News: Chancellor visits South Yorkshire Investment Zone

Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, has visited ground-breaking facilities at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The Chancellor visited the Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) facility built on the site of the former Sheffield airport, one of the North of England’s largest ever research and innovation projects that was announced as part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.

Confirmed as the first Investment Zone in the UK in 2023, it is using the region’s success in advanced manufacturing to help make South Yorkshire the best place to start, scale or relocate businesses from around the world, boosting the UK economy.

Primarily focused on connecting Sheffield to Rotherham (where the research assets such as The AMRC are already located), it is expected to create 8,000 new jobs and bring in £1.2bn worth of private investment by 2030.

Having launched on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham in 2003, The AMRC outgrew the site of the former Orgreave coking works and expanded over the Parkway and into Sheffield, developing its own "Innovation District" with buildings such as Factory 2050, which opened in 2015.

Joined by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield Professor Koen Lamberts and AMRC interim chief executive officer Ben Morgan, the Chancellor toured the state-of-the-art facility designed to revolutionise aerospace manufacturing.

During the visit, the Chancellor praised the University of Sheffield and AMRC’s commitment to working in lockstep with industry to advance the UK’s position as a clean energy superpower, while creating highly skilled jobs and boosting economic growth both regionally and nationally.

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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “It was fantastic to visit the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and see first-hand how South Yorkshire is leading the way in cutting-edge innovation.

"The partnerships here between world-class researchers and global companies like Boeing, Rolls-Royce and McLaren show exactly why we're backing advanced manufacturing through our modern Industrial Strategy.

"This region has unique strengths that we're determined to build on. That's why we're working with local leaders and businesses to ensure the benefits of growth are felt right across the North, raising living standards and creating opportunities for working people."

Ben Morgan, interim Chief Executive Officer of the AMRC, added: “The work we are doing at the AMRC, as a proud member of the HVM Catapult, is a blueprint for the future of UK manufacturing. From light weighting aerostructures at our new COMPASS facility to developing modular manufacturing processes with Rolls-Royce SMR, we are bridging the gap between world-class research and industrial reality.

“With a 25-year track record of proven success, it was a privilege to show the Chancellor how our advanced manufacturing expertise is underpinning the UK’s transition to net-zero while powering economic growth, both regionally and nationally.

“Guided by the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re committed to working alongside our colleagues in the University and HVM Catapult to ensure the UK remains a global leader in sustainable innovation.”

Cllr. Chris Read, the leader of Rotherham Council attended the event and said it was a pleasure to talk to the chancellor about the AMP, Northern Powerhouse Rail and plans for the Don Valley Corridor.

AMRC website

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News: Council sets aside £700k to support businesses on Rotherham's high streets

High street businesses across Rotherham are in line for much-needed support with local and regional business support agencies setting aside resources to target "High Street Heroes."

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has recently launched High Street Heroes, a fully funded programme designed especially for South Yorkshire's independent retailers and high street businesses.

Delivered by Novus Marketing Solutions, the programme is designed to help real businesses build confidence, attract customers, and feel more in control of their online presence. Supporting shop owners, market traders, cafés, restaurants, hospitality venues, and service providers that have a physical presence, it includes practical workshops, 1-to-1 consultations, events and resources.

A spokesperson for the scheme said: "Running a high street business today comes with constant pressure. From managing stock and serving customers to dealing with rising costs and trying to keep up online, it can often feel like there is never enough time to step back and focus on growth.

"High Street Heroes has been created to give independent high street businesses access to support that is clear, friendly, and designed to fit around real working days. Everything is explained in plain English, with a focus on ideas that can be used straight away rather than theory or jargon.

"High streets are at the heart of local communities. When independent businesses feel supported and confident, it benefits not just the shops themselves but the towns and people around them.

"High Street Heroes is about backing those businesses with the right kind of support at the right time, helping South Yorkshire’s high streets move forward together."

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Rotherham Council is looking to further support high streets in the town centre, Swinton, Wath, Maltby and Dinnington.

Rothbiz reported last year that the authority's Shop Unit Business Grant Project was oversubscribed but it looks like further funding has been found.

With an initial £270,000 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a decision was made in December 2025 to allocate a further £117,643 to the project from the same pot to meet demand.

And following the capital investment, a £304,000 figure is included in the council's budget for 2025/26 to introduce three new Business Support Officers to engage with businesses in the town centre areas, helping them to flourish.

A council report states: "The purpose of the proposed £304,000 investment is to introduce 3 new Business Support Officers to engage with businesses in these areas to ensure that resources are focused on tackling the issues that matter most and so that successes can be effectively communicated.

"As well as providing a visible presence, and becoming known, in the various locations they will provide initial business advice, help to co-ordinate local promotions, signpost to other services (e.g. grant opportunities) and co-ordinate with other Council departments. They will also have access to a small budget in each of the five locations to support local activities e.g. promotional campaigns or local events."

The aim is to allow for greater engagement with ward members, businesses and residents with the officers working across the five main town centre locations, but also be available to provide support to business in other high street locations across the borough.

Further investment for certain high streets is also on its way through the Pride in Place long term funding allocated by the government - £20m over the next ten years for building Pride in Place in the Rotherham Central area and £20m over the next ten years for building Pride in Place in Maltby East.

High Street Heroes website
On the High Streets website
RiDO website

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News: Rotherham mainline timeline

Rotherham Council has accepted over £11m to develop a Full Business Case for the Rotherham Gateway Station regeneration scheme, but what will that involve, and what is included the first phase of the masterplan?

Allthough the funding is coming from regional funding pots such as the City and Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA), the project is still a retained scheme within central government and required ministerial and treasury approval which came last month with the annoucement on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

With funding already secured for acquiring land, a masterplan was completed that set out a phased 20 year vision for a £300m regeneration scheme.

Rotherham Council is already working on a Strategic Programme Business Case which outlines the vision, providing estimated costs for each phase and the related outputs and outcomes. It also details land acquisition requirements, and the priority projects needed to progress the first phase. It will align with the development of the Station Full Business Case for approval by SYMCA and the Department for Transport.

The first phase includes the main line station, tram-train stop and the floormat between them, including station building and a potential RiDO business centre plus provision for a user-friendly multi-modal transport interchange.

Over the next year, designs will be drafted for the first phase with contractors appointed and a delivery programme agreed. At the same time, train operators will be secured with commitments to stop at the new gateway station.

Other aspects of the full business case relate to developing a wider transport strategy, securing funding for the scheme and completing the land acquisitions.

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A council paper confirms that one of the three required interests has already been acquired, and negotiations are progressing well with landowners of the two remaining sites. The council is considering using compulsory purchase powers if required.

Detailed designs and updated costs are set to be completed by March 2027 with the full business case ready to be submitted in December 2027.

The masterplan shows four phases: year 0 - 5; year 5 - 15; year 15 - 20; and year 20 and beyond.

At the heart of phase 1 is the station quarter and the station building. Rotherham Gateway is expected to be a Category C/D station - and important feeder / medium staffed station with consultants estimating annual footfall to be 0.609 million (access) and 0.584 million (egress). By comparison, Sheffield Station is a Category A station, and Rotherham Central and Swinton are in catergory E.

The Station Quarter, the minimum requirement for station operation, is set for land which is currently Northfields Business Park, which features a stop on the main line and on the line that carries the tram-train. It will also include a station building, a 150 space car park, space for buses and taxis and bridges over the two lines.

The masterplan states: "Approaching from Forge Way, visitors and passengers will be greeted by the station building on the ground floor next to an open green plaza. Visitors will also have a clear and direct pedestrian and cycle link that leads them from the mainline station to the tram-train stop, and further along the canal and into the town centre."

Work continues on a potential business centre within the station building providing "a unique opportunity to become incubator spaces, which will help to catalyse the development of the Innovation Campus" in future phases. There would also be the opportunity for F&B (food and beverage) or retail on the ground level as well as commercial use on upper levels of the station building.

Complimentary development work is also set to be carried out on public realm in the station quarter and a Strategic Outline Business Case has been prepared for a comprehensive scheme that improves access from the Station to the town centre - an active travel route along Effingham Street with enhanced crossings at Centenary Way.

Other early work includes connections to Mangham Way and potential improvements to an underpass to the North East of the site that is currently susceptible to flooding.

Rotherham Council hopes to open the new station by late 2030, and believes it will bring 1,000 highly-skilled jobs and more than £1bn of private investment in the future phases which include proposals for an innovation campus with 180,000 sq ft of commercial space, a multi-storey car park and a living quarter with 205 flats and 37 houses.

Council papers explain: "The Gateway scheme is crucial to the Don Valley Growth Corridor – a key aspiration and priority for SYMCA, highlighted in their recent Plan for Good Growth. The Rotherham Gateway area alongside Bassingthorpe Farm and Templeborough will contribute to the wider economic corridor, with Gateway being a catalyst to "kickstart" development and investment in the wider region."

Rotherham Gateway website

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News: Health Hub work to get underway in Rotherham town centre

The first phase of a new Health Hub in Rotherham town centre can get underway after contractors were appointed by the council, but costs have risen.

Rothbiz reported last year on the authority's plans to introduce "Health on the High Street" in a bid to improve access to health services and increase footfall.

The idea would also provide a long term use for a large retail unit that has been empty since 2022.

Creating a community hub for health provision as a way to reinvigorate town centres has been tried and tested across the country in areas such as Barnsley and Oldham.

In Rotherham, the council acquired the former Boots building in 2023 after the retailer closed as part of a 2020 acceleration of its Transformation Plan.

Close to the markets redevelopment, the proposal involves Abbey Pharmacy relocating from its current position in the first phase with the exploration of the development of a new health facility within the remainder of the building part of a second phase.

For phase 1, Morris and Spottiswood Ltd, which is registered in Glasgow but has an office in Leeds, has been appointed on a direct award by the council on a contract worth £843,580 to carry out ground floor internal modifications and a potential fit-out to accommodate the relocation of Abbey Pharmacy.

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With the £40m revamp of the markets well underway, and as part of the lease, Rotherham Council would need to pay to relocate Abbey Pharmacy from Howard Street now, and potentially a second time, or work around them. Both of these options have been discounted due to the costs involved.

£1.7m has been secured from the Pathfinder funds (now Local Regeneration Fund). Government pathfinder funding was moved away from the live music venue project to the health hub project. Phase 2 funds are to investigate using the remainder of the building for GPs, Health or Wellbeing operators.

The total funding required for phase 1 has increased from £1.3m to £1.47m which leaves less for feasibility studies for phase 2.

A council report explains: "At the start of this project, a direct award procurement route was recommended on the basis of accelerating the procurement process and appointing a contractor as quickly as possible given the multi-million pound Market Redevelopment scheme is dependent on ensuring timely vacant possession of the Indoor Covered Market.

"Following receipt of tender prices and a full independent review of the project and its costs, the cost for Phase 1 will now be higher than the allocated budget. It is proposed that the increased costs for Phase 1 are funded by reducing the budget allocated for undertaking Phase 2 feasibility works, whilst still working within the same budget envelope for the overall scheme. This will mean the scope of works for Phase 2 will have to be reduced or further funding identified at a later stage for completion of Phase 2.

"To maintain alignment with the wider town centre programme and avoid delays to the Markets project, it is recommended that Phase 1 proceeds on the basis of the tendered figure. Sufficient flexibility exists within the overall £1.7m Health Hub allocation to accommodate the Phase 1 variance while still enabling Phase 2 feasibility work. Approval is therefore sought to utilise part of the Phase 2 envelope to meet the Phase 1 cost pressure."

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News: Cricket club on the front foot with padel court plans

It could be a whole new ball game at a Rotherham cricket club, if plans are approved for new padel courts.

Padel is a form of tennis that originated in Mexico in 1969, grew across South America before making it to Spain. The sport is now rapidly expanding across Europe.

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) says that since 2020 the number of padel courts in Britain grew from 50 to over 800, while annual participation rose from 15,000 in 2019 to 400,000 players in 2025.

With plans progressing for new padel facilities in Hellaby and Kimberworth, Upper Haugh Cricket Club is looking to get into the game with plans for four new courts at its site off Wentworth Road, near Rawmarsh.

As well as fielding men's, women's and junior teams, the community club, which dates back to 1855, hosts cricket programmes and summer camps, other sports sessions and community / charity events and celebrations.

The plans show how four new padel courts and a new two lane fully enclosed cricket net facility would replace the existing cricket nets which are over 20 years old and considered to be no longer fit for purpose.

The proposals also include assessments covering issues such as noise, lighting, biodiversity and traffic.

The hours of operation are expected to be between 8am and 9pm and the noise impact assessment recommends the installation of an acoustic barrier.

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The plans state: "The club has been able to draw in private investment to develop the padel courts and nets - with additional grant support (for the nets only) being progressed with Yorkshire Cricket Board. In addition to providing funding the individual investors also bring experience of developing padel courts in partnership with cricket clubs – being closely associated with the consortium which has developed the padel courts at Shaw Lane (Barnsley Cricket Club).

"This development could represent a huge step forward for the club. There are seen to be some real synergies between the sports of padel and cricket and also between the proposed development and the long-term development of the club.

"With cricket being a summer-only game club revenue is currently season dependent. Padel will provide a new footfall for the club and open-up an all year round source of income. It is also anticipated that by introducing padel players to the club this might also improve engagement numbers in cricket (and vice versa) and create a new, larger and more diverse club membership. This is crucial to the ongoing viability of the club."

Support has already been received from the LTA who said that: "The proposed new Padel courts at Upper Haugh CC will, alongside the cricket and social facilities create a sporting hub for local people, and this will provide a facility where the local community can come together socially and keep physically active."

A drop in session on the plans is being held at the club on Thursday January 29.

Upper Haugh Cricket Club website

Images: LTA / Upper Haugh Cricket Club

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News: Esh Construction officially unveils Interactive Learning Zone at Skills Street

Esh Construction has officially opened its new Interactive Learning Zone at Skills Street, located at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in Rotherham.

The event, attended by key client partners from YORhub and local councils, marks a significant milestone in Esh’s collaborative investment in social value across Yorkshire. As the first employer partner to join Skills Street, the North of England contractor has merged its award-winning employability and careers programmes – Stay Safe, Get into STEM, and Construction in the Curriculum – into a single, immersive space.

Skills Street is a pioneering and immersive careers learning experience developed by Gulliver’s Valley Theme Parks in collaboration with The Work-wise Foundation. It aims to inspire and inform children, young people, and adults from across Yorkshire and beyond about the diverse career opportunities available.

Thousands of students have visited the Interactive Learning Zone and availed of the chance to explore the diverse world of construction through hands-on activities, interactive challenges, and real-life scenarios.

Megan Roberts, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: “It's fantastic to have a home for all our programmes, especially given the great work we do locally through our social value schemes. This space brings together everything we stand for – engaging, inspiring, and informing the next generation about the breadth of opportunities in construction. It’s not just about what we do here, but about the wider impact we can have when we work together with partners like YORhub, Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.”

The Esh Interactive Learning Zone features a range of engaging activities, including Dudley’s Site Cabin, where visitors can dress as construction workers and learn about site safety; the Esh Living Site, which challenges teams to build to client specifications; and the Retrofit Tri Station, where sustainable technologies are brought to life through interactive science lessons. The space also includes an immersive technology sand pit for planning river embankments.

Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive at Esh added: “Our social value and design teams have worked tirelessly with key stakeholders since 2022 to bring our Interactive Learning Zone to life. It is a proud day for the business to be officially launching this space, which showcases Esh’s commitment to inspiring young people to consider a career in construction from an early age. It’s not just about what we do here, but about the wider impact we can have when we work together with partners like YORhub and local authorities.”

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James Beighton, Business Development Manager at Skills Street, said: “Construction is such a critical industry for our economy with increasingly pressing skills needs. We are delighted to partner with Esh to showcase the breadth of opportunity across the built environment, introducing young people at an earlier age to job roles and practical skills that look beyond the obvious.

“Visitors are placed into real life scenarios linked to Esh projects and leave the space with a broad view on construction and its relevance to classroom learning. Most importantly, we are working collaboratively to inform a better prepared workforce whilst inspiring our next generation one skill at a time.”

The opening of the Esh Interactive Learning Zone demonstrates the power of partnership in delivering lasting social value and equipping young people with the skills and inspiration they need for the future. YORhub, whose member councils have played a key role in supporting Skills Street, also welcomed the opening.

Mike Raven, YORhub Performance and Improvement Manager, said: “The sector is badly in need of more people and our award-winning Employment & Skills offer drives this, with 29,000 pupils having benefitted from site visits and workshops since the launch of YORhub.

“We're delighted to see Esh Construction, as one of our framework contractors, inspiring young people to join construction by becoming the first contractor on Skills Street and so being able to give visibility to the wide range of careers the industry offers.”

Esh website
Skills Street website

Images: Esh

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News: Plans revived for historic Rotherham building

A set of plans are back on the table after the future of a historic building in Rotherham town centre was secured.

Rothbiz has reported on the revival of the iconic Empire Theatre, a former cinema on Ship Hill / High Street that has successfully undergone a large restoration project. It is also known as the Essoldo building and was built in 1913 as the Empire Theatre. It has since operated as a cinema, snooker hall and nightclub.

With SME Holdings Ltd securing planning permission for the change of use of the premises from a night club use to a theatre / music venue use class, a new set of plans has been submitted for another part of the building.

The three storey property known as Essoldo Chambers on High Street has long had an active ground floor as the location for the Italian Pizza Oven in years gone by.

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Improvements were carried out to the Essoldo Chambers building more than a decade ago as part of Rotherham Council's Townscape Heritage Initiative but the upper floors have remained vacant. They could now be brought back into use, if new plans are approved.

The plans from Imran Javed are for the conversion of the first and second floors to create eight flats and echo previously approved plans from 2008. Further plans in 2020 to make alterations and change the use of the ground floor shops were refused.

The latest plans, drawn up by YS Design Services Ltd, show three, 2-bed flats on the first floor and two, 2-bed, and three, 1-bed flats on the second floor.

The building is not a listed building but sits within the town centre conservation area. The latest plans do not include any alterations to the exterior with access already provided from the front, seperate to the commercial units.

The Rotherham town centre masterplan of 2017 confirmed the need for more housing and leisure uses as a way to develop economic vitality, bringing more life, activity and spending back into the town centre and moving away from the traditional retail market.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Latest tenant set to perk up Rotherham retail development

A new neighbourhood coffee shop is the latest to sign up for the Olive Lane development in Rotherham. It leaves just one unit remaining of the original scheme.

Olive Lane opened last year at Waverley in Rotherham and the first tenants signing up to the scheme included a Tesco store, vets, nursery and restaurants. A medical centre and community centre are also part of the plans.

The urban shopping and leisure development on Highfield Spring, part of Harworth’s complete redevelopment of the former mining site, totals 11 retail units and a medical centre and sits between the housing and the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Serve has secured the 1,959 sq ft unit E1, close to the Tesco Express, and opposite The Canary Bar.

Not just specialising in coffee and brunch, Serve will also introduce cocktails and dining to Waverley, with the operators already being granted a premises licence.

The licence sets out that opening hours are from 7:00 to 23:20 each day with alcohol able to served between 11:00 and 23:00. Conditions relate to drinks prices, the installation of CCTV and the introduction of a "Challenge 25" policy.

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An opening date has not yet been announced but recruitment is underway and the Serve brand was recently introduced to the community at a Christmas event where a pop-up coffee shop showcased some of the drinks that will be on offer.

Olive Lane is home to Karobar Indian Restaurant, The Canary, Wingers, Hall Court Veterinary Group, Specsavers, Little Olives Nursery and Tesco Express. A 1,420 sq ft unit remains available to let.

At the other end of Olive Lane a planning application was approved last year relating to a new build block of commercial units that was sold off by Harworth to developers before work began.

Sky House Co., the Sheffield-based housing developer bringing forward the adjacent Waverley Central scheme, applied to make changes to unit G2. The plans show the building split into three units with one set to be occupied by a dental practice.

Serve website
Olive Lane website

Images: Harworth / Fox Lloyd Jones

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News: Unique retailer ready to level up long-vacant Rotherham unit

Expansion could be on the cards again for a Pokémon-themed shop and café in Rotherham town centre.

Moving across town from the Imperial Buildings and transforming a vacant unit in The Old Town Hall in 2023, enterprising Lee Kucia has created a haven for Pokémon fans, offering cards, booster boxes, toys and graded cards. The theme continues into a Coffee House serving barista coffee, hot drinks, cake and sandwiches that also offers space for trading and playing.

Under the name, PokiLee, Lee has amassed over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube who catch him opening packs, interacting with customers and various other live streams.

Rothbiz reported last year on PokiLee's PokiWorld securing planning permission to enable an expansion into a next door unit within the historic Old Town Hall.

Having renamed as PokiLee's CardCade, now another set of plans has been submitted for a change of use at a new retail unit in Rotherham town centre - a bigger building which will allow both businesses to operate cohesively from one location.

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14 Howard Street is part of the Cascades Centre, opposite the Old Town Hall, in between the Rotherham Interchange and Rotherham Markets.

Formerly an Argos store, the unit features 8,500 sq ft over two floors.

In 2020, Sainsbury's, the owner of Argos, picked out the Howard Street outlet as part of a national programme of store closures.

It has been largely empty apart from a short period in 2025, operating as Big Deals Rotherham.

The planning application states: "The retail business is presently operated from Units 20-21, Old Town Hall, Rotherham, and has established a strong customer base, attracting visitors from across the wider region. An associated small-scale, family-orientated amusement use is operated from the adjoining premises at 18-19 Old Town Hall.

"Due to the continued success and growth of the business, the applicant is relocating to a larger unit at 14 Howard Street in order to consolidate the existing retail, coffee house and amusement elements into a single premises. As a result, the proposed use of the new property requires a change from a single retail use to a retail-led mixed use, allowing the business to operate cohesively from one location.

"The proposal retains retail as the principal use of the premises, with the shopfront and primary public-facing areas continuing to operate as a retail unit. The amusement machine elements are complementary to the main retail use and are intended to enhance customer experience and support town-centre vitality."

Pokilee's CardCade website

Images: Rees Denton / Pokilee

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News: Rotherham Opportunities College unveils major expansion plans

Rotherham Opportunities College has secured planning permission to transform a former industrial facility into a new state-of-the-art education hub, and the college is planning to give businesses from across the region an exclusive sneak preview of its exciting future plans.

Located on Sycamore Road, Eastwood Trading Estate, the new premises will double the size of the college’s existing site and will include purpose-designed teaching spaces, purpose-designed classrooms and breakout spaces, vocational learning areas, training kitchens, integrated therapeutic facilities, an outdoor learning space and a multi-use games area (MUGA).

The decision to relocate from its existing premises was made to expand its provision and better meet the needs of young adults with special educational needs and disabilities across Rotherham and South Yorkshire.

With the new venture set to welcome its first students later this year, the college expects the site to become fully operational by 2027, and to realise its ambitions, a new fundraising campaign has been launched, with the aim of raising £500,000 to complete the planned renovations.

To mark the launch of its new site, Rotherham Opportunities College is also hoping to collaborate with local businesses, by hosting a special drop-in networking event at its new site. The event will provide a chance to find out more about its exciting plans, make new contacts and discover more about the college’s supported internships programme – an initiative that helps young adults prepare for life after education.

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Dr Perdita Mousley, Principal of Rotherham Opportunities College, said: “The need for special education provision, particularly for young adults, has never been greater, and as demand for our services continues to rise, relocating to our new site forms a vital aspect of our future growth plans. Moving to our new Sycamore Road site is an incredibly exciting moment for our students, staff and the local community. Our new home will provide a blank canvas to create the right environment to help young people with special educational needs to unlock their full potential.

Our networking event aims to showcase some of the truly unique work we are delivering at Rotherham Opportunities College, and we are inviting local businesses to come along, find out more about the unique work we deliver and get involved – whether that’s working in partnership with the college, contributing towards our charitable aims or providing supported internship work placements for our students.”

Launched in 2018, Rotherham Opportunities College supports young people aged 16–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to develop independence, wellbeing and employability skills. The college was rated ‘Good’ in its most recent OFSTED inspection and secured an outstanding rating in two areas. Last year the college became a registered charity.

The Rotherham Opportunities College business networking drop-in event will take place on Wednesday 28th January between 10am-2pm and is free to attend.

Rotherham Opportunities College website

Images: RoC

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News: Green light for Rotherham golf club revamp

Proposals for significant upgrades to a Rotherham golf club have been approved. Operators say that a diversified offer is key to the future of the business.

Rothbiz reported last year on a planned refurbishment programme of the existing club house, and the conversion of former agricultural buildings so that they can be used as holiday guest housesa at Grange Park Golf Club at Kimberworth.

The course was laid out in the 1970's on former coal workings where the freehold ownership passed to the Council. The course and clubhouse was let to Grange Park Golf Club Limited in 2005.

In 2023 local businessman Peter Eyre was approached to look at assisting the company who had debts of £500,000 and were in the process of appointing an administrator.

The plans from Top Play for the club house include a single-story infill entrance extension that would create a new contemporary entrance and meeting area, whilst increasing the existing external decked and seating area along the western elevation would expand the hospitality facilities to the rear overlooking the 18th green.

For two existing storage barns, the plan is to fully refurbish and upgrade the buildings to high standards to create holiday lets - three separate 2-bed, two storey units in one barn and two self contained 2-bed apartments in the other.

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The plans were approved without going before the council's planning board. The main issue was if the proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the green belt.

Officers explained: "Appropriate facilities for sport and recreation are considered to be exemptions from inappropriate development as are extensions to buildings provided that they are not disproportionate.

"The extension of the clubhouse building is intended to improve the existing recreational offer through a modernised facility which will increase the attractiveness of the site and venue and provide a secondary associated income to facilitate the continued and linked use of the golf course. The proposal is considered to represent appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and recreation."

Regarding the change of use element, the planning report adds that it: "seeks to re-use the structure of the existing outbuilding. The existing building is considered to be of a substantial and permanent construction and therefore not inappropriate development.

"The conversion of the existing disused outbuildings which forms part of the planning unit is also intended to allow for overnight stays to be used in conjunction with the improved golf facility. It is considered necessary to condition this for use in conjunction with the golf facility, as an unrelated use of this conversion to an open hotel use has the potential to generate additional traffic and disturbance to the surroundings."

Regarding the openness of the green belt, the planners conclude that "the operational development would result in a low or limited impact on the openness of the Green Belt and would not conflict with the purposes of including land within it. As such, the proposal is not considered to comprise inappropriate development within the Green Belt."

Top Play has also applied to site three flexi padel courts next to the club house on land which has previously been used as an outdoor event space and the siting of a large marquee. A decision is awaited.

Grange Park Golf Club website

Images: Grange Park Golf Club

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News: Cepac's £53m Rotherham expansion moves ahead

The first phase of a significant expansion at an established factory in Rotherham has been approved.

Rothbiz reported in September last year on Cepac, one of the UK’s leading innovators of performance packaging, announcing a £53m investment that will expand its key operations at Manvers.

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

The "Rotherham 2" project will see investment in infrastructure, equipment and new jobs.

The first phase, however, focuses on "Rotherham 1" - the existing facility that manufactures packaging and where certain machinery is now coming towards the end of its useful life.

The latest proposal is for an extension (4,000 sq ft) and a proposed mezzanine (11,400 sq ft) to the existing building which will facilitate a wider expansion of the facility.

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The extension and mezzanine will accommodate an expansion of the firm's existing corrugator machine and will enable staff to move between equipment safely.

Plans, drawn up by dpp consultants, explain: "Expansion and modernisation of the existing production facility will allow Cepac to safeguard existing local jobs and the company's market position as leading cardboard manufacturer."

The plans were approved without going to Rotherham Council's planning board.

Future phases are set to include a new 60,000 sq ft warehouse and further extensions to accommodate office space and a new pallet area.

When complete, new machinery will be able to produce up to 240 million square metres of board per annum with several new converting lines for printing, die-cutting and folding and gluing of boxes.

Cepac website

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News: Using the river to link together Rotherham regeneration schemes

A £4.4m improvement scheme along the riverside will help open up new sites for development and connect them to Forge Island and new public space in Rotherham town centre.

Delivered by Esh Construction on behalf of Rotherham Council, the project, which completed last year, included the construction of a new access road and a riverside footpath linking Water Lane to the town centre, alongside extensive landscaping and infrastructure upgrades.

Works involved cut and fill operations, deep drainage, invasive weed removal, pavement construction, and the installation of gabion baskets to form a retaining wall feature. The project also included cosmetic repairs to the existing masonry river wall, carried out by rope access-trained personnel.

A key component of the scheme saw complex piling works used to futureproof the riverbank and support the walkway along the River Don.

Michael Sherrard, construction manager at Esh Construction, said: "The sheet piling was quite complicated. The piles themselves were about six tonnes each. The ground itself was not very stable so we had to look carefully at the plant we used to support the stability of the existing river wall."

Over 250 sheet piles - 127 pairs measuring between 14-18 metres in length - were installed over a five-week period.

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Cllr. John Williams, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy at Rotherham Council, said: "Now the Riverside Walk project has been completed, it’s a really important step for our town centre — it’s going to provide a lot of benefits for visitors and residents who come here.

"Immediately it’s providing a new riverside access between our residential sites right through to the town centre and over to Forge Island. It’s really important to provide that connection, because now we’ve got the hotel, we’ve got the restaurants, we’ve got a lot of independent offerings in the town centre, and it’s just providing that really good access between both sides of the town.

"It’s really opened up the river, it’s providing access where people didn’t have it before to enjoy the scenery and to enjoy the riverside new walk."

Riverside Gardens is a new public space on the opposite side of the River Don to Forge Island. The £4.1m project got underway last year and includes proposals for accessible routes from Market Street and Domine Lane, soft landscaped terraces, a riverside walk offering views of the River Don, natural play for children, new seating and improvements to footpaths and public spaces along Corporation Street.

At the other end of the new riverside walk is the Riverside Residential Quarter on Westgate and Sheffield Road. Acquisition of under used and derelict land and property by the council has been ongoing since 2021 with multimllion pound developments such as Westgate Riverside and Millfold Rise bringing new housing to the area.

Sites such as the large car park and newly acquired SIG Roofing yard are next in line for residential redevelopment.

Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "This [the riverside walk] is a huge infrastructure project to take forward that wider regeneration.

"The site that has been left vacant, now currently a temporary car park, is going to be transformed into new housing developments and we hope to be moving forward with that in the next couple of years. We’re developing a new Riverside Gardens, so that is complementary to what’s been done here, and will create more green space."

Both the Riverside Walk and Riverside Gardens have utilised funding from the government's Town Deal, know renamed as the Local Regeneration Fund. The Riverside Walk project was delayed after it was "rescoped" in 2023 in order to remove the proposed new bridge that would have joined to the Guest & Chrimes site and the New York Stadium.

Images: ESH

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News: Rotherham manufacturers urged to move fast to access Made Smarter grants

SME manufacturers across Yorkshire are being urged to tap into £325,000 of funding to boost productivity and accelerate their digital transformation.

Made Smarter, the government-backed digital adoption programme, is offering Capital Expenditure (CapEx) grants that can fund up to 50% of project costs, up to £20,000, for investment in new technology such as automation, robotics, AI, 3D printing and data-driven tools.

However, companies have been warned to act fast, with the funding window closing at the end of March.

The call comes as Made Smarter hits a major regional milestone, its 100th project application, demonstrating that manufacturers are rapidly investing in digital technologies to stay competitive and grow. The programme has now handed out £1.4m in CapEx grants, unlocking a further £2.4m in private investment for a £3.8m tech boost across the region.

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Jessica Armitage, Programme Manager for Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber, said: “This milestone shows how quickly manufacturers across Yorkshire are moving to adopt technologies that improve productivity, cut waste and open up new opportunities. The momentum is building.

“But any business that waits another year risks losing ground. The funding is here now, and so is the support. With £325,000 still available until the end of March, we want SMEs to act now, seize this moment and make 2026 the year they unlock the full potential of digital technology to increase productivity, create growth and jobs, and build a more resilient and sustainable future.”

To access Made Smarter support, manufacturers start by registering their interest and speaking with a specialist adviser about their business and growth plans. A digital expert then works with the company to assess its operations and create a clear roadmap, identifying where technology and skills can add value. From there, businesses can access tailored support, including specialist advice, leadership and skills programmes, digital internships, and matched funding through a CapEx grant to invest in new technology.

Since launching in 2021, Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber has engaged with almost 1,200 manufacturers, created nearly 700 digital roadmaps, and provided technical project support to more than 250 businesses. Close to 150 companies have taken part in leadership and skills programmes.

Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Ltd. (AML), based in Rotherham, is an advanced manufacturing supplier across aerospace, defence, energy and nuclear. It has upgraded its data and systems infrastructure and cybersecurity, enhancing its resilience and supporting growth and job creation.

Dr Gareth Morgan, Managing Director at AML, said: “The team at AML wholeheartedly endorses the Made Smarter programme and would actively encourage any organisation looking to leverage support and potentially funding to develop capability in any area of the business.”

Made Smarter website

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News: Rotherham Council rejects office conversion plans

Purpose built office space in Rotherham cannot be converted into a place of worship, the local council ruling plans "incompatible" with surrounding industrial uses.

Rothbiz reported in 2025 on change of use plans submitted for a partially vacant building at Bradmarsh Business Park in Templeborough.

Hope Church Rotherham is affiliated to the British Assemblies of God. In 2004 local church groups joined together to become known as "The Hope of Rotherham Christian Church," meeting in various premises throughout the borough. The name was changed to "Hope Church" and in October 2013 they secured their first ever church property on Grove Road, near the town centre.

With plans in to convert the Grove Road premises, in May 2023 the church moved to Clifton Community School for Sunday services, and the Unity Centre at St Ann's for most mid-week events.

Plans show how Reresby House, previously home to business support agencies including RiDO and Business Link, could accommodate a main audatorium and workshop space on the ground floor with further workshop and office space on the first floor to support the church's religious and community services.

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The application was refused without going before the council's planning board. Officers stated that they had "substantial concerns that the proposed use would see the loss of a commercial unit on a strategically placed industrial estate, of which part of the building is still occupied.

"Any alternative use would result in the loss of an important asset within a well-established and sought after employment estate."

Planning policies set out that proposals in industrial and business areas also need to positively contribute to the range and quality of employment opportunities in the borough with planners concluding that "the proposals by Hope Church are considered to be incompatible with the primary purpose and function of this strategic employment site.

"The proposal should be compatible with or complimentary to the other surrounding uses. In this instance, the proposal would not achieve this objective and would have a negative impact upon the surrounding businesses, especially the office space within the building that is still in use by the other company."

S3ID Ltd has a lease on part of the building until 2028.

The council's Highways Department said that current car parking facilities will prove inadequate for a church and out of town community uses and added that "Bradmarsh Business Park is subject to extensive on-street car parking and this has resulted in parking restrictions being implemented on the business park. This application could exasperate this situation further and as such it cannot be supported."

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News: New scheme set to provide up to 1,500 new electric vehicle charging points in Rotherham

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet has approved involvement in a scheme which could see up to 1,500 new charging points for electric vehicles across the borough.

Around £1.6m of government investment for public electric vehicle charging points is being secured, ensuring a minimum of 500 new chargers are installed.

In March 2024, a Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy was approved which set out how the Council intends to improve the infrastructure network throughout the Borough and ensure a network which meets expected demand by 2040. This introduced a number of targets such as 95% of residences to be within 1.5 miles of a publicly available charge point by 2030 and 95% of residences within a ten-minute walk (or 800 meters/ approximately 0.5 mile) of a publicly available charge point by 2040.

Over the last ten years the Council has installed more than 100 parking bays with public charging, as well as adopting Planning policies requiring EV charging provision in new residential and commercial developments. However, projections show that public EV charging provision is likely to need to increase to at least 1,200 charging points in the next fifteen years.

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The scheme, funded through the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund programme, will be managed by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and be facilitated by the Council.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, Cllr. John Williams, said: “In June this year, 25% of all new car registrations in the UK were electric vehicles, and over the coming years that proportion will only grow. As a result, we will need to step up our efforts to ensure that our public charging infrastructure keeps up with the level of demand.

“Of course, many people who choose to buy an EV now will be able to charge it at home or at work. But this government grant, managed by the Mayor of South Yorkshire’s office, gives us the funding we need to meet our objective of ensuring that a majority of Rotherham households are within walking distance of public charging points, helping to address concerns about households for whom off-street charging is not possible.”

Subject to all four councils in South Yorkshire approving the scheme, SYMCA intend to establish a concession-type contract working with a Chargepoint Operator (CPO) to develop a programme of installations across South Yorkshire.

Current council charging points can be found at car parks, country parks and libraries across Rotherham. The Council had expected to pass 100 public charging bays during 24/25 but admitted that vandalism and cable theft was a significant challenge.

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News: Administrators provide update on CF Booth Ltd

The joint administrators to CF Booth Limited, one of the UK’s leading metal recycling companies, has provided an update on the historic Rotherham firm.

Over 100 staff have already been made redundant and operations at the company’s vast facility, known as the Clarence Metal Works, has ceased whilst the potential of a sale is explored.

Rothbiz reported first that James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath had been appointed after the group posted significant losses and the sad death of a director.

An update from Interpath states: "The Company had experienced significant trading difficulties over recent months, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices, as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and HSE penalties, and other regulatory pressures, all of which impacted cashflow. In response, the directors took steps to explore the options available, including options for sale and reinvestment; however, with no solvent outcomes available, they took the difficult decision for file a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators.

"Operations at the Company’s facility at Rotherham has now ceased while the joint administrators explore options for a possible sale of the business. A total of 54 members of staff have been retained to assist the administrators while they undertake this process in tandem with their wider statutory duties. Regrettably, however, a further 114 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators and their team of employment specialists will be providing support to those impacted by redundancy as a matter of priority."

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James Lumb, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “CF Booth has a long and storied heritage in South Yorkshire, not least for its role as one the largest rolling stock recyclers in the country, working with several of the main rail operating companies. However, as one of the largest manufacturers of copper-based products in the UK, the Company has also been hit hard by the tremendous surge in copper prices seen over recent months. This, coupled with broader economic headwinds, placed unsustainable pressure on cashflow.

“While we assess the options available to us, we would ask any parties who may be interested in buying the Company and its assets to make contact with us as soon as possible.”

As previously reported by Rothbiz, the company's latest financial accounts reported sales of £113.6m for 2024 that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. The company posted a loss of £5.9m.

After the year end C F Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. The company was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

The accounts also showed that time was running out for the firm's banking facilities with £18m worth of loan and overdraft facilities falling due for renewal in June 2025 with the loans being repayable on six months' notice in the absence of an agreement to roil forward the facilities.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at the family firm alongside his brother James.

UPDATED 15:55 with correct job figures.

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News: On the scrapheap? Administrators called in at £100m+ turnover Rotherham firm

The future of a historic Rotherham firm is in doubt after it appointed administrators.

The move comes after the group posted significant losses and the sad death of a director.

Headquartered and founded in Rotherham in the 1920s, CF Booth has grown from a local metal trader into one of the largest independently run metal recycling companies in Europe. With its massive Masbrough site, the business has been family owned and operated and employed over 200 staff, trading both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and processes recycled materials for a wide range of customers across the UK and beyond.

Over the years, hundreds of railway carriages and engines have been brought to the site for dismantling and recycling.

On January 16, C F Booth Ltd filed a notice to appoint James Ronald Alexander Lumb and Howard Smith of Interpath Advisory as joint administrators.

Administrators are brought in to help rescue the business, sell it, or wind it down to achieve the best outcome for creditors, often involving immediate action like managing redundancies while exploring sale options to preserve value.

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The company's latest financial accounts showed that the year ending 2024 was a testing one for the business. It reported sales of £113.6m that were 16.30% lower than the £135.7m achieved in the previous financial year. Commodity prices remained high but the volume of scrap traded was down 15%.

The company posted a loss of £5.9m after year's of profit.

After the year end C F Booth received notice that its appeal against an historical VAT Penalty assessment dating back a decade was unsuccessful resulting in a penalty of £1.4m becoming payable to HMRC. C F Booth Limited was then fined £1.2m by the HSE after an investigation following the death of an employee on site.

The accounts also showed that time was running out for the firm's banking facilities with £18m worth of loan and overdraft facilities falling due for renewal in June 2025 with the loans being repayable on six months' notice in the absence of an agreement to roil forward the facilities.

As part of refinancing, the group took out a short term loan in June 2025 of £1.5m to facilitate working capital requirements.

In October 2025 Rothbiz reported that Interpath Advisory assisted CF Booth on in securing a flexible £20m asset-based lending facility from Independent Growth Finance (IGF) "to support its growth ambitions."

In the same month, the large 82,624 sq ft C F Booth premises at Lyme Street was listed for sale / to let with agents. Pictures show an empty warehouse.

December 2025 saw the death of Ken Booth Jr, who oversaw significant expansion at Clarence Metal Works during his and his brother James’ tenure.

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News: Report reveals bidders for Rotherham speciality steel site

A six strong shortlist of suitors for Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) features in a report by a national newspaper - the five potential new owners known so far are from overseas.

In August, a judge approved an application from creditors to place SSUK, previously part of Liberty Steel and GFG Alliance, into compulsory liquidation. Teneo Financial Advisory Limited have been brought in as Special Managers whilst a formal sale process takes place.

The government has committed £50m to date to keep the sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge open whilst the bidding process takes place. Multiple companies came forward with the governmment confident a buyer can be found.

The Times has now published the shortlist obtained from "sources familiar with the situation."

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Only five potential new owners are listed by the paper including:

- 7 Steel
- Aperam
- Arabian Gulf Steel Industries
- EIG Global Trust
- Evore Steel

7 Steel is operated by Sev.en Global Investments, a Czech-based investment group that invests across a range of sectors, particularly in steel production, power generation, and mining of various natural resources. It acquired Celsa Steel UK last year.

Luxembourg-listed Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel and recycling, with customers in over 40 countries. It's European production utilises facilities in Belgium and France.

Based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Arabian Gulf Steel Industries describes itself as a forerunner in the region's steel manufacturing and operate the first carbon-neutral and net-zero steel plant in the country.

EIG Global Trust is a transformative private investment business that uses collateralized digital assets it calls stablecoin (think bitcoin and the use of blockchain), backed by $5 trillion in gold reserves. Based in the USA, the firm has regulatory approvals for 70+ central banks and thousands of commercial banks where they "actively facilitate bank tailored turn-key digital asset solutions and offers world class resources for project management."

Evore is Canadian steel manufacturing and distribution company that says that its "cutting-edge manufacturing processes and dedication to precision" sets it apart in the sector.

None of the companies, the government or its special managers, have commented on the reports.

Images: Speciality Steel UK

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News: Northern Powerhouse Rail commitment "represents real progress" for Rotherham and South Yorkshire

Although full funding is "not a done deal" the recent announcement on Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) represents the government's "commitment to support plans for Rotherham’s new mainline station," South Yorkshire's Mayor says.

Rotherham Gateway Station and the electrification of the Sheffield - Leeds line are included in the first phase of the scheme.

Documents show that transport investment will also support major development plans around the station, linking to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District that includes a spine running through Sheffield and Rotherham.

The new NPR plan has been given an overall funding cap of £45 billion. £1.1 billion has been announced for the Spending Review period, "allowing progress on planning, development, and design work to be made which will unlock benefits for the people of the North from the 2030s."

Setting out the case for change for a Northern Growth Strategy, the Government says that "the first phase will prioritise the quickest wins via upgrades to lines east of the Pennines for delivery in the 2030s, focusing on electrification and upgrades in the Leeds-Bradford, Sheffield-Leeds and Leeds-York corridors, including the stations.

"The expectation is that many of the trains used would be extensions of longer distance services, meaning that this package should also improve links from the Yorkshire cities to the Midlands, London, and the North East. This phase aligns with the proposals for NPR delivery in the 2030s set out in Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail produced by Lord Blunkett with the White Rose Mayors."

The government says that it will work closely with local leaders "to align rail improvements with wider plans to modernise and unlock capacity at key stations." For South Yorkshire this includes: "Providing the additional station capacity needed at Sheffield and working together with local leaders to ensure tram-train interdependencies and options are fully explored as part of the forward joint development work. While more substantial work on Sheffield-Manchester connections will come in phase 3, this phase will consider opportunities for unlocking additional capacity on this corridor sooner.

"The government will also ensure that development work aligns with local plans for a new Rotherham station, for which final business case funding has been confirmed."

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South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard said that the NPR announcement is a commitment to improvements to Sheffield station, four fast trains an hour to Leeds (up from two) on electrified lines from Sheffield and through Rotherham Gateway Station, which the government has now committed to supporting plans for.

Coppard added that he is expecting "millions of pounds to kick-start our plans for extensions to the Supertram network" and added that plans for a Dearne Valley Parkway station could be back on the table as NPR is developed.

Mayor Coppard, said: “For South Yorkshire, Northern Powerhouse Rail represents real progress. Better connections between Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester mean quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across our region.

“This plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail isn’t just about faster trains. It’s about working with central government to build a transport system that matches the ambition we have for South Yorkshire over the next decade and beyond. There’s still a lot to do, but today's commitment from government gives us confidence we will see a step-change in transport across the North.”

Over £11m of local transport funding has been agreed to develop a full business case for Rotherham Gateway station at Parkgate. A 20-year programme of transformation 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. It is a £300m regeneration project with proponents aiming to have the station open by late 2030.

Cllr. Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said that the commitment to Rotherham Gateway being at the heart of investment plans was "nothing less than Rotherham people deserve."

He added: "For the last forty years Rotherham has been off the mainline rail network. Our plan isn't just to put that right, but to maximise the opportunities that it presents; direct connection into the tram-train network, with thousands of jobs created, and facilitating further high-quality local housing.

"With likely train journey times of just half an hour to Leeds, and a little over an hour to Manchester and Birmingham - as well as potentially direct connections to London in the future - the station doesn't just widen commute and work opportunities for Rotherham people, but in turn creates new business opportunities to relocate here too. We see that as part of a whole package of exciting developments between Rotherham and Sheffield along the Don Valley corridor.

"It's especially heartening to see that the government is considering Rotherham Gateway as part of the first stage of Northern Powerhouse Rail development. There is still a huge amount of work to do, with development of the full business case required and funding certainty reached before the first spade goes in the ground. It's definitely not a done deal, and I'd urge everyone to sign up to our station campaign to help us maintain momentum for the project."

Rotherham Gateway website

Images: DfT / RMBC

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News: Gulliver's Valley hosts Duke and Duchess on flying visit to Rotherham

A new immersive learning destination at a Rotherham theme park welcomed prestigious visitors this week - Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The Duke and Duchess were shown around Skills Street CIC, located at Gulliver’s Valley theme park, to get a first-hand look at the groundbreaking education and training environment.

The centre, which is designed to revolutionise how young people engage with careers and skills development, has a focus on hands-on, curriculum-linked experiences. It opened for initial visits earlier this year and is now welcoming schools, colleges, and educational groups.

A highlight was the opportunity to show Their Royal Highnesses the Skills Street aviation experience, which offers students a full airport simulation - from check-in to boarding a real Boeing 737 fuselage and flying an industry-standard simulator. Visitors can also explore historic Rolls-Royce and Vulcan aircraft engines and learn about careers in aviation, engineering, travel, and tourism.

The visit also saw local primary and secondary school pupils involved in skills activity across six industry learning zones.

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Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts and a board member of Skills Street, said: “What an honour to have welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Skills Street. We were so pleased to meet them and showcase the amazing facility we have built here in Rotherham. They were extremely receptive to the aims of Skills Street as we develop new ways to help young people engage with careers and skills development, as well as our exciting plans for future growth.”

Skills Street features a wide range of sector-themed zones developed in partnership with leading organisations, including:

- Energy with E.ON – exploring renewable energy
- Health & Social Work with the NHS and Rotherham Council – showcasing over 380 career pathways
- Construction with Esh Group showcasing all aspects of the construction Industry
- Advanced Manufacturing with Gripple – focusing on robotics and automation

James Beighton, development manager at Skills Street, said: “To welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Skills Street was an absolute privilege. What a fantastic way to showcase the work happening locally to support the needs of education, business and communities across South Yorkshire. Days like today are proof of what we can achieve, working together to inspire our next generation workforce and stimulate our local economy, one skill at a time”.

Skills Street is part of a wider £20m investment by Rotherham Council to boost skills and leisure opportunities in the region.

Skills Street website
Gulliver’s Valley website

Images: Gulliver's

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