News: Rotherham Show returns

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the increasing numbers of vaccinations, the biggest cultural event in the borough's calendar – the Rotherham Show - is back at Clifton Park from September 3 to 5 2021.

Rotherham Show is the North’s largest free event, and is usually held annually in Clifton Park.

The flagship event was hugely missed in 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions prevented it from going ahead. But this year the show will go on (with some additional COVID safety measure in place), welcoming residents and visitors back together and marking the relaunch of the borough's cultural offer.

As well as music, dance, circus, art and firm favourites including the vintage vehicle rally, fun fair and dog show, this year’s Rotherham Show has some new attractions too.

For the first time, the programme will also extend to shows, events and exhibitions at Clifton Park Museum and the newly refurbished Rotherham Civic Theatre - where visitors will be able to see the new-look venue and experience some exclusive performances.

Advertisement
Also new for 2021 is the Demo Kitchen, hosted by Sile Sibanda and showcasing creations by cooks from around the borough, including recipes for noodles, curries, chutney and vegan falafel. Great British Bake-off winner Rahul Mandal will be one of those sharing his skills and taking audience questions.

Alongside this, the Made in Rotherham horticultural show will see the borough’s makers, bakers and growers exhibiting what they have produced. They will be competing for prizes, including children’s arts and crafts trophies, star baker aprons as well as awards for the longest runner beans and, biggest onions and best dahlias.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr David Sheppard, said: “The Rotherham Show is always a fantastic celebration of our culture and communities, a chance to enjoy the music, art and entertainment we love and to discover new experiences. But the opportunity to do this together feels more important than ever this year after the tough times so many people have been through because of COVID-19.

“COVID’s not gone yet, but we are moving forward together and the decision to allow the Rotherham Show to take place has been taken carefully, with the advice of public health colleagues. That means we’ve made some changes to the layout and timings so that everyone can enjoy the show in safety and with confidence.”

“With everything from acrobatics to art, bhangra to brass, stilt-walking giants to giant cabbages – as well as the addition of new spaces and a quieter day on the Friday for those who still want to avoid larger gatherings – the Rotherham Show 2021 really will have something for everyone.”

Rotherham Show website

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: Shisha bar plan for Rotherham

Plans are bubbling up for a new shisha bar at a vacant former bookmakers in Rotherham town centre.

Shisha is smoking a heated, specially prepared and flavoured tobacco through a pipe. It originates from the Middle East and certain areas of Asia, but is becoming more popular in the UK. It is also called hookah.

Applicant, Mrs Morsi Mohammed, has recently applied for a change of use that would allow the former 840 sq ft William Hill premises on Upper Millgate to be used as a coffee shop and shisha bar.

The law classes shisha smoking the same as cigarette smoking and so it is illegal to smoke shisha in an enclosed public space, or a space that's mostly-enclosed. Therefore the plans include a number of outside tables and barriers.

Advertisement
The plans state: "In our experience, people smoking shisha enjoy the smoking and chatting with their friends. It is generally a quiet, pleasant experience.

"We are also requesting the use of the pavement in front of the premises to locate seven tables and 24 chairs for the customers to sit whilst consuming goods provided by the coffee shop and for the smoking of shisha.

"The environmental effect of smoking the shisha is mitigated by the fact that it is to be done outdoors and the atmosphere will take away the smoke and odours created by this."

If approved, the proposals would create five jobs.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Jobs hope as global logistics firm eyes new Rotherham unit

A new Rotherham commercial development looks to have ticked all the right boxes for an expanding logistics firm.

Rothbiz reported back in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created at Waleswood on a parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road close to Junction 31 of the M1. 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.

Network Space recently secured outline consent for the £24m industrial development and is advancing plans for up to 254,000 sq ft of B2 and B8 employment space on the 22-acre site.

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

A new detailed application shows that an unnamed logistics company has asked Network Space to deliver a bespoke 85,000 sq ft unit.

The proposals for Unit 1 differ from the approved parameters of the outline permission and are for a storage and distribution warehouse with 6,000 sq ft of ancillary office space.

Advertisement
The application, drawn up by Spawforths, states: "The Unit is intended to be occupied by a logistics occupier who are globally recognised. The company is a leading specialist for trade related services including transport logistics, global ecommerce and distribution. The requirements of this end user have been incorporated into the layout and design of Unit 1."

It adds that the end user provides "import and export, fulfilment services and parcel distribution" and states that this unit alone could provide space for 200 jobs.

The parking facilities onsite would comprise of car parking (73 spaces, including four disabled and 15 electric charging spaces), HGV parking (16 spaces), LGV parking (seven spaces), van parking (26 spaces all of which will be electric charging spaces) and cycle parking (eight spaces).

Some mitigation is proposed, inlcuding acoustic barriers located along the west of the service yard.

Since traffic lights now are being used full time at the nearby junction 31 of the M1, a transport assessment submitted with the plans demonstrates that, whilst the proposed development does constitute an increase in overall traffic levels generated by the whole Vector 31 West Site as a whole during the critical weekday peak periods, the additional traffic levels impacting M1 Junction 31, "does not result in the degradation or worsening of the operation of the junction when compared to the level of operation already considered and approved at outline stage."

Network Space website

Images: Network Space / Harris

Read more...

News: Region takes control of adult education budget

A major step forward has been made in creating a local skills system that focuses on the needs of South Yorkshire’s local businesses and the industries that are predicted to grow in the coming years.

The Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority has announced the providers who will be delivering adult skills provision across South Yorkshire. The RNN Group, which has college operations in Rotherham, is one of a number of providers that will receive a grant for 2021/22.

Local leaders are taking control of the devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB), powers secured from Westminster as part of the landmark Devolution Deal agreed in July 2020 for South Yorkshire. The MCA will invest around £42m in adult education and skills development in academic year 2021/22.

Local control over the AEB will help people improve their skills to progress in work, stay in work or get back to work. The local skills system can be transformed to focus on the needs of South Yorkshire’s local businesses and the industries that are predicted to grow in the coming years.

Dan Jarvis MP, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “This marks another step in South Yorkshire taking control of its future and shaping its destiny. Skills and adult education are critical to building a bigger and better economy for our region – giving people the opportunity they need to prosper and helping businesses grow.

“Our wider skills strategy plans mean there will be 30,000 more people with higher levels skills by 2041. This is the power of devolution and we’re using it to meet the needs of South Yorkshire’s people and local businesses as we renew our region.”

Advertisement
Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Education, Skills and Employability Board, said: “The training providers will work with us to shape South Yorkshire’s skills agenda to meet our region’s unique needs. Together we will support our residents to get good jobs and progress their careers in South Yorkshire’s key sectors and make learning more inclusive.

“There are several growth industries that will require specific skills in the future, such as advanced manufacturing and digital, and we’ll deliver the right skills to meet these future demands. We’re developing deep and effective collaborations between businesses, education, and training providers to make this happen.”

The adult education budget funds provision in Further Education colleges, local authority training providers, independent training providers and voluntary, third sector and community organisations and supports both employed and unemployed residents, helping them to acquire the skills they need to move into or progress in a job, a traineeship, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Transforming adult skills provision is part of the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Renewal Action Plan promise to give a hand up for people to improve their skills, get back to work, remain and progress in work. Supporting people to find and get on in work and backing businesses to grow is critical to South Yorkshire’s recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of its Devolution Deal, the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority will take responsibility for devolved Adult Education Budget (AEB) from August 1st, 2021 and will commission adult skills provision for the residents of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Sheffield.

SCR website

Images: RNN Group

Read more...

News: Planned new Scandinavian style coffee lounge in Rotherham

Coffee lovers could soon be able to partake in a unique and social Scandinavian coffee break custom in Rotherham.

Plans were approved last year to enable an empty unit on The Tanyard at Wickersley to be used as a restaurant / café.

Now applicant, Rebecca Guest, has applied to the Council for a licence for the sale by retail of alcohol and the playing of music for new venture, FIKA Coffee Lounge.

Fika is the Swedish custom of enjoying a coffee and a treat with friends. Some companies add a clause to contracts stating that employees are entitled to fika breaks. It is noted to be therapeutic, promoting wellbeing and productivity.

The application has been submitted for an area which Rotherham Council said is "suffering from the cumulative impact of on-licensed, and on and off licensed premises."

The application shows that the 600 sq ft, first and ground floor premises would be open from 8am to 11pm with alcohol on sale between 11am and 11pm.

Previously a building society, 212 Bawtry Road has been vacant since September 2017, and was marketed by two separate commercial agents, for a range of uses, with no interest received.

Advertisement
In approving 2020 plans, council planners said that it would not go against its policies of reducing the number of retail premises on the primary shopping frontage as the building already has lawful A2 planning use (Professional and Financial Services) rather than A1 (retail). These planning use classes have now been superceded.

Some objections were raised from local residents regarding noise and the possibility of the use attracting vermin, however the Council's Neighbourhoods Unit (Environmental Health) "acknowledged that there are residential units above nearby units but have confirmed that they have never received any complaints regarding noise nuisances and on that basis have not raised any objections from a residential amenity perspective."

Approved last year, the statement of licensing policy is required as the council is responsible for licensing the sale of alcohol, hot food and various events. It includes a Cumulative Impact Policy which details that an area of Wickersley village is a Cumulative Impact Zone.

The zone could limit the number of new or varied licences being granted in the area, dependent on the individual merit of each application. The council has previously restricted the number of pubs and venues by using planning policies and refusing to allow current and new drinking establishments to take on empty retail units.

The Council is keen to make clear that the policy does not create a ban on the grant of licenses within Wickersley but an applicant "must be able to demonstrate to the Council and other responsible authorities that granting a new or varied licence will not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced within the area."

The authority believes that the area does not have the required infrastructure to deal with a large and sustained night-time economy and residents have cited noise nuisance from premises as a key issue, alongside issues with street scene such as broken glass, fouling and vomiting.

Images: Carter Towler

Read more...

News: Rotherham theatre prepares for reopening night

There has been a change of scenery at Rotherham Civic Theatre as a £200,000 revamp enters its final act.

Rotherham Civic Theatre has not traded since March 2020 due to Covid restrictions and is set to reopen in September.

Operators, Rotherham Council took the difficult decision to close the facility for the entire financial year but secured financial backing from the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. £55,272 from the second round adds to the £131,644 secured from the first round of the Arts Council England administered fund.

The Council contracted Pacy & Wheatley Ltd on a £227,856.54 tender to carry out a refurbishment of the front of house and bar areas at the building on Catherine Street in the town centre.

Accommodating a range of touring and local musical, comedy and theatrical performances, the converted church was purchased by the Council prior to being converted into a theatre in 1960.

Jo Longwith, manager at Rotherham Theatres, said: "We took the opportunity to get work done with the intention that we were going to reopen as soon as we could. That kept moving further and further away and in the end we decided to take the opportunity to try and open in September of 2021 hoping that all restrictions are then lifted, but in that time, hope that we could get some work done in order to welcome the audiences back."

Damien Gwatkin, operations manager at the Civic, added: "It will help us and it will help the customers because the customers will have a better visitor experience. They’ll come in, they’ll see that there’s less queuing, there’s more open spaces, it’s more inviting. It will be easier for us. In a busy interval you’ve got 15 minute turn around, you’ve go to serve 356 people. Hopefully the changes that we have made will expedite that and everybody gets served in enough time, everybody gets some drinks and it’s just a more welcoming space."

Advertisement
Local singer and songwriter, Lauren Housley, is the first scheduled show in September. Lauren, said: "I am completely buzzing to announce that I will be playing an actual LIVE live show in my hometown. We are playing the official re-launch of the Rotherham Civic Theatre and their first show since March 2020.

"[Recently released album] Girl From The North was written and recorded in our studio in Rotherham town centre, just five minutes walk from the theatre, so it feels like a full circle coming back and playing this album in this theatre with the full band! I think we all need this after the year we’ve had."

The revamp also gives operators more flexibility around what the building can host in the future. Leanne Buchan, head of creative partnerships and engagement at Rotherham Council, said: "I think this was about opening up the spaces and being more flexible so we’ve got 356 seats auditorium, and that’s brilliant, but it means that we can only take certain shows of a certain scale.

"The spaces that we’ve created in the bar and the new kind of performance area in the coffee shop mean that we’ve just got that bit of flexibility. So the one in the coffee shop is sort of 30 to 35 audience size and it’s a really flexible space you can show films on there. You can do puppet shows on there.

"It opens up the opportunity to do schools programmes that we’ve not really had before outside of panto and the one in the bar is a much more flexible and informal space so we can do things like comedy nights in there. We can do open mike nights in there. So on those nights when we don’t have a show in the auditorium it means that we can still have activities happening in the theatre."

Rotherham Theatres website

Images: Rotherham Theatres

Read more...

News: Plans drafted for Rotherham bank buildings

Former bank buildings in Rotherham town centre look set for a cash injection to turn them into a mixed-use residential site under new regeneration plans.

Rothbiz reported in June that vacant buildings on Corporation Street were a target for investment after Rotherham was named on the latest list of successful "town deals" which should see £31.6m from the Government used to revamp areas of Rotherham town centre as well as Templeborough and Eastwood.

This funding will enable work to go ahead to create attractive public spaces and transform derelict heritage buildings on High Street and Corporation Street - creating a gateway from the Minster Gardens across to the new Forge Island leisure development.

Forge Island, which sits between the River Don and South Yorkshire Navigation Canal, will host a new leisure scheme with an 8-screen boutique style cinema, modern hotel, food and drink outlets and car parking.

Investment plans explain: "The Leisure and Cultural Quarter continues across the river to include Corporation Street, a cluster of underused buildings which will provide leisure and residential uses on a smaller scale catering for independent providers and contributing to a 24-hour presence in the town centre.

"Corporation Street occupies a prime position linking the town centre to the Forge Island development, which currently acts as a barrier between the town and its riverside. It is comprised of tired, derelict and underutilised buildings.

"This is an ambitious transformation which will require a phased approach and working in partnership with private sector owners to bring the buildings back into use and provide high quality design reflective of the Conservation Area status. New uses will see residential and ground floor leisure uses complementary to the Forge Island development and new public realm."

Advertisement
£16.5m, including £4.3m from the town fund, has been earmarked for an improved gateway to the Minster Gardens, enhancements to Corporation Street, and to support delivery of new residential development in the High Street. 375 dwellings could be created in total.

Early work has seen the Council acquire the former Primark building on the High Street in order to create a pocket park with complementary residential units in the future. Demolition work has already taken place to remove Riverside Precinct and Chantry Buildings on Corporation Street.

CGIs released as part of the bid show a new scheme on Corporation Street where the former NatWest and Lloyd's banks still sit empty. Rotherham Council acquired Lloyds at 32-34 Corporation Street back in 2006 under previous regeneration plans.

Investment plans add: "The Council have worked in conjunction with private sector owners to develop a mixed use and residential scheme which is capable of retaining the heritage features of buildings within the conservation area but requires some public sector funding. The Council also owns land and will contribute this to create a fundable and comprehensive scheme. This scheme will contribute to the diversification of town centre provision, opening up new cultural, leisure and residential uses that will increase footfall and regenerate vacant brownfield assets."

Further down Corporation Street, plans have been submitted to demolish the former bingo hall and replace it with a residential building consisting of 45 dwellings and three ground floor commercial units.

Over the road, planning permission has expired for proposals to replace burn-out buildings with a 69 room hotel development.

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: No chicken tonight as Nando's forced to close Rotherham store

Popular flame-grilled peri-peri chicken specialists, Nando's, has been forced to close a number of stores as it suffers from problems with its suppliers.

A message has been on the Rotherham store's webpage all this week reading: "We're closed for now for Eat-in, Delivery and Collect."

Founded in South Africa in 1987, Nando's operates a casual dining restaurant group with 1,000 outlets specialising in chicken with influences from Portugal and South Africa. The first UK restaurant opened in 1992 and there are now over 400 restaurants in the UK.

Around 40 stores were closed this week with the group citing staffing issues at its suppliers' factories.

70 staff were seconded to the suppliers to help "get things moving again".

Advertisement
A Nando's spokesperson told The BBC: "The UK food industry has been experiencing disruption across its supply chain in recent weeks due to staff shortages and Covid isolations, and a number of our restaurants have been impacted."

"However, since Monday, a team of our brilliant Nandocas have been supporting our key suppliers onsite - working in partnership to help get things moving again, and this has already had a positive impact on affected restaurants."

Nando's hopes that all of its restaurants should be open again from this Saturday.

Nando's website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Major schools science event returns to Rotherham

Rotherham is set to host the North Star Science School with Professor Brian Cox CBE on 24th November at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort and at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

This major event for schools, now in its second year, promotes innovation and opportunity in the South Yorkshire region to inspire the next generation to consider careers in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths).

North Star is part of the Science Summer School national initiative co-founded in 2012 by Professor Cox and Lord Andrew Mawson OBE with the aim of making Britain the best place in the world to do science and engineering. The event is presented in partnership with Well North Enterprises, a social business led by Lord Mawson.

North Star will be led and organised by The Work-wise Foundation, a non-profit, employer-led charity which aims to develop young people for employment in STEAM subjects within the South Yorkshire region.

Professor Brian Cox, Britain’s leading physicist and science communicator will officially launch North Star on November 24th and also appear as the keynote speaker. The event will be hosted by Ruth Amos, inventor and founder of Kids Invent Stuff.

It will be open to Year 8 and 9 pupils from South Yorkshire schools who will have the opportunity to hear inspiring speeches from a range of special guests invited from across the science and engineering spectrum and complete a series of hands-on interactive workshops.

The event is being funded by business and local authority sponsors including Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sheffield City Council, UK Atomic Energy Authority, Forged Solutions Group, Barratt Developments plc, Ibstock plc, Harworth Group plc, The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort.

There will be a special opportunity for current and prospective project sponsors and supporters to hear Professor Cox speak at a special ‘invitation only’ evening event at the Advanced Manufacturing Park on November 24th.

John Barber, CEO of The Work-wise Foundation explains: “The daytime event is designed to connect our young people to inspirational businesses which will spark their imaginations and set them on the road to great opportunities in STEAM careers. It is very exciting to be welcoming Professor Brian Cox to South Yorkshire and we look forward to seeing the impact this whole event could have on raising aspirations and shaping careers choices for our region’s young people.”

Advertisement
Lord Mawson, Co-Founder of Science Summer School, added: "“Well North and The Work-wise Foundation share the same philosophy. Simply put, we need more young people to get into science and engineering but we also need to help them to learn the right skills for the exciting range of careers on offer. We want to create an inspirational event which connects the ongoing science curriculum in schools with local businesses and builds on these relationships year-round.

"North Star Science School is perfectly placed to help to achieve this in South Yorkshire. In addition, there are significant opportunities for Rotherham and South Yorkshire which go far beyond the day itself. The event can also act as a catalyst to bring key stakeholders together around place-making, education, health, business, public, voluntary and community sectors. It’s about joining the dots to transform culture and aspiration and create pathways into work”.

Barber adds:" The Work-wise Foundation backs Professor Cox’s vision for the UK to become the best place in world to practice Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. South Yorkshire has a proud industrial heritage, playing a major part in the first industrial revolution and now the region is demonstrating to its young people how innovation, technology and advanced manufacturing are skills that can be developed here and go on to transform the world. This event couldn’t go ahead without its sponsors and supporters who recognise what a difference it could make to the lives of young people in this area and we cannot thank them enough.”

North Star website

Images: North Star

Read more...

News: How the council is spending Covid cash to support Rotherham economy

As part of a comprehensive £5m Covid recovery package, Rotherham Council is planning a number of interventions designed to support the local economy.

The wide ranging proposals include new measures to support children and young people with mental health and catching-up with lost learning, adults who are shielding or isolating, reskilling people whose jobs have been impacted and help for the homeless.

Money has come from the Government's Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) which was set up to provide funding to local authorities in England to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and support local public health. A remaining pot of £3.357m is to continue to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and support public health activities.

In total, £83.7m of business support grants have been delivered by the Council to over 5,000 businesses (many businesses have been able to access support through multiple schemes), but one key strand for the latest fund is support for people made redundant to reskill to improve employment chances.

A report to the council's cabinet said: "The closing of certain sectors of the economy has meant furlough for a significant number of residents, unemployment or loss of livelihood, all bringing with them reduced incomes and impacts on family budgets. For many those impacts will not yet be felt in full, with protections through furlough and until recently, the stay on evictions meaning the full impacts are still to come both for individuals and the wider economy.

"The hospitality industry and night-time conomy have been particularly hard hit along with leisure and tourism, the arts and the voluntary sector. Despite furlough and business support grants some businesses and organisations will not re-open. Others will remain sustainable in the long-term but may have had to take on debts which will impact profitability for years to come."

Nearly 44,000 workers in Rotherham have been furloughed during the pandemic.

Advertisement
£339,658 has been earmarked to boost the Council's team that currently delivers advice and support to unemployed and economically inactive residents through the match funded European Social Fund (ESF) Pathways Project. Skills and training could then be offered to people threatened with redundancy, people on furlough, people working reduced hours, people whose skill set is no longer in demand due to the pandemic and people within the gig economy affected by Covid-19.

A wraparound support service also works to help remove the barriers to employment such as debt/childcare issues etc.

Rotherham Council has also recieved £471,755 under the Government's Reopening the High Street Safely and Welcome Back Funds which aim to help local authorities support their local high streets get safely back to business, boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas, markets and food stall pop-ups.

Rotherham Council's proposed activities for this funding includes:
- Events equipment to assist with safe distancing of crowds/visitors
- Support to develop a website promoting cultural attractions
- An events programme including town centre
- Markets signage, pavement vinyls, window vinyls for empty shops
- A new Saturday Market in Wath to attract footfall into the town centre
- Pop-up space for new small businesses and business support through RiDO
- Rotherham in Bloom campaign in the town centre
- Information Officers to work with retail and hospitality businesses
- Planters and external signage for Rotherham Civic Theatre
- Improvements to paths at Thrybergh Country to ensure accessible
- Outdoor furniture in high streets and green spaces
- Canopies to enable outdoor dining / events at Clifton Park and Rother Valley
- Street lighting banners with ‘Welcome Back’ and other key messages
- Promote Great Rotherham To Do List in support of reopening of the borough
- The Rotherham Show ‘Welcome Back’ programme and safety measures
- Christmas programme supporting animation of high streets & town centre
- Develop a befriending scheme to support those finding it difficult to go out
- Business intelligence from the retail and hospitality sector

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “The Covid pandemic is not over yet but we know that even when it is, the damage it has wreaked will be felt by the people of Rotherham for many years to come – whether that’s through the loss of loved ones, impact on physical and mental health, financial problems, redundancy or impact on life chances.

“Phase one of our recovery plan for Rotherham aims to provide the support many people of all ages will need to reset, recover and restart over the next seven months. With so many people impacted by Covid, we have to be careful to target it at people with the most pressing needs – including children and young people, homeless people, people who care for others, people who have lost their jobs and people suffering mental health problems.

“This is the start of a long road to recovery and there is still more we have to do – as a Council and a community – to deal with the on-going impact and legacy of Covid-19 on our residents.”

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: Rotherham flood schemes on funding list

A key Rotherham flood alleviaton scheme looks set to receive £15m, newly published Government data shows.

Rothbiz reported at the start of 2021 that a number of Rotherham schemes were expected to benefit from an £80m Government investment in South Yorkshire flood defences, following sustained pressure and cooperation with local leaders and the Environment Agency in response to the November 2019 floods in the region.

Having earlier been included in Environment Agency’s Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee's plans, the Rotherham Renaissance Flood Alleviation Scheme is down to receive an indicative contribution of £15.1m for 2021/22-2026/27. £488,060 is the Government's indicative investment to the scheme.

The Rotherham To Kilnhurst Flood Alleviation Scheme requires some £24m and includes downstream phases from Forge Island to Parkgate, and Kilnhurst.

The most recent work on the scheme is the £3m Phase 2A which provides flood defences from Ickles Lock to Centenary Way on the edge of the town centre. It links to earlier phases such as the £15m Phase 1 that was completed in 2008 and comprised of 1.7km of flood protection at Templeborough and the creation of the Centenary Wetland.

£3m Phase 2C is for a canal barrier at Forge Island where 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.

Advertisement
Other Rotherham schemes on the funding list include the Eel Mires Dike Flood Alleviation Scheme at Dinnington and Laughton Common (an indicative contribution of £1.45m) and Lake Outfall Pumping Station Refurbishment in the north of the borough (£725,000). Some Rother Washland Optimisation is also in line for funding.

Last year, it was identified that £51m was needed to implement all of the region's flood-related schemes and, despite the confirmed Government funding, there was still a £125m gap in the South Yorkshire Flooding Priority Programme.

Not on the list are Whiston Brook, where £4m is needed to create large storage areas upstream of the village, and Catcliffe, an area synonymous with the 2007 floods, where council officers have identified that £5m would be required to create a permanent pumping station.

This year will see an extra £250m spent on flood and coastal defences in 2021/22 compared with last year - the highest ever annual investment. It includes an extra £40m compared with last year for schemes in Yorkshire and the Humber, a region that has suffered from repeated flooding in recent years.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: "We have seen some devastating flooding around the world so far this summer. No one can prevent all flooding and climate change means the risk is increasing, but we can reduce the risks.

"Having completed the government’s previous six year capital programme on time and on budget, better protecting more than 314,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion, this year we began the government’s new £5.2 billion flood programme."

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: Resized Rotherham retail scheme resubmitted

Updated plans are in for a new mixed-use scheme which is set to form the heart of the community at the Waverley development in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported at the end of 2020 that Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for development and investment, had revealed a development which comprises retail uses, a gym, offices, restaurants and cafes, a supermarket, a medical centre, community space, a bus hub and residential development.

Called Olive Lane, it has been designed to create an attractive and functional retail centre for Waverley. 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.

It follows on from a £50m scheme from Harworth and Dransfield Properties Ltd for the land that was approved in 2017, but new plans are described as "a much smaller proposal" with a lot of flexibility.

Plans, drawn up by Barton Willmore, explain that recession, Brexit and the COVID pandemic means that the retail market is very different from when the previous plans were developed.

The plans state: "In this climate there is very little investment in retail floorspace as the market has contracted so greatly.

"Developments for town centre uses are being reimagined across the piste, with overall floorspace quantities and floorplate sizes reducing. It is with this backdrop that the proposed development at the Site has been altered. A much smaller proposal is now being sought, one which will cater for the immediate needs of the surrounding community, but which will not seek spending from outside its immediate catchment to maintain it."

Advertisement
The plans include:

- 16,500 sq ft building has been designed for a deep discount retailer such as Lidl or Aldi.

- 1,300 sq ft building would be for the new planning class E or sui generis hot food takeaway and is intended to accommodate small service retail occupiers such as key cutting, hairdressers, florists, etc. The size and format means that occupiers can take a small individual unit or amalgamate more than one unit if a large floorplate is needed.

- 2,100 sq ft buildings provide a more standard format unit that could appeal to a range of national multiple comparison goods retailers. One unit could provide a food and drink offer to work alongside the adjacent public space where outdoor seating can be located.

- 7,000 sq ft building includes retail space with a unit designed for food and beverage use on the corner. This building will also include residential properties above first floor.

- 24,500 sq ft building provides a larger floorplate so that drinking establishments and restaurants can be accommodated as well as standard comparison goods retail units. Flexibility is also sought for a unit to be a newsagent or other local convenience goods store.

- 4,800 sq ft medical centre.

- Associated car park with 209 spaces located at the entrance to the supermarket and rear of the mixed use units.

The plans add: "The proposals will form a new high street within Waverley and act as an attractive local destination for residents and business users alike. The range of uses will create a vibrant area that meets a number of different purposes including leisure and retail services. A discount supermarket is proposed within the western portion of the site. Two vehicular accesses are proposed off Stephenson Way."

The site is allocated for a mix of uses and the applicants conclude that the proposed uses are considered suitable and will not result in any adverse impacts on other areas. Trade is expected to be drawn from out of centre locations "and even then, the impact will be negligible. Any impact on designated centres will be similarly low, at no more than 2% on any centre within the catchment area, meaning that there will be no resulting harmful impact."

The case is helped that Rotherham Council has previously accepted that a large amount of retail floorspace in the area is acceptable through the granting of the previous permission on the site.

Knight Frank is the agent for the scheme.

A second application is due to follow later this year for around 150 homes on the remainder of the Olive Lane site.

Waverley website

Images: Harworth / Vector

Read more...

News: Housebuilders update plans for large Rotherham developments

National housebuilders, Strata and Redrow, have updated their respective plans for two large housing developments in Rotherham - at Ravenfield and Kiveton.

At Ravenfield, Redrow has submitted details for a planned development of over 300 houses on land at Moor Lane South.

An outline application for the erection of up to 320 No. dwellinghouses on a large field was approved by Rotherham Council in February.

The new application for the 14.40 hectare site provides details for approval regarding the house types. 303 houses are planned, 76 are to be classed as affordable. The size of houses range from three to five bedroom.

Access into the development is proposed via two simple priority T-junctions onto the B6093 Moor Lane South.

Advertisement
Resubmitting plans for Kiveton Park, Strata Homes, is hoping to secure planning permission for close to 200 new homes on land at Chapel Way / Stockwell Avenue. The scheme was recommended for approval, but was refused by Rotherham Council’s planning board in June, on the grounds of ecology and traffic concerns.

The application site comprises approximately 10.16 hectares of land between Kiveton Community Woodland and the existing housing estate. Currently comprising of arable land with a dense landscaped edge to the south, the site was put forward as residential use in the approved Local Development Plan.

The application is unchanged but consultants say that they now have "additional supporting information has been provided to respond to the matters raised by RMBC Members at the Planning Committee and through the reasons for refusal."

With a number of mitigation measures, the plans state that: "The proposed development will not have a negative impact on the biodiversity of the site, the immediate surrounding area & local wildlife habitats."

The transport assessment, which Rotherham Council officers were happy with, is described as a "robust document of which demonstrates that the local network can accommodate the vehicular movements created from this development in line with the requirements of the NPPF [national planning policy] & Local Development Plan."

Local councillor, Domonic Beck, said at the previous planning board meeting: "To say there will be a negligible impact on the road network is insulting and not true."

Redrow website
Strata Homes website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Tesco plans to lift barriers to parking at Rotherham store

Tesco is looking to reverse controversial plans for parking restrictions at its Rotherham Extra store.

In 2017, plans were approved by Rotherham Council's planning board despite objections that led to the introduction of three hours free parking at the town centre store with the condition that shoppers wanting to park for over 30 minutes had to spend £5 in the store and register their vehicle. A private company was brought in to enforce the operation.

When the 100,000 sq ft store was approved in 2014 a parking plan to offer two hours free parking was "to limit the availability of free parking and to encourage the use of sustainable transport" and not related to offering users the opportunity to make linked trips into the town centre. It was imposed as a limitation rather than a requirement.

In making the changes in 2017, Tesco said that it was "finding that their car park is coming under considerable pressure and is being used by non-Tesco customers, detracting from the attractiveness of the store as a main food shopping location, and in turn impacting on its trading performance."

Advertisement
But now the retailer says that there is sufficient space in the car park. The store has remained open during COVID lockdown restrictions but parking control measures have only been reintroduced in April, working intermintently since.

Redline Planning, consultants for Tesco, explain: "Tesco are aware that car parking pressures that necessitated the installation of the control measures approved as part of the planning application have diminished, and that there is now sufficient capacity in the car park to relax the controls over its use. Tesco therefore propose to remove the "park-to-shop" system.

"The new controls will allow all customers to the store to park freely for at least two hours, up to a maximum of three hours."

The automatic numberplate recognition is set to remain and fines for overstaying will still be levied (£70, £42 if paid within 14 days). Tesco said that it would want the planning permission to enable them to bring down the maximum stay from three hours to two hours if required.

Tesco website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Bright future for Bright Stars

Two enterprising teachers are creating an engaging and educational play space for babies and toddlers in Rotherham - combining a wealth of educational experience with newly learnt skills around starting a new business.

Bright Stars Play Space, which is located at Parkgate, Rotherham, offers a variety of classes including baby massage, yoga, early literacy and numeracy based sessions and sensory play. Converting an office unit into a welcoming play space, areas for the classes have been combined with a comfy area for parents to relax and have a drink.

The idea for Bright Stars Play Space was created over a cup of tea in the kitchen of one of the founders. Molly Doran and Caroline Austen have been teachers for over 15 years and after having their own children felt they could offer parents a warm, inviting space where they could bring their children for fun and educational sessions.

The play space is set to open on September 6, with classes scheduled Monday to Saturday.

Caroline has been teaching and leading in primary and special schools for 16 years across Rotherham and Doncaster. During this time she has developed a knowledge of how to best engage children to develop their learning.

Molly's leadership position in primary has allowed her to see a variety of techniques, teaching styles and approaches to learning. This knowledge has allowed her to handpick the best methods and practices in early education and beyond.

Advertisement
Caroline Austen, founder of Bright Stars Play Space, said: "I first did massage with my daughter when she was a baby. It was really enjoyable and a really good bonding experience. It was calming for us both and Emily used to sleep really well afterwards. Yoga sessions include a mix of yoga-inspired moves and gentle yoga stretches for adults too - its relaxing, helps to tone muscles and develop body awareness in a really fun way."

Something different are the educational sessions.

Caroline added: "All of our sessions have been planned to engage babies and toddlers and also meet different early learning goals. We have developed fun ways of learning new skills for children before they start school, based on games, songs and activities. It provides them with an opportunity to spend some time in a learning environment with other children of the same age, which has been something they've missed out on for a long time.

"As we are both teachers, parents can ask us anything about learning goals and ways of supporting learning in the home."

The entrepreneurs have received start-up support via RiDO - the regeneration arm of Rotherham Council - taking part in masterclasses and workshops on things like business planning, marketing and promotion, social media, online business and e-commerce, photography and video creation and the legal and financial aspects of running a business.

Darren McDool, New Business Developer at RiDO, said: "All you need is an idea. Most of the people we support have developed skills and knowledge in the workplace and now want to turn that into their own business. Others have decided to have a complete career change, often turning a special talent or passion into a business."

Bright Stars Play Space website
RiDO website

Images: Bright Stars Play Space

Read more...

News: Jobs boost as food manufacturer plans to grow Rotherham facility

Leading convenience food manufacturer, Greencore, has cooked up plans to expand its facilities in Rotherham, marking a turnaround from when part of the site was mothballed in 2019.

If approved, the move would create 276 jobs.

Greencore is a leading international producer of convenience foods supplying major retailers in the UK. Headquartered in Dublin, it supplies foodservice, grocery and other retailers, including all of the major UK supermarkets. Strong market positions are held in a range of categories including sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings.

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that the firm announced that it was proposing to phase out longer life ready meals manufacturing at its Kiveton site and transfer volume to other parts of its ready meal network.

But now plans have been submitted for a 21,000 sq ft extension to one of three main buildings at the site at Waleswood, known as "Kiveton Kitchens."

Advertisement
The plans, drawn up by CoxFreeman Architects, state: "The existing Greencore UK Kiveton site complex consists of three main production facilities with ancillary buildings around and a large car park to the north of the site. The three main factory buildings have occupied the site since 1969 during which time they have been redeveloped to facilitate the production of various foodstuffs.

"The existing building to which this application relates, known as Kiveton Kitchens, was granted planning permission for a similar sized extension in 2012. However, due to a decline in the production requirements the extension was never undertaken. In March 2019 the Kiveton Kitchen building ceased production altogether and was mothballed.

"The need for current application works arises following newly obtained production requirements and supply demands by Greencore UK which will be fulfilled in the Kiveton Kitchens building and proposed extension."

The newly acquired production and supply demands require that additional production and storage space be provided to allow the manufacturer of Greencore ready meals. The proposed extension to the Kiveton Kitchen building is to house new manufacturing lines and accompanying production, preparation and storage areas.

Plans show that 613 people are currently employed at the Mansfield Road site and the proposals would take this number up to 889.

In its full year results for 2020 Greencore said that revenues fell 12.5% back to £1.26bn as it was impacted by COVID-19 on food to go categories in the second half of its year. Whilst food to go was 23% down on the previous year, other convenience categories delivered a solid performance, with pro forma revenue up 3% on the previous year.

Greencore website

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Metalysis make giant leap toward extracting oxygen from moonrock

Scientists at Rotherham-based tech firm, Metalysis, are over the moon after making ground-breaking developments that could shape the future of space exploration.

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 commercialising the technology to produce titanium, tantalum, and related high value alloys.

Rothbiz reported last year that innovative technology pioneered by Metalysis is being backed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in their efforts to "mine space" and colonise the Moon.

The firm has now successfully extracted oxygen from replicated moonrock (lunar regolith) which predominantly contains aluminium, silicon, and oxygen, as part of the research programme. The metal powder by-product collected during the process is also generating huge interest.

The project is providing 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. On a space journey to Mars for example, the extraction of oxygen could see a refuelling station on the Moon.

The research, which was conducted by Metalysis using patented processes, has produced a multi- kilogram batch of metal powder from the lunar regolith, opening possibilities to make products to scale, rather than just acquiring samples. This is the first time the metal powder by-product has been produced in these quantities, sparking much interest from customers, and other interested parties, to carry out their own testing and further research. Since the material is in powder form, it is ideal to be used in techniques such as Additive Manufacturing (AM), both for space infrastructure development and in-situ equipment manufacturing.

Advertisement
Learning surrounding the extracted metal powders is also applicable to the on-earth manufacture of products, which could be used in a range of fast-growing applications including medical prosthesis, vehicle, and aviation lightweighting, electronics, magnetic materials, as well as space exploration.

Metalysis, which has both research and production facilities based in Rotherham, has doubled in size in recent months and already has a global reach. The company, which was born over 15 years ago, has gone from strength to strength in recent years, driving forward initiatives such as this research programme, funded by themselves, as well as other privately and publicly sponsored projects looking to advance the potential of metal powders both on earth and in space.

Ian Mellor, managing director at Metalysis, said: "We are excited to be at the forefront of this In-Situ Resource Utilisation activity, demonstrating multiple kilogram batches of metal alloy powder can be produced from moon rock, using the Metalysis technology. This enables new design opportunities in the construction of lunar habitats, which until now could only be envisaged conceptionally.”

Metalysis is funded by the UK Space Agency through the European Space Agency.

Sue Horne, Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency, said: “The UK is playing a leading role in space exploration, including the Rosalind Franklin rover which launches next year to search for signs of life on Mars.

“Finding ways to create the things we need to support life - food, water and breathable air – will be essential for longer-term crewed missions into deep space. This exciting research from Metalysis brings us a step closer to making that possible.”

Metalysis website

Images: Metalysis

Read more...

News: Appeal goes up at The Pitches

Developers have appealed Rotherham Council's decision to refuse controversial plans to build over 100 new houses on greenspace.

Rothbiz reported in March that the planning board at Rotherham Council voted to refuse the plans for The Pitches - going against a recommendation by its officers.

The application for the site at Stag was being recommended for approval, so long as developers provided over £1m as part of a legal deal.

After consultation, Newett Homes reduced the proposals in scale, resulting in a proposal for 116 dwellings.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years, during which it has not been available for public or private use. The site also includes a club house.

Reasons for refusal were that the plans were contrary to Rotherham's Local Plan Policy SP38 "Protecting Green Space" which indicates that such sites will be protected from future development.

The second reason was based on the absence of an up to date Playing Pitch Strategy so there is "insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the proposed mitigation is sufficient to provide replacement sporting facilities of an equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality" in accordance with national planning policy.

£912,000 had been accepted by Sport England for new facilities.

A Government planning inspector will now make a decision on the application.

Advertisement
Newett Homes has put forward its arguments through its consultants and will argue that the site "does not offer any form of irreplaceable amenity function; residential, visual or for sport and recreation," adding that the development would improve existing public amenities and create new ones both on and off-site.

On the second reason for refusal, the developer will argue that the "proposed mitigation strategy is entirely appropriate" and that "a Playing Pitch Strategy is not required before it can be determined whether the mitigation which is proposed is sufficient."

Quod Consultants said: "RMBC’s [Rotherham Council's] reasons for refusal are borne out of the perception that the site fulfils an irreplaceable amenity role and that its loss cannot be adequately mitigated.

"The Appellant will demonstrate that the site has no meaningful public recreational or other amenity value and that its development would, in fact, give rise to the creation of improved sports and recreation facilities in the area and new recreational amenities at the site, as well as other benefits for the local community that should all be afforded positive weight in the planning balance.

"The Appellant will also show that their mitigation proposals have been tailored to local sports needs and strategies and, as such, are entirely appropriate."

A date for a public inquiry has not been set but the Planning Inspectorate wants evidence to be submitted before October 12.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: JTF closes after sale falls through

JTF Mega Discount Warehouse has closed its stores, including one in Rotherham, having collapsed into administration.

Established over 40 years ago, and with a recent turnover of circa £60m, JTF had been struggling to manage debts accrued as a result of the worsening retail climate and excessive head office costs.

In early 2020 the business was acquired by Arthur Harris who immediately implemented a restructuring plan which significantly reduced head office costs. However, he also recognised that the business could not survive with the high level of legacy debts.

The company secured a CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement) with creditors that would enable JTF Wholesale to continue to trade, despite it being during lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advertisement
This year, the Nottinghamshire-based, forty-year-old retail chain had been looking for a buyer and issued a notice of intention to appoint an administrator. Instead it collapsed at the end of July, resulting in the closure of all stores, including the one at Catcliffe, and the loss of around 500 jobs.

A statement issued on behalf of the company said that the pandemic had played a significant role in its demise, with the forced closure of stores wiping out fireworks and Christmas sales which were ‘two of the largest seasonal items for JTF’.

Around 100 workers are set to take legal action against the retail consortium after receiving notice that they had been made redundant with immediate effect after a deal for the sale of the business fell through.

National law firm Simpson Millar says it is now in the early stages of investigations to enable appropriate legal action to be brought to secure what is known as a Protective Award on their behalf for the company’s failure to properly consult staff regarding the mass redundancies.

Damian Kelly, head of employment law at the firm, said: “The current situation is making it difficult for many companies across most industries and it is no surprise that retail giants – and particularly those that are so reliant on physical footfall - are being significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Sadly in this instance we understand that there had been a buyer for the business, but that the sale will no longer be taking place. As a result, the number of employees who are facing redundancy is really quite significant.”

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Beatson Clark retro bottles are just the tonic

A new Caribbean rum tonic drink called Wha Gwan has seen excellent sales since it launched this summer in 200ml amber Winchester apothecary bottles made by Beatson Clark in Rotherham.

The Greasborough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

Wha Gwan is a ready-to-drink melon cherry rum tonic described as “fully loaded with good vybz and strength”.

The 17.2% rum-based drink has been selling well in wholesalers, cash and carries and small retail outlets since it launched.

Advertisement
David Mills, founder of Wha Gwan who licenses the brand to distributor BevStar, said: “Sales are good – we are one of the fastest growing new start-ups in the country at the moment.

“For the packaging we wanted to work directly with a manufacturer, and Beatson Clark are one of the main players in the marketplace.

“They’re a great company to work with and they’re very reliable and efficient in terms of timescales.

“We chose a pharmaceutical bottle to identify the drink as part of the category. Medicine-style bottles are proving very popular in the marketplace right now and rather than stand apart from them we wanted our new product to fit in with the rest of the sector.

“We believe we will soon start to see competitors launching similar products so we plan to customise our bottle within six months through embossing, once our brand is fully established in the market.”

Jonathan Clark, Account Manager at Beatson Clark, said: “The popularity of our vintage, retro-style apothecary bottles shows no sign of abating.

“Originally designed for pharmaceutical use, they lend brands an authentic apothecary look which is currently very popular in the craft spirits market. In addition the amber glass protects drink products from harmful UV rays, offering them a longer shelf life.

“Many bottles in this range are available from stock and the addition of embossing produces unique bottles for less than half the cost of a completely bespoke design.”

Beatson Clark website

Images: Beatson Clark

Read more...

News: Microbar plan for Rotherham retail complex

A Rotherham retail village created in a former farm is applying to operate a micropub alongside its existing deli and teamrooms.

Deer Park Farm is family run business based at Thrybergh and has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques and a farm shop, having previously been used as a garage and car hire business.

The latest plans are to rearrange the current buildings in order to create a retail unit in a current storage building to be occupied by an antiques emporium. A separate building would then see the three current retail units changed into one drinking establishment and one retail unit (a flower studio). A third building containing the tea rooms is set to remain unchanged.

The plans, drawn up by DLP consultants, state: "Deer Park Farm is an important commercial use in the nearby area with the loss of Fosters Garden Centre having an impact on the diversity of commercial activity in the area. As a result, the change of use will support the local economy and help create wider development opportunities due to acting as a local employment hub."

Fosters, just over Doncaster Road, announced that it was closing in 2020.

Advertisement
Plans show that there will be a few outdoor seats and the hours of operation will be 10-9pm Monday to Saturday and 12-9pm on Sundays.

Applicants also want to extend the car park.

A number of objections have been received from residents of nearby Arran Hill but the plans state: "The existing residential properties are of a sufficient distance from the application site so as not to be affected by the proposed change of use and will ensure an adequate living environment is maintained for these residents. In addition, the scale of the existing built form on the site will remain the same. As such the proposed development does not pose any potential overbearing impact on neighbouring properties nor is it deemed to be harmful to the immediate locality."

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Deer Park Retail Village

Read more...

News: Rotherham boardgame creator launches first product at UK Games Expo

Rotherham-based boardgame creator Teleporthole Games has launched its first boardgame ‘Attack of the Intergalactic Gherkins’ at the popular UK Games Expo in Birmingham.

Entrepreneur and former business advisor Andrew Klinkenberg launched the business during the pandemic amidst a surge in demand for at-home entertainment solutions fuelled by the lockdown restrictions.

The boardgame industry as a whole has seen an upward trajectory of growth with the latest statistics from Businesswire predicting a growth of 13% between 2021-2026.

Teleporthole Games’ attendance at the popular UK Games Expo was made possible by a Kickstart scheme from UKSE – a business that invests in steel areas across the UK – which allowed Andrew to secure a stand, as well as pay for marketing materials for the expo. Using a local manufacturer and working with UK distributors, Andrew is hoping to put South Yorkshire on the map in terms of boardgame production.

Their debuting family game ‘Attack of the Intergalactic Gherkins’ is a self-described space-vegetable-enraged adventure card game for ages 7+ and 2-6 players. Players must assist the hapless astronauts rebuild their ships having been set-upon by intergalactic gherkins.

Advertisement
Andrew Klinkenberg said: “The last year has been a real rollercoaster in terms of establishing the business and bringing our first product to market, but it has been a dream of mine to establish a South-Yorkshire boardgame business for so long and I am excited to be gaining traction.

“The UK Games Expo is the largest Hobby Games Convention in the UK, and it appeals to families as well as enthusiasts, so it made sense for me to launch my first project there.

“The funding from UKSE was vital in facilitating that and in accelerating the manufacture of the stock that I will be selling, so I am hugely grateful.

“Longer term I really want to expand internationally and I already have three further boardgames in the pipeline. Meanwhile I am committed to using local manufacturing and distributors to help create jobs in and around South Yorkshire.”

Steve Lyon, Regional executive at UKSE said: “The figures show that the games industry is booming at the moment, and we’re pleased to have supported Andrew to Kickstart his ambition of putting Rotherham and South Yorkshire on the game manufacturing map.

“It is exciting to see the vision for bringing Teleporthole Games to a wider market, and potentially even internationally, and I wish Andrew the best of luck moving the business to the next stage.”

Teleporthole Games website
UKSE website

Images: UKSE

Read more...

News: Worker co-ops and employee ownership to play key role in economic recovery

Sheffield City Region (SCR) is the first region to partner with the Ownership Hub to grow resilient and inclusive businesses through employee and worker ownership.

As Covid restrictions ease across England, focus moves to the economic recovery of businesses hit hard by the pandemic. A new national initiative aiming to support businesses, advisers and regions to grow employee and worker ownership has been launched.

The SCR is the first region to commit to growing the number of worker and employee owners in this way.

The Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity. Not just because it gives us the chance to boost our support for co-ops and employee ownership, but because it will help to weave the thread of co-operation through our plan for economic recovery and renewal in South Yorkshire.

“It is an integral part of a greater effort to not just create a more dynamic, productive and resilient economy, but to reform its structure – to change the system in a way which makes it fairer, more inclusive, and better able to serve the aspirations and needs of the people of South Yorkshire.

“It complements other threads of that vision – linking support for wider ownership to reformed procurement, incentives around investments in companies, the creation of a business charter, community wealth building, stronger devolution and democracy, and a just carbon transition.”

The Ownership Hub is a partnership between the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) and Co-operatives UK, as part of their campaign to create more than 1 million good jobs by 2030 through businesses giving employees a stake and say.

There are around 1,100 worker and employee owned businesses in the UK. Together they contribute over £40 billion to the UK economy and provide more than 200,000 jobs.

Deb Oxley OBE, Chief Executive of the EOA, said: “The benefits of giving employees and workers a stake and say – better engagement, better productivity and more sustainable, resilient jobs – are well evidenced.

“While the growth of employee and worker ownership is accelerating, we needed a new approach for a chance for it to grow at scale and deliver impact in economies and communities, so we are delighted to launch the Ownership Hub and welcome Sheffield to blaze a trail for other regions.”

Advertisement
A testament to the success of employee ownership is Gripple, a market-leading manufacturer of wire joining, and tensioning devices headquartered in Sheffield. Set up in the 1990’s ownership was transferred to the employees in 2011 and today the business is a global success employing more than 670 employee owners, manufacturing 6,000 products and exporting 85% of its trade to 80 countries.

Hugh Facey, founder of Gripple, said: “I have been able to step back from the business which is now run by employees who have moved up and will keep it alive for future generations through employee ownership. Our employee’s owners are committed because they personally have shares in the business – this leaves us in a great position to innovate and grow.

“We are a global business – 85% export – but rooted in Sheffield, so we are delighted that the Sheffield City Region will be leading the way in growing employee and worker ownership as part of its economic strategy.”

Recommended reading: Creating Connections: Building Partnerships In Rotherham’s Business Scene

Working intensively in geographic areas, and tapping into existing business networks, the Ownership Hub targets business founders at start-up stage to consider forming worker co-operatives, businesses that are looking at succession to consider employee ownership, as well as supporting professional advisers to build their knowledge to support employee or worker owned businesses. It supports regions to take a strategic approach to growing employee and worker ownership as part of their economic strategy.

Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK said “We’re delighted to welcome Sheffield City region as the first of many regional partners, and we’re already talking to other areas that recognise the value of worker co-ops and employee ownership in creating a fairer, more inclusive economy. The pandemic has shone a light on inequalities across the UK, and workers owning an equal share of businesses is an effective and practical way to redress this balance of power.”

In the past 12 months Rotherham-based companies, Planet X, Elevation Recruitment and Build-Lite, have all become employee-owned businesses.

SCR Growth Hub website

Images: SCR

Read more...