News: Aerospace firm set to soar as it prepares to land on Rotherham's AMP

Yet another world-leading engineering firm has set out plans that would enable it to move from Sheffield to Rotherham, build upon their success, and grow.

Under the proposals, Technicut, the UK’s largest cutting tool manufacturer, would move into a purpose built unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), alongside McLaren.

A global leader in rotary cutting tools for the aerospace industry, Technicut announced a move to Shepcote Business Park from its Attercliffe base in 2019, before the aviation sector was hit by a downturn following COVID.

Now plans from the Harworth Group show a 86,800 sq ft warehouse for Technicut on land fronting the Parkway, next door to McLaren and SBD.

Drawn up by Stantec, the application states: "The proposed development will provide a new headquarters for Technicut. [It] will provide a dedicated building comprising a mix of production, lab, office and meeting room space. The new building will allow the company to build upon their success and grow in a new high tech high quality new site whilst remining within close proximity to the AMRC to allow Technicut to continue their collaborative involvement."

Advertisement
Professor Keith Ridgway CBE worked with Technicut's then sales director, Adrian Allen OBE, to launch the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing in 2001 and the founding company continues to be a Tier 1 member at the AMRC.

The plans add: "Technicut continually invest in ongoing research and development (R&D) to advance pioneering tooling innovations that redefine manufacturing standards. They utilise both internal R&D facilities and external centres for collaborative technology development to develop new tooling concepts across both milling and drilling platforms to solve advanced production problems.

"Techinut also in addition to their own R&D activities have the capacity to collaborate with customers to utilise the AMRC to pioneer new engineering programmes and manufacturing methodologies for both the problems of today and the requirements of tomorrow. The AMRC provides a collaborative environment to allow aerospace industries and manufacturers to develop ground breaking scientific theory to deliver new solutions for advanced production problems."

With a highly skilled engineering team, the proposed development has been futureproofed and includes a first floor of office space which will facilitate employees working in the labs and research spaces. It is envisaged that the first floor will not be occupied from the outset but rather be occupied as and when the company operations demand it and/ or as the company grows.

The new location will enable the company to remain local to their origin whilst providing them the space they need to further grow their business

The application conculdes: "In short, this application seeks to build on the success of both the AMP and Technicut’s success which contributes towards the advanced manufacturing success of the region. The proposed development will facilitate the attraction and retention of highly skilled jobs on the AMP."

In recent months, Rothbiz has reported on plans for a number of new occupiers on the AMP including Vulcan Engineering Ltd, Insight, and Danieli.

The AMP was recently confirmed at the heart of a new South Yorkshire Investment Zone, the first in the UK.

Technicut website

Images: Technicut / Harris Partnership

Read more...

News: Contractor lined up for delayed Rotherham public realm scheme

Rotherham Council looks to have found a way forward for a delayed public realm scheme having previously struggled to attract private sector contractors.

Planning permission was approved in June for Riverside Gardens - a riverside park alongside the Forge Island development.

However, Rothbiz reported last month that the scheme had been pushed back six months as a procurement exercise failed to secure anybody to carry out the work. The project has undergone a value engineering exercise and procurement has been carried out for the revised scheme.

Using a mixture of soft and hard landscaping, Riverside Gardens is creating a gateway on an area extending from the demolished Riverside Precinct, covering the old abattoir site behind Market Street and passing the Old Market, Keppel Wharf and Westgate Chambers residential developments.

It will offer residents a place to socialise and relax close to new amenities such as the Arc Cinema, a 69-roomed hotel, and a range of restaurants and bars on Forge Island, which is being delivered in partnership with nationwide placemaker, Muse.

Council papers show that the initial procurement excercise had four contractors interested but three dropped out during the process and the only one remaining came in "significantly over the advised cost." Issues include rising material costs and risks associated with the design.

Paul Woodcock, regeneration and environment director at Rotherham Council, said: "The tender was unsuccessful and is worth millions, smaller tenders worth thousands have also been unsuccessful. It is a very difficult market. We need to adapt to deliver schemes."

It now appears that the work required for Riverside Gardens has been wrapped together with other planned public realm improvements in the area designated as a Leisure & Cultural Quarter, to make it more appealing to the market.

Indeed, the council is now preparing to make a direct award of a contract to Humberside-based CR Reynolds for the work.

This would be the first stage of a two-stage design and build contract for the delivery of works in relation to Riverside Gardens, Corporation Street and Upper Millgate, to undertake detailed design and costing exercise. A Tender Evaluation Report would be produced for review by the council before a further decision would be made on proceeding with the contractor to stage 2 - construction.

An August 2024 start is envisaged so it is highly unlikely that the work will be completed in time for when Forge Island opens next year.

Advertisement
Accross town, a planning application from the council has been approved for a pocket park on the High Street, nearly three years after the authority bought the site.

Rothbiz reported in February that delays and rising costs saw the council cut ties with the appointed contractor for Snail Yard and instead, bring the work in-house to get it completed.

Rotherham Council purchased the former Primark building on High Street in November 2020, using funding from the Towns Fund Accelerator programme after the Government awarded a £1m grant to kick start regeneration projects in Rotherham town centre. Further funding has been secured to continue the temporary park project.

Having taken out aspects of the design to save on costs, bringing back the work in-house has meant that things like the steel staircase at the back of the park can be reinstated, hence the need for a new planning application.

In approving the application, planning officers describe the plans as "a great opportunity to diversify the town centre and create new public realm" adding that: "Whilst, the proposed use is temporary only, it is considered to deliver on some key town centre masterplan aims of enhancing the leisure economy of the town centre."

In terms of potential anti-social behaviour, planning officers state that: "the site will be open and have a good level of natural surveillance and given its prominent location any issues should be minimal."

Longer term plans for the site include a residential led redevelopment that may incorporate the landscape scheme or part of it.

Images: RMBC / Tetra Tech / Google Maps

Read more...

News: instantprint invests over £500,000 in Rotherham factory

The UK’s largest online printer, instantprint, based in Rotherham, leads the way with investments of over half a million in their latest factory upgrades and new job opportunities.

instantprint is renowned for being a leading employer in the local area, creating new opportunities and keeping their Manvers factory up to date with only the latest tech.

Their latest investment includes the introduction of a new piece of kit. A Hunkeler, the best-in-class brand and top of the line inline cutting solution that is already up and running.

Not only does this piece of equipment make their print production facility more efficient, but it’s also helping them to cut back on their paper waste in line with their new sustainability strategy, all whilst delivering a quality finish to customers' print.

Increased quality and efficiency also means that instantprint is able to pass these savings on to their customers and remain a leader as the fastest turnaround printer in the UK with the latest cut-off time of 5pm for next-day delivery.

Advertisement
instantprint have also introduced over 40 new jobs since August and are still hiring. They are currently hiring for a range of roles and positions including a Senior Graphic Designer, Production Planners and PPC Manager, to name just a few, as they gear up for what they hope to be a record-breaking peak period.

Laura Mucklow, Head of instantprint, said: "Our investment presents opportunities for both instantprint and individuals in the region who are seeking employment within a dynamic and expanding enterprise. It also means we’re able to offer our customers better quality products on a fast turnaround at a price that is fair.

"At instantprint we're all about providing customers with high quality print on a fast turnaround that makes our business clients grow. This investment positions us for sustained success and enables us to do what we do best – help businesses thrive."

instantprint website

Images: instantprint

Read more...

News: Why do top productions choose to film at Wentworth Woodhouse?

A number of feature films and big budget TV productions have been filmed at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham. Volunteers in the digital team explain why.

One of the most recent, Bodies, a mystery with four detectives, four time periods, and four dead bodies, used the Grade I listed stately home as a location. Airing on Netflix this month, the key crime scene, Longharvest Lane, was created at Wentworth Woodhouse.

HBO shut down the site earlier this year for its production, The Regime starring Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant.

Adam Widdowson, digital team volunteer at Wentworth Woodhouse said: "When these productions arrive, the house is transformed into bustling working sets. Trucks, trailers and vans line the front lawn, thousands of pieces of kit line hallways, miles of cables run throughout the house and hundreds of cast and crew members work together to make sure the production runs smoothly."

Ryan Widdowson, digital team volunteer at Wentworth Woodhouse, added: "As someone who's had the exciting opportunity to work as a locations marshall on these sets, it's fascinating to see the behind the scenes of how what we see on the screen is put together and the vast amount of work that takes place to make these productions happen."

The house is now in the ownership of a preservation trust and its famous Marble Saloon played host to the Downton Abbey movie and also featured in The Crown as a banqueting hall within the Kremlin.

Advertisement
Various locations throughout the house and grounds were used in Gentleman Jack for The BBC, including the Whistlejacket Room which was transformed into a cafe in the Louvre, and the entrance to the Stables doubled up as the gates of Paris.

One of the biggest production challenges was when Netflix built a set within a set in the five's court for The Irregulars, doubling as a street in Victorian London. When Netflix first saw the site, the floor of the courtyard was covered in 20th century tarmac. They offered to remove this to discover if any of the original cobbles remained underneath as they wanted an authentic floor covering for the set. Luckily the cobbles were still present.

For ITV's Victoria, Chapel Corridor became part of the Houses of Parliament and the low drawing room was used as the interior of Number 10 Downing Street.

On the big screen, Wentworth Woodhouse stood in for the Royal Academy in London for Mike Leigh's Mr Turner, and for Oscar winning feature film, Darkest Hour, the Whistlejacket room was used as interior of Buckingham Palace. Scenes were also filmed on the Portico which was used as the palace balcony where the King and Churchill looked out on wartorn London.

Adam explained why productions choose to use Wentworth Woodhouse as a filming location. He said: "It's a huge venue with multiple sites to choose from that feature a variety of periods of architectural styles, inside and out. We also have a large and beautiful garden which contains several historic structures.

"Much of the house that our regular visitors can see looks very grand but there are also a lot of dilapidated and derelict areas too which means that productions can film multiple scenes in one shoot location."

Ryan added: "The fact that the house is empty for the most part means they don't have to work around priceless paintings and furniture or empty out any rooms before they start work. They can bring exactly what they need to dress each room as required, saving productions a lot of precious time and money. Plus with all that space, there's plenty of room for their unit base and all the cast, crew and kit. And of course they get a warm Yorkshire welcome."

Sophie Ellingham, digital team volunteer at Wentworth Woodhouse said: "Every week Wentworth Woodhouse receives inquiries about using the site as a film and TV location and there are some incredible opportunities that will hopefully be secured over the coming years. It's an important part of our business model and helps us towards our strategic goal of using Wentworth Woodhouse as a catalyst for positive change across South Yorkshire."

On Location, an exhibition featuring 24 costumes worn in productions at Wentworth Woodhouse, runs until November 5.

Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: WWPT

Read more...

News: Owners of eyesore Rotherham site prosecuted

Rotherham Council has successfully prosecuted a company after fire services were called out five times within a year to deal with fires within a derelict building and grounds.

Millside Developments Ltd were taken to court for their failure to comply with notices served under the Anti-social Behavior, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Sheffield Magistrates Court heard how a former school and training centre, the Millside Centre, on Doncaster Road in Dalton, was visited by Council officers following complaints of fire damage, broken windows, and open access to the building and grounds.

The authority agreed to dispose of the property in 2012 after it was deemed surplus to the requirements. Auctioneers, Mark Jenkinson & Son, sold the lot for £175,000 in 2017 and it was wrecked by fire in the same year. In 2021, outline planning approval was secured for a residential scheme on the site, which was sold again after going to auction.

In addition to the reported fires in 2021 and 2022, the building was attracting anti-social behavior, fly tipping and rough sleeping. Concerns had been raised around the potential harm to someone accessing the building, as well as the site having a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.

Advertisement
Following evidence collected on site showing easy access to the building and perimeter, notices were sent to the owners ordering the premises be secured, a structural survey to be carried out, and for the waste to be removed and properly disposed of.

Failing to comply with the notices, the company was found guilty in their absence from court, fined £5000 and ordered to pay £2,819 costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

Former Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, Cllr. Dominic Beck, said: "I hope this case sends out a message to all companies to secure their empty premises and prevent them to be used as a dumping ground for waste.

“It makes the area look unkempt and uncared for, affecting the wellbeing of residents. We are committed to doing what we can to hold owners to account and I am pleased that we have secured these convictions as a deterrent to others.”

Shayne Tottie, Rotherham district commander at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “We welcome this prosecution by Rotherham Council. Repeated call outs to preventable incidents such as this tie up our resources and, more importantly, put lives at risk.

“If you own a business and are not sure what responsibilities you have when it comes to fire safety, we have plenty of resources on our website to help you ensure your business is compliant.”

Images: Pugh Auctions

Read more...

News: Putting manufacturing at the heart of social, environmental and economic renewal

A leading figure in the world of advanced manufacturing has joined forces with experts in innovation districts, land development and public affairs, to establish a strategic advisory business that directly supports the growth of more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies.

Bridgway Global, headquartered in West Yorkshire, brings together the talents of three key figures – Professor Keith Ridgway CBE, Iain Thomson and John Yates – who worked together in transforming the site of the derelict Orgreave colliery and coking works in Rotherham into a cluster of advanced manufacturing companies including Rolls Royce, Boeing, McLaren, Nikken and the UKAEA.

Professor Ridgway worked with Adrian Allen OBE to launch the AMRC with Boeing in 2001. It has played the key part in the transformation of the former colliery site and has given Rotherham the recognition as being at the heart of world-class advanced manufacturing.

Expanding over the Parkway into Sheffield, the location became the UK's first Advanced Manufactuing Innovation District, with local policy makers keen to see it expand further as part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Professor Ridgway, Director of Bridgway Global who leads the business on manufacturing and industrial innovation said: “With the United States, China and the European Union putting advanced manufacturing at the heart of their economic strategies it is vital that the United Kingdom, with its ambition to be a science superpower, does not get left behind.

“We must not repeat the mistakes of the 1980s and 1990s. An innovative and expanding manufacturing base is essential to building strong communities and a more sustainable economic future, driving big gains in productivity and turning the brilliant ideas born of fundamental science into home grown businesses, technologies and products.”

Advertisement
In the 1990s, government had all but abandoned South Yorkshire to de-industrialisation, but today a new community of more than 2,000 homes is blossoming at Waverley alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) = a world-class cluster of aerospace, green energy, defence, and automotive brands and their supply chains.

Fellow Director and Bellona Advisors’ Managing Director Iain Thomson, who leads the business on land and property development matters and public-private partnerships, said: “The wealth of knowledge and experience in the team enables us to act as a vital bridge between advanced manufacturers, land and property interests, research institutions and both national and regional government in an era of growing devolution across the world.”

Bridgway’s initial service offer builds on this experience by providing strategic advice to major landowners and developers looking to promote new advanced manufacturing schemes and decarbonisation clusters. It will also connect advanced manufacturers – from global OEMs and their supply chains – to policy makers, Research & Development specialists and funders, to improve market conditions to grow their businesses, including the development of industrial and spatial policy at national and regional level and the creation of public-private financial instruments.

Bridgway Global Director John Yates, who was Head of External Affairs at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) when Boeing, McLaren and the UKAEA opened facilities on the campus, added: “As a small, agile business armed with a wealth of experience in all these fields, we can be the catalyst that cuts through obstacles and delay to make things happen and get stuff done. These are challenging and uncertain times for the UK economy, but if we can bridge the divide at Orgreave we believe we can be a bridge over troubled economic waters anywhere.”

Bridgway Global website

Images: Bridgway Global

Read more...

News: Progress at Corporation Street where burnt-out buildings are being bought

A developer is being sought for the new scheme to replace burnt-out buildings in Rotherham town centre, as the council closes in on an acquisition.

The buildings that make up 3-7 Corporation Street have been a long-standing eyesore in Rotherham. The restaurant at no.7 suffered fire damage in 2005 with the nightclub above suffering a similar fate in 2007. The restaurant at no. 3-5 was also fire damaged in July 2011.

Attempting to acquire the site, the authority served a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in April after negotiations with the owners failed. However, Rothbiz reported in July that an agreement with the owners had been reached.

As the deal goes through, Rotherham Council has now begun a tender excercise to appoint a developer for the site.

Following acquisition, the buildings would be demolished and replaced by a £6m residential-led, mixed-use development, comprising of apartments with commercial space on the ground floor. Plans were approved in May.

Advertisement
Tender documents state: "Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council [RMBC} is seeking to appoint a developer to deliver, manage and own a residential led mixed-use development on 3-7 Corporation Street, Rotherham. This site can make a significant contribution towards the delivery of a revitalised Town Centre. The disposal of the site will be in accordance with RMBC's corporate and policy objectives and be subject to developer and funding agreements.

"The total anticipated contract value is £4.2m. This estimate is based on Council contribution plus anticipated sales value of residential and commercial units outlined in the current scheme.

"The Council is seeking to appoint a developer who will lead, finance, manage delivery, and retain ownership of the scheme. Other than securing and transferring the land to the developer and funding any viability gap that may exist on the development, the Council does not anticipate having any role in the development or the longer-term ownership and management of the site."

£3.2m has already been secured through the Town Deal and Levelling Up funds which is intended to be used to acquire the land, clear the site and address the viability gap that exists in the development scheme.

At the same time as working to acquire the site by private sale, the council has also been working to self-confirm the compulsory purchase order, with authority from the Secretary of State. This involves removing the objections from landowners on Bridgegate that back on to the site.

Council papers show that heads of terms for acquiring the necessary rights, and amounts specified for the Council to cover reasonable legal, agent, and compensation fees have been agreed.

The paper adds that agreeing to an acquisition would save on the significant cost and time associated with continuing the CPO.

Images: AHR

Read more...

News: Rotherham wind farm sold

Brookfield, a leading global asset manager with $850bn of assets under management, is acquiring Banks Renewables and a raft of wind farms, including one in Rotherham.

The Banks Group, founded in 1976, established its renewables business in 2006 and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading independent owner/operators of onshore wind.

Brookfield is a Canadian multinational company based in Toronto which invests in real estate, renewable power, infrastructure, credit and private equity.

Banks Group currently has 11 onshore wind farms across Yorkshire, the North East, the North West and Scotland.

This includes six 132m turbines at Penny Hill Farm in Ulley which secured planning permission in December 2010 and an extension was recently secured allowing operations to continue until 2053.

In addition, Banks Renewables have been progressing plans for a £60m solar farm at Common Farm near Dinnington, also in Rotherham.

Advertisement
Founder and Chairman of the Banks Group, Harry Banks OBE DL, says: “I believe that Brookfield’s established position in the renewables industry and the strong cultural fit that exists between both businesses will lead to this acquisition being to the benefit of all parties involved.

“The greater resources of Brookfield will enable the fuller development of opportunities which Banks Renewables are introducing. It will be good for Banks Renewables’ employees and their career prospects, and it will be good for Brookfield because they are acquiring a renewables business with a proven track record and a capability to take the business forward.

“This is also good news for other Banks Group businesses and their employees, who will continue to develop our existing businesses in land, property, mining and in developing our new regional housebuilding business, Banks Homes.”

Sebastian Perl, Vice President at Brookfield, adds: “The United Kingdom is a high-quality location for renewable energy development and we are delighted to have made a further commitment to this market.

“We have a track record of being long-term owners of renewable energy businesses around the world and we see great potential to continue the great work that Banks Renewables has already achieved.”

The Banks Group was advised by Rothschild & Co (corporate finance and M&A) and Ashurst (legal) during the transaction.

Banks Group’s other businesses, including Banks Property, Banks Homes, Banks Mining, Banks Transport and Banks Plant Solutions, will continue to operate as normal.

Banks Renewables website

Images: Banks Group

Read more...

News: Wentworth Festival set to stay in Rotherham

A new location has been found that will keep Wentworth Festival in the Rotherham borough.

The annual celebration of music, comedy and family fun has been hosted at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham since it was dreamt up by radio and music pals, Toby Foster and Steve White in 2017.

The grade I listed mansion hosted the high profile event for the last time in September with organisers needing a more sustainable location and stating that they had to move away as they could no longer mitigate the substantial costs that Wentworth Woodhouse and its preservation trust owners need to cover.

A move to nearby Hooton Lodge Farm, a beautiful campsite and space between Kilnhurst and Thrybergh, has now been confirmed.

Previously used as a training ground for Rotherham United, the site has become a popular location for events after new owners carried out a complete overhaul of the site following a 2015 deal. The pub restaurant closed in favour of camping

WentFest24 is set to take place at Hooton Lodge in June 2024.

Advertisement
Just like in previous years, the festival will include a main statge, a new music stage, a comedy tent, kid's tent and fairground, but moving to Hooton Lodge will mean that the festivities will be extended with camping offered on site.

In a post on social media, festival organisers, said: "The move from Wentworth itself means that we can expand the festival this year to include two nights, with two headline acts, and provide camping so that the party doesn’t have to end when the music stops.

"There are two nights that we can fill the main stage with fantastic music, and we intend to do just that.

"This is going to be so much fun, we can’t wait to welcome you. We’ve booked the fairground rides, the bar will be even bigger than in years gone by and we’ll still have one or two tricks up our sleeves."

The full line-up is still to be released but acts confirmed so far include pop rock band, Scouting For Girls, who played Wentworth Festival in 2018, and British boy band, Blue.

WentFest website

Images: Wentworth Festival / Facebook

Read more...

News: Boot's on the ground as enabling works start at Rotherham Markets redevelopment

Enabling works to prepare Rotherham Markets for future redevelopment are now underway as part of a key milestone in the borough’s town centre masterplan.

A previous estimate of £31.7m puts it second only to the £47m Forge Island development in terms of town centre investment.

Appointed on a two stage proccess last year, Henry Boot is finalising designs for the redevelopment and to confirm development costs. Having been delayed due to rising costs, Rotherham Council has recently approved a way forward so that the lead contractors can get on site.

Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott joined Ward Councillors and partners Henry Boot Construction to break ground on the site, which will also include the addition of a new library.

Once works are complete, visitors will benefit from a refurbished indoor and covered market, extensive public realm, a modern and accessible central library and improved links to the town centre and college.

Cllr Denise Lelliott said: "The redevelopment is a testament to our dedication to preserving the heritage of our town while embracing a dynamic future. This initiative will not only breathe new life into our community, but also provide economic opportunities for our local businesses."

“The reinvention of the markets is not just a facelift, but a holistic reimagining that aims to boost the local economy, celebrate our diverse community, and provide an accessible, enjoyable space for all.”

Advertisement
The reimagined space will promote both seasoned and emerging local businesses, providing varied offerings to shoppers and fostering a prosperous trading environment build upon the existing mix of shops and services with the addition of a new food hub and dining area.

Embedded within the redevelopment is the addition of a cutting-edge library. Offering more than just books, the library will become a new cultural, leisure and learning destination and will include a children’s area, café, a dedicated IT space and a business development facility.

Craig Finn, Director at Henry Boot Construction said: “Commencement of the enabling works are exciting first steps in this transformative project for Rotherham. Creating new and vibrant urban destinations is part of the Henry Boot DNA and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Rotherham Council to bring the vision from the drawing-board to reality.”

Main building works expected to start in early 2024 with support offered to stall holders so that they can remain open and continue to trade during the works.

Rotherham Council received funding from the government's Future High Street Fund to pay for part of the improvements at the market with additional funding secured from the council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

The project timetable for delivery is due to take approximately three years. Construction was originally scheduled to finish in December 2025.

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: AESSEAL launches another overseas partnership

The Rotherham-based AES Engineering Group Ltd has established another strategic partnership as part of its ongoing global growth strategy.

The multi award winning Templeborough company designs and makes mechanical seals and support systems for a wide range of global industries including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals.

Following receny agreements in Chile and Australia, AES is joining with Torishima Japan Co., Ltd to create a new company, AESSEAL-Torishima Japan Co Ltd to serve the country wide industrial customers in the territory of Japan. Employees from both organisations have come together to provide a product and service support network for all industrial segments with operations being initially based from Torishima’s headquarters in Osaka.

The deal means that the entire product and service portfolio of both AESSEAL and AES Sealing products is available to serve the Japanese sealing market to the highest global standards.

Advertisement
Kotaro Harada, President of Torishima said that AESSEAL’s product technology and dedication to customer service and reliability made the decision to invest and join forces an easy one. He said: “This coming together will immediately improve AESSEAL’s Japanese market coverage, will open up new opportunities in other markets across Japan and meets the request of AESSEAL’s global customers to increase their presence in Japan.”

Chris Rea, Managing Director of AES Engineering Ltd, said: “We have an ambition to be the world’s leading reliability business and we cannot do that without a strong presence in Japan, which is the third largest country by GDP. Torishima is a long established and well-respected company with a great reputation and heritage, and there is also a business culture fit. Together we will bring a new and disruptive level of customer service on all AESSEAL group sealing products to a large underserved market.”

AESSEAL website

Images:

Read more...

News: Boost for new brownfield housing in borough

Rotherham Council has been granted further funding from the Government to support the building of new homes on brownfield land.

Nearly 100 regeneration projects across the country will receive £60m from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Rotherham has been earmarked £431,746 from the Brownfield Land Release Fund. This follows on from £430,000 granted in the first round that was used on projects to deliver housing at Rothwell Grange & Copewell Lodge, and for Place Based Transformation.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP said: "We know we need to build more homes, but this cannot come at the expense of concreting over our precious countryside.

"That is why we are doing all we can to make sure we’re making use of wasteland and unused brownfield land, so we can turn these eyesores into beautiful and thriving communities.

"This is all part of our long-term plan for housing – making sure we deliver the homes we need across the country.

Cabinet Office Minister, Alex Burghart MP added: "This funding will unleash the much-needed redevelopment of brownfield sites: stimulating growth and helping local areas reach their full potential.

"It’s fantastic news for business, and even better news for local people who will now see new investment, job opportunities, and family homes in their communities."

Advertisement
Rotherham Council has continued to identify brownfield sites for new housing - not least in the town centre where 171 units have been completed.

Looking ahead, contractors R H Fullwood, broke ground over the summer on ten new affordable, energy saving homes in East Herringthorpe supported by a Brownfield Housing Fund grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), provided as part of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

£92m has been identified for housing growth in the borough, with hundreds of new homes planned through to 2025/26.

Since January 2018, the Council has delivered 484 new homes for Council rent or shared ownership, with a further 61 currently under construction or in the process of being purchased.

This month, the council's cabinet are due to discuss plans for new homes for council rent on brownfield land in Eastwood and Maltby.

At Eastwood, a £7.905m project includes the site of the demolished Netherfield Court care home, and the former Council car park on York Road, that could be redeveloped with 31 new homes in total, comprising 2-bed, 3-bed, and 4-bed houses, along with some provision for older people.

At Maltby the council-owned Addison Road and Larch Road sites could be redeveloped to build a projected 43 new homes for council rent in a scheme costing £10.965m. A mix of apartments and houses, some units would be wheelchair user dwellings.

The Council says that its Delivery Programme is critical to supporting families who are on the Housing Register. This numbers more than 6,000.

Images: RMBC

Read more...

News: Chamber means business shines a spotlight on the strength of the Barnsley and Rotherham business community

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the resounding success of the 2023 Chamber Means Business Expo. The South Yorkshire business expo, held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham, played host to an impressive gathering of over 400 delegates with over 65 exhibiting local businesses showing their products and services at a variety of stands.

The event which took place on Thursday last week (21st September 2023), was a demonstration of the opportunities available in the region and shone a spotlight on the leading businesses which operate in the Barnsley, Rotherham and wider South Yorkshire region.

The sold-out exhibition served as a platform for Chamber members and the local business community to come together and make valuable business connections. It was an event that resonated with a cross-section of industries and business professionals, demonstrating the value of collaboration and innovation within the South Yorkshire region.

This year, the event was made possible through the sponsorship of KCM Waste Management and KAT Communications, once again cementing Chamber Means Business as a fixture on the local business calendar. It is a testament to the ever-evolving business landscape of South Yorkshire that this event continues to go from strength to strength, increasing in the number of delegates and exhibitors year on year.

Advertisement
Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said on the success of the event: “Chamber Means Business Expo 2023 marked an extraordinary milestone for this event which we launched in 2012. With over 400 enthusiastic delegates and more than 65 local businesses, this event was a real showcase for our region with a record number of delegates in attendance.

“The Chamber’s event calendar plays a pivotal role in delivering the work we do as Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce. As we move into autumn, we’re excited to welcome more businesses to our ever-growing events calendar, including our monthly networking events, the newly launched Manufacturing Supply Chain Expo and the upcoming South Yorkshire International Trade Conference 2023 – not to be missed. These gatherings are invaluable opportunities for forging connections within our membership community.

“Finally, I invite you to join us in celebrating our region’s best businesses by securing your ticket to our upcoming Business Awards. Further information on all our events can be found on the Chamber website.”

Chamber Means Business gives businesses the opportunity to talk to other businesses, build relationships and trade services and support. In 2012, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber hosted its first Chamber Means Business Exhibition, one in Barnsley and one in Rotherham. Following the success of the events the two were merged to create an even bigger exhibition for the region. The event brings together hundreds of people to network, share ideas and do business together.

BR Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

Read more...

News: New bars and restaurants planned for Rotherham town centre

A number of properties in Rotherham town centre could be set for new leases of life under a string of separate proposals - including new bars and restaurants.

A key part of the town centre masterplan places the focus on more leisure and residential uses and a diversifying of the high street from being retail focused.

An application has been submitted for a new premises licence that would enable The Old Warehouse on Bridge Street to be used as a bar.

The application covers the sale of alcohol, late night refreshments and for the performance of live and recorded music. Opening hours would be until 1am Monday - Saturday.

Plans show how the restored warehouse building on the banks of the canal, and close to Rotherham central station and Forge Island, would include a bar area, toilets and areas for entertainment, plus tables and seating.

The outside area on the canal would inlcude a log cabin, outside bar, a marque seating area and space for a food van and temporary toilets.

Previous plans from furniture retailer, Made by Nook, included renting out space in the building to other small traders and crafters.

On Bridgegate, plans have been submitted for a new use for a long vacant Grade II listed building.

Rothbiz reported in 2021 on plans to convert the former Walmsley furniture store into six flats on the upper floors. And with a commercial unit on the ground floor, an application has now been submitted regarding its use as a restaurant/takeaway.

Advertisement
Rotherham Council is being asked to approve a Lawful Development Certificate which would mean that the use, operation or activity named in it is lawful for planning control purposes.

Built in the mid 18th century as a townhouse, the building, most recently used as a Poundstretcher, was bought prior to going to auction at the end of 2020 with a guide price of £110,000.

In nearby Red Lion Yard, plans are being developed to reopen an empty unit as a Thai restaurant.

A premises licence has been approved for the site previously used a cafe called Pantry Green. The application is from Thai River Kwai Ltd, which has been operating a Thai takeaway service in Wath.

On the corner of Corporation Street and Upper Millgate, a planning application has been submitted to convert an empty unit into a hot food takeaway.

A premises licence has already been approved to allow Favorite Chicken to open at 10 Upper Millgate until 2:30am but the planning application is yet to be approved. The council's environmental health officers have asked for an assessment of potential odour and noise impacts given that planning permission has recently been approved for a residential mixed use developemnt to replace the burntout nightclub nearby.

With over over 90 locations in the UK, Favorite Chicken is a franchise specialising in fried chicken, fillet burgers and ribs.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: AMRC Training Centre ten years on

The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre is celebrating its tenth birthday.

With state-of-the-art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the centre has trained over 1,700 apprentices, helping to create the manufacturing workforce of the future.

Opening on October 7 2013, The AMRC Training Centre is on the former Orgreave Colliery and Coking works where the focus is on students aged from 16 upwards, taken on paid apprenticeships by big names and local manufacturers. Apprentices have opportunities to progress on to postgraduate courses, doctorates and MBA levels.

Nikki Jones, the director of the AMRC Training Centre, said: “When you bring together education and industry - it is very powerful. You might describe it as a marriage made in heaven.

"We’ve been doing apprenticeships for ten years now and they matter just as much now as when we started. They are so important for the education mix and providing the workforce for the future. Any industry needs to have skilled people going into their businesses, apprenticeships give them access to that pipeline of talent.

“We must continue to invest in apprenticeships nationally and continue to support all employers - large or small - to take on apprentices. They bring in new skills and fresh ideas, and their ability to progress within an organisation starts very early. If you start your apprenticeship at 16 and finish at 22, you have been in that industry for quite some time and can move much quicker into senior roles. We see that over and over again.

“Apprenticeships start preparing a person for their work life. When you put a young person into that environment, they really develop holistically because they have to be more than just a qualification.”

Advertisement
Alumni apprentice Bethany Cousins was part of the first cohort of students to undertake an apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre, aged 18. Starting with her advanced apprenticeship, Beth went on to complete a degree apprenticeship, both in manufacturing engineering.

Beth, who works as a manufacturing engineer at the neighbouring AMRC, said: “My apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre paved the way to my career, I wouldn’t have got both the practical and theoretical experience in any other way.

“I enjoyed meeting other apprentices, especially those who were based in other companies. It enabled me to hear about how others applied the theory and perhaps did things a little differently, it was a great additional learning experience.

“South Yorkshire sits in a heavy manufacturing-based area and it’s fantastic to have the AMRC Training Centre sit in-between, having my place of work next door really helped in getting that hands-on experience, and enabled me to network with key industry contacts I would keep for years to come.”

Former apprentice Connor, 22, who completed his degree apprenticeship in maintenance engineering, spent almost five years working for hand tool and storage solutions manufacturer Stanley Black & Decker at Hellaby in Rotherham, but for the past six months, has been working as a methods process analyst for aerospace giant Boeing at its Sheffield facility, which is the only one in Europe.

Connor said: "Rotherham has a rich industrial heritage and I feel it’s important to uplift people’s knowledge and skills, whatever age, and keep these valuable jobs in the UK, instead of seeing engineering progress and advancements be lost to other countries. We need to keep the UK industry alive."

New apprenticeship pathways at the centre include include automation and controls, composites and nuclear and it is also part of the consortium behind a new South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (IoT) that will launch this year, investing £500,000 in new software and technology at the training centre.

Looking ahead, Gareth Wilkinson, head of skills at the AMRC Training Centre, said: "I’d like for us to move into new things, build on what we’ve got, as well as exploring food and drink and nuclear, robotics and Industry 4.0 more. These are all massive areas where we’ll see growth and change in the future, all connected to net zero and sustainability – and it’s here where we really need to ramp up over the coming years to help our apprentices solve the problems of the future and keep on top of the needs of industry.”

AMRC Training Centre website

Images: AMRC Training Centre

Read more...

News: Cepac in line to take on former contact centre site

Cepac, the UK's leading independent corrugated packaging and display provider, is planning to knock down a purpose built contact centre so that it can build a new operation alongside its Rotherham HQ.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that the company had acquired an 11 acre parcel of land for expansion alongside its head office in Manvers.

Founded in 1999, Cepac has established one of the largest and most technologically advanced corrugated packaging plants in the world at Brookfields Park. Part of the HSA group, it also has operations in Darlington, Doncaster and Rawcliffe.

Rothbiz also reported that the future for Capita House at Brookfields Park was for it to be flattened, and follow up plans were submitted for a new industrial unit in its place.

The plans, on behalf of AM Ventures 6, involve the current 135,938 sq ft building demolished and replaced by a 204,000 sq ft high grade warehouse / logistics unit.

Advertisement
Neighbouring Cepac, has now been given approval by Rotherham Council regarding the method of demolishing the building.

Steve Moss, group managing director at Cepac, recently told Packaging News of the demand for tray packaging from the food-to-go and healthy food markets. He said: "The demand for trays is excellent – our problem is capacity.

“We have just acquired a large site to double the Rotherham facility. This should provide us with 200 million sq ft for FMCG [Fast-Moving Consumer Goods] cardboard packaging. We see massive potential to piggy-back on tray demand to drive volume for that plant.”

With a small mezzanine on the first floor for ancillary offices, the new unit would include 15 dock level loading doors, six level access doors, 18 trailer parking spaces plus 133 car parking spaces.

Plans confirmed that the previous tenant, Capita, has consolidated operations into their adjacent building, Capita Park, with Capita House being vacant and marketed for lease since May 2022.

Images: DLA

Read more...

News: Housing plan for Rotherham bus depot site

The site of a large vacant bus depot in Rotherham could be transformed into a new housing development, new outline plans show.

Rothbiz reported earlier this year that the owners of the former First bus depot on Midland Road had secured approval to be be demolished.

The Masbrough property came into the hands of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) as the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), which is responsible for the co-ordination of public transport in South Yorkshire, has been integrated into the MCA.

The MCA's board agreed to sell off the 212,000 sq ft warehouse last year.

Prospect Estates Ltd, a UK focused real estate investment management company, has now submitted an outline application for 120 residential units on the 3.85 hectare site.

Plans show that there will be two points of access formed from Midland Road and Union Street to serve the development.

Advertisement
Given the site is allocated for employement use, the applicants will need to show that the principle of using the site for housing is sound.

The plans, drawn up by Roger Lee Planning Ltd, state: "The application is submitted in outline with just the access sought for approval at this stage. All other matters are reserved although the indicative site layout shows a layout that would accommodate 120 residential units with a range of house and apartment types.

"Looking at the issue of sustainability in physical terms the site is on a main public transport route on Midland Road and local services and shops can be found in the immediate local area and there are good and regular access links into the town centre.

"This is a site therefore that is in a sustainable urban area with good access to local services, employment opportunities, and public transport. As a result the proposal accords with the principal objectives of the NPPF and Core Strategy in relation to sustainable development."

A report from commercial property agents submitted along with the plans shows that the site is no longer viable for business use. It has been marketed since January 2019 and no formal offers have come in to continue the use of the site for employment.

The site consists of aged office accommodation and bus sheds and was constructed over 40 years ago. In 2016, First annouced that its operations in Rotherham would close. It was used as a COVID-19 test centre during the global pandemic but ongoing vandalism issues, and the capital investment required, deterred any potential occupiers.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Region reacts to PM's transport announcements

The Mayor of South Yorkshire says that the Prime Minister's "Network North" plan lacks clarity and detail and throws previous transport promises into chaos.

This week Rishi Sunak confirmed that HS2 will not continue beyond Birmingham and instead funding would be directed to "revolutionise transport across the North and Midlands."

The government's new Network North includes a new mainline station for Rotherham that will be added to the route between Sheffield and Leeds and a new station at Waverley, also in Rotherham. Both schemes have been previously backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).

Responding to the announcements, South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "I'm deeply concerned. The Prime Ministers announcement to scrap HS2 creates huge uncertainty for transport plans across South Yorkshire and the rest of the north.

"New promises with very little clarity about how or when money will be made available. Projects and priorities were chosen with no consultation: a new shopping list created but no details of how it will check out.

"The precedent is that the Government don’t deliver for the North. How can we trust this new plan? Since 2019 alone we have been promised HS2 in full, Northern Powerhouse Rail in Full, an Integrated Rail Plan, a London Style Transport System and Levelling-Up.

"Following the PM’s HS2 announcement, every single one of those promises has been thrown into chaos, whilst failing to solve a single problem today."

Coppard has asked for more clarity around bus funding, land safeguarded for HS2, how to 'quadruple' services between Sheffield and Leeds, the prospect of HS2 trains reaching the region without new tracks, the Hope Valley upgrade and services between Sheffield and Manchester, the Don Valley line and the future of the region's airport, given that regional airports were not mentioned in the plan.

He added: "You can’t spend billions of pounds without worked up plans. The government has cancelled one plan. When will it bring forward its next? We have no details on any of the schemes in SY."

The plan also adds that all six Northern city regions will receive more than double their initial City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding to improve connectivity in their areas, stating that there would be £1.4 billion for South Yorkshire, including £500m from savings from HS2 and the CRSTS.

Advertisement
Following the announcement, Alexander Stafford, MP for Rother Valley, said: "I am personally incredibly pleased that finally common sense has prevailed and the huge amounts of money being funnelled into HS2 will actually be spent instead improving local and regional connectivity."

Clive Watkinson, Chair, Barnsley & Rotherham transport group said: "HS2 was always about capacity rather than speed and our support for it was always based on the benefits to the South Yorkshire economy.

"That support lapsed when the North East part of the line had the South Yorkshire station removed, lumbering us with the massive disruption of construction without any local benefits.

"We therefore welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of the cancellation of the project north of Birmingham and his commitment (which we will hold him to) of these massive savings being spend on major new projects in the North.

"In particular, we welcome his commitments to east-west links rather than north-south links and his emphasis on a more rounded transport policy in the north rather than a focus solely on public transport.

"We want to see more details on the projects announced and will lobby to maximise the benefits for our South Yorkshire economy."

The issue of safegaurding land for HS2 was raised at Rotherham Council's full council this week.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "None of us wants to see that M18 route being built through the borough. We think that there are no advantages and would be considerable disadvantages to that happening.

"Clearly after today's announcement [by the prime minister], we are going to be having a look and making sure that the full benefits of that do reach our residents.

I'm conscious, for example, that the safeguarding land issue was not resolved 18 months ago when the government said that it wasn't going ahead with this route. And the railways minister wrote to me the other week and said that was still an option to built that route, but again. that has changed this morning.

"We are going to have to wait for the dust to settle."

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has welcomed the announcement regading the £12m station at Waverley. She said: "This would hugely improve Waverley's transport infrastructure and I will continue to push the Government to deliver it in a timely fashion."

The project is primarily focused on connections to Sheffield but could also lead to more services towards Worksop and Gainsborough. It is being funded to delivery, subject to updates to the business case, and links to the reopening of the Barrow Hill Line to passengers.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...

News: Work underway on innovative new Skills Street project in Rotherham

Building work on South Yorkshire’s new innovative and immersive careers experience, Skills Street is underway in Rotherham.

The project, part of a winning bid secured by Rotherham Council through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, will be built on the site of the UK’s newest theme park, Gulliver’s Valley.

Representatives from Skills Street partners Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, The Work-wise Foundation and The Source Skills Academy were joined by Rotherham Council on site to mark the vital step forward in the development of this transformative project that will change the way the region delivers work related experiences and training for young people, schools, families, and educators.

Skills Street, which is expected to open in 2024, will be a new hands-on approach to developing, growing, and honing skills with the aim of inspiring and informing children, young people and adults about the world of work and careers.

This interactive centre will be a Centre of Excellence to learn about the world of work across all sectors and industries.

Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Valley said: “We are so proud to be taking the next step in creating this vital asset for the region.

“We have been thrilled by the support from the local business community and educators to date and can’t wait to have a building to show them round.

“Skills Street will be a real game changer for the pipeline of employment in the region. This project will be amazing because it is a collaborative project and from day one, we’ve been asking and listening.

“This fully immersive street will see us working with children from the ages of five upwards. We need to start harnessing the excitement that our younger children have and developing that from an early age.

“South Yorkshire is a home to some amazing organisations, and we are looking forward to working with them as we showcase this new engaging, innovative experience developed to inspire and inform children, young people, and adults from across the region.”

John Barber, CEO of the Work-wise Foundation added: “We know that Skills Street will not only inspire our young people as they are shown the amazing world of work and career opportunities available in the South Yorkshire area, it will do this in a fun and exciting way with a team of edutainers bringing the opportunities to life and showcase the opportunities on offer and skills needed to succeed.

“Skills Street will provide hands on experiences for children, young people and adults, of all ages, from across South Yorkshire.

“This is going to be wonderful for our region and is one of the most exciting projects to happen in the field of skills and careers for young people in our region for a long time.”

Advertisement
The project is part of a £20m pound investment secured by Rotherham Council to help improve the leisure economy and skills in Rotherham. Other attractions also benefiting from the Levelling Up funding include Wentworth Woodhouse, Thrybergh Country Park, Rother Valley Country Park, Magna and Maltby Learning Trust.

At Skills Street children and young people will be able to walk into a bank and learn about the different roles and skills needed to work in the financial sector, or step into an engineering environment and have a go at designing or making a product. retail shops will enable customer service and money taking skills to be practiced and leisure and hospitality outlets will demonstrate the skills needed to succeed in these careers – all through hands on play, practice and performance.

Recommended reading: Gamification in Rotherham: How Local Businesses are Boosting Sales and Attracting Customers

Tricia Smith, Chief Executive, The Source Academy, said: “We are thrilled to see work underway on the building of Skills Street. We are involved in this project because we believe in the young people of South Yorkshire and we believe that we can support business to drive and innovate curriculum development, work experience and the education of young people.

“Skills Street will be an amazing space where individuals, families, schools and the community will be able to explore the great opportunities for careers and training in the region in a relaxed and informal setting.

“We’re working with local businesses to ensure that the jobs and careers on offer locally are not only showcased but that the skills needed to fulfil these roles are learned from a very early age.”

Skills Street website

Images: Gulliver's

Read more...

News: Government promises two new stations in Rotherham on day it axes HS2 in the north

The HS2 line will no longer travel through the Rotherham borough after Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, confirmed that the once-in-a-generation infrastructure project will not reach the north.

The announcement, roundly criticised as a betrayal by northern leaders, came with a promise to redirect HS2 funding to "revolutionise transport across the North and Midlands" with Yorkshire and the Humber set to benefit from £19.8 billion transport investment.

With spiralling costs, the government announced in November 2021 that the HS2 Phase 2b Eastern leg will terminate at East Midlands Parkway and no longer reach Leeds through the communities in the east of Rotherham. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the new line between Birmingham and Manchester has been scrapped.

It follows on from the Government's £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands which scaled back ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), with Rotherham and Sheffield both missed off plans.

There was opposition to the HS2 scheme from within Rotherham since a 2b route realignment was recommended in 2016. The local authority set out that it doesn't want to see the project reach Yorkshire when it passed a motion in 2018 to call on the Government to abandon the Leeds leg of the project. Rotherham Council's previous stance was a preference for the South Yorkshire HS2 station to be at Meadowhall on a through route to Leeds.

With the M18 route east of Rotherham scrapped, it means that safeguarding is set to be lifted in areas of Wales, Aston, Ulley, Brampton-en-le–Morthen, Thurcroft, Bramley, Ravenfield and Hooton Roberts.

The Network North document stated that: "Phase 2a safeguarding will be formally lifted in weeks and Phase 2b safeguarding will be amended by summer next year, to allow for any safeguarding needed for Northern Powerhouse Rail."

Advertisement
In a change of track, Rotherham is now set to benefit from £36 billion in savings from HS2 that will be reinvested in hundreds of transport projects across the country, delivering more buses, reopening railway stations and ensuring major funding for new and improved roads.

The government's new "Network North" plan includes a new mainline station for Rotherham that will be added to the route between Sheffield and Leeds and could give the town its first direct service to London since the 1980s. The document said that electrifying and upgrading the Sheffield-Leeds route would give passengers a choice of three to four fast trains an hour, instead of one, with journey times of 40 minutes and boosting capacity by 300%.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Rotherham Council have been developing a scheme for a new mainline station, integrated into the tram-train network in the Parkgate area. It would cost some £107.6m and was envisaged to see new direct services into York and Birmingham, with faster services to Leeds, Sheffield, and Doncaster than currently offered. With no new HS2 line, destinations may have to be re-examined.

Also in the plans for Network North is a new station at Waverley, also in Rotherham.

Work has been underway for a number of years through the Restoring Your Railway "Ideas Fund" for a new railway station on the Sheffield to Lincoln line at Waverley serving the new community and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

The plan also adds that all six Northern city regions will receive more than double their initial City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding to improve connectivity in their areas, stating that there would be £1.4 billion for South Yorkshire, including £500m from savings from HS2 and the CRSTS.

The £2 bus fare cap is set to be extended until the end of 2024 and £700m has been pledged to fund a new wave of Bus Service Improvement Plans in the North.

Oliver Coppard, mayor of South Yorkshire called the scrapping of HS2 a "broken promise" adding that: "In South Yorkshire, the Prime Minister’s big announcement - ‘network north’ - means nothing more than reheated projects they’ve had 13 years to deliver, and more promises for the future they won’t deliver. And we’re supposed to be grateful?"

Images: HS2

Read more...

News: Print out. Daily Mail owner to close £60m Rotherham facility

The owner of The Daily Mail has announced plans to close its state-of-the-art printing facility in Rotherham.

DMG Media only acquired the site at Dinnington in 2020.

The facility was created by Johnston Press at a cost of £60m on the site of the former colliery and it includes one of the most modern and fastest presses in the world. It has the capacity to print 192 pages in full colour, 120,000 newspapers an hour in full colour and 75 titles per week.

DMG Media and News UK have now proposed a joint venture which would combine their printing operations.

The proposal would retain three current sites in Broxbourne (Hertfordshire), Knowsley (Merseyside) and Eurocentral (Glasgow), and would potentially mean the closure of DMG Media sites in Thurrock and Dinnington.

A new company would be created to run the combined print operations and proponents say that it would "help improve the efficiency of News UK and DMG Media’s print operations and establish a sustainable business model for the future of national newspaper printing in the UK."

Over the years, the Dinnington site, which is also known as Associated Print Holdings, has printed everything from the Daily Express, Daily Star and The Sun to the Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star. Other major customers included regional publications and many niche publications.

Last month, it was reported that National World, the company behind The Scotsman and the Yorkshire Post, and new owner of the Rotherham Advertiser, had signed a deal with Newsquest that would see production end in Dinnington.

As well as The Mail, DMG Media is the holding company that owns the Metro and i newspapers and websites.

News UK, formerly News International, is the current publisher of The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Sun newspapers.

Advertisement
National print newspaper circulation has declined by more than 60% in the past ten years and the challenging economic climate, combined with rising inflationary costs, and accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has put significant additional pressures on the media industry.

Julia Palmer-Poucher, production director at DMG Media Group, said: “The news industry has transformed and continues to change rapidly. DMG Media is at the forefront of this transformation and also remains committed to its print titles, its workforce and its readers.

“The decade-long decline in print circulation has not been matched with changes to print capacity and we must find ways to keep physical newspapers, which have an important future, commercially viable. This proposed combination would provide a long-term solution for the Mail print titles and a sustainable future for the newspaper printing industry.

“We are aware this will be an uncertain time for those potentially impacted and our priority is to provide staff with the support they need throughout this process.”

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may want to look at the proposed deal in more detail and until the regulatory processes are complete, "the DMG Media printing business and Newsprinters UK remain separate and independent and will continue to operate as such."

Local MP, Alexander Stafford said that he was very concerned about the DMG Media plans for the Dinnington plant, adding that he would contact the company and regulators for more information.

DMG Media website

Images: KeyIS

Read more...

News: Heritage buildings lined up for live music venue in Rotherham town centre

A number of historic buildings in Rotherham town centre are being assessed for their suitability as a new live music venue.

Rothbiz reported that despite £4.5m being set aside for a scheme to repurpose the former Guest & Chrimes foundry as an National / International music venue, the council was unable to reach an agreement with the landowner, Rotherham United Football Club.

The project team had carried out work for a year to develop a business case which was submitted to the Government last August. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given the green light for the money for the Guest & Chrimes project to be moved to another site as potential operators are still interested in the town.

The first alternative option to be looked at was the former cinema known as the Essoldo building.

Bought for £1.9m in 2006, the building on Ship Hill / High Street was built in 1913 as the Empire Theatre. It has since operated as a cinema, snooker hall and nightclub and its facade, windows and other external features were refurbished as part of the council-led Townscape Heritage Initiative.

A public private partnership between the council and building owner has been looked at to progress the project, however, surveys and assessments have been carried out and costs have come in over budget.

Advertisement
On the Essoldo Building, council minutes show that: "The operator is still interested but not sure if it is the right building and is considering if this is the appropriate location."

The next heritage site to be looked at is the Cutlers Arms and Alma Tavern, which are now owned by Rotherham Council.

The Westgate / Sheffield Road area is key for the authority's aim of building more residential properties in the town centre as it acquired all land and properties in the location owned by Satnam Urban Regeneration Ltd. This includes the 200 space Westgate Car Park and the two pubs including the derelict Alma Tavern, which has been under the threat of demolition.

Simon Moss, Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, said: "The Cutlers is a listed building, with the Alma frontage having the same theme. There is still an option to work with both and pull together a similar scheme. This could be a pragmatic solution, bring the music inside and sound proof the venue, it is a scheme that is possible."

More empty properties in town are being looked at by the council and its partners.

One building not yet mentioned as a live music venue is the former bingo hall on Corporation Street (another former cinema) which is also under council ownership. Rothbiz revealed that, when the authority applied to knock down the former Wilkos next door, the site had been earmarked as the potential location for a new theatre.

Images: Google Maps

Read more...