributed across South Yorkshire to help businesses and self-employed traders that pay rent (or other fixed costs) of at least £1,500 a year in sectors including leisure, hospitality, personal care, community venues and non-essential retail.

Some businesses will be eligible for support of more than one type. To simplify the process for business owners, Rotherham Council has set up a single application system from which it will assess businesses’ combined eligibility across all the grants available and calculate their total payment.

Councillor Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Finance at Rotherham Council, said: “We are pleased to make funding available to businesses that pay rent, as well those that pay businesses rates. But these businesses need to be aware this is a limited, one-off fund covering the whole of South Yorkshire.

"We want businesses in Rotherham to get as much support as possible. We urge them to check whether they’re eligible and apply as soon as possible, while funds are available.”

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Councillor Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, added: “The impact of Covid-19 has highlighted to us all just how important local businesses are - not just for our economic prosperity, but also for the social and community benefits they provide.

"We are working with Sheffield City Region on further localised support for businesses that have been impacted, using the limited remaining funding we have, and we hope to be in a position to announce more information about this soon.”

To qualify for one or more of the grants now available, a business must have been:

- open as usual before the restrictions came into force
- registered for business rates at the premises on Tuesday 13 October 2020, or able to demonstrate fixed business costs (eg rent)
- providing services in person to customers from the premises
- affected by the local restrictions imposed on a specified list of sectors.

Full details and an online application form for the current grants can be found on the Council's website.

Images: RMBC

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News: New plans for "Heart of the Community" at Waverley

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for development and investment, has unveiled new plans for a new mixed-use scheme which is set to form the heart of the community at its flagship Waverley development in Rotherham.

Called Olive Lane, the plans comprise retail uses, a gym, offices, restaurants and cafes, a supermarket, a medical centre, community space, a bus hub and residential development, designed to create a vibrant centre for local people. It is proposed to be developed on around ten acres of land that sits between the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and the site’s existing residential area.

The proposals have been designed by Harworth in close collaboration with Coda Architecture, PWPDesign and BE Design. They seem to mark the end of a Harworth and Dransfield Properties joint venture and thier £50m proposals for a local centre that were approved in 2017.

The centre will support Waverley's burgeoning resident population, which currently numbers over 2,500 people, in addition to the 2,000 workers at the AMP where occupiers include Rolls-Royce, McLaren Automotive and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

Harworth is now sharing its plans with residents and workers ahead of the submission of a planning application in 2021. It is also actively seeking expressions of interest from potential occupiers to add to the growing list of interested parties wanting to take space at the proposed development.

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Waverley is Yorkshire’s largest brownfield redevelopment, with outline planning consent in place for 3,890 homes and 2 million sq. ft of commercial space. To date over 1,000 homes have been built by Barratt Homes, Harron, Taylor Wimpey, Avant and Skyhouse, alongside 1.5 million sq. ft of commercial space predominantly for advanced manufacturing. Other local facilities have also been developed on-site, including a new primary school that opened in September 2020.

Waverley also sits at the heart of the region’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID). This district spans over 2,000 acres and is a major contributor to the rebalancing of the UK through its businesses developing research-led, technology-based solutions in sectors as varied as aerospace, defence, transportation, nuclear, low-carbon energy and healthcare technologies.

Duncan Armstrong-Payne, associate director – major projects, at Harworth Group plc, said: "The importance of strong communities and the need for liveable, walkable neighbourhoods is central to our vision at Waverley, which has been reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our proposal for Olive Lane brings together a high-density mix of uses with an emphasis on high-quality design and finish, providing the facilities that local residents and workers at the AMP rightfully expect.

"Our continued investment at Waverley also supports the Government’s rebalancing programme, along with its desire to "Build Back Better". I am looking forward to consulting with residents and workers before submitting our planning application early in the new year."

Richard Petyt, partner at Knight Frank, added: "This is a really exciting project to be involved with and we are delighted to be working alongside Harworth Group. The Olive Lane development has great potential to create a high-quality retail and leisure environment and to provide the much-needed facilities to ensure the area works as a viable, vibrant and dynamic community.

"These facilities will further attract new residents and businesses to live and work at the development and also encourage sustainable patterns of shopping and service within the heart of a genuinely sustainable community."

Harworth website

Images: Harworth / Coda

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News: Deal closed for industrial door specialist at Rotherham

Complete Shutter Services Ltd are set to open a new base in Rotherham having taken a unit at Hellaby.

Acting on behalf of Pullans, the Industrial team at CBRE in Leeds, jointly with Knight Frank Sheffield have completed the letting of a fully refurbished warehouse on Kea Park industrial estate.

Nationwide industrial door specialist, Complete Shutter Services Ltd has taken Unit 4, a 11,000 sq ft detached, modern warehouse on a new ten year lease. The unit includes two-storey office accommodation, as well as a secure yard area and 25 car parking spaces on the well-established Hellaby industrial estate.

Based out of Sheffield for 30 years with a site in London, the company designs, manufactures, installs and services door systems for clients including M&S, Homebase, BP, Shell, The Co-op & Decathlon. The new Rotherham unit supports the company’s continued growth plans.

Paul Quealey, managing director at CSS Ltd, said: "The unit was refurbed to a high standard and Pullans were very easy to deal with. The location for us being a national contractor is ideal with the motorway links and travel to our other unit in Harlow, Essex is now easier. The layout of the unit is perfect for our investment in a new production facility which should be up and running by Christmas. We look forward to working with Pullans going forward."

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The landlord has also fully renovated the adjacent unit 3, a 16,000 sq ft warehouse on Kea Park, Hellaby industrial estate, which is available for immediate occupation.

Situated on Kea Park Close, the unit has excellent motorway connectivity, provided via Junction 1 of the nearby M18, which in turn connects to the M1 at J32. Rotherham town centre is just 5 miles to the west and Sheffield city centre is circa 9 miles to the south west.

Sophie Angus, associate director at CBRE Leeds, said: "Despite the pandemic, the industrial market has been robust in South Yorkshire. We are delighted to complete this deal with a well-established and growing local enterprise. The revamped space is very appealing to occupiers who remain interested in the region, given its strong fundamentals with excellent connectivity to the road network, ports and accessibly to the nearby available workforce."

Bruce Strachan, property director at Pullans, added: "We are very pleased to play our part in helping CSS with their expansion plans. They have been very professional throughout the process and we wish them every success going forward."

CSS Ltd website

Images: CBRE

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News: Massive M18 development set for planning approval

Outline plans for a large distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham are being recomended for approval.

Applicants believe that, if approved, "Interchange Park" could be home to over 1,000 jobs.

A number of objections have been received against the new use for the former greenbelt land.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that plans were being drafted for 16 hectares of agricultural land at Cumwell Lane, Hellaby, near J1 of the M18. Applications for residential development were refused planning permission in the 1960s and early 1970s.

The application from Stretton Denman Ltd is due to be discussed at the next meeting of Rotherham Council's planning board and updated information regarding the transport impact and access seems to have appeased council officers and Highways England.

The scheme is for 722,000 sq ft of new employment floorspace (Class B1b&c/B2 and B8) and up to 54,000 sq ft of ancillary office use floorspace (Class B1a), along with an HGV fuelling station and lorry washing facilities.

There is no end user identifield but the plans state that: "Based on the maximum capacity of the proposed development, the proposals have the potential to deliver 1,119 full time equivalent employment opportunities."

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Earlier this year, the applicants submitted further details explaining that: "There has been extensive dialogue with both Highways England (HE) and Rotherham Council's Transportation Team regarding both Highway capacity and Site Access Strategy. Further to considerable discussions with both parties, agreement has now been reached regarding Highway capacity and the Site Access Strategy."

The planned improvement scheme would allow for a right turn into Cumwell Lane from Bawtry Road (travelling in an easterly direction from the M18), this would be via a dedicated lane with two lanes alongside this lane allowing for traffic to move straight ahead only to the roundabout.

Travelling in a westerly direction on Bawtry Road, Cumwell Lane will be accessed from the nearside lane which allows for vehicles turning to the left or continuing straight ahead to the M18.

In terms of exiting Cumwell Lane to Bawtry Road, vehicles will only be able to turn left. A traffic island will prevent any unauthorised movements.

Some road marking alterations are planned at the M18 junction in a bid to reduce delays.

Letters of objection were received from the occupiers of 207 properties along with objections from Hellaby and Bramley Parish Councils, Maltby Town Council, Bramley Action Group, and local MP, Alexander Stafford.

Issues mainly relate to traffic impact and the use of (now, no longer) greenbelt land.

Planners admit that "the highway impact of the development is significant and requires mitigation and sustainable transport measures" but conclude that the proposed conditions such as the traffic scheme and new footways and cycleways on Sandy Lane, mean that the plans should be approved.

The planning board is due to discuss the proposals on November 26.

Images: Stretton / CBRE / M1

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News: Watts the difference when track team turns to precision engineers at The AMRC

A British track cycling team say ground-breaking bicycle parts manufactured at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) could provide the marginal gains they need to break three world records.

HUUB-Wattbike, an independent Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) team based in Derby, have earned an enviable reputation since they burst onto the scene in 2017, employing innovative techniques to unlock incremental improvements on performance.

The pioneering approach to achieving aerodynamic gains has earned the team wins at two World Cups, Commonwealth Games medals and national titles. In 2021, four HUUB-Wattbike riders travel to South America where it is hoped the reduction in air density from high altitude will deliver another marginal gain so they can break the 4km Team Pursuit world record, 4km Individual Pursuit world record and UCI Hour Record.

Founder, rider and engineer, Dan Bigham, said: “Our aim has always been to ride fast and enjoy it. We employ a pragmatic approach to performance; creating and optimising the systems around us within the bounds of our strict financial and competitive constraints.”

In November 2019, a sudden change in UCI regulations meant Bigham needed to quickly redesign the state-of-the-art interface plate which connects the bicycle stem and handlebars. To be ready in time for the December World Cup event in Brisbane, the parts had to be machined in under two weeks from aerospace-grade aluminium.

The aim is to reduce aerodynamic drag, or reduce weight, so that riders need to create less power. The suggestion is that the AMRC upgrade on the interface plate was worth 7-10 watts.

“One of our team partners, Meggitt, are a tier two member of the AMRC,” said Dan. “When we reached out to Meggitt with this project they went straight to the AMRC, knowing just how capable they are at executing unique manufacturing projects to a tight timescale.”

Research Director at the AMRC, Ben Morgan, said: “In the past, the component had a fairly prismatic design and Dan had turned it into an extremely aerodynamically-efficient design. It was full five-axis machining of the part, pulling together materials and programming exceptionally quickly, all to make this small, incremental difference in aerodynamics.”

The AMRC is a partner in the HVM Catapult (the government's strategic initiative that aims to revitalise the manufacturing industry), and focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia, which has become a model for research centres worldwide.

The components were machined on the MORI SEIKI NMV 8000 DCG in the AMRC's Factory of the Future on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

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Dan said those marginal gains were central to their huge achievements at the National Track Championships in January 2020 where the quartet of himself, John Archibald, Jonathan Wale and Will Perrett set a new championship record.

“We had our most successful National Championships yet and the new part machined by the AMRC definitely contributed to that success. The team took the top five spots in the individual pursuit, the top three places in the kilometre time trial and dominated the team pursuit.

“Details matter and having everything as optimised as possible is a big boost. From an equipment performance perspective and a mental perspective, knowing you have every piece of equipment as dialled-in as possible is incredibly powerful.

“The next goal on our journey is to break the 4km Team Pursuit world record, 4km Individual Pursuit world record and UCI Hour Record. We will have the best chance of achieving it in Bolivia and had planned on travelling there in October, but that has now had to be delayed until next year due to Covid-19.

“I'm planning an assault on Bradley Wiggin's sea-level hour record - which is also the British record - as a bit of fun in the meantime.”

With a master’s degree in engineering and a year spent working as an aerodynamicist at Formula 1 team Mercedes AMG Petronas, it was perhaps inevitable that Dan would one day collaborate with the AMRC. A former Great Britain rider, competing at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games, Dan created Wattshop in 2016 to utilise his engineering expertise to develop cycling products.

Ben said the project was a perfect fit between two organisations at the cutting edge of innovation: “There is a definite synergy between our mantras and our ways of working. The mind-set for HUUB-Wattbike is to constantly innovate and optimise, and that is exactly what drives the AMRC forward.

“We can learn from Dan. In terms of some of the thinking, we could learn a lot in the AMRC about mentality and drive to win.”

As Great Britain struggled to maintain their usual dominance in February’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, a competition not open to HUUB-Wattbike or other trade teams, Dan applied that drive to win in his role as performance engineer for the Danish team, helping them set a new world record in the men’s team pursuit.

Dan is still very much part of HUUB-Wattbike though and said the interface plate project could be the start of a long relationship with the AMRC: “We have a few ideas in the pipeline. The AMRC has such great facilities and the engineers there are leading the way on Additive Manufacturing research so we hope to take advantage of that with a few Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) components in the coming months.”

Ben added: “Hopefully this can be the start of a long association between HUUB-Wattbike and the AMRC. Dan has a real passion for innovation and is a real success story; if the AMRC can help to deliver some more aerodynamic wins which help HUUB-Wattbike on their journey, then great.”

HUUB-Wattbike website
AMRC website

Images: AMRC / Huub-Wattbike

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News: New owners mean new direction for historic Rotherham building revamp

A historic Rotherham building that has been a former residence, an exclusive country club and a rehabilitation centre for miners, could be in line for a new use, if updated plans are approved.

Rothbiz has previously reported on Firbeck Hall, which dates back to 1594, where Sophia Property Developments took on the dilapidated property in 2014 and brought forward plans for restoration, reuse and redevelopment. A detailed planning application was submitted to Rotherham Council based around a £6m renovation of parts of the estate to create apartments and the demolition of more modern extensions to be replaced by dwellings.

Restoration work was ongoing but costs have increased as the building was in a worse state than originally thought. One Construction And Building Group Ltd bought the site last year and has now submitted a fresh set of plans.

Local architects, Building Link Design, have been retained and the new proposals are to create luxury retirement apartments for the over 55 age group.

The plans explain: "The Firbeck Hall development will provide homes for over 55's providing a range of 1 2 and 3 bedroom apartments across 3 settings, the hall, The Stables and the new apartment building. Residents will have access to the additional facilities privided throughout the site, consisting of Restaurant / Bistro, Library, Commumnal Lounge, Parlor, Spa, Pool and Gymnadium along with the external bowling green and the extensive grounds.

"The provision of an over 55's residential complex adds a development aimed at a sector of the community for which Rotherham has limited provision."

The main hall, which has been in a poor state of repair, would be reonvated and converted into 22 apartments as well as a communal bar, library and parlour for the residents use. The stable block would also be converted into seven apartments.

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Firbeck Hall is a Grade II listed building that has remained unoccupied since it closed as a hospital in 1990. The whole roof had to be replaced and external stonework has already been cleaned and repointed, with areas damaged reciving a lime render.

In creating the apartments the majority of existing masonry walls are proposed to be retained. The 20th century extensions to the West of the hall are due to be demolished.

A new apartment building consisting of 32 apartments is proposed, with applicants explaining that new build development is needed in order to make the project financially viable.

Also in the plans is a contemporary dwelling within the walled garden and a new building to house a residents pool, spa and gymnasium.

The plans state: "The primary reason for the creation of these dwellings to the rear of the Hall and the dwelling to the Walled Garden is to create the financial means of restoring the hall.

"The previous application included eight large dwellings to the rear of the hall. Having carefully considered the target market it was determined that these dwellings would prove totally out of sync with the over 55's community to be created and would lead to vacant dwellings which would be difficult to sell."

The new planned single storey dwelling is designed to sit within the walled garden at a lower height than the majority of the surrounding walls, "removing any impact on the listed buildings in particular the adjacent stable block."

Applicants add that: "Whilst the building of new dwellings within the green belt and the grounds of a listed building is against policy the extra special cicumstances of their creation far outweighs any negative impact on the area, if anything the new dwellings enhance the setting of the hall."

In 1820 the property was let to the Peech family of the steelmakers Steel, Peech & Tozer of Templeborough in Rotherham. Further additional alterations occurred in 1935 when the hall was opened as a country club. At the outbreak of the Second World War the hall was used by Sheffield Royal Infirmary and the Royal Airforce.

It was later bought by the Miners Welfare Commission for use as a rehabilitation centre for injured miners and was last used as a rehabilitation centre for industrial injuries.

It is the period of ownership under Sheffield Stockbroker Cyril Nicholson that is of most interest. The Firbeck Hall Club opened in 1935 and was described as "one of its kind in the north of England."

Images: One Construction / Building Link Design / Footprint Photography

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News: AESSEAL MD Chris Rea awarded highest accolade by IMechE

Chris Rea, Managing Director of Rotherham based AESSEAL plc, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

IMechE is an independent engineering society working to raise the profile of mechanical engineering. The organisation's highest accolade makes Chris one of an elite group of people who were already Fellows prior to becoming an Honorary Fellow.

The Honorary Fellowship recognises how Chris has grown a small mechanical seals design and manufacturing business with a staff of just five in 1979, to a global group of companies, AES Engineering Ltd, which now operates in 230 locations worldwide, with 1,700 employees and annual sales of £191m. The Templeborough-based company designs and manufactures mechanical seals and support systems.

Dr Colin Brown, Chief Executive of IMechE, said: "Chris has chosen an inspirational career route, being both an economist and engineer.

"His skills and business acumen are shown in how he grew AES Engineering to become a leading manufacturer, developing UK engineering excellence while at the same time promoting a wider interest in science and technology in Yorkshire."

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Chris gained a degree in Economics from Queen’s University Belfast before later qualifying as a Chartered Engineer with the Institution.

He said: "I am humbled to have received this honour, which is the highest accolade you can receive from IMechE. Being a Chartered Engineer and Honorary Fellow is rare and highlights how engineering and entrepreneurship are jointly so important to building the UK’s manufacturing base in the face of global challenges."

Chris is a Deputy Lieutenant for South Yorkshire and was awarded a CBE for services to business, innovation and exports in the 2020 New Year’s Honours. AESSEAL has twice been named Overall Winner in The Manufacturer MX Awards, which are run in association with IMechE.

Rea purchased Aurora Engineers Supplies (where the "AES" comes from) in 1979, as a small distributor of mechanical seals, with ten employees and an annual turnover of £400,000.

By 1983 AESSEAL built its first manufacturing site on Mangham Road, Rotherham. Over the following years the mechanical seal range expanded, turnover grew to £2m and the company received the first of its 13 Queen's Awards. Export sales grew, overseas offices were opened, and turnover increased year on year.

The company has recorded near constant growth over the four decades, investing in wide ranging innovation including the development of its modular range of seals and processes that ensures customers receive the same product no matter where they are in the world. In addition, the business has been lauded for its community work, extensive apprenticeship programme and education outreach - which runs from primary schools right through to doctorate level.

AESSEAL website

Images: IMechE

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News: Rotherham Council buys former Primark unit

Plans have been drawn up to change the look of Rotherham High Street through the demolition of the former Primark building.

Rothbiz revealed in September that Rotherham Council was eyeing up the prominent site as it looked to continue building new houses as the masterplan places an importance on enabling more people to live in the town centre.

The owners of the retail unit have sought a buyer for some time but without success, primarily due to the size of the building. It was advertised with a rental figure of £200,000 per annum exclusive and was put up for auction with a guide price of £500,000.

The Council has now purchased the site using funding from the Towns Fund Accelerator programme and plans would see the building demolished and replaced, in the short term, with a pocket park and a high-quality public space.

The Government awarded a £1m grant to kick start regeneration projects in Rotherham town centre.

As Rothbiz reported, longer term plans include developing the site for new town centre residential living.

In 2017, Primark announced plans to open a new store at Parkgate Shopping. A Guernsey-based real estate company, established at the same time as the Primark move was announced, has been responsible for paying the empty business rates on the property.

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Cllr Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "These are exciting and significant developments that will complement the work we are already undertaking to transform Rotherham Town Centre.

"The short-term plan, creating a pocket park, will help to create a more attractive area on the High Street and add to the leisure offer that is being developed to encourage families to socialise in attractive and diverse surroundings.

"Town centres across the country are having to adapt as their traditional uses start to change. We’re looking at what Rotherham town centre needs to thrive and that means thinking differently and looking at how people will live in and use the town centre in years to come. Long term residential plans for the site will contribute to the changes that we are delivering through the Town Centre Masterplan including three new housing developments and the leisure scheme at Forge Island."

Redevelopment of the site will start in early 2021 with the demolition of the building, which will be the subject of a planning application given its location within a conservation area.

The plans form part of the Town Centre Masterplan which includes £30m plus funding for three major housing developments at Wellgate, Westgate and Sheffield Road, as well as improvements to open spaces across College Street, Bridgegate, Howard Street and Effingham Street.

The £20m Rotherham Town Centre Investment Fund, which was establish by the Council to deliver the masterplan, is funding the town centre regeneration with further funding being sought from other sources including via the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority and the Government’s Future High Streets Fund and Transforming Cities Fund.

Images: RMBC / Allsop

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News: British Steel establish rail R&D base in Rotherham

British Steel is enhancing its range of world-class rail products and services by embarking on a multi-million-pound research and development (R&D) programme with engineers from the University of Sheffield.

The company, which supplies the majority of the track laid in the UK and exports to major networks across the globe, is working with the university to ensure British manufacturers remain at the forefront of rail technology and innovation.

Installed across two sites at the University's Faculty of Engineering and our R&D facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, state-of-the-art equipment will test steel that can be used to build new and improved railway infrastructures.

Rails produced as part of the collaboration will be used to further improve the UK’s own infrastructure as part of the UK Railway Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN). The network is aligned with the government’s Industrial Strategy and aims to supply the UK’s rail industry with world-leading new technologies for trains, railway systems and infrastructure for a more reliable and efficient railway. The rails will also be sold across the globe as British Steel continues to grow into new markets and territories.

British Steel CEO Ron Deelen said: "This partnership will help ensure British Steel continues to lead the way in developing and building the railways of the future. In a hugely competitive market, we're committed to enhancing our product range so we can keep meeting and exceeding the high standards operators and travellers rightly demand.

"Product development, integrity and innovation have never been as important, with major rail infrastructure programmes around the world, including HS2, requiring the high-quality products synonymous with the British Steel name. We’re well-placed to supply significant quantities of rail, and constructional steel, into major projects like these and deliver cost-effective solutions to the challenges our customers face."

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The University of Sheffield is the only university in the UK to have this range of equipment in one place and it’s been developed thanks to funding from Research England’s Research Partnership Investment Fund, which offers a match-funding approach for co-investment with industry partners. British Steel is contributing £1.6m including significant staff time and materials, matched on a 2:1 basis with Research England funds.

With its main steelmaking site in Scunthorpe, British Steel moved its research and development operations to the AMP in 2018.

The investments include machinery that will be able to simulate the contact between wheels and railway rails under a variety of different conditions, giving British Steel and the rail industry the ability to test new rails and sleepers more rapidly than could be achieved by trial installations on the network. Grinding maintenance machinery will also be available to British Steel and the rail industry via the University of Sheffield.

Engineers from the university have built state-of-the-art grinding equipment using high-speed machining techniques from the aerospace industry that can be used to prepare rails before they are installed - ensuring the very highest quality finish to rails installed on the transport network. The equipment is being further developed to maintain existing lines even more efficiently.

Using 3D laser technology, the equipment can help rail engineers monitor new or recently refurbished tracks and help them design new maintenance programmes that require less frequent line closures in order to carry out engineering works - something that could help reduce the amount of delays and rail replacement services that cost money for the industry and frustrate passengers.

Professor David Fletcher, Professor of Railway Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: "The investment in new equipment with British Steel is opening up research directions, and partnering with them is a fantastic route for the knowledge gained to achieve impact. Besides research, we’re also running undergraduate projects with British Steel input so the next generation of engineers can benefit from the investments as they enter industry. Research England’s co-investment with industry into Sheffield has enabled us to take these steps."

Jingye Group, a leading Chinese steelmaker, completed the acquisition of British Steel's UK and Netherlands assets from the Official Receiver earlier this year.

British Steel website

Images: British Steel

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News: Agreements reached over Riverside Precinct

The proposal to demolish buildings in the town centre will go before Rotherham Council's Cabinet next week.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on the next phase of works that are seen as a key stage in preparing the Forge Island site for development. A prior notification application has been submitted for the demolition of the existing Riverside Precinct and 8-18 Corporation Street to open up the site to the rest of the town centre.

Plans were approved earlier this year which set out in detail that the site of the former Tesco store is set to be home to an eight screen cinema, a 69 bed hotel, four restaurants and car parking.

The site being cleared is expected to feature a 1,500 sq ft café in an open area called "Millgate Place."

The Council, which holds the freehold of the buildings, had been in negotiations with the single remaining unresolved lease in operation at Riverside Precinct but the authority now says that an agreement is in place.

An update to councillors states that: "Agreements have been reached to acquire all the outstanding interests in Riverside Precinct and it is expected that full vacant possession will be available to allow the works to progress. In the event that vacant possession is delayed the programme of works can be adapted to allow for phasing."

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Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy Cllr Denise Lelliott said: "The opening up of this space will completely transform the landscape of this side of town and I think people will be quite amazed at how different it will look.

"The town centre has been a place for people to come together for hundreds of years but town centres across the country are changing and they can no longer rely solely on retail to bring people into the town. The plan is to have a much bigger focus on leisure, living and entertainment with beautiful open spaces, to support the retail offer.

"We want the town centre to be a place that people will bring their families to socialise, with an attractive, vibrant, diverse and thriving community."

During 2020, works on Forge Island have included the new amphitheatre style seating and public realm improvement works, and the multi-million pound Phase One flood defence and enabling works which are almost complete.

Longer term the town centre vision includes plans to demolish the current pedestrian footbridge with a more welcoming gateway to Forge Island and its leisure facilities with a wider, more attractive pedestrian bridge.

Forge Island website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse receives £720,000 for more roof repairs

As the scaffolding comes down following urgent repairs to the main part of Wentworth Woodhouse, work will soon begin on each end of the famed East Front, thanks to a grant from the government's Culture Recovery Fund.

The Culture Recovery Fund is designed to secure the future of Britain's museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

Scaffolding will be erected next month and work is scheduled to start in January, thanks to Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) being announced as one of 162 organisations to be successful in the latest round of the fund.

More than £9m has been allocated by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to ensure jobs and access to arts, culture and heritage in local communities are protected in the months ahead.

Historic England has allocated £3,971,513 in awards from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of a £120m capital investment from the Culture Recovery Fund, to restart construction and maintenance projects facing delays or increased costs as a result of the pandemic and save specialist livelihoods in the sector.

WWPT was awarded £468,300 in an earlier round of the fund.

Over the last three years, roof repairs have been ongoing over Wentworth Woodhouse's Riding School and the central block of State Rooms,the eastern section of the Long Gallery, its Bedlam Wing and Chapel.

The emergency grant now means roofs over the Grade I listed mansion's North Pavilion, North and South Quadrants, the Meter House and a further section of the Long Gallery can also be made safe.

This will protect rooms below, contribute to the building's sustainability and support jobs in construction and traditional crafts, such as stonemasonry and lead-working.

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Sarah McLeod, CEO of WWPT, said: "We are incredibly grateful to receive this very generous Heritage At Risk Repair Grant.

"Over the last three years a huge amount of vital repair work has been undertaken to protect the buildings and their beautiful architectural features.

"This grant means we can now tackle other roofs in a number of Grade I listed areas which are also in a critical state of decay.

"Wentworth Woodhouse is arguably the greatest and most challenging restoration project for a generation and the strong relationship we have with Historic England is of immense support to us, in particular their team based in York. They are always on hand with expert guidance."

Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive, said: “This funding is a lifeline which is kickstarting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of Covid-19.

"It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help to keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning. Our shared heritage is an anchor for us all in these challenging times and this funding will help to ensure it remains part of our collective future."

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT / Hirst Conservation

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News: Rotherham companies to inspire Britain

A number of Rotherham-based firms feature in the London Stock Exchange Group's "1000 Companies to Inspire Britain" report, which identifies the UK’s most dynamic and fastest-growing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs account for around 60% of employment and over 50% of turnover in the UK private sector. The companies featured in this year's report have recorded an annual average revenue growth rate of 41.2% and have generated more than 42,000 jobs in the two years to December 2019.

Manvers-based Bluetree Group has been picked out for special praise, given the way it has pivoted its print business to become a mask manufacturer. The company is the first in England to produce Meltblown, a filtration layer used in personal protection equipment.

Featuring in the report, Adam Carnell, a Director at Bluetree Group, said: "Over the past 12 months, we have invested over £18m into our production facility and recruited an additional 400 colleagues, doubling in size, enabling us to produce 20 million Type IIR masks per week."

Lighting manufacturer ASD Lighting is also featured. Based on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate, ASD has a reputation for innovation and quality and provides a range of products for domestic and commercial installations. The firm increased turnover by over £1m to £25m for the year ending June 2019. Profit before tax increased slightly to £3.8m.

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Another Rotherham firm featured is Empire Tapes, which is a manufacturer, rewinder and converter of adhesive tape. Based at Manvers, the company also includes Empire Tapes Plc - the UK's largest producer of technical tapes for the sports industry and seen around the world on the top figures in boxing.

Real estate company, Harworth Group PLC, is also in the report. Based close to its flagship Waverley development, the listed firm is a specialist in brownfield regeneration and has a £232.3m income-producing portfolio across the UK.

Pricecheck, an international wholesaler and distributor of fast-moving consumer goods, is also on the list. The company, which has its main warehouse facility at Beighton Link and further space at Manvers, recently achieved its ambitious target of £100m turnover by 2020. Trusted by the world's biggest brands, Pricecheck offers more than 6,000 branded products to customers in the UK and to more than 80 countries globally.

Another Rotherham business in the report is the Underwood Meat Company which is a catering butcher which also operates a number of its own retail outlets. For the year to October 2019, turnover had increased to £78m from £74m in the previous year.

Wilsons Carpets is the final Rotherham entry in the report. The growin firm has stores and warehouses that stock over 1 million square metres of flooring.

1000 companies website

Images: LSEG

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News: New nuclear opportunities for the region

Rotherham is an established location for research in the nuclear sector, could the next step for the borough be further manufacturing facilities for components that go into the new kinds of nuclear power stations, or even a location for the stations themselves?

The Nuclear AMRC, which has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, has welcomed news this week that the UK SMR consortium, led by Rolls-Royce, has announced it expects to create 6,000 regional UK jobs within the next five years, if the UK Government makes a clear commitment that enables a fleet of 16 small modular reactor (SMR) power stations to be built over the next 20 years.

The Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry. It makes up part of the SMR consortium that is developing a new kind of power station designed to avoid the financing hurdles of large-scale infrastructure and power projects, and to reduce production costs by exploiting advanced manufacturing technologies.

Rolls-Royce said that up to 80% (by value) of the power station components will be made in factories in the Midlands and North of England, before being transported to existing nuclear sites around the country for rapid assembly inside weatherproof canopies.

Rolls-Royce bought large parcels of land on the AMP and on one of them it secured planning permission for a facility where it wanted to manufacture, assemble and test components for civil nuclear power stations. With the difficulties of getting large scale nuclear power stations built, the manufacturer's plans were scrapped.

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Nuclear AMRC communications manager Tim Chapman said: "The consortium aims to have its first power station in operation within ten years of a first commercial order. That's a demanding schedule, considering the engineering and supply chain challenges of designing and producing a first-of-a-kind reactor, and the need to go through the UK’s generic design assessment (GDA) and site approval process.

"As well as providing firm low-carbon electricity, development of the UK SMR could also provide a major economic fillip to some of the UK's most economically depressed regions.

"To start with, it's likely that any UK SMR will be built on a current nuclear licenced site, such as the former Magnox site at Trawsfynydd in North Wales or Moorside in Cumbria.

"By 2050, a full UK programme of up to 16 of these power stations could create up to 40,000 jobs and £52 billion of value to the UK economy. Developing an SMR in the UK could also create an estimated £250 billion of exports – Rolls-Royce is already working with overseas utilities to explore deployment."

The UK Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) new nuclear fusion technology research facility, built ahead of schedule on the AMP, is currently being fitted out. The UKAEA is working on fusion technology, which is the furthest away from full commercialisation, and will use the facility to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components – for example novel metals and ceramics.

Recommended reading: The Rise of Live Dealer Technology in the UK Betting Industry

The Government body recently set out its intention later in autumn to publish a detailed site specification for the development of a new Nuclear Fusion Reactor prototype.

Based on South Yorkshire's credentials, the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership is ready to pitch to the UKAEA "setting out the capabilities of the region from a research, engineering, manufacturing, construction and civil engineering perspective as well as a potential site location for the UKAEA prototype fusion reactor facility."

Nuclear AMRC website
UKAEA website

Images: Rolls-Royce

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News: Additional grants for excluded Rotherham businesses

Businesses in South Yorkshire that have been excluded from national grant support during the coronavirus pandemic could be given a lifeline via the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

The SCR Mayoral Combined Authority, comprised of Mayor Dan Jarvis, the Local Enterprise Partnership and the leaders of Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham councils, is in the process of distributing more than £30m of discretionary grants to support those businesses and self-employed traders forced to close or adversely affected due to local and national restrictions, such as leisure, hospitality and accommodation businesses.

Meeting Papers show that the £30m South Yorkshire Business Support Scheme will focus on:

- Businesses forced to close but not eligible for Government support (e.g. no rateable value - share premises)
- Newly self-employed: these are individuals who set up in business after 6 April 2019 and therefore do not have a tax return from the required 3 year period 2016-17/2017-18/2018-19
- Freelancers: those on short-term PAYE contracts cannot claim under the Job Retention Scheme despite being on payroll. Those in this category, whilst working as freelancers, are often required to be on payroll. Nor can they claim under the self-employed support scheme (SEISS) if less than 50% of their earnings comes from self-employment
- Businesses in the local supply chain adversely impacted
- A discretionary fund to enable local councils provide further support where required

Eligible businesses who suffered a loss of trade when South Yorkshire was placed in Tier 2 and then in Tier 3 are set to be supported via a separate fund. All grants will be applied at the discretion of each local authority to the agreed common criteria and all payments will be a one-off.

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Mayor Dan Jarvis said: "COVID has caused significant turbulence for workers and businesses, so securing extra financial support when South Yorkshire entered tier 3 in October was of the utmost importance. Local authority leaders and I worked around the clock to secure as much support as possible from Government.

"We have been working hard to develop a scheme which makes every pound count, so it supports as many workers and employers across the region as possible. I’m pleased that this funding is now available, and I would strongly encourage any businesses or self-employed traders to check if they are eligible and apply.

"This package will help our businesses through difficult times as we look to recover from the pandemic as quickly as possible. I continue to press Government to support South Yorkshire through COVID restrictions, and to invest in long-term economic renewal at the Spending Review, by backing our Renewal Action Plan."

Businesses in Rotherham which have been required to close as a result of the new Covid-19 Alert Level Very High (Tier 3) restrictions can now claim financial support through Rotherham Council.

Between £1,334 and £3,000 per month in Local Restrictions Support Grant funding is available to businesses. The amount businesses receive is based on their rateable value.

Applications should be made through Rotherham Council's website.

Cllr. Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Finance at Rotherham Council, said: "Entering the Tier 3 Very High Alert restrictions is tough on everyone, not least those businesses that have had to close and the people that work for them.

"I would urge those businesses to apply for this support so we can get it out to them as soon as possible. Of course, we would have liked the support to have been greater, but this is a national scheme with set criteria and funding which we are administering locally on behalf of Government.

"The Very High Alert Level will be reviewed every 28 days but we have been assured by the Government that this financial support will remain in place while these restrictions are."

Images: SCR Growth Hub

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News: Potential new future for Dinnington campus

Rotherham Council has revealed plans to acquire part of the Dinnington College Campus as part of proposals to improve the education and life chances for hundreds of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the borough.

Rothbiz reported in May that the RNN Group had confirmed that the Dinnington campus of the Rotherham College will close this summer, so that the group "can make best use of its estate and invest in its other local sites."

Investing in the Dinnington Campus would allow the council to use an existing historic education site to develop a new and innovative school which would specialise in providing education for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties.

It's also recommended that Newman Upper School – part of Rotherham’s oldest special school - would move to the Dinnington Campus, allowing the demolition and high-specification rebuild of existing, dated buildings on the Newman site.

If the plans are approved, the new specialist SEMH provision would operate as a free school, with the Council inviting applications from specialist providers.

Councillor Gordon Watson, Deputy Leader of Rotherham Council and Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Since 2018, the Council has invested £2.5m in creating more than 200 additional school places for children with SEND in Rotherham. But demand, especially for specialist mental health provision, continues to grow.

"The availability of the Dinnington Campus provides us with a game changing opportunity to consolidate our existing PRU provision, provide specialist mental health provision to young people in Rotherham for the first time and fulfil our long term aim of redeveloping Newman School with new purpose built facilities more befitting the superb teaching and therapy it provides for children with disabilities and complex needs."

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The plans show that the council would acquire four blocks of the campus - the main building and resource centres. A large block to the rear has been earmarked for demolition and the horticulture, a working farm and vehicle workshops don't appear to be included in the deal.

The playing fields to the rear have been advertised for lease with agents, Fisher German.

The proposals would require the Council to invest some £5.747m.

Newman School specialises in provision for children with a range of learning difficulties and particularly those with complex medical needs but the school buildings have fallen into disrepair. The transfer of the upper school to Dinnington College will allow the works to be completed at Newman school whilst the remaining pupils continue to attend at the existing site.

If approved, the scheme would see education provision retained at the Dinnington Campus site, which has been a cherished community asset in the town since the 1920s.

Dave Smith, Chair of Dinnington St John's Town Council, said: “We are pleased that an asset which has been part of the community for around 100 years can still be used for education in the area.

"Many people across Rotherham have been educated at the site through the decades and some students that have passed through the gates may have grandparents or even great grandparents that were taught at the college site as well. It’s great to see that the heritage of the town is being protected for future generations."

Images: RMBC

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News: Metalysis to aid hunt for oxygen on the Moon

Innovative technology pioneered in Rotherham by Metalysis is being backed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in their efforts to "mine space" and colonise the Moon.

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

As ESA and other agencies prepare to send humans back to the Moon – this time to stay – technologies that make use of materials available in space are seen as key to sustainability, and a stepping stone in humankind's adventure to Mars and farther into the Solar System.

As reported by Rothbiz in 2017, Metalysis has been working with the agency to see if any of the "raw materials" on the Moon which have the potential to be mined can be converted into usable materials using the firm's electrochemical process.

The Metalysis process has recently been proven for the industrial-scale production of metals and alloys, leading to the present investigation into the potential application of this process to regolith-like materials in a lunar context. An initial proof of concept study has resulted in a metallic powder where 96% of the total oxygen is successfully extracted, in conjunction with giving a mixed metal alloy product that can be used for in-situ manufacturing.

The project will provide an assessment to prepare and de-risk technology developments, focussed towards oxygen production for propellants and life support consumables. The ability to extract oxygen on the moon is vital for future exploration and habitation, being essential for sustainable long duration activities in space. In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) will significantly reduce the payload mass that would be needed to be launched from earth.

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A previous NASA-funded study, undertaken in 2004, investigated the applicability of the FFCCambridge process for the electrolysis of lunar ilmenite, termed the Ilmenox process. At the time of this previous work, the development of the FFC-Cambridge process was still in its early stages and had only been proven at a laboratory scale.

Since this time, Metalysis has successfully scaled-up its technology, with a further three generations designed, commissioned, and in operation. As of 2018, titanium and tantalum metal production has been developed at an industrial scale, and the production of many other metals and alloys has also been proven. More recently, the production of intermetallics of aluminium and scandium has been increased to industrial scale.

Two SME teams have been working to devise process-monitoring systems that will work with the Metalysis electrochemical cells in space.

Working alongside Metalysis, Added Value Solutions (AVS) will work to determine the steps required to translate the Metalysis technology from an on-earth to extra-terrestrial environment.

Ian Mellor, managing director at Metalysis, said: "We are really pleased Metalysis is involved in this exciting programme; taking an established earth-based technology and applying it to a lunar setting. The fact that the process is capable of simultaneously producing both oxygen and metal powders is unique, offering potential solutions to two key areas of the ESA Space Resources Strategy."

Sue Horne, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, added: "In the future, if we want to travel extensively in space and set up bases on the Moon and Mars, then we will need to make or find the things required to support life - food, water and breathable air.

"The involvement of Metalysis in a programme that aims to do just that, by producing oxygen on a lunar setting, will showcase the UK's space credentials on the world-stage and help unlock breakthroughs that bring future space exploration a step closer."

The UK Space Agency, NASA and other partners recently signed a historic agreement on principles for space ahead of a future mission to the Moon.

Metalysis website

Images: ESA

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News: Plans in for £24m development at Vector 31

Proposals that would deliver a quarter of a million sq ft of industrial development in a popular commercial location in Rotherham have been submitted.

Network Space has submitted a planning application to Rotherham Borough Council for a £24m industrial development at Vector 31 at Waleswood, close to Junction 31 of the M1.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created on a 8.8 hectare parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road (A618). The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

The outline planning submission sets out proposals for up to 254,000 sq ft of E, B2 and B8 employment space on an 8.8 hectare site. Indicative plans submitted with the application show two options with seven or nine self-contained, detached units ranging from 12,500 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, with design and build opportunities also available.

The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

Simon Eaton, development manager at Network Space, said: "Vector 31 West can provide a wide range of industrial accommodation which will appeal to smaller workspace occupiers through to distribution centre requirements. Given the strong location and market demand, we intend to commence with a first phase of speculative units as soon as possible, whilst maintaining our ability to deliver larger units on a design and build basis.

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"The success of our earlier development at Vector 31 demonstrates that this is one of the Yorkshire region’s most sought after locations, offering a strategic central distribution route close to the M1 as well as easy access to Rotherham and Sheffield. The development will therefore serve to meet regional market requirements as well as national occupier needs."

Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank, added: "We are continuing to see strong interest for industrial and warehouse space across the South Yorkshire region, the quality of accommodation which Network Space will offer to the market will no doubt prove popular to satisfy demand."

Network Space has a long history with this former colliery site having delivered more than 160,000 sq ft of industrial space across two phases at the adjacent Vector 31 development. The first phase was fully occupied within a year of completion in 2008 and is currently occupied by a range of national and international businesses, including parcel delivery giant Hermes.

The Vector 31 Networkcentre was sold in 2018 in a £91m deal to InfraRed Capital Partners Limited as part of a 1 million sq ft portfolio of 25 industrial sites and two development sites.

Architects for the scheme is Harris Partnership.

Knight Frank is appointed as agent and NSM will provide asset management services.

Network Space website

Images:

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News: Research firm planning Rotherham relocation

A group of life science companies are planning to consolidate their brands onto one site in Rotherham so that they can continue to expand. The move would bring together research and development labs, some of which are working on developing COVID-19 testing kits.

Molecular Dimensions Limited is planning to take Unit 5a of the R-evolution Phase 3 scheme at the world-renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The firm is part of a number of similar firms under the Calibre Scientific portfolio.

A planning application shows that the 17,359 sq. ft. unit is set to be expanded with the installation of a mezzzanine level that would enable Calibre Scientific to consolidate its UK companies onto one site which will provide a head office and central facility for the business in the UK.

The aim is to double staff numbers from 23 employees to 43 employees in the next three years.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, Calibre Scientific is a diversified global developer, manufacturer and distributor of consumable products in the life sciences and diagnostics markets. The business has continually expanded through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, and today has a broad portfolio of more than 3,000 products, which it sells into over 100 countries worldwide.

Calibre Scientific’s 6,000+ customers include blue-chip biopharmaceutical companies, leading academic institutions and diagnostics companies.

Life sciences includes research, innovation and the use of technology to transform health and care service.

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The application, submitted jointly with Harworth Estates Investments Limited and drawn up by agents, Barton Willmore, explains: "Calibre Scientific represents a portfolio of niche life science companies, spanning across various medical and scientific markets who address the unique challenges of their respective markets. Through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth, their global reach extends into over 53 countries. Molecular Dimensions Limited is one of those companies who is currently based in Sheffield.

"In the UK, Calibre Scientific have two research and development facilities: one based in The Innovation Centre, Sheffield and one in Guilford. These two sites are home to four of the thirteen life science brands and include BioServUk, Kalon Biological, Molecular Dimensions and Protein Ark.

"All the company brands contribute towards the research, development, production, and supply of life sciences. In particular, BioServUK expertise is in antibodies and have recently developed COVID-19 testing kits and are involved in the research for Covid-19 and diagnostic tools.

"Calibre Scientific is seeking to consolidate the company brands onto one site as well as combining both the research and development facilities (labs) with the management and administrative teams. They are seeking to have all employees in one building and want to double their staff from 23 employees to 43 employees in the next three years (by 2023).

"The research and development undertaken by Calibre Scientific is vital to our day to day living and this has been proven in recent months with the research and technology contribution they have made towards the Covid-19 testing. The aim to consolidate its staff is logical given there is several brands in the UK all owned by Calibre Scientific who want to combine its facilities to benefit all its brands, and also the expansion plans which are a result of the market needs.

"Given the nature of the research and development undertaken by Calibre Scientific, a UK base at the AMP would be a compelling choice for the company and a good fit for the user profile at AMP. The building’s use is fit for purpose, albeit the need for further floorspace to enable expansion and also to ensure each working space is Covid -19 compliant, hence the need for this planning application."

Molecular Dimensions website

Images: Gent Visick

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News: Dunkin' Donuts opens in Rotherham

Dunkin' Donuts - America's favourite coffee and baked goods chain - has opened in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in 2017 that plans had been submitted for a drive thru unit at its, then recently completed, retail development close to Mushroom Roundabout at Eastwood.

Sheffield-based franchise specialists, QFM Group, received approval for the plans but they were never implemented.

With recent restrictions seeing fewer diners able to eat out, work has recently been completed at the existing Taco Bell restaurant on Fitzwilliam Road to convert the seating area into a Dunkin Donuts.

Taco Bell remains in operation.

Dunkin' Donuts serves more than five million customers per day and sells 52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages as well as an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods.

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Deals with Uber Eats and Deliveroo are in place.

The prominent brownfield site was transformed by a regeneration scheme centred around new food retail units. The vacant site was previously home to a D.C. Cook car dealership but was empty since 2008 following demolition. QFM have pioneered the scheme which is now home to Taco Bell, KFC, Costa and Anytime Fitness. A Toby Carvery pub has also opened on the site.

In 1950, Bill Rosenberg opened the first Dunkin' Donuts shop in Quincy, Massachusetts. Dunkin' Donuts licensed the first of many franchises in 1955.

Dunkin' Brands is home to two of the world's most recognised and loved brands in franchising, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins. A $11.3 billion deal was recently announced that will see Dunkin Brands acuired by Inspire Brands, Inc.

Dunkin' Donuts website

Images: Dunkin' Brands / Facebook

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