News: Action stations! Council launches campaign for Rotherham Gateway

Rotherham Council has formally launched a campaign to return mainline train services to Rotherham, as part of a £300m regeneration project.

Rothbiz reported in June on the 20-year masterplan for Rotherham Gateway Station at Parkgate which showed how a transport improvement scheme can act as the catalyst for a much wider regeneration project supporting thousands of new jobs.

Integrated with a new tram-train stop, the station would bring faster rail connections. A new mainline rail station at Forge Way would deliver faster links to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and Doncaster, unlocking wider regional and national connectivity. The aim is for journey times to Leeds to be cut from 60 minutes to 30 minutes and to be 75 minutes to Birmingham.

Station opening has been pencilled in for "late 2030" with the four-phase masterplan showing two platforms, with passive provision for four, to support future growth.

As a regeneration scheme, commercial opportunities would be created with a new station driving new economic activity and regeneration. The idea is for a new Innovation Campus to be created in the area to build on historic manufacturing strengths and foster regional growth.

The council estimates that new employment prospects and business activity will inject a significant £52m boost into the local economy and points to the station location at the heart of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone and near to the proposed 2,000 home development at Bassingthorpe.

People are being urged to get on board with the campaign to make the station a reality.

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A council call to action states: "The borough has a rich industrial heritage and bold plans for regeneration, advanced manufacturing and housing. However, limited rail connectivity is holding back economic growth. Restoring mainline train services to Rotherham for the first time since the 1980s is not just a long-overdue improvement – it is something the borough is entitled to.

"Better transport links in Rotherham are vital to connecting people, industry and business locally, regionally and nationally.

"Together, we can deliver Rotherham’s Gateway to the future. Your support is vital to turn vision into reality."

The programme includes more than 355,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing and commercial space, around 250 new homes, and up to 132,000 sq ft of green spaces and public realm.

The business case for the station and wider masterplan area highlights the potential to create 1,200 new jobs.

Cllr. Chris Read: leader of Rotherham Council, said that the station was "part of a £300m package to transform our rail connectivity, create a thousand jobs and facilitate thousands of new homes" adding that: "It could be the single biggest thing we can do to lift the future prospects of Rotherham’s economy."

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has approved £11.35m that will enable the detailed design of the project and move it towards procurement. £10m of government funding has been secured for land acquisition.

The government is yet to confirm funding for Rotherham Gateway Station with the borough waiting on costed plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Rotherham Gateway Station website

Images: RMBC

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News: Chamber Means Business celebrates record year

More than 500 business owners and delegates from across South Yorkshire came together to celebrate the power of collaboration, cultivate new business connections and discover how to tap into opportunities to work with the public sector at the sell-out Chamber Means Business Expo.

Hosted by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, and taking place at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, Chamber Means Business has firmly established itself as one of the most popular and successful business events of its kind. The event attracted a record number of delegates, and with the exhibition selling out in less than 24 hours, many of the businesses taking part went above and beyond the call of duty to stand out from the competition.

The power of networking was the theme of the day, and delegates were given the chance to take part in a special masterclass, learning how to make the most of networking opportunities. Hosted by Chamber Vice President Mark Smith, as well as featuring industry experts Hayley Koselogu, Phil Turner and Joada Allen, the seminar offered an insight into how to make the most of business networking, as well as sharing some of the secrets of their success.

Sponsored by KAT Communications, KCM Waste Management and EntrySign, the exhibition also gave delegates an exclusive preview of some of the opportunities available to local businesses offered by the re-opening of Doncaster Airport. Following the recent funding announcement, the airport aims to reinvest back into the local economy by engaging with local suppliers ahead of the planned re-opening.

The exhibition also provided opportunities to find out more about how goods and services are procured from key public sector partners including local authorities, education providers and the NHS.

The event also saw two longstanding members of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber receive special ‘Salutes to Business’ awards in recognition of their time-honoured contribution to the regional economy. Rotherham-based training provider Whyy? Change celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025, whilst Sheffield-based marketing company Objective Creative will mark its 15th anniversary. Both companies were presented with special certificates during the event.

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Shane Young, Operations Director, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “Business success rarely happens in isolation. It’s the result of collaborating with others, forging partnerships and building relationships. Chamber Means Business is often the first step in that journey and offers an insight into the strength and diversity of South Yorkshire’s local economy.

"From the minute the doors opened, the event was buzzing. Networking and collaboration was the theme of the day, and with a record number of delegates taking part, and with the exhibition selling out within less than 24 hours, Chamber Means Business offered something for everyone.  It was clear that many of those exhibiting at the show had spent a great deal of time in planning and preparing for the event – adding to the unique atmosphere.

"Finally, I would like to personally thank everyone who took part in the day, especially our sponsors, KAT Communications, KCM Recycling and EntrySign, as well as the chamber’s events team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”

Although a date is to be confirmed, Chamber Means Business will return in 2026.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

Images: BR Chamber

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News: Rotherham-based Leighton Vans revving up for revenues of £100m

Rotherham-based Leighton Vans has announced plans to grow its turnover from £30m to £100m over the next 18 months having been approved as an official Ford convertor.

From their headquarters at Templeborough, Leighton Vans is renowned for its craftsmanship in converting standard VW transporter vehicles into unique Leighton-branded vans, complete with exclusive external styling packs, wheels, and internal conversions.

The company prides itself on designing and manufacturing elements that set their conversions apart from any other in the market and has recently received official GB Whole Vehicle Type Approval from the Vehicle Certification Agency to fit its LV-RF kit to the new Ford Transit Custom van, 5/6-seat crew van and camper van.

Already the UK’s premier retailer of bespoke VW sports van, the Ford approval puts Leighton Vans in pole position for growth.

The approval supports plans to grow the business from £30m to £100m over the next 18 months. This will include Leighton Vans growing its own nationwide dealer network both in the UK and Europe as well as supplying its LV-RF conversions to the Ford dealer network either as kits or fully built vehicles.

Leighton Vans has forecast to sell 500 Ford Transit Customs fitted with the new LV-RF kit which will take its UK new and used sales in 2026 to over 1,000 vehicles.

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The LV-RF kit comprises uprated suspension, larger wheels and brakes as well as exterior front and rear spoilers which enhance the Custom’s road presence. These external design features form part of Leighton Vans’ contemporary design evolution which it has been developing over the past five years.

The type approval process involved rigorous assessment, including a front-end pedestrian protection crash test in Spain and extensive high-speed brake and suspension testing (both laden and unladen, in wet and dry conditions) to ensure larger wheels and lowered suspension did not compromise stopping distances, stability, or safety.

This achievement is the culmination of more than two years of development and testing, representing not just a milestone for Leighton Vans, but also for the wider aftermarket custom vehicle sector. By meeting the highest level of UK approval, above the more limited National Small Series Type Approval, Leighton Vans reaffirms its position as a leader in van performance styling and design.

To support its European expansion Leighton Vans has also gained TÜV approval in Germany, an internationally recognised certification required for modifications in that market, which included a further crash test and inspection. It will support Leighton Vans ambition to grow sales to several thousand over the coming years on the back of establishing its European dealer network.

Adam Jackson, head of parts sales & product development at Leighton Vans, said: “Securing Ford Type Approval for our LV-RF kit is a huge step forward for Leighton Vans.

“It’s taken two years of hard work, engineering expertise, and global testing to get to this stage. We’ve built our reputation on innovation, quality, and customer trust, and this recognition from Ford, VCA, and TÜV underlines everything we stand for.

“It means customers can buy an upgraded new Transit Custom with full peace of mind, knowing the product has been thoroughly tested and meets the highest standards of safety and compliance."

Leighton Vans moved to Rotherham in 2017, opening a brand new workshop and showroom. In 2022, the company purchased additional trading premises nearby.

Leighton Vans website

Images: Leighton Vans

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News: Tech firm opens new office on AMP in Rotherham

Industrial automation and robotics specialist, Loop Technology, has selected the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham as the location for a new office as it continues to expand across the UK.

The firm specialises in machine vision, motion control and industrial robotics. Its FibreLINE system provides end-to-end automated preforming, revolutionising the production rate for carbon fibre structures and other composite parts and components. Additional systems include highly accurate robotic machining and automated laser cleaning.

Loop Technology has its HQ in Dorchester, Dorset and an additional office in Bristol.

Having joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in 2022, Loop Technology sees South Yorkshire as a strategic location given that it works in the high value manufacturing sector including aerospace, defence, and renewable energy.

The 13,700 sq ft facility, part of Harworth's Revolution Phase 4 development, is just a few minutes away from the AMRC and the new COMPASS facility which aims to help UK industries to adopt more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Loop Technology continues to progress on the Isothermic High Rate Sustainable Structures project, with Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems and the AMRC.

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Alun Reece, CEO of Loop Technology, said: "Due to a big upswing in orders, Loop Technology had to execute a rapid expansion plan. Several sites were considered but the standout was the Advanced Manufacturing Park. With modern, energy efficient factory space ready for occupation and abundant local talent the Sheffield / Rotherham conurbation provided everything we were looking for. And I’m pleased to say its been everything we were hoping it would be.

"We’re building a great, highly skilled team of people there and I’m excited to see how we continue to develop the facility in the coming years.”

Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) is a major boost to aerospace R&D in the UK. The 29,700 sq ft research facility is located next to the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 facility on the site of the former Sheffield Airport.

The facility will pioneer a new era in composite manufacturing by offering open access to a state-of-the-art, fully automated closed-mould cell of 10m x 3m for research purposes. This will enable single components to become larger, with complex sub-assemblies of up to ten metres becoming a reality – reducing cost, preventing delays and saving time.

The project with Boeing, Loop Technology and Spirit AeroSystems aims to de-risk and develop high-rate sustainable structures, with the potential to reduce large component process times from 40 hours to four hours.

Loop Technology website

Images: Loop Technology

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