News: Ground broken on £5.4m business incubation hub in Rotherham

Ground has been broken on a brand-new business incubation hub on Century Business Park in Rotherham.

Led by Rotherham Council, and with Esh Construction as the main contractor, Manvers Incubation Hub will provide high-quality, serviceable office and workshop accommodation designed to help micro or start-up businesses grow.

The facility will feature 20 workshops, 16 office units and 2 laboratories for 38 businesses.

This second phase will build on the success of the nearby Century Business Centre which was constructed in 2000 and has since helped over 300 businesses, playing a crucial part in the economic regeneration of the Manvers area.

Cllr Denise Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, said: “Providing high-quality office and workshop accommodation is important for attracting and growing businesses to Rotherham.

“The Century Business Centre site has been an undoubted success over the past couple of decades, so it is exciting to break ground as construction begins on this new business incubation hub at Century Business Park.”

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Rothbiz reported in April that Esh Construction Ltd was appointed as design and build contractor after the scheme was procured by YORhub’s YORbuild2 framework and will work in partnership with The Harris Partnership and RWO Associates. The total value of contract is £3,986,937.21.

Esh’s Operations Manager, Andrew Schofield, said: “We are delighted to get work underway on this key facility for local businesses, which will in turn contribute to a boost in local employment and the economy. As a business we are committed to delivering social and economic value in the communities where we operate. Throughout this development we will engage with local schools, offer work experience opportunities and support training for apprentices on site.”

The new centre will feature a central reception and lettable conference facilities for larger meetings and functions. Externally, the site will include car parking, cycle storage and electric car charging points. The workshop zone will have its own dedicated service yard for light vehicles such as transit vans and utility vehicles.

A fabric first approach has been taken towards creating a more sustainable building and renewable heating will be incorporated within the office spaces via air source heat pumps.

The site is located just off the A6195 at Wombwell, providing excellent connectivity links to M1 and A1. It will be managed by Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) which manages similar facilities across the borough.

There will be a focus on achieving a BIM Level 2 accreditation throughout the scheme, with Magenta Solutions Ltd leading on the BIM Execution Plan, as well as achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.

Esh Group website
RIDO Business Centres website

Images: RMBC / Andrew Heptinstall Photography Ltd / Harris Partnership

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News: Rotherham listed building back up for auction

The majority of the converted Old Town Hall in Rotherham town centre is going back under the hammer.

Converted in the 1980's into an attractive shopping arcade, the Grade II listed building has been given a guide price of £370,000.

At 26,675 sq ft, which also includes space on the first floor, the property is currently configured with fifteen retail units including Joe’s Fruit and Veg and the temporary home for literacy charity, Grimm & Co.

SDL Auctions are hosting the auction online this week and are advertising the property with Rory Mack Associates as being suitable for bars or conversion into residential subject to planning. It is described as a "significant opportunity for improvement or redevelopment."

The freehold was last sold for an undisclosed sum after the May auction organised by Allsops in 2016.

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Quickly after the sale, tenants like LASER Credit Union found themselves looking for new premises as the new landlord refused to finalise the lease that had been negotiated with the previous landlord.

The privately owned investment firm, FCFM Group Ltd, did go on to invest in redecoration of communal areas, much needed maintenance, unit upgrades, resurfacing and jet washing of the central arcade, new lighting and new signage.

Renamed "The Mall," it attracted new and relocating retailers with rental offers but a request to operate a market was turned down and space was used by Origin Broadband until it went into administration.

Formerly the Town Hall including the County Juvenile Court and Assembly Rooms, much of the building dates from 1896-97. Designed by Mr Lovell of London it features Classical and Jacobean details. The Assembly Room building (not part of the sale), was built as Rotherham and Masborough Literary Mechanics Institute in 1853 and was extensively refronted when incorporated into the Town Hall complex.

On the site, but also not part of the property going up for auction, Pinders School Wear has recently expanded into 1 Old Town Hall, the long vacant listed building that was formerly a Burger King. This property sold prior to going to auction in September 2021.

SDL Auctions website

Images: SDL

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News: "Future problem solvers" celebrated at AMRC Training Centre awards

The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has held its apprentice celebration evening.

It is the first time in two years that apprentices, their employers, teachers and proud parents were able to come together in person to recognise their tremendous achievements.

The centre, which has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, honoured awards winners and finalists from both the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies who were not able to celebrate at the time due to the pandemic.

Host for the night was Steph McGovern, presenter of Channel 4’s daytime hit TV show Steph’s Packed Lunch, who is a former engineering apprentice of the event’s headline sponsor - iconic toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker. “Starting out as an apprentice myself and now being here to celebrate such a talented set of individuals and fellow apprentices doing what I think, is such a great and fulfilling career is very special,” said Steph.

“They are literally our future problem solvers and I think what they are doing is the best path for a successful career in industry. Despite the Covid setbacks, they have still smashed it and I can guarantee they will have a very rewarding career ahead of them.”

The focus is on students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships with opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses.

The event, held on the eve of International Women in Engineering day, saw Bethany Cousins, project engineer for the University of Sheffield AMRC, win the Apprentice of the Year award for 2020 and Kate Todd-Davis take the title for 2021. Kate also won “Degree Apprentice of the Year.”

Kate, a manufacturing engineering apprentice at global engineering giant Rolls-Royce, recently graduated from AMRC Training Centre with a first-class honours degree in Manufacturing Technology, having already completed a Level 2 NVQ in Fundamental Engineering, and is now working towards a Level 4 NVQ in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, both delivered by the Sunderland Engineering Training Association (SETA).

She summed up her double whammy of wins as being ‘overwhelming, humbling and unexpected’, adding: "To receive not just one award, but two is a massive achievement for me and is a great honour I did not expect.

"Being the overall winner is certainly my biggest career highlight to date and was a big shock considering there were so many strong and impressive applications. I hope it makes others consider an apprenticeship, gets more women in engineering and takes away the stigma it carries."

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Michelle White, apprentice development leader at Rolls-Royce, said Kate is ‘one to watch’, adding: “I am so proud of Kate’s achievements and as her apprenticeship is coming to an end, I believe now is the time that she will really fly within the company.

“She is destined for big things and I hope she remains to be a strong female ambassador for engineering and she proves that anything is achievable in a male-dominated industry.”

New Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard, who is just eight weeks into his new role, was thrilled to be at the event and marked out the up-and-coming talent in the room as the change makers the world needs.

He said: “Sheffield is my home, I was born and raised here. I know the talent we possess in this region is equal to any industrial challenge we must overcome.

“We have a huge range of exciting and innovative companies in South Yorkshire, and the apprentices here are the future leaders of their businesses. Their talent will change the region and change the world. They are the ones who will get us to net zero.”

Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC Training Centre, praised the apprentices for their passion, adding: “Seeing our apprentices up on stage filled me with pride and reminded me why I chose to work for the AMRC Training Centre - it is them who make this literally the best job in the world.

“As a team we are committed to continue our efforts in pushing these individuals to be the best versions of themselves and to help them become our engineers of tomorrow. Without them, none of us would be here at this celebration event and I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication and commitment.”

Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are very proud of our apprentices and I am delighted that we were finally able to celebrate their achievements in person. They have an extraordinary impact on their employers - in many cases, improving processes, making them more sustainable or finding new and innovative ways to do things that save time and money.

“They are an important part of our University and we are pleased to provide both academic and vocational education of the very highest quality.”

This year’s festivities follows a virtual awards ceremony held in December, announced by Nuclear AMRC researcher and Great British Bake Off winner, Dr Rahul Mandal, who also attended the in-person event.

Now in its seventh year, the awards are a firm favourite in the AMRC Training Centre calendar and put a spotlight on both the apprentices and their employers who together are the brave and bold, breaking the mould to innovate, inspire and impact the way industry in the UK continues to evolve.

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC Training

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News: PSPO to continue in Eastwood

Powers to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) are set to be re-implemented in the Eastwood area of Rotherham.

2017 saw the introduction of the borough's first Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the town centre and Clifton Park after the Council said that it continued to receive complaints about a minority of people who behave in an unacceptable way.

A PSPO introduces a number of prohibitions to address the anti-social behaviour of individuals visiting these areas. By outlining these prohibitions it makes it clear what kind of behaviour is acceptable.

A similar order was implemented in 2019 in Eastwood, a residential and business area on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

A report submitted to Rotherham Council, which was approved at the Cabinet meeting earlier this month, showed that 90% of respondents to recent consultation supported a new designation which will run for a further three years.

Cllr Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance, said: “The consultation showed public support for continuing with the PSPO for this area of Rotherham.

“The new powers which were introduced to tackle the minority of people who make life unpleasant for others have had an effect but it is clear from the results that more needs to be done. We are pleased that Cabinet has approved the report’s recommendation.”

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Conditions in the PSPO include: behaving in such a way or using language that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to another person; drinking alcohol other than in a licensed premises or event; causing noise that is likely to have a detrimental impact on a person(s) quality of life.

In addition, residents, landlords and managing agents, will need to put their wheelie bins away, as the council receives complaints regarding the street scene.

Any individual in breach of the PSPO is subject to a £100 penalty. Those that failed to pay this would be liable for prosecution.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Chapman said: “We fully support the application for the refreshed Public Space Protection Order in relation to Fitzwilliam Road. Numerous complaints are regularly received from within the community which relate to anti-social behaviour, and environmental issues including waste management.

“There have been 34 reports to South Yorkshire Police within the area for these incident categories so far this year to date, this is in addition to issues that will have been dealt with by officer intervention without an incident being created, or ASB that would be linked to other recorded matters.

“The refreshed PSPO would afford SYP and partner agencies the powers and tools to deal with such complaints in a robust manner, whilst also raising awareness to those that may behave in such a way that this conduct is not acceptable. The additional powers afforded under the PSPO would serve to reassure the community that SYP and partners are taking their concerns seriously and seeking to take appropriate action.”

Images: Google Maps

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News: Latest Netflix series at Wentworth Woodhouse

A UK crime thriller spanning four time zones is the latest Netflix series to film at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

Bodies is a mystery with four detectives, four time periods, and four dead bodies. It is an adaptation of Si Spencer’s graphic novel.

Director, Marco Kreuzpaintner, was on set at the Grade I listed stately home last month as filming began. The German director and writer is known for The Lazarus Project, another time-bending series that is currently showing on Sky.

Paul Tomalin, whose credits include No Offence and Torchwood, is the showrunner and executive producer on Bodies with Moonage Pictures also involved.

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The series starts with a murder in Whitechapel. Four different detectives are trying to solve the murder in different time periods: 1890s overachiever Edmond Hillinghead, dashing 1940s adventurer Karl Whiteman, kickass female 2010s Detective Sergeant Shahara Hasan and Maplewood, an amnesiac from post-apocalyptic 2050, who brings a haunting perspective. Together, the four set out to uncover a conspiracy spanning 150 years.

Other Yorkshire filming locations include Hull, Grimsby and Leeds.

Wentworth Woodhouse, which is being regenerated by a Preservation Trust, was previously used as a location for Netflix series The Irregulars, also set in Victorian London. Here, filmmakers used long-abandoned servants’ quarters and the Green Dining Room.

The house has also been used in the recent big screen feature, Downton Abbey, and the drama, Gentleman Jack for the BBC.

Images: Marco Kreuzpaintner / Instagram

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News: How to deal with empty buildings in Rotherham town centre

According to research, around 5% of empty units on the nation's High Streets are persistently vacant, meaning they have been shuttered up for more than three years – a record high. In Rotherham, this figure jumps to 18%.

Could a radical idea to force landlords to temporarily bring shops back into use help?

An estimated 14.4% of high street units in the UK are currently vacant. The latest figure for Rotherham (2021) is 31%.

UK think tank, Power to Change used the figures from the Local Data Company in their report on giving local communities greater power and ownership to regenerate their town centres.

The data showed that Rotherham's persistent vacancy rate (3+ years) was the highest shown in the study, at 18.1% in 2022. Up from 12% in 2015.

New reports have the twenty-year exodus of retailers from town centres and the COVID pandemic as a key reasons for record vacancies but also evidence that it is often down to who owns the properties.

For example, UK think tank Onward highlight that High Street units owned by investment management schemes have a vacancy rate (13%) that is ten times as high as the vacancy rate for shops owned by private individuals (1.3%). Real estate and property companies account for 25% of vacant units, while overseas investors account for 21%.

It has become easy for large financial institutions and investment schemes to sit on High Street properties, unconcerned whether they are empty or let.

In its new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, the Government has started to address this issue with the idea of “compulsory rent auctions” (CRAs). This is described as "a deceptively simple but radical idea," under which local authorities would be given a power to require landlords of high street units empty for more than 12 months to hold a public rent auction, where prospective tenants offer bids for the maximum level of rent they are prepared to pay on a fixed term lease.

The landlord would be legally required to let the unit to one of the bids and if they refuse then the local authority would have the power to hold an auction and lease the property in absentia.

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The Onward report sees this as a needed intervention to reduce vacancies, tackle absentee landlords, increase housing supply and aid innovation on the High Street.

The report concludes: "The high street is not just a centre for local commerce, it is a symbol of the health of a place. People notice when their high street deteriorates, when shops go unfilled and when footfall declines. The impact of successive events - the arrival of out-of-town shopping, the growth of internet shopping, and most recently the pandemic - has ripped the heart out of many town centres, and the market has not responded accordingly. Nothing we have tried to date has worked, so it is time for trying something new.

"Compulsory rent auctions are a radical idea to force landlords to temporarily bring shops back into use at a price determined by the market. Just as local authorities can issue improvement notices on properties which represent a hazard, a compulsory rent auction allows councils to tackle the negative externalities of vacancy on the wider community. The interference with landlord rights is minimal: the only restriction is on their ability to maintain an empty property.

"If ministers get this right, such a policy could give local authorities an invaluable tool to tackle long-term vacancy and lead to creative uses of the high street."

In Rotherham, some long term vacant units have been as a result of regeneration schemes. The Riverside precinct and the former Primark unit were purchased by the council to be demolished to make way for new projects.

The burnt out buildings on Corporation Street are perhaps the most visible reminder of the worst kind.

On the key route through town, the former Envy nightclub building, which suffered a malicious fire in 2007, and Muskaan restaurant, which was closed after a fire in 2011, have been left empty ever since, and whilst not structurally unsafe, the buildings are widely acknowledged to be an eyesore.

Negotiations with the absentee owners appear to have failed over the purchase of 3-7 Corporation Street so Council officers are hoping to gain Cabinet approval in the summer for the compulsory acquisition of the properties.

Images: Google Maps / HRH Retail

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News: Rotherham entrepreneurs raise the bar when it comes to pub snacks

Two Rotherham-based entrepreneurs are hoping to snaffle up a piece of the lucrative pub snacks market after successfully reinventing the humble pork scratching.

John Walker and David Mace launched their pub snacks business, Beerpig, back in November 2019. Despite losing their entire customer base due to the pandemic just four months into their business journey, today, Beerpig’s tasty pork scratchings, which are sold warm directly from the bar, can be found in over 250 pubs and clubs across the UK.

Insurance broker John hit on the idea of producing warm pork scratchings when he decided to conduct an experiment at home. To his surprise, John discovered that the process of heating the pork scratchings improved their flavour, and after sharing his discovery with friends, the Wickersley-based entrepreneur decided to explore building a business around selling warm pork scratchings to the pubs industry.

Central to Beerpig’s growth plans was the creation of a custom-built warming cabinet, enabling pubs to sell heated pork scratchings. At the same time, John embarked upon a quest to design and create the perfect pork crackling which would be suitable for warming, meet the necessary shelf life and comply with all food safety standards. Armed with a few samples of Beerpig Crackling and some business cards, John and David ventured out to several local pubs and secured their first orders.

With each heating unit requiring significant investment, John knew that the key to the success of the business would be securing repeat orders. He also recognised that by serving the pork scratchings in washable, porcelain dishes, it would also help to reduce single-use plastics or cardboard.

However, John and David also knew that to build and grow the business, they would need additional help and called upon Launchpad, a free business support programme aimed at helping new entrepreneurs and SMEs within South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw to realise their potential.

Working with experienced business adviser Darren McDool, John and David realised it was vital to protect the Beerpig name and successfully secured a trademark to protect their unique brand. Together they developed a short term and a long-term business plan setting out the company’s ambitious growth plans over the next six months and over the next three years – the shorter term six month targets they successfully achieved within just six weeks of trading. With Darren’s help, Beerpig relocated from John’s home office to Rotherham’s Fusion Business Centre at Templeborough within their first month.

During this time, John and David also took part in a number of the free workshops provided by Launchpad, giving them the confidence to build and develop their own website from scratch, further protect their brand, as well as learning how to market their products more effectively.

Poised to enjoy a significant period of expansion and growth, disaster struck just four months into Beerpig’s business journey, when the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the pubs industry from opening. Overnight, the company lost its entire customer base and with Beerpig HQ full of pork scratchings, John and David realised they needed to diversify their business model. They quickly redeveloped their plans and began to sell stock online via their website and Amazon, immediately receiving rave reviews from pork scratching fans from across the UK.

Recognising the challenges the hospitality industry faced during lockdown, John and David worked closely with their pub customers, replacing all snacks that had reached their expiry dates completely free of charge. Since the re-opening of the hospitality industry, Beerpig has enjoyed a significant period of growth, with the number of pubs stocking their products rising from just 30 in January 2020 to over 300 today. Beerpig sells one ton Beerpig Pork Crackling to pubs and clubs across the UK every week, and the company is hoping to expand its pub operations to over 1000 outlets by the end of 2023.

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John Walker, co-founder, Beerpig said: “Pork scratchings are the most popular pub snack in the UK, yet despite their popularity, the way they are sold today has hardly changed since they were first developed nearly 200 years ago. I felt selling warm pork crackling would be something that would be popular with drinkers, so after tailoring and perfecting our recipe, we quickly started receiving regular orders; however, when Covid-19 struck, we were forced to completely re-evaluate our business model. Imagine starting a new company selling to pubs and bars for them ALL to be forced to close their doors within a matter of weeks.

"We approached Launchpad for help fairly early on in our business journey and Darren and the team have been incredibly supportive. We knew that for our business to succeed it was important to get everything right from day one. The one-to-one advice we’ve received helped us to get our terms and conditions right, protect our brand, as well as refining our business plans. The workshops we’ve attended have helped us to build our customer base, increase online presence and understand what it takes to run a successful business. Launchpad has provided a constant source of support throughout our business journey, and the help we’ve received has enabled us to not only believe in our ideas but lay the foundations for significant future growth.”

Darren McDool, Launchpad adviser, added: “Beerpig is an exciting company with a bright future ahead of it. Like any true entrepreneur, John and David spotted new opportunities when faced with adversity, and despite being forced to radically transform their original plans, almost overnight, they were able to adapt their business model and tap into new ways of generating revenue for the business.

"Building a strong brand can be an important way of distinguishing your services from those of competitors. John and David knew they would be entering into an incredibly competitive sector and recognised the importance of distinguishing their products from others. Crucially, they also knew it was vital to protect their brand and spent time successfully trademarking their company name, logo, as well as developing custom built equipment to heat their products, as well as getting their terms and conditions right from the first day they started trading. Launchpad was designed to not only help new entrepreneurs to understand what it takes to build and grow a successful business, but also to help them to create solid foundations, paving the way for future growth.”

Beer Pig website
Launchpad website

Images: SCR Launchpad

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News: Plans for restoring railways in Rotherham chugging along

Two local projects are still moving forward as part of a Government initiative aimed at bringing underutilised rail routes back to life.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that a new station at the Waverley development was successful in the second round of the Restoring Your Railway "Ideas Fund" that will progress plans to deliver new routes and improved connectivity, as well as developing plans for new stations to areas poorly served by public transport.

The bid centres on a new Waverley Station on the Sheffield-Worksop-Lincoln Line (which skirts the Southern edge of the Waverley site and also serves Kiveton) and is linked to another bid, which is further developed, for the restoration of passenger services on the Barrow Hill line between Sheffield and Chesterfield, which was successful in this first round of the Ideas Fund.

Whilst Waverley is still at the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) stage, the proposal to re-open the Barrow Hill railway line to passenger traffic is through to the next stage and is being supported to develop further. It will share a slice of £15m with eight other schemes also in development.

Rail Minister Wendy Morton said: "This fund is a great example of how we are committed to helping communities across the country level up and reconnect people and businesses to new opportunities."

The Barrow Hill scheme is described as a "deliverable opportunity to level-up ‘left-behind’ communities currently disconnected from the urban centres of Sheffield and Chesterfield."

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Using part of the "Old Road" services would run between Sheffield Midland or Sheffield Victoria, via the existing Nunnery Square junction, along the existing Sheffield-Worksop-Lincoln line as far as Beighton before transferring to the Barrow Hill line as far as Tapton Junction where they would join the Midland Mainline for a short stretch into Chesterfield.

Two trains per hour, local (stopping) passenger services are proposed, with minimal infrastructure interventions.

The plans, which could cost between £33m and £113m, include a phased re-opening of stations at Eckington / Renishaw, Killamarsh, Staveley / Barrow Hill and Whittington.

As Waverely is on the same line as the Barrow Hill scheme, proponents are discussing the potential to align the business cases, procurement and construction to create efficencies. Adding in Waverley is likely to increase the overall demand for the Barrow Hill service and help with the business case.

Using Tram-Trains, like those that run between Sheffield and Rotherham, has already been discounted as it is anticipated to have a "significant and disproportionate implementation cost due to the electrification requirement and the inability to utilise the standard platforms at existing stations."

A bid to restore passenger services on the South Yorkshire Joint Railway was not successful in any previous rounds.

With regards to a new station for Rotherham on the mainline, which, despite being allocated funding, took a knock back when the Government scaled back ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), the region is waiting on a study of route options to take HS2 to Leeds led by Network Rail.

Andrew Moss, Interim Head of Transport Infrastructure at Rotherham Council recently told councillors that updates on remaining rail projects such as the Sheffield-Leeds Corridor improvements was now expected in September 2022.

Images: SYMCA

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News: Smartphone initiative for Rotherham’s asylum seekers

Mears Foundation is partnering with Rotherham-based engineering company, AESSEAL to help asylum seekers temporarily housed in the town to communicate with their families and support groups.

Together, the two organisations are funding the purchase of more than 800 basic smartphones in an initiative that recognises the social and emotional needs for connectivity of a group that has experienced extreme hardship during their journey to the UK.

At any one time around 600 people, including individuals and family groups, are in temporary accommodation in Rotherham while their asylum claims are processed. The asylum seekers come from various part of the world, including from conflict regions such as Afghanistan and Syria.

For over ten years, Mears has been the main contractor delivering services in the north of the borough as part of a multimillion pound repairs and maintenance service contract on behalf of Rotherham Council.

The Mears Foundation is the independent, charitable, grant-making arm of Mears Group. Mears Group provides accommodation and support for asylum seekers on behalf of the UK Home Office in Rotherham and across Yorkshire.

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Heather Tyrer, General Manager of the Mears Foundation said: "We are proud to be partnering with AESSEAL to provide important support for asylum seekers to communicate and get online. When people arrive in the UK, often fleeing persecution, providing a link for them to be able to speak to relatives, find out about their new local area and to make new connections, is literally a lifeline."

AESSEAL Managing Director, Chris Rea added: “The company heard about the project and wanted to help. These are displaced people and families with the same needs for emotional support and connectivity that we all have. It’s a joined-up world and smartphones give them access to information and important family and social support”, he added.

"We also wanted to ensure that, whatever the outcome of their case to remain in the UK, that they retained positive memories of Rotherham and its people."

Mears website
AESSEAL website

Images: Mears

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News: Sunak surveys Dinnington and its case for Levelling Up

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, visited the Rotherham town of Dinnington last week as a bid is prepared to secure much needed Government cash for regeneration.

Last year, Rotherham Council submitted three bids to the Government's £4 billion competitive Levelling Up Fund that is being invested in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK.

Whilst the bids based on the town centre and the leisure economy were successful, and secured £40m for the borough, a bid based on Wath and Dinnington being designated as areas of growth in terms of new housing and employment, was knocked back.

The authority has said that the bid will be put back in to the next round of the fund.

Sunak is the second Chancellor to be invited to visit Dinnington by Rother Valley MP, Alexander Stafford, after previous Chancellor Sajid Javid came in 2019.

Stafford has campaigned for the bid to focus on Dinnington High Street, notably the outdoor market indoor market and further retail premises nearby that are not fit for purpose, some without running water and toilet facilities and some which have been burnt out and derelict for several years.

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In Dinnington the borough council sought to secure £9.2m to carry out interventions that have a total cost of £14m.

The bid included new residential and retail with space for an indoor market. The outdoor market will be upgraded and sited within event space and upgraded public realm.

Paul Woodcock, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, recently updated councillors on the Dinnington bid. He said: "The feedback from Round 1 had related to match funding and the scale of the process and programme that had been put forward under the first round of bidding.

"Work had been done in terms of private sector options, private sector match, the marketplace linked to commercial, residential and more retail led schemes. The revised scheme was still based on the principles of the original submission as the feedback was that it was a strong bid.

"However, it was important to make it affordable. Since the first bid was put in, cost increases had been seen in the construction market and as such it was vital that any scheme put forward was deliverable."

Alexander Stafford, MP for Rother Valley, said: "As promised when I was elected, I will ensure Rother Valley’s voice is heard by the most powerful people in our country, so I was delighted to be able to show the Chancellor around Dinnington high street and talk to him about our bid for the Levelling Up Fund. The Government has committed to delivering significant investment for areas like Rother Valley, where our small towns have been neglected for decades.

"This is just the beginning, and I will continue to press for greater investment across the whole of Rother Valley, to benefit all our towns and ensure that they are strong enough to meet the challenges of a changing economy."

Images: Alexander Stafford / Facebook

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News: Xeros signs global licensing agreement

Xeros Technology Group plc has signed a licensing agreement for its XFilter filtration technology with a world leading manufacturer of components for the appliance industry.

Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, Xeros is a Leeds University spin-out that has moved to "IP-rich, capital-light" business model with water saving and filtration technologies with multiple commercial applications.

The AIM-listed firm has signed an agreement with Hanning Elektro-Werke Gmbh & Co.KG. which is based in Germany and makes pumps and motors for some of the world's largest domestic washing machine manufacturers.

Hanning components are incorporated in the washing machines of some of the world's leading brands and the agreement is described as transformational for Xeros. It has the potential to deliver significant revenues from late 2023 onwards.

Under the terms of the 10-year, non-exclusive agreement, Hanning will manufacture and sell filters incorporating Xeros' proprietary XFilter technology. This will enable washing machine manufacturers to provide consumers with the ability to capture and easily and safely dispose of over 90% of microfibres, including microplastics, released during laundry cycles. The filters are built into the washing machine and are designed to last the life of a machine.

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Hanning is establishing a production line to meet demand from their customers ahead of new legislation in France requiring the fitting of microfibre filters in all domestic washing machines by 1 January 2025. Similar legislation is in development in the UK. Xeros is already working alongside Hanning on the integration of XFilter within the washing machines of a number of their existing customers.

Under the terms of the agreement Xeros will receive a royalty per filter device sold by Hanning. The royalty amount is commercially sensitive, but Xeros can confirm that the commercial terms of the agreement are in line with the Board's expectations and, as previously communicated, Xeros expects to begin receiving royalty revenues from Hanning in late 2023.

In addition, Xeros continues to make progress under the XFilter development agreement previously announced with a large, Asian-based washing machine OEM and a highly respected testing institute for the textile industry recently accredited Xeros' filtration device with the highest level of performance, capturing over 99% of microplastics.

Klaas de Boer, Chairman of Xeros, said: "The ambition we have been working towards is for Xeros' XFilter technology to establish the de facto standard for legislators and to be the device of choice for all washing machine manufacturers. Our solution is designed to be the most efficient, most reliable, most durable and the easiest to use. This agreement with Hanning is testament to the fact that our solution achieves these objectives. Hanning's customers are now working with us and Hanning for incorporation into their machines.

"Doing so enables them to meet the legislation in France with the expectation that filtration will be mandated across the EU and in the UK.

"Through their adoption of this technology, the washing machine industry will radically reduce the largest source of primary microplastic pollution which is from washing our clothes at home."

The deal is much-needed. Xeros' board said earler in the year that it was actively evaluating several funding options to secure investment as it no longer believed that it was likely to reach month on month EBITDA profitability and cash breakeven in the first quarter of 2023, as previously guided. The Board now expects this to be reached in 2024.

Xeros website

Images: Xeros

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News: Economic impact of Women's Euro 2022 assessed

The biggest women’s European sport event in history is heading to Rotherham next month and a new report has highlighted what the borough can expect in terms of economic impact.

The tournament kicks off in July and Rotherham is hosting four games, including a quarter final, at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

For each match that Rotherham hosts, the town centre will be taken over by a festival of dance, movement, music, and food.

The report, produced by EY for The FA and UEFA, indicates the tournament is expected to deliver £54 million in economic activity to the nine Host Cities of, Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh.

The Host Cities are expecting 96,000 international visitors from 95 territories and there will be engagement from fans from all over the world as the international broadcast audience could reach over 250 million across more than 195 territories. Host cities will also see a positive socio-economic impact thanks to over 5,500 people taking part in the tournament volunteering and legacy programme.

The report reveals ticket sales for the tournament are on track to double the attendance of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the Netherlands that welcomed just over 240,000 fans. 51% of football fans plan to watch the games that will take place up and down the country across nine English cities in 10 stadiums.

Footballing powerhouses France and Italy will lock horns at AESSEAL New York Stadium on 10th July 2022, with Les Blues taking on Belgium here four days later, before Group D is wrapped up with a tie between Iceland and France on July 18. Tickets remain on sale.

Saturday 23 July will see Rotherham host a prestigious Quarter-Final.

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Providing a platform for greater participation in the game and community engagement, the tournament also represents a huge opportunity to drive a further step change in women’s football in England. It aims to leave a lasting legacy by inspiring the next generation of players and fans, providing opportunities for more than 500,000 women and girls to participate and engage with football through focused efforts of legacy groups within each of the Host Cities, with many more additional opportunities nationally.

An arts and heritage programme will also run alongside the tournament including "Grass Roots to Glory – “Our Story So Far"" which has recently opened at Clifton Park Museum.

Baroness Sue Campbell, EURO 2022 Board Member and Director of Women’s Football, The FA, said: “With less than 50 days to go until the Tournament gets underway, this report highlights what we can achieve with a continued focus on capitalising on the opportunities offered by UEFA Women’s EURO England 2022 and importantly how we can measure our success.

Our aim is twofold: to deliver a record-breaking tournament and to leave a tangible legacy to grow the women’s game. By inspiring fans at home and abroad, and by committing to provide playing opportunities to girls in every school and club across the country, I am confident we can deliver on both aims.”

UEFA’s chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler said, “This pre-tournament report proves that the impact won’t stop with the final whistle at Wembley. UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 has a unique chance to be a catalyst for change locally, nationally, across Europe and beyond. The tournament and our collective ambition will positively impact local economies and tourism, people and communities and the global visibility of the women’s game, whilst providing valuable inspiration for the future.”

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 website

Images: UEFA

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News: Over The Rainbow opens in Rotherham town centre

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Rotherham anymore."

Bubble teas and macarons are some of the unique offerings at a new technicolour café bar that is helping to breathe new life into Rotherham's historic High Street.

Proving that the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true, Over The Rainbow is a new venture from the entrepreneurial wife and husband team behind Yella Brick Road (and Things That Boys Like) - the mainstay retail emporium embracing fun fashion and pop culture that has seen it all since opening in Rotherham 13 years ago.

Next to their shop on the High Street, Over The Rainbow has recently opened serving drinks and food, with alcohol to follow (think theatrical cocktails...). On the menu are hot drinks, American sodas, pancake breakfasts, cakes, macarons, sandwiches and salads. And bubble tea, which continues to have a cult following with its wacky combinations of flavours and textures.

The venue has an amazing look, complete with emerald green tables and a secret garden out the back that, like the George Wright nearby, makes it feel like you are no longer in Rotherham town centre. If you've visited the quirky retail outlet, or met the owners, then you may have some idea of the look they are going for.

Chris Paston is the owner of Over The Rainbow with wife, Dannii. Chris said: "We've had our eye on the unit and have been tempted before. When the Viking-themed bar didn't go ahead, we went for it.

"We have bubble tea everytime we visit Thailand on buying trips for Yella Brick Road, and we've witnessed the queues at bubble tea places like in Meadowhall. We've only just opened but are getting people visit us especially for bubble tea."

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The shop and the café are certainly creating a destination in the town centre.

Chris adds: "You have to be a destination. Retail is tricky, especially in town centres. Big players don't want to be in town centres anymore. But that's everywhere, not just Rotherham."

On the perception of the place, Paston said: "We do have people saying to us: "What are you doing in Rotherham? You should be in Sheffield"" but spoke highly of the landlord, Chris Hamby, who stepped in to save the heritage buildings on the High Street and has supported new traders.

Paston also spoke about other places in town who have welcomed another new venue and offered their support. He said: "People understand that if you support others, you get a thriving town centre. We have a little niche, something different, and we are looking to co-exist and thrive."

Yella Brick Road has built up its brand but there has been times when it has been close to shuttering its bricks and mortar stores. Online sales have exploded on the back of on-trend items like dungarees from Run & Fly and brands like Dangerfield. Online helped to keep things going during the COVID pandemic.

The store remains, like a colourful beacon of positivity. And now next door, a bright future for Over The Rainbow includes extending opening hours, utilising the upstairs space for events and groups, outdoor film screenings, and cocktail making classes.

Over The Rainbow Facebook page

Images: Over The Rainbow / Facebook

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News: Boots walks away from Rotherham town centre

Boots is the latest national retailer to dispense with Rotherham town centre.

The last pharmaceuticals, prescription glasses and meal deals were sold on Saturday as the Rotherham store closed after decades in the town centre.

Other recent closures in the town include national names, Wilko, Jack Fulton and Shoezone.

Walgreens Boots Alliance is accelerating its Boots Transformation Plan in the UK following COVID-19. During lockdown, pharmacies remained open but its revenue-driving beauty and fragrance counters were closed. A decline in footfall lead to retail sales being cut by 48% for Boots UK and 72% for Boots Opticians.

Bosses at Boots said in 2020 that with an "uncertain economic outlook, it is anticipated that the high street will take considerable time to recover." It announced the start of a consultation process for a significant restructuring across its head office, store teams and opticians teams, resulting in a reduction of its headcount of more than 4,000.

Bosses also recognised that COVID-19 accelerated the shift by consumers towards digital channels and online shopping adding that the acceleration of the Transformation Plan "will see continued investment into online and digital services as a key driver of growth for the business." Indeed, Boots.com sales are up 60% versus pre-Covid levels.

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Overall since COVID, Boots has delivered a strong performance. For the second quarter ended 28 February 2022, Boots UK comparable retail sales were up 22%

After the closure of the Effingham Street store, Boots still operates large stores out of town at Parkgate and Cortonwood.

The former Boots store was sold in 2020, before it was due to go to auction with a guide price of £1.1m. It includes some 25,985 sq ft of floorspace over three floors.

Auction documents show that Boots started a 35 year lease in 1987 (the same year Parkgate Retail World opened), paying £173,000 per annum in 2020.

The empty property is now being marketed by agents, Brassington Rowan who say that: "The property is available on a new lease at a rent of £125,000 per annum exclusive. Alternatively, offers are invited for the freehold interest."

It is advertised as an "outstanding retail / leisure / development opportunity."

Images: Brassington Rowan

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse becomes "palace of creativity"

Rotherham’s stately home Wentworth Woodhouse is set to become the House Of Future Creatives this week.

The grand rooms where the rich and famous once lived and partied are being transformed into an intriguing and immersive ‘palace of creativity.’

Talented types interested in creative careers, or people simply passionate about the arts, can find out what it’s like to be movie-makers, song-writers, actors and digital content creators.

Sonder Productions, the mansion’s resident team of nine young Creative Producers, are taking over the whole house in a bid to inspire people to get involved in South Yorkshire’s creative future.

Visitors can take part in workshops and try directing on a live film set, discover how to make digital music and write film scripts.

The house’s elegant Long Gallery becomes the Screenwriting Zone, scene of masterclasses in how to write compelling stories with film industry member Richard Knight, who recently won Wentworth Woodhouse’s first screenwriting competition.

The State Dining Room where royalty were entertained becomes the Virtual Music Zone, a hands-on workshop in music production led by local musicians, and the famed Marble Saloon becomes a Breakout Space complete with red carpet and star backdrop for photo opportunities.

Slip on a pair of special specs and create pictures in the air in the Digital Art Zone, which showcases the latest mixed-reality technologies.

Step into a live film set in the Low Drawing Room and have a go at working as part of a production team, or head for the Painted Drawing Room, now a Live Lounge live-streaming music from local artists.

Visitors can meet the Sonder Productions team, 17-23-year-olds Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust is helping develop skills for 2025, when Rotherham becomes the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture - a year-long festival created by children and young people.

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In the Urban Dictionary, sonder is an ethos of empathy and respect for others and any challenges they face.

Their event debuts their 25-minute movie Four of a Kind in a four-wall cinema experience in the Whistlejacket Room. The fictional story, set locally, follows four young people helping each other overcome real-life problems and unlock their creative possibilities.

“The team has worked tirelessly to produce this two-day event, which I know will be really inspirational,” said Sarah McLeod, Trust CEO.

“The Trust is committed to providing opportunities for local people, and to use the house as a catalyst for positive change across South Yorkshire.

“We're delighted to be playing a part in the pilot programme for the 2025 Rotherham Children's Capital of Culture celebrations by upskilling some of the 55 young people who will be spearheading the activities.

“There were many skills that we could have focussed on, but we chose Digital Skills for Filmmaking because we recognise the significant skills gaps that exist in that sector and want to inspire local people to explore creative careers. We have a lot to thank the industry for - we are frequently used as a film and TV location, which provides vital income.”

Steve Ash, the Trust’s Digital Projects Manager, added: “During their six months with us, the Sonder Productions team has soared in confidence, creative expression and knowledge. They've produced some amazing work, which we are incredibly proud to showcase at this event.”

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images:

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News: Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice hosting business expo

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice is calling on community-spirited local firms to call into its first ever Business Expo to make an exhibition’s hall worth of contacts while celebrating South Yorkshire’s finest businesses.

Held in association with the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, the Bluebell Wood Business Expo offers a powerful platform for local firms to meet new customers, make connections and learn new things from an exciting line-up of guest speakers including renown motivational speaker Andy Hanselman and SEO guru David Johnson.

With the majority of its stalls now booked by eager local firms, Bluebell Wood is keen to see as many visitors as possible to network and support the local business community.

The free event, to be held at the Holiday Inn on Bawtry Road, Rotherham on June 23rd, will be open to visitors from 9.30am to 3.30pm and free parking is available on site. You can sign up here.

As well as celebrating fantastic local businesses, everyone who attends the Expo will be helping to raise awareness for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

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Jason Gossop, Regional Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “The Bluebell Wood Business Expo is our way of giving back to the business community who have always been so fantastically generous and supportive of our work.

“A vibrant local economy is very important to us as a charity as we simply couldn’t be there for local children and families without our partners in the business community.

“We have a fantastic day lined up and we’d love to see as many delegates from local firms as possible join us on the day.

“As well as making lots of new contacts and learning new things, you’ll be helping to raise awareness of the vital work we do here at Bluebell Wood.”

Bluebell Wood website

Images: Bluebell Wood

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News: All houses reserved in new Rotherham town centre development

All the houses have been reserved and the first residents have moved in at a new development on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

A guided tour of new mixed tenure housing was taken by Council Leader Chris Read and Councillor Denise Lelliott recently, as they inspected ongoing construction works at the new Westgate Riverside development.

The site is one of the three Council housing projects due to be completed this year as part of the ‘Trilogy Collection’ - Wellgate Place and Millfold Rise being the other two.

National contractor Willmott Dixon is working on behalf of the Council to deliver 171 homes on authority land following the award of a £31.5m contract.

Westgate Riverside sits at the heart of the Council’s ‘Residential Riverside Quarter’. It comprises 72 homes, including apartments, traditional houses and bespoke waterside properties with terraces overlooking the river Don. 44 of the new builds will be available for Council rent, 20 for private sale and eight come under shared ownership. 14 of the homes have been released for sale with the first reservations already taken.

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Council Leader Chris Read said: “This is an exciting transformation and what we’ve seen today is impressive. The housing looks great and will provide modern living. I’m looking forward to welcoming people into their new homes.”

Councillor Lelliott added: “These homes are well-built and exceptionally well-designed. They’re a key part of the Town Centre Masterplan and we’re delighted that they will attract residents to the heart of our town.”

Wellgate Place, on the site of a former car showroom, features 54 homes with 23 for Council rent, eight for private sale and 23 for shared ownership. All the houses have been reserved and the first residents have moved in. A show apartment is now open to view on site.

Millfold Rise on Westgate comprises 45 homes for both Council rent (31) and private sale (14), including apartments and a modern twist on the back-to-back house. These will be released later in the summer.

Trilogy Collection website

Images: RMBC

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News: Plans for new Rotherham solar energy park

Plans for an innovative renewable energy generation and storage project in Rotherham.

Independent renewable energy firm Banks Renewables is developing a planning application for a new solar energy park on a 116-hectare piece of agricultural land to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, around three miles east of Banks’ Penny Hill wind farm at Ulley.

After undergoing a detailed land search, the Common Farm site was identified as having the best opportunity to create a solar farm that links directly into the nearby electricity substation.

The Common Farm solar project would have an installed capacity of up to 50MW, which would be enough to meet the annual energy requirements of up to 18,800 family homes and would displace over 11,470 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network each year.

A 50MW battery energy storage system linking directly into the Thurcroft electricity sub-station around three kilometres to the north of the site would also form part of the project and would help to support the long-term security of energy supplies to UK consumers.

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As part of the company’s policy of delivering tangible benefits to the places in which its operations are based, at least £50,000 of the revenues generated by the Common Farm project would be made available every year as part of a package to support local good causes. This equates to more than £2m through the lifetime of the project.

A detailed ecology and biodiversity strategy is also being developed to ensure the site delivers a net benefit in biodiversity to the local community.

Banks Renewables is expecting to submit a planning application to Rotherham Council for the new scheme in the coming months, with a view to it being determined before the end of the year.

A leaflet containing comprehensive information on the project will be delivered to around 11,000 local homes in the coming days, while a dedicated project website has also been set up to ensure information on the scheme is easily available.

Banks Renewables is one of the leading owner/operators in the UK’s onshore wind sector and has a total of 11 operational sites across northern England and Scotland, four of which are in Yorkshire.

Lewis Stokes, senior community relations manager at The Banks Group, says: “Maximising the production of renewable energy from domestic sources is a crucial part of the UK’s ongoing journey towards its Net Zero targets, especially within the current energy security climate, and the Common Farm solar scheme will further extend the contribution that we’re able to make locally towards reaching these goals.

“The project is located in an area that we know very well, and having conducted a detailed search, we identified this site as providing the best opportunity to create a solar park that links directly into the Thurcroft substation.”

Jill Askew, solar and flex project manager at Banks Renewables, adds: “As more sources of renewable energy are connected to the system, more innovative ways of storing the electricity they produce will be required.

“Peaks of energy demand usually take place in the morning and early evening, but this is not necessarily when renewable energy is being generated.

“The battery energy storage system at Common Farm would help to ensure reliable, stable and balanced electricity grid operation at times of peak demand and would support the UK’s continuing drive towards its Net Zero ambitions.”

Banks Group website

Images: Banks

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News: Ineos timed out at second Rotherham fracking site

Planning permission has lapsed at a test drilling site in Rotherham.

Oil and gas exploration and production business, INEOS secured planning permission for a drilling rig to test for shale gas at Harthill following a public inquiry in 2018.

Years later the development has not started and now planning permission is no longer in place.

It comes at the same time as Ineos was refused planning permission for a second site at Woodsetts when the Secretary of State disagreed with a Planning Inspector’s recommendation and decided to dismiss the company's appeal.

INEOS appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the non-determination of the application at a Greenbelt site between the villages of Harthill and Thorpe Salvin.

During the course of the public inquiry, Rotherham Council was satisfied by the proposed mitigation from the applicants having previously offered reasons for refusal on transport and ecology grounds.

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The application provided temporary permission for a maximum of five years and the operation would involve various site investigation surveys and site preparation before a period of drilling, coring and testing. A well would have been drilled to approximately 2,800 m using a drill rig of maximum 60 m rig height followed by three months of testing.

Applications were made in 2019 to discharge some of the conditions attached to the planning approval but they were never all approved by the local authority.

Chris Wilkins, development manager at Rotherham Council, explained: "The one at Harthill was approved on appeal but because they [Ineos] didn't implement the permission within the time period - becasue they couldn't discharge conditions with three years - basically the permission has run out. So that one has fallen by the wayside too.

"The two sites they had in the borough, at Woodsetts and Hartill, have now gone. Who knows if they come back with a revised scheme at one of those sites."

The government ended support for fracking in November 2019 on the basis of a report by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), which found that it is not currently possible to accurately predict the probability or magnitude of earthquakes linked to fracking operations.

Ineos website

Images: INEOS / Turley

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News: Lenders come after Liberty Steel

Winding up petitions against the speciality steels division of Liberty Steel could still go ahead.

The company, part of Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance, employs hundreds of staff in South Yorkshire, including in Rotherham. GFG underwent a restructuring and transformation drive following the collapse of its main lender Greensill Capital.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issued a petition to have the speciality steel company wound up but following positive discussions, the petitions were withdrawn.

However, a judge has recently ruled that financial firms Citibank and Credit Suisse can continue with their own winding up petition, issued to the courts by those seeking to recover money that they are owed. The courts do not look on it as a debt recovery process, rather that the company can't pay its debts and should be wound up so that liquidation can be used to collect the company's assets.

Statutory demands and winding-up petitions were restricted by the Government to protect companies from creditor enforcement action due to debts related to coronavirus (COVID-19). These restrictions have now ended.

Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Briggs ruled that despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Liberty Steel's financial difficulties followed the collapse of its main lender Greensill Capital, a specialist in invoice financing that operated with less regulation than the traditional banks and that went into administration.

Court documents show that the Rotherham-based speciality steels division, with its forecast turnover for the year to March 2021 of £267m, owed Citibank and Credit Suisse £46,860,465.59. Other parts of the alliance owed £19,913,081.97 and $131,615,184.95.

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Gupta argued that the pandemic has had a significant adverse financial effect on the businesses adding: "Coronavirus had an almost existential effect on the GFG Alliance's operations globally. There was not a single part of the numerous businesses that was not impacted, although there were various degrees of impact. Across the board, production was severely hindered and a number of the plants had to shut or production was substantially curtailed.

"The damage looked to be substantial and we had to take extraordinary steps to try to keep the businesses running. This was made all the more difficult by absenteeism due to employees' sickness; production being severely curtailed; and the need to shut plants suddenly.

"Demand in many of our sectors almost evaporated for a significant period of time, which had a massive impact, and prices came under severe pressure. It was inevitable that some of our sectors would be the ones most impacted by the crisis. The automotive, air travel industries ceased almost completely during the lockdown and the construction industry was severely impacted. Each of these industries are significant consumers of steel."

"If there had been no pandemic, then I believe the companies would have continued to trade successfully as they had before with financing either from GCUK [Greensill] (which would have continued in operation) or from alternative sources of funding."

The judge however, deemed that "the statement is challenging evidentially as the words "continued to trade successfully" presuppose that the Companies had been trading successfully before Coronavirus, yet there is little evidence that this was the case, and I was not taken to evidence that supported the premise."

Gupta and his GFG Alliance's position was weakened by its "opaque structure" and "questionable corporate governance arrangements" described by a recent commons committee.

Accounts for the year ending March 2020 are yet to be published.

Judge Briggs said: "Mr Gupta has said that the reason for not producing more focussed financial information is due to his view that it is "unlikely to materially assist the Court in determining the effect of coronavirus on the Companies". He says that more detailed financial information is in draft form only or has been prepared for "internal management purposes only".

"As far as the state of the financial information is concerned, even if it is in draft form or prepared for internal management purposes, I do not see why that should prevent it being placed before the Court to support his assertions. He chose not to do so."

The judge concluded that he was "satisfied that the ground relied upon for winding up would have arisen even if Coronavirus had not had an effect."

Further court dates are expected over winding up proceedings.

The search for refinancing continues and despite this, and legal battles, the GREENSTEEL operation in Rotherham is growing, fuelled by new investment and volume growth.

In October 2021, Liberty Steel restarted production at Aldwarke, following an injection £50m of shareholder funds into the business. A restructuring of the special alloys businesses "in order to enhance their productivity and competitiveness ahead of a possible sale or partnership" shifted further focus to Rotherham with 161 extra jobs.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion described the winding up petitions as "deeply concerning." In a statement, she said: "I have written to the Secretary of State for Business to urge him not to allow this crucial strategic industry to be sacrificed as a result of problems at the wider group.

"I will be doing all that I can to defend our steel industry and Rotherham steel workers."

Liberty Steel website

Images: Liberty Steel

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News: Rotherham manufacturing company to create jobs

Rotherham-based AML (Advanced Manufacturing Ltd), a market leader in the machining of complex gas turbine products, has secured a £1.98m investment from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which will see it create 32 new jobs.

The funding will help the company to launch and roll out AML Accelerate, a programme designed to stimulate rapid growth, which will transform the business from a single site with 50 staff and a £5m turnover to over 80 staff and two sites with a £12m turnover.

AML’s Accelerate programme will see the company investing in three new innovative, state-of-the- art advanced manufacturing cells (at a total cost £3.9m), which will enable them to carry out testing of new techniques for clients in its three global target sectors: aero-defence, defence and civil nuclear markets. AML will work closely alongside the AMRC, the two Sheffield universities and the local supply chain to develop cost disruptive, technology-led manufacturing approaches which will expand AML’s manufacturing capacity and capabilities.

In addition, the funding will be put towards significant leasehold improvements at the Catcliffe factory as well as ongoing recruitment, training and staff development costs. The whole project will cost £7.7m, with the remainder being funded by AML and its asset finance company.

Out of the new jobs set to be created, AML is planning that 25 of these will be machinists or engineers with specialisms in highly skilled roles. AML also expects to employ 12 apprentices from the local area and help them to develop and progress in the business with long term careers.

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Dr Gareth Morgan, Managing Director of AML, explains “We are delighted to have secured funding through South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to help us to progress with our exciting growth plans here in South Yorkshire. It means we will be able to create new highly skilled roles locally as part of our grand plan to keep innovating and growing the business on a worldwide basis.”

He adds: “Without the funding we wouldn’t be able to invest in our business to carry out initial trials which are required to secure these larger international contracts. We are very excited about what AML Accelerate means for our staff and for our future.”

The AML Accelerate project is aligned to South Yorkshire’s ambitions to meet net zero targets through the production of nuclear components.

Rachel Clark, Director Trade and Investment said: “This project reflects the aspirations of our Renewal Action Plan which aims to help South Yorkshire to grow and recover from the impact of the global pandemic. AML Accelerate will benefit not only employees of this company, but also the local supply chain, as well as create opportunities for wider digital adoption and upskilling.”

AML invests heavily in the training of its staff, with a budget commitment of typically £50k per year dedicated to this.

Back in 2019, AML benefited from a £100,000 Productivity Grant from the Sheffield City Region, which provided a platform for the company to purchase new machinery and invest in technical development.

The company, which started out as a spinoff of the AMRC (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre), is a market leader in the machining of complex gas turbine products including shafts and discs, aerofoils and bearings, serving both the aerospace and energy industries. The company specialises in being an early adopter of the latest technology for machining of complex metallic products. Services include the manufacture of complex metallic parts, precision sub-assembly manufacture, bespoke engineering services and R&D projects.

AML website
SYMCA website

Images: AML / SYMCA

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