News: Whitestone - the £600m planned investment in Rotherham that would create just 39 long term jobs

Planning documents for one of the largest solar farms in the country have been published - all 159 of them.

Rothbiz reported last year on early stage plans being updated for Whitestone Solar Farm - a generating station with an estimated capacity of up to 750MW connecting to the National Grid Brinsworth Substation in Rotherham.

Whitestone has been given a cost estimate of between £500m and £600m. It is being promoted by Green Nation but operates under Net Zero One Ltd.

Initial consultation documents from Green Nation showed that vast areas of agricultural land in Rotherham and Doncaster, some safeguarded for the now-cancelled HS2 route, could make up the solar farm.

The northern site straddles the Rotherham and Doncaster border east of Hooton Roberts and north of Ravenfield.

Farmland adjacent to the M18 south of Bramley and Wickersley has also been identified to host thousands of solar panels, as has vast areas of fields either side of the M1 south of its junction with the M18. This includes sites near Ulley, Aston and Brampton, out towards North and South Anston, and the other way to land between Treeton and Whiston.

In the south of the borough, sites that are included in the proposed solar farm development are close to Kiveton Park, Harthill and Woodall.

Whitestone is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means that it is applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise its construction, operation and decommissioning. The final decision on a DCO application will be made at the national level by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

A three month pre-examination stage has now begun looking at the issues which will need to be discussed at the examination stage. This next stage is where the applicant, anyone who is registered to have their say, official bodies and people whose land is directly affected can comment on the proposed development or answer any of the questions at each deadline.

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Documents include numerous environmental statements on things like Landscape and Visual Impact (LVIA), contaminated land and transport, plus outline strategies for landscape and ecology management, surface water drainage and Public Right of Way (PROW) management.

However, much of the details are not yet known. Developers want to "maintain flexibility in the design" and instead specify parameter ranges, including details of the maximum, and minimum, size (footprint, width, and height, technology,) and locations of the different elements of the proposed development.

Plans also show that the developers are enacting a compulsory acquisition of land.

Applicants also say that they are proposing a large scheme due to its bulk generation potential and connection to the national grid that means that benefits are felt more widely. It discounts brownfield and rooftop sites due to thier unsuitability and related "ownership, occupation, and upkeep" issues.

On employment, planning documents say that: "During construction, it is anticipated that there would be 1,616 FTE jobs created as a result of direct, indirect and induced employment opportunities and that 538 of these would be from the local Study Area. Once operational, impacts on local labour market arising from operational and maintenance jobs would be more limited but still present, with 39 FTE direct, indirect and induced jobs created."

Promoters of the scheme, which they want to operate for 60 years, say that the proposed development is located on "grey belt land because the site does not strongly contribute to Green Belt purposes" but go on to say that "even if this position is not accepted, there are Very Special Circumstances that clearly outweigh any harm identified in terms of the five Green Belt purposes."

The applicants conclude: "The significant need for low carbon electricity generation infrastructure to meet the government’s decarbonisation objectives, and wider environmental benefits of the proposal, including the significant increase in BNG and creation of new permissive paths locally, would outweigh any harm identified to the Green Belt."

Rotherham Council does not agree that the site is "grey belt" stating that "this part of the Borough performs an important strategic and local function as open countryside in a relatively densely populated area, helping to maintain separation between settlements, prevent encroachment into the countryside and preserve a sense of openness."

Rotherham Council and the local MPs have raised issues with the scheme's consultation.

Rothbiz has detailed the issues raised by Rotherham Council with the Whitestone proposals.

Whitestone website

Images: Pexels / Giant Asparagus

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News: New demand responsive transport services to be piloted in Rotherham

Connectivity across Rotherham could be improved by innovative new demand responsive public transport services.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard confirmed recently that the region’s first publicly controlled buses will begin operating in Doncaster and most of Sheffield from September 2027. The rollout will continue in Barnsley and Rotherham by the end of 2028, with the rest of Sheffield following in 2029.

Since the Mayor’s decision to take control of the buses in March 2025, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has been working at pace to reverse nearly 40 years of deregulation and put the public back at the heart of public transport. That means SYMCA will control the bus routes, timetables, fares, ticket options and quality standards and will be able to reinvest profits back into improving services.

As part of its work to address connectivity issues across the region, SYMCA is looking to launch a pilot project next year around demand responsive transport.

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Demand responsive transport is a flexible service that provides shared transport to users who specify their desired location and time of pick-up and drop-off. It can complement fixed route public transport services and improve mobility in low-density areas and at low-demand times of day.

Services run without a set timetable and typically use smaller vehicles than fixed route bus services. Dial-a-ride minibus services scheduled through advance bookings are a traditional example. Dynamic schemes enable routes to be adjusted in real time to accommodate new pick-up requests, often made minutes in advance.

SYMCA has begun tapping up the private sector for a provider to supply and operate the software for, and run pilot services, in two separate zones - one in Doncaster and one in Rotherham.

Tender documents explain that the £1.7m pilot scheme would run from April 2026 to March 2027 and involve a minimum of two wheelchair accessible vehicles per zone, running 12 hours a day (6:00-18:00), Monday to Saturday (excluding most Bank Holidays).

The booking system would involve app and phone booking, in real-time and in advance, plus route optimisation.

Rotherham Community Transport has charity status and a fleet of over 30 vehicles and is already offering a number of Door 2 Door services such as its Dial-A-Ride and Shopper Bus.

Images: Rotherham Community Transport

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News: Innovative rail ticket technology trial expands across the North

Rail passengers in South Yorkshire can now join hundreds across England in trialling new digital ticketing technology.

People going between Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster can take advantage of simpler and more flexible ticket options when they travel on Northern rail services.

More than 2,000 journeys and counting have already been made under similar trials on East Midlands Railway and Northern services, which both launched in September 2025.

Digital ticketing trials allow passengers to check in and check out seamlessly on rail journeys, using a location-identifying app on their phone. The app tracks journeys using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and then automatically charges participants at the end of the day. For ticket inspections and to go through ticket barriers, a unique bar code will pop up in the app to be scanned.

This technology replaces the need for paper tickets or more commonly used mobile tickets bought online or in-app ahead of journeys. Doing away with the need to plan and book travel in advance, the app tracks which trains passengers take, detecting when they have left the rail network.

The latest trial comes as the government is delivering the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the creation of Great British Railways, which will help to deliver better services for passengers and simpler fares across the network.

Thanks to government backing, passengers taking part in the trial will get £15 worth of free travel, with credit automatically added to their account.

Another trial of the technology launched on the Sheffield to Barnsley route run by Northern on December 1 2025.

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Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern, said: "We’re proud to be at the forefront of modernising rail travel in the North. The success of the first trial has shown that passengers value the simplicity and flexibility that technology brings.

"This second trial is an exciting next step and we’re excited to offer customers in that area a smarter, easier way to travel. This is about removing barriers and making rail the obvious choice for everyday journeys."

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said: "It’s encouraging to see new technology being trialled to make rail travel easier for us all here in South Yorkshire. We know ticketing can be a barrier, especially for people who don’t travel often, so anything that helps make the system more straightforward to use is a step in the right direction.

"I’ll be keeping a close eye on how this trial works for passengers. If it helps break down barriers and makes rail more accessible for everyone, then it’s something we’ll want to build on."

Backed by nearly £1m of government funding, the trials are part of plans to modernise our transport system, putting passenger experience at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to take the train – building on the government’s mission to deliver growth.

Northern Rail website

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News: South Yorkshire chambers unite to drive skills revolution

South Yorkshire’s business community is taking decisive action to reshape the region’s skills system, as the three Chambers of Commerce — Doncaster, Sheffield, and Barnsley & Rotherham — launch the next phase of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

The initiative, funded by Skills England, aims to move the region from diagnosis to delivery, ensuring that South Yorkshire’s workforce is equipped with the skills, training, and opportunities needed to power sustainable economic growth. It directly supports Mayor Oliver Coppard’s Plan for Good Growth, which sets out a vision for an inclusive, innovative, and resilient regional economy.

For years, employers have expressed frustration that the skills system has been too fragmented and complex to access. While the first LSIP gathered valuable insights, this next phase will turn evidence into action, creating a system that works for both learners and businesses.

Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said the message from employers was clear: “The ambition to build a skills system that truly works for employers and learners is absolutely right but the pace of change must now accelerate. This next stage is about delivery, not diagnosis. We need to ensure that every part of the system — from training providers to policymakers — is aligned with what our economy actually needs to thrive.”

Over the next six months, the three Chambers will lead a major consultation process across the region, convening a series of Workforce Development Partnerships. These partnerships will bring together employers, colleges, universities, independent training providers, and policymakers to identify the specific skills South Yorkshire needs to compete in the future economy. They will focus on growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, clean energy, logistics, creative industries, and emerging technologies.

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Louisa Harrison-Walker, Chief Executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said the collaborative approach is key to success. “We’re bringing together every part of the ecosystem — business, education, and government — to ensure we build a skills system that’s truly fit for the future. Employers have told us they want flexibility, responsiveness, and training that keeps pace with technology and innovation. This process is vital now more than ever to achieve the growth and productivity required to drive South Yorkshire forward.”

The new LSIP builds on findings from the first plan, which ran from 2023 to 2025 and engaged hundreds of employers across South Yorkshire. It revealed consistent challenges: the growing importance of digital skills, a shortage of technical expertise, and an urgent need to strengthen leadership and management capacity. Businesses also highlighted the need for more adaptable, modular training options and better pathways connecting education with employment.

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said that embedding flexibility and inclusivity will be central to the next phase. “We need to make sure that every learner, whether they’re entering the workforce for the first time or retraining mid-career, can access opportunities that work for them. This is about building a system that’s open, inclusive, and ready for change. The Chambers are united in our belief that South Yorkshire can lead the way in showing what an employer-led skills system really looks like.”

The LSIP will also use big data and real-time labour market analysis to track regional demand, identify gaps in training provision, and inform funding decisions. This evidence-based approach will ensure that policy and investment decisions are grounded in local realities rather than national assumptions.

The Chambers will share interim findings early next year, with the final LSIP report submitted to Skills England in 2026. In the meantime, the partnership is calling on employers of all sizes and sectors to get involved.

BR Chamber website

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News: Public funding approved for South Yorkshire Airport City project

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and Council Leaders have taken a historic decision to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, approving a £160m (£159.52m) funding package.

The decision was made at a meeting of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board (SYMCA). All five board members voted unanimously in favour of the funding, including Rotherham Council leader, Chris Read, paving the way for the airport’s reopening.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in November 2022, leaving South Yorkshire one of the largest UK city regions without an international aviation presence.

Since it closed, the Mayors of South Yorkshire and Doncaster, along with local authority partners and central government have worked at pace to explore the opportunity to return aviation to the region through a reopened airport with a viable future.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: “We’re reopening DSA. Today, we’ve made a historic decision; to invest in the plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and to create a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East.

“I’ve always said I wanted to reopen DSA, but we needed to know exactly what the plan looked like. That’s why we’ve taken the time and done the work. No plan of this size or scale is ever easy, or without risks, but today we’ve taken a bold step forward, backed by data, expertise, and a shared vision for the type of South Yorkshire we want to build, because DSA is a unique opportunity.

“The plan we have backed today is about more than holiday flights or passenger numbers, it’s a long-term commitment to drive jobs, growth and opportunities in sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing, freight, and even the defence sector, here in South Yorkshire.”

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The majority of the funding required, £121.62m, has been earmarked from Gainshare funding allocated to City of Doncaster Council’s Place Investment Plan. Gainshare funding refers to the money committed to South Yorkshire through the Devolution Deal agreed by the MCA, South Yorkshire local authorities and government.

Significant passenger operations are not likely to commence until summer 2028 but with potential for limited passenger activity and cargo from winter 2027.

On voting to approve the use of funding, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, said: "Clearly this is a huge asset for the South Yorkshire economy, with enormous potential for driving forward jobs and opportunities for people in our region. And that benefit will be felt far beyond Doncaster. So am satisfied on that basis, and on the basis of the conversations that we've had over recent weeks and months that this is an appropriate use of public money and a wise thing for us to do to take forward the South Yorkshire economy."

On the politics of the decision, Read added: "We live in a time where there is minute by minute commentary on the decisions that we take and the way that we hold ourselves in public office. and Ros [Mayor of City of Doncaster Council Ros Jones] has shown exemplarary leadership through that period of time.

"Because none of this is easy. It was not in awy way inevitable that we would be here today making this decision. We can only do that because of the leadership that Ros and Doncaster Council have provided.

"Because of the way that the South Yorkshire Mayor has been able to look at all the feasible ways that this could proceed, and to weight those risks. And because of the way the officers at the MCA have then taken their responsibility so seriously to weigh those risks, to look at the pros and cons, to work with us as politicians and to look at credible, serious ways that we can facilitate economic growth in South Yorkshire."

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber said: “The decision to re-open Doncaster airport today is a milestone moment for South Yorkshire and we welcome the decision reached today.

"Today marks the end of an extensive consultation period, which clearly laid out the strong business case for re-opening. I hope that with funding now secured and consultations completed, this marks the beginning of an exciting new phase which will ultimately see flights return to the skies in South Yorkshire.

"My hope is that the re-opening of Doncaster airport will act as a catalyst towards boosting growth across the region, helping to connect the truly unique and innovative work being delivered throughout South Yorkshire, as well as helping our business community to explore new opportunities within international markets. At the same time, the decision is likely to create many new jobs within the regional economy as well as helping to drive inward investment into South Yorkshire."

SYMCA website

Images: SYMCA

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News: Historic Rotherham football ground is now home to famous women's team

Millmoor football stadium in Rotherham has new tenants for this season - the Doncaster Rovers Belles.

The home of Rotherham United until 2008 was abandoned but has been used for charity games and youth football in recent years. It will welcome one of English women's football's most famous and successful clubs for the first "home" fixture on Sunday August 24.

Doncaster Belles were one of the founding members of the inaugural National Division in 1991, which they won twice, along with the FA Cup six times. Also a founding member of the Women's Super League (WSL) in 2011, the team has dropped down the leagues at the same time as women's professional football has grown.

The team, now part of Club Doncaster, the same organisation that owns the men's team, plays in Division One North - Tier 4 in the women's football pyramid.

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Chris Wood, CEO of Doncaster Rovers Belles, said: "Our focus is simple - build a sustainable club that wins matches and makes Doncaster proud.

“In order to achieve those goals we need a stable home for the next two seasons, while we complete the upgrades to our long-term home at the Eco-Power Stadium main 3G pitch.

“Millmoor gives us that stability, with excellent facilities and strong transport links for welcoming in supporters, plus a rich history. Even as we work towards a permanent home, we cannot afford to stand still and I believe having the base at Millmoor will allow us to progress.

“It’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly. As always, we worked closely with supporters in making this choice. Understandably there were some concerns about playing outside Doncaster but the feedback was clear - given the alternatives, Millmoor was the best solution.

“Denaby served us well but lacks floodlights, Retford’s pitch was superb but travel was an issue for supporters and Thorne has infrastructure challenges. We explored the possibility of using the athletics stadium next to the Eco-Power Stadium but the cost of renovating the pitch to bring it up to standard would be significant and ultimately it is not our property.

“Millmoor stands out as the only venue that meets our needs and supports our ambition at this level.

“This move is temporary but allows us to keep growing our attendances, which are already among the highest in tier four. And it will allow us to give the players and fans the platform they deserve until we do return home.”

Rotherham United fell into administration for the second time in 2008 having previously been owned by the Booth family, owners of Millmoor and the large scrap business that surrounds it.

Local businessman Tony Stewart of ASD brought the club out of administration via a Creditors Voluntary Agreement but then came the decision to play home games at the now demolished Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, after working hard to get a deal to carry on playing at Millmoor, the club's home for over 100 years.

The club was charged with returning to play home games in its home town within four seasons by the Football League and the £20m AESSEAL New York Stadium, on the edge of Rotherham town centre and in view of Millmoor, hosted its first Millers game in 2012.

Tier 5 Rotherham United Women currently play home games at Roundwood Sports Complex, the location for the men's training facilities.

Doncaster Rovers Belles website

Images: DRFC

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News: £750m PFI waste contract to be taken over

Renewi plc is getting rid of the loss-making contract at the 220,000 sq ft "BDR" waste facility in Rotherham.

It comes as Biffa, a leader in UK sustainable waste management, entered into an agreement to acquire Renewi’s municipal business in the UK. An alternative could have seen the facility handed back to the council.

The waste treatment facility at Brookfield's Park, which became fully operational in 2015, takes around 250,000 tonnes a year and creates a material suitable for recovery and recycling and includes Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities. More than 97% of the waste received is diverted from landfill.

Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) Councils secured £77m through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for the scheme and the operators signed a 25 year contract worth in excess of £750m with the councils for the treatment of black bag waste.

Renewi has struggled with its UK municipal waste contracts, which it described as a "cash drag on the group – with a total cash outflow of approximately €28m over the last 24 months."

A strategic review of the business began last year with bosses looking to withdraw completely from the UK market. The company was formed when Shanks plc completed a merger with Dutch waste service provider and raw material and energy supplier, Van Gansewinkel Groep B.V., in 2017.

The deal covers five contracts and will have a net cost of €57m to Renewi but will free them from "unpredictable UK Municipal liabilities" and "Onerous Contract Provisions (OCPs)."

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In a statement, Renewi said: "The contracts were entered into more than ten years ago, by a Renewi predecessor; they are break-even or structurally loss-making and, in the absence of a legislative shift or significant changes in market conditions, can be neither prematurely terminated nor renegotiated by Renewi."

Michael Topham, CEO, Biffa, said: “The addition of these five contracts to our existing contracts in West Sussex, Leicester and Somerset further establishes our reputation as a trusted provider of complex, long-term waste treatment contracts to local governments.

“Our combined expertise will position us well for the future as we seek to help local governments deliver their net zero targets. We look forward to welcoming the Renewi UK team to Biffa and to working with our new customers in due course."

As part of the deal, around 550 Renewi staff will now become part of the Biffa group.

The five contracts are with the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham (BDR) Waste Partnership, Cumbria County Council, Wakefield Council, East London Waste Authority and Argyle & Bute Council.

Renewi website
Biffa website

Images: BDR Waste Partnership

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News: All South Yorkshire councils to cover Supertram losses

A transport levy paid by the four local authorities in South Yorkshire is set to be used to cover the £6.3m losses of Supertram after Stagecoach’s current contract for operation of the network ends in March.

Opened in 1994, Sheffield's Supertram system cost £240m and now serves major residential and employment sites in Sheffield. A tram-train pilot project brought new vehicles to Rotherham in 2018. The running of Supertram services, infrastructure and finances will be controlled by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) through an arms-length company from March 22.

Rothbiz revealed in November that the cost to keep the Supertram network going for another 30 years is now nearly £600m, with only the first £105.95m secured, and that £7m is being set aside from the MCA budgets to support any operating losses. This is £7m each year, reducing over time.

The Mayoral Combined Authority Board is set to receive an update on the proposals, and budgets, when it meets next week with a business plan for Supertram on the agenda.

A 2024/25 operating budget for SYFTL (the arms-length company operating the tram) shows that operating costs are £23.6m per year for the 29km long network of four overlapping routes, served by 25 trams and seven tram-trains. Nearly 60% of costs go towards the wages and salaries of the workforce with almost 20% of the budget paying for the cost of electricity which powers the trams.

Annual income is £17.5m, which mostly comes from ticket revenues and around £1.8m from concessionary subsidies via SYMCA for elderly and disabled passengers and children.

Around 9.5 million people travel on Supertram every year. A long period of track renewal and the COVID pandemic has seen patronage fall from its peak of 15 million passengers per annum in 2010/11. There were 11.5 million passengers in 2019 prior COVID.

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A report to the SYMCA board said: "All these income streams are not enough to cover the tram system’s day-to-day running costs. In 2024/25, the operating deficit is forecast to be around £6.3m. SYMCA will pay an operating subsidy to SYFTL which will allow the company to meet all its financial obligations. SYMCA will also meet any costs necessarily incurred by SYFTL to deliver the asset renewal programme. In its own medium term financial plan, SYMCA has set aside sufficient resources (£5-7m per annum) from the South Yorkshire Transport Levy (paid by each of the four local authorities in proportion to their population) to cover the cost of the operating subsidy."

This year's transport levy is to be discussed at the same meeting. For 2024/25 it is set at £56.65m, raising an additional £1.1m of funding. The 2% increase would mean that Sheffield Council would pay in £23.6m, Doncaster £12.5m, Rotherham £10.6m and Barnsley £9.9m.

The new company's five year strategy sees Supertram go through a recovery phase before an improvement phase and then a growth phase. The plan forecasts that the operating deficit will decline as energy prices begin to stabilise.

The report adds: "One of SYFTL’s primary goals is to decrease its dependence on the public purse. To achieve this, the delivery plan includes several measures that aim to boost ticket sales and other forms of revenue, as well as identifying more cost effective ways of working. This includes new ticket collection machines which will speed up payments for customers. Efficiency in the business will be targeted with a major Timetable Optimisation Study the results of which will determine future service levels and support efficient running and manning of services."

SYMCA has put in place a two-year emergency support package for local transport in the face of a lack of resources and "stop-start" government funding for buses. The authority states that "without sustained Government funding this level of support cannot be maintained beyond financial year 2024/25."

SYMCA website

Images: Supertram / SYMCA

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News: South Yorkshire celebrates gaining Local Visitor Economy Partnership status

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has welcomed the creation of the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), a collaboration between SYMCA, Sheffield City Council, Doncaster City Council, Rotherham MBC and Barnsley MBC to work together on shared priorities and targets to grow the local visitor economy.

Developed and administered by Visit England, the LVEP programme is one of the key recommendations in the Government's response to the independent de Bois Review of Destination Management Organisations in England.

The LVEP programme, which will be led by Sheffield City Council, will create a national portfolio of strategic and high-performing partnerships working in collaboration locally, regionally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to support and grow the visitor economy.

LVEPs are at tier 2 with Tier 1 set to be a small number of Destination Development Partnerships (DDPs) which will be formed through partnerships of LVEPs.

After submitting an expression of interest, Marketing Sheffield were told that it did not have the geographical coverage required by VisitEngland and the remit wsa widened to South Yorkshire.

With no financial contribution from LAs required at this stage, the LVEP will be delivered as a working partnership thus amplifying the combined efforts of existing teams. SYMCA has indicated a willingness to support with funding and resource.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Here in South Yorkshire we couldn’t be more proud of our world class music, landscapes, festivals and sport. We’re the birthplace of football and the home of snooker, we powered the Industrial Revolution and have England’s oldest national park. We celebrate art, music and literature like nowhere else.

“And now we have a new opportunity to share our beauty, our history, our culture, and our talent with the rest of our world. Our new Local Visitor Economy Partnership, being developed with the support of Visit England, will give visitors from far and wide the chance to explore and experience South Yorkshire in all its glory. I’m excited to see that partnership develop across all of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Councillor David Sheppard commented: “The LVEP accreditation will considerably strengthen opportunities to collaborate more effectively with neighbouring boroughs and the MCA and to partner with the private sector to ensure we continue to promote the many reasons to work, live, visit and invest in Rotherham and South Yorkshire as a whole.

“Wentworth Woodhouse, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Gulliver’s Valley and Rother Valley and Thrybergh Country Parks are big drivers of Rotherham’s visitor economy and the accreditation will help celebrate and promote these attractions and the green spaces that are unique to Rotherham’s heritage.”

The draft plan for South Yorkshire aims to diversify and strengthen the events programme, grow the conference market and develop the city breaks offer.

A DDP may be the most appropriate Yorkshire wide model to take forward over time and SYMCA continues to work in partnership with local and combined authorities across Yorkshire on the Yorkshire Tourism Initiative focused on promoting Yorkshire as a visitor destination. This project is being delivered by Barnsley MBC.

Images: Gulliver's

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News: New chief exec for Kingswood Allotts

South Yorkshire-based accountancy specialist Kingswood Allotts is setting its sights on growth and expansion, following the appointment of Tim Baum-Dixon as chief executive.

In a career spanning more than 15 years, experienced chartered accountant and business adviser Tim is the first person to hold the position of Chief Executive, following the acquisition of Allotts by Kingswood LLP last year.

Rothbiz reported on the £2.5m Kingswood Allots deal last year.

In his new role, Tim will be responsible for overseeing the growth and development of the firm within Yorkshire, helping businesses and individuals from across the region to access the firm’s full range of strategic financial and business support, which includes business advice and accountancy services, tax planning, wealth management, and corporate finance advice.

Tim has spent much of his career supporting a diverse range of businesses and individuals across Yorkshire, helping to support a diverse range of businesses spanning innovative start-ups in the tech-sector to some of the region’s best known companies. At the same Tim has also used his expertise and knowledge to support the work of Business Sheffield and the Rotherham Investment & Development Office, where has successfully delivered a range of training courses, designed to help new and would-be entrepreneurs to learn how to manage the finances of their fledgling businesses.

Prior to joining Kingswood Allotts, Tim was quick to spot the positive implications of the government’s drive towards a digital taxation system and successfully launched a dedicated digital accounts division, helping business owners to harness cloud-based accountancy systems.

Tim balances his day-to-day work alongside giving back to his local community. He was successfully elected as councillor for the Anston and Woodsetts ward, representing the area in which he lives.

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Tim Baum-Dixon, chief executive, Kingswood Allotts, said: “Allotts is a brand that has been synonymous with South Yorkshire’s business community for nearly a century. The company enjoys strong links with many business organisations throughout the region, the company has been longstanding patron of Doncaster Chamber, and active supporter of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber.

Joining at this time presents an exciting opportunity to build on the success the business has enjoyed during its long association with South Yorkshire and beyond, as well as offering a golden opportunity to use the skills and knowledge I’ve developed throughout my own career to lay the foundations for future growth.

It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity, and at a time when the accountancy and broader financial services industry is undergoing one of its most significant periods of change in a generation. Kingswood Allotts is well placed to help businesses and individuals across the region to tap into the knowledge and expertise held within the business and the broader Kingswood group.”

Kingswood Allotts was formed in 2022 following the acquisition of Allotts by the Kingswood LLP. With offices in Doncaster and Rotherham, the business employs 45 people, and working alongside its parent company, Kingswood LLP, the firm provides a comprehensive range of financial support aimed at helping businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to manage their financial affairs.

Kingswood Allotts website

Images: Kingswood Allotts

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News: Manufacturer expanding into Rotherham with new 90,000 sq ft unit

Senior Architectural Systems, the UK’s largest privately owned aluminium fenestration solutions provider, is expanding its manufacturing capacity with the opening of a new facility in Rotherham.

With its head office in Doncaster, Senior offers an extensive range of aluminium architectural façade systems, plus it has its own powder coating facilities, and a fleet of eco delivery vehicles. The rising cost of energy prices has led to a surge in demand efficient aluminium fenestrations systems that comply with recently updated building regulations. Turnover for 2021 was over £40m.

The company has taken a new site on Mangham Road that will provide an additional 90,000 sq ft of usable storage and production space. The move is part of Senior’s wider strategic expansion plan to enhance the thermal-efficiency of its entire product range and to significantly increase production of its low U-value and UK patented PURe® aluminium windows and doors system.

The unit on the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate was previously occupied by Hydro Components UK Ltd that was closed as part of a wider restructuring of its Extruded Solutions operations announced in 2020.

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The new occupier is part of Senior’s wider strategic expansion plan to enhance the thermal-efficiency of its entire product range and to significantly increase production of its low U-value and UK patented PURe aluminium windows and doors system.

It is anticipated that Senior will commence production of its PURe range at the new Rotherham site in early 2023. Once the new site is fully operational, Senior will be able to maximise the space in its existing Denaby HQ to both increase the speed of its in-house powder coating facility and support the ongoing development of its full range of high-performance aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall systems.

Mark Wadsworth, managing director at Senior Architectural Systems, said: "Since launching our patented PURe windows and doors in 2015, we have seen demand continuously grow and so it was always our intention to expand our production capabilities. We have made a number of investments at our main Denaby site, so it was important that we could both complement and replicate this successful and sustainable manufacturing model by finding a site that was not only similar in size, but was also nearby. The new site in Rotherham fits the brief perfectly.

"We are excited to commence production of our PURe system in the new year and look forward to maximising this new capacity to continue to enhance the thermal-performance of our complete range of products.”

The new site in Rotherham will also provide valuable storage space to assist with Senior’s nationwide delivery service and coincides with the company's decision to close its distribution centre in Newport, Wales. All customers in Wales and the South of England will now be served by the two main facilities in South Yorkshire, with Senior’s branch in Livingston continuing to support orders to Scotland and Ireland.

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News: Dead as a dodo? Owners to wind down services at region's airport

Doncaster Sheffield Airport's (DSA's) future looks to be flightless and extinct as the board of directors concludes a review of strategic options for South Yorkshire's airport.

The review follows lengthy deliberations by the Board of DSA which reluctantly concluded that aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable.

A statement said that the review was complete and that "no tangible proposals have been received regarding the ownership of the airport or which address the fundamental lack of financial viability."

South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said that he was "devestated" and "angry" at the findings.

Peel said that the high fixed costs associated with running a safe, regulated airport, together with recent events materially reducing prospective future aviation income streams, mean that a break-even business plan cannot be identified for the foreseeable future.

As a result, DSA will begin winding down the provision of aviation services during the week commencing October 31 2022.

A statement from Peel said: "Since the July 2022 announcement of the Strategic Review, Peel has been actively engaging on a weekly basis with local and national political stakeholders, including proactively engaging with working group meetings, primarily led by officers at Doncaster Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the Department for Transport (DfT). Throughout the consultation process up until today, Peel has also been in close contact with the airlines and other aviation users of the Airport. None of these discussions has delivered any tangible results that have changed the Board of DSA or Peel’s clear view that the Airport is and will remain unviable.

"Peel received a letter from the Mayor of South Yorkshire and Mayor of Doncaster on Thursday, 8 September, stating that they had completed an economic impact study of DSA which identified its economic benefit to the region but provided no solution to its lack of financial viability. Furthermore, they informed Peel that they had been approached by a group interested in purchasing or operating the airport. Peel has yet to receive a response to urgent requests for details on the consortium’s identity, nor have the terms of any proposal or evidence of the consortium’s financial standing or aviation expertise been provided.

"On Friday, 23 September, Peel received a further letter from SYMCA and Doncaster Council, which was supported by the Mayor of South Yorkshire and the Mayor of Doncaster, along with the Leaders of Barnsley and Rotherham, which included a proposal to provide public money to DSA to fund its operating losses until 31 October 2023. The grant was described as providing DSA with free cashflow to sustain losses that may occur over thirteen months while the Peel Group and South Yorkshire partners jointly explore the future potential of DSA and the GatewayEast site. In the absence of any actual proposals to address the lack of viability of DSA, even those at an early stage of development, or any identified potential acquirers or operators of DSA, Peel’s Board has concluded that it cannot responsibly accept public money for this highly uncertain process against the backdrop of an unviable, loss-making operating business."

Robert Hough, Chairman of Peel Airports Group, which includes Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “We recognise that this will come as a great disappointment to many. The intractable problem remains the fundamental and insufficient lack of current or prospective revenue streams, together with the airport’s high operating costs. Our employees have always been DSA’s greatest asset, and we are grateful to them all, past and present, for their dedication and diligence over the years. The immediate priority remains to continue engaging closely with them over the next few weeks.

“As such, DSA will now begin a formal process of consulting with team members. We will do everything we can to minimise the impact of these proposals and work closely with local authorities and agencies to support our employees through what we know will be an extremely difficult period. DSA has remained in contact with union representatives on site throughout and we are committed to ensuring they are updated through every step of this next phase.”

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South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "I’m devastated by today’s announcement by Peel and angry about the impact it will have on our communities. Most importantly, there are hundreds of people across Doncaster and South Yorkshire who will now be frightened for their future.

"For years, we have been investing public money in and around DSA to support the airport, including providing emergency funding through the pandemic. Since the announcement by Peel that they were entering into a review of DSA, we have done everything we could to constructively and proactively find a path forward. We have identified market interest, brought potential investors to the table, and last week we offered them a deal to project the jobs and livelihoods of DSA staff, and to give Peel the time and space to negotiate with new investors.

"The fact that they chose to turn our offer down simply confirms what many of us suspected: that Peel was never serious about finding an alternative and safeguarding the future of DSA. It is still not too late for them to do the right thing; for them to reconsider their decision for the sake of those employees, businesses and communities directly impacted by this appalling decision. But ultimately if they cannot be stopped from taking this course of action then our focus will shift to supporting our communities through the next few difficult weeks and months.

"The only people who can now intervene to keep DSA operational are national Government. Liz Truss said she would protect the airport. Now is the moment to turn those words into action. We stand ready to work with the Government.

"Despite everything, I am proud of how our community has come together over the past few months in our efforts to protect the future of the airport. I remain steadfast in my commitment to an ambitious plan for Doncaster and South Yorkshire, and those impacted by Peel’s decision today will be at the forefront of my efforts."

Steven Underwood, Chief Executive, Peel Group, said: “We recognise that we are living in uncertain times, and we understand that our announcement will be difficult to hear for the Doncaster and wider South Yorkshire communities in which we have worked and invested for over two decades. However, as has been seen many times before in industries undergoing structural change, although change brings uncertainty it can also bring significant opportunity.

“As the Strategic Review concludes, we look forward to collaborating with our partners to create a vibrant, long-term vision for GatewayEast and the airport site. We will not accept any public sector grant to cover the costs of an airport that is not viable due to its lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs. Accepting funds from SYMCA may postpone the inevitable for another thirteen months, but it will divert funds away from services on which communities throughout South Yorkshire rely.

“Instead, we intend to continue working closely with local and national stakeholders to develop a forward-thinking strategy for the airport site, in conjunction with the £1.7 billion GatewayEast development next door, to help unlock vibrant, job-creating alternatives to ensure future growth and prosperity. We have the potential to attract cutting-edge, future-tech businesses to South Yorkshire, but only if we are able to collaborate with our local stakeholders and community in South Yorkshire.”

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News: Lontra links with Elevation on recruitment

Innovative compressor manufacturer Lontra, has officially commenced the first phase of the recruitment drive for their new £17m facility in Doncaster.

Having worked up plans for a high-value digital services centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Warwickshire firm secured financial backing from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) for a new Doncaster facility.

Lontra’s award-winning Blade Compressor technology is a patent protected, compact, rotary compressor demonstrating up to 34% improvement in electricity efficiency and reliability, for applications in energy intensive industries such as water treatment and pneumatic conveying.

This new facility, supported by £7m funding from SYMCA, offers an exciting opportunity to make a real impact. Being a part of Lontra, means shaping and progressing a rewarding career as it grows from a brand-new clean sheet building to a world-class facility.

Lontra have partnered with Rotherham-based Elevation Recruitment Group, who will manage the recruitment process for the Doncaster site.

As an established regional multi-disciplined recruitment agency, Elevation has extensive experience in managing and delivering multiple high-volume recruitment campaigns, for a number of manufacturing businesses across the region.

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As part of their core values, Lontra are committed to creating a diverse workforce, with an inclusive culture, where every employee feels valued and able to participate to achieve their full potential as well as, a focus on a good work life balance.

As a respected employee of Lontra, every person will play a significant role in forming the Doncaster factory, whilst helping the business to further develop technologies and expand into new industries for compressor applications.

Steve Lindsey, CEO of Lontra said “Lontra’s success is absolutely rooted in our people. Our core culture is one of openness and fairness and we strive to maintain this as every person at Lontra is a key part of driving towards our goal of becoming a global industry leader.”

John Bohan, Senior Director at Elevation Recruitment Group said: “Partnering with a company that has such an incredible reputation in the engineering & manufacturing space is something, I personally take with great pride. The expertise and networks we have across the specialist sectors required for these roles, will enable us to find the most valuable people for Lontra. I speak for the whole of the Elevation team when I say, we are truly excited for this partnership.”

Recommended reading: Leveraging Free and Low-Cost Online Systems for Business Visibility

Chris Dungworth, Head of Serviced at Business Doncaster warmly welcome Lontra to Doncaster, “As part of the support we have provided to Lontra throughout their significant move to Doncaster, we are delighted to be able to promote new quality vacancy opportunities to local residents through our Advance team and the Gateway East Academy. These services will work alongside Elevation Recruitment Group who have been appointed as Lontra’s recruitment partner”

The first phase of this recruitment campaign will include the search for a HR Manager, Facilities Manager, Purchasing Manager, QHSE Manager, Supply Quality Engineer, Buyer, Quality Engineer, IT Support, Production Supervisors, Teams Leaders and Skilled Operatives in Machining, Assembly and Testing.

Lontra website
Elevation Recruitment website

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News: Region's airport under review as concerns continue over commercial viability

The Board of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has begun a review of strategic options for the Airport. This review follows lengthy deliberations by the Board of DSA which has reluctantly concluded that aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable.

Whilst business parks have continued to be built around the site at pace, the airport itself has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

DSA’s owner, the Peel Group, as the Airport’s principal funder, has reviewed the conclusions of the Board of DSA and commissioned external independent advice in order to evaluate and test the conclusions drawn, which concurs with the Board’s initial findings.

Since the Peel Group acquired the Airport site in 1999 and converted it into an international commercial airport, which opened in 2005, significant amounts have been invested in the terminal, the airfield and its operations, both in relation to the original conversion and subsequently to improve the facilities and infrastructure on offer to create an award winning airport.

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The board said in a statement that "despite growth in passenger numbers, DSA has never achieved the critical mass required to become profitable and this fundamental issue of a shortfall in passenger numbers is exacerbated by the announcement on 10 June 2022 of the unilateral withdrawal of the Wizz Air based aircraft, leaving the Airport with only one base carrier, namely TUI.

"This challenge has been increased by other changes in the aviation market, the well-publicised impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly important environmental considerations. It has therefore been concluded that aviation activity may no longer be the use for the site which delivers the maximum economic and environmental benefit to the region."

DSA and the Peel Group now intends to initiate a consultation and engagement programme with stakeholders on the future of the site and how best to maximise and capitalise on future economic growth opportunities for Doncaster and the wider Sheffield City Region.

Robert Hough, Chairman of Peel Airports Group, which includes Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “It is a critical time for aviation globally. Despite pandemic related travel restrictions slowly drawing to a close, we are still facing ongoing obstacles and dynamic long-term threats to the future of the aviation industry. The actions by Wizz to sacrifice its base at Doncaster to shore up its business opportunities at other bases in the South of England are a significant blow for the Airport.

"Now is the right time to review how DSA can best create future growth opportunities for Doncaster and for South Yorkshire. The Peel Group remains committed to delivering economic growth, job opportunities and prosperity for Doncaster and the wider region.”

During the strategic review, the airport will operate as normal.

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News: Lontra looks to South Yorkshire for 300-job manufacturing facility

Having announced plans at the end of last year to develop a high-value digital services centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the Lontra technology company is now looking to establish a new £18m manufacturing facility in nearby Doncaster.

The Lontra Blade Compressor is a step change in compressor technology developed by the Warwickshire firm. It is the first clean-sheet compressor design in over 80 years and can be used across many sectors such as aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceutical manufacture and water treatment. It is proven to be 21% more efficient than the next competitor, offering incredible energy savings along with big improvements in reliability.

Having already secured £1.58m via the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Rotherham facility is expected to create 53 jobs in the area by 2024. For the next phase of its ambitious plans, Lontra said it would set up a customer support operation in a new building also at the AMP. This will enable the company to undertake Research and Development activity with customers to support the development of innovative new products.

The Lontra Digital Centre will enable the company to develop its aftersales support services to customers for its compressor products worldwide. The grant is also being put towards the purchase of innovative 6-demonstrator machines which will use advanced artificial intelligence techniques and sensoring systems to enable customers' machines to be controlled and monitored globally. This means Lontra will be able to reduce maintenance costs for its customers, minimise downtime and reduce energy bills.

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Phase 2 would see Lontra build a "smart" factory in the area, which will provide new engineering, research and development and technical support jobs.

An update to the South Yorkshire LEP's Business Recovery and Growth Board shows that the Lontra's factory is set to be in Doncaster, backed again by finance from the LEP and creating 300 jobs.

The minutes, state: "It was envisaged to establish a new manufacturing facility in Doncaster, within existing premises which was close to Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The total project cost was almost £18m.

"The outcomes would include 300 new high-quality manufacturing jobs to be created by 2025, which equated to approximately £17,000 against the grant, and would release approximately £11m of private sector match funding.

"The funding request was just over £1.9m on loan, to be fully repaid within 7 years, and £5.16m of grants."

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News: Mixed reaction to Freeport bid

An ambitious bid for a new Freeport to make South Yorkshire the largest advanced manufacturing hub in Europe, putting the area at the heart of world-class innovation, has been launched.

Freeports are secure zones where business can be carried out inside a country's land border, but where different customs rules and other favourable arrangements apply, such as suspension of duties, simplified procedures and tax exemptions. The Government outlined plans to open up to ten in the UK.

The Freeport, backed by key industry figures and politicians, centres around Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the iPort logistics hub, also in Doncaster.

New modelling suggests a Freeport in South Yorkshire would create 28,700 new jobs, add £169m to the local economy every year and boost exports by £410m.

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James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “Establishing a freeport will build on our longstanding reputation for innovation and boost trade with our international partners.

“Our long-term Strategic Economic Plan sets out the road map to a stronger and more inclusive economy. A freeport would support these ambitions in creating more high-skilled jobs and training opportunities, attract further investment to our region and connect South Yorkshire the world.

“Our region is already home to world-leading research and innovation centres. A freeport would help our universities and businesses further explore opportunities in the areas South Yorkshire already has huge strength in, including aerospace and advanced manufacturing.”

Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University and board member of the LEP, raised issues over displacement at the recent meeting, adding that Freeports were the wrong way to stimulate economic growth and that far better approaches could be taken for economic development.

Backing the bid, Jon Ferriman, Managing Director of Liberty Steel UK, which has significant, growing operations in Rotherham, said: “The Freeport will allow us to grow our exports, supercharge innovation and build the businesses of the future. Our existing advanced manufacturing base of course already includes names like Sheffield Forgemasters, Liberty Steel and Boeing, but we have the potential to go so much further. We are determined more well paying jobs in advanced manufacturing come to South Yorkshire and the Freeport is the way to do it.”

At the LEP meeting, Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, queried the advantages of the potential different elements of having a South Yorkshire Freeport. Minutes show that "He was unsure whether it was pragmatic to submit a bid, due to the challenge for the SCR to establish the economic growth that was required. He did not wish to support the recommendations outlined within the report, although he appreciated that businesses were in favour of a South Yorkshire Freeport. He urged the Board to be cautious."

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News: SCR devolution set to proceed pragmatically

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has indicated that the Government is prepared for the Sheffield city region (SCR) devolution deal to move forward, four years after it was signed.

Rothbiz reported in March that Dan Jarvis and the four leaders of South Yorkshire's local authorities had reached a consensus on the way forward for devolution. The pragmatic solution allows for each authority to move to other devolution arrangements, should they wish to do so, in 2022 – the end of Mayor Jarvis' current term of office.

A lack of consensus from the leaders of South Yorkshire's four councils had denied the SCR the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

The 2015 deal included a mayor with responsibility over the region's transport budget, strategic planning and skills funding. It also promised £30m a year for 30 years to invest in local strategic priorities.

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Responding to the latest correspondence, the Secretary of State welcomed the commitment to the 2015 deal and the solution to its implementation that will see investment in the city region.

In a letter to the local councils, James Brokenshire MP said: "In principle, if you and your councils now consent, we are prepared to implement the deal with an understanding that after 2022 those councils that do not see there future in the city region should be free to join an alternative wider Yorkshire devolution group, leaving the SCR with a commensurately reduced devolution deal, and with such provisos as for example there remains an integrated transport system."

Work between the city region and the Government will now take place to ensure that the deal can be implemented.

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council said that he was pleased the Government was willing to move forward with the two stage process, adding: "I hope we can now move quickly to implement it."

An estimated £75m a year of Government funding earmarked for much-needed economic development projects is yet to make it to the SCR due to the stalled devolution deal.

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News: Kingdom come back to Rotherham to tackle envirocrime

Enforcement to tackle litter, dog fouling and illegal parking in Rotherham is being strengthened through a new shared services model with neighbouring Doncaster Council.

Rotherham Council's "Time for Action" initiative involves enhanced environmental enforcement to target issues such as littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping. The authority has an environmental crime bill of around £1.7m a year.

As part of a trial, Kingdom Security were contracted in April 2017 to patrol known key hotspots and issue fixed penalty notices to anyone caught committing an environmental crime such as dropping litter.

Now a new contract has begun with Kingdom that will see up to six officers at any one time acting across the borough with powers to issue on-the-spot fines to offenders.

Fines for dropping litter are £80 with £150 for late payment. Under the previous arrangement, Kingdom received £42.50 for each correctly issued fixed penalty notice paid for from the fines issued and paid.

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Tender documents show that the Enforcement Services Envirocrime and Parking contract with Doncaster Council is worth £8.75m for three years. There is also an option to extend for a further two, 12 month periods.

Cllr. Emma Hoddinott, Cabinet Member for Waste Roads and Community Safety at Rotherham Council, said: "We know that dog fouling and littering are issues that you want us to tackle. By putting extra staff on the beat, we can specifically target people who refuse to clean up after their dogs or fail to use a bin for their litter.

"We want all of our residents to take responsibility for their environment and by increasing our capacity to tackle these offences, we hope that the minority of people who do cause problems will think twice in the future rather than risk a fine."

Alongside the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), action has targeted Rotherham town centre to help improve the environment and change perceptions.

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News: Barnsdales acquires Bridge Property Management

Barnsdales, a leading South Yorkshire property group, has acquired Bridge Property Management in Swinton, Rotherham.

With its head office in Doncaster, Barnsdales includes a number of divisions focused on commercial property, residential lettings, facilities management and auctions. The company was established in 1905.

The Bridge Property Group is one of the Dearne Valley's longest serving agents dealing with property sales and the management of both residential and commercial property. It operates Bridge Property Sales Ltd and Bridge Property Management Ltd.

Following the deal, the office in Swinton which undertakes, sales, lettings and property management will continue to operate as part of the Barnsdales Group.

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Jason Barnsdale, managing director of Barnsdales (pictured), said: "During the last two years we have increased the volume and variety of our work and we have also expanded our geographical footprint, working with clients across the UK with a particular focus on property and facilities management.

"Our team has grown from 17 people to 40, and the takeover of Bridge Property Management is the next step in our ambitious plans. It enables us to expand our coverage into Rotherham and adds over 200 fully managed properties to our business."

Giles Brearley of Bridge Property Management will continue as a consultant to the business. He said:"We have a good loyal client base locally and we cover a broad spectrum of property management work. This agreement presents excellent opportunities for both businesses. Barnsdales has the potential to increase its business and I can be assured that my clients are looked after by a reputable and established company."

Bridge Property Management website
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News: Broadband boss back on the beat

Robin Powner, a long-standing Origin Broadband customer from Doncaster, had a surprise visit from the firm's CEO Oliver Bryssau when he needed an engineer recently.

When the company started in the ISP world over seven years ago, the two founders Oliver and Henri used to set-up customer routers in their homes. with rapid expansion across the UK in the last few years, this isn't possible anymore because of an increasing customer base.

That's until Oliver heard about Robin, who was left without any internet after another company accidentally took over his connection.

Mac, one of Origin's team leaders in the customer service department knew he needed to get Robin and his wife back online. This is when Oliver heard about the situation Robin was in and decided to bring back one of our old traditions.

Oliver and Mac, armed with their tech knowledge and a bunch of flowers, went to Robin's home and got him back online in no time.

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Oliver Bryssau, CEO of Origin Broadband, said: "We pride ourselves on giving the best customer service. It's been great to get back on the road again and meet our customers. I'd like to thank Mr and Mrs Powner, for inviting us into their home. Origin has grown a lot over the last seven years, but our customers remain at the heart of everything we do."

Launching in 2011, Origin has developed its own infrastructure and now host the sixth largest broadband network in the UK. Supplying phone and internet services to businesses and homes across the UK, clients include Amazon – where Origin is the preferred provider for all new warehouse and corporate sites, NHS Sheffield and various UK universities.

The company's growth has attracted significant investment, allowing Origin to move its head office from two sites in Doncaster to a single, larger base in Rotherham.

Taking on the 53,665 sq ft Unit 7 at Callflex Business Park at Manvers, the firm believes that it offers an even bigger opportunity for growth. The building, which had been empty ever since it was built, has the capacity to seat up to 700 people across all three floors.

Origin Broadband website

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