News: Sky’s the Limit for Barnsley & Rotherham’s Business of the Year

It proved to be a night to remember for South Yorkshire’s business community which came together to celebrate their achievements and reflect on the success they have enjoyed over the past 12 months at the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards.

During a glittering evening at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards, sponsored by Barnsley College celebrated the achievements of all elements of South Yorkshire’s business community: from apprentices and new business owners taking the first steps in their chosen vocation, to organisations that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to deliver truly outstanding work in the fields of growth, people development, customer service, sustainability and community impact.

Hosted by TV presenter Amy Garcia, the event saw over 540 guests from across South Yorkshire’s business community come together to celebrate their achievements over the past 12 months. However, the night belonged to Parkgate-based Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Ltd, which was chosen by judges to be a worthy winner of the highly coveted title of Business of the Year.

Since founding the business with little more than a pair of hedge trimmers and a dream of working outdoors in 2014, founder Luke Hammill has seen his company grow into a successful multi-million-pound venture, which employs 30 full-time members of staff. Today, the company successfully works on behalf of housebuilders, local authorities and some of Britain’s largest construction companies, where the company is responsible for developing community green spaces throughout the UK.

Under Luke’s leadership, Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Ltd has enjoyed significant year on year growth, with turnover rising from £1 million to £3 million within the past 12 months alone. As a direct result, the company has invested significantly in new plant machinery, staff training as well as investing back into the communities they serve by working closely with armed forces charities to help veterans forge new careers upon returning to civilian life.

Cateegory winners on the saw three other Rotherham-based companies receive accolades, with education recruitment specialists Trust Education being named as Start-Up of the Year, Equans securing the People Development Award and the Manvers-based Mace Group being crowned best large business.

Barnsley-based winners saw Wombwell-based Cranswick Convenience Foods secured the Community Impact Award in recognition of its commitment to supporting a wide range of good causes in Barnsley and across South Yorkshire, whilst Barnsley College’s innovative Carbon Literacy Project, as well as work undertaken to reduce carbon emissions across its sites, was rewarded with the Sustainability Award.

Barnsley FC Community Trust secured the title of Charity of the Year in recognition of its transformative work in the field of education, health, social inclusion and sports participation. The trust, along with highly commended charities Weston Park Cancer Charity and Age UK Rotherham all received cash prizes to support their work in South Yorkshire.

Longstanding businesses Electrical Safety UK, Barnsley Hospice and Brearley & Co Accountants were presented with salutes to business in recognition of their 20, 30, and 40-year service respectively, whilst Barnsley-based JC Snell and White’s Bakery both celebrated their 90th anniversaries in 2024 – a combined total of more than 270 years’ service to South Yorkshire’s business community.

The important contributions made by charitable organisations were also recognised on the night, with Barnsley FC Community Trust securing the title of Charity of the Year, in recognition of its transformative work in the field of education, health, social inclusion and sports participation. The trust, along with highly commended charities Weston Park Cancer Charity and Age UK Rotherham all received cash prizes to support their work.

Individual awards presented saw Leo Lewin (Affinity 2020 CiC) awarded the title of Apprentice of the Year, whilst Alicia Hewitt (Secure Power Limited) was crowned as Businessperson of the Year. A Special President’s Award was also given to Chris MacCormac, Chief Executive of the Morthyng Group, in recognition of their transformative work within the education sector.

In a heartfelt tribute which looked back at his 30 year career, Chris was honoured for his nearly 30 years of leadership and dedication towards education and community support. Chris started his career a youth worker in 1980, before going to transform Morthyng into a leading national training provider, which has helped thousands from disadvantaged backgrounds. He retires after a distinguished career and was celebrated for his lasting impact on the local community.

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Luke Hammill, Managing Director, Sky High Ground Maintenance, said: “It has been an incredible year for our business. Winning the title of Business of the Year, securing the Growth Award as well as being highly commended in the Businessperson of the Year category is something that I feel incredibly proud to have achieved.

"When I set up the business ten years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the company would grow and scale in the way it has done, and I feel very honoured that our efforts have been recognised in this way by the judges. I left school with no formal qualifications at all, and I hope the success I’ve enjoyed since starting my own business goes to show that with the right work ethic and determination, anything is possible.

"Having the right people to support you is key. I’d like to give a massive thank you to each and every person of my Sky High team, especially my partner Danielle who has been with me on every step of this amazing journey.

"Businesses play a vital role in shaping the local and regional economy. From the outset, I’ve always wanted my business to be a force for good: we undertake a wide range of community projects, from supporting local schools to breaking down barriers towards employment by giving veterans a chance to rebuild their lives after leaving the armed forces.

"Of course, we’ve got no intention of resting on our laurels. One of the reasons we joined Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber was because of the work it undertakes to create opportunities for its members within local supply chains. We’re hoping to work more closely with the Chamber in the years to come to bring these plans to fruition, which in turn will not just create more opportunities for our business but grow the local and regional economy.”

Mattthew Stephens, President, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, added: “Over the past 12 months there has been some incredible work delivered by businesses of all sizes across South Yorkshire. I would like to congratulate each and every business who supported this year’s event. The standard of entries was exceptional, and every organisation that was shortlisted, highly commended and winners on the night should feel incredibly proud of their achievements.

"Collectively, members of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber employ more than 70,000 people across South Yorkshire. The success of events like our business awards helps to showcase and celebrate the achievements of our incredibly diverse business community – from start-ups taking the very first steps on their business journey to longstanding businesses, which have collectively devoted 270 years of service to our local communities, and despite many businesses preparing themselves for challenging times, at least in the short term, the Chamber will continue to offer support, advice and campaign on behalf of South Yorkshire businesses to ensure their voices are heard.”

Full list of winners:

Salute to Business

Electrical Safety UK – 20 years
Barnsley Hospice – 30 years
Brearley & Co Accountants – 40 years
JC Snell Ltd – 90 years
White’s Bakery – 90 years

President’s Award:

Chris MacCormac – Morthyng Vocational College

Most Promising New Business

Winner: Trust Education
Highly commended:
Grassroots Sports Academy Ltd
Morgan Wills & Trusts
Shortlisted:
AHJ Wills and Estates
Empress Building & Ballroom

Apprentice of the Year Award

Winner: Leo Lewin – Affinity 2020 CiC
Highly commended:
Ateeb Mughal – Equans
Joshua Turver – Gala Tent
Shortlisted:
Aiden Ellis – Osborne Technologies Limited
James Stretton – Equans

Business Growth Award

Winner: Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Limited
Highly commended:
Airmaster
M R Machine Knives
Shortlisted:
Trust Education
Wayv

Business Community Impact Award

Winner: Cranswick Convenience Foods
Highly commended:
Glu Recruit
MAKE YOUR MARK UK
Shortlisted:
Home Instead Sheffield & Barnsley
MWAY Communications Ltd

Commitment to People Development

Winner: Equans
Highly commended:
IT Desk (UK) Ltd
Secure Power Ltd
Shortlisted:
Home Instead Sheffield & Barnsley
SMH Haywood & Co

Excellence in Customer Service

Winner: Glu Recruit
Highly commended
IT Desk (UK) Ltd
MED-EL UK Ltd
Shortlisted:
Rotherham Insurance Brokers
Signum Facilities Management Ltd

Sustainability Award

Winner: Barnsley College
Highly commended:
Equans
instantprint
Shortlisted:
Hydrov Ltd
KCM Waste Management Ltd

Charity of the Year

Winner: Barnsley FC Community Trust
Highly commended:
Age UK Rotherham
Weston Park Cancer Charity
Shortlisted:
Cathedral Archer Project
Rotherham Hospice

Businessperson of the Year

Winner: Alicia Hewitt - Secure Power Ltd
Highly commended:
James Biggin - Steel City Marketing Ltd
Luke Hammill - Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Limited
Shortlisted:
Mark Smith - MAKE YOUR MARK UK
Rob Shaw - Glu Recruit

Large Business of the Year

Winner: Mace Group
Highly commended:
Equi Trek
instantprint
Shortlisted:
Boohoo Group Plc
Equans

BR Chamber Awards website

Images: BR Chamber / J36 Photography

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News: Platinum Jubilee sees marquee specialist's sales go through the roof

Rotherham-based Marquee and Gazebo retailer Gala Tent posted record revenues for May after the country was gripped by planning street parties to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m+ having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

After a bumper 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed on the hospitality industry and combined with the well-documented universal price increases, the board of Gala Tent might be forgiven for thinking the bubble had burst on their good fortunes. However, the demand for marquees, pop-up gazebos and party tents remain as high as ever, thanks to the street parties across the UK, and the company posted turnover of over £1.25m for May.

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Jason Mace, Gala Tent CEO, said: "We’ve intentionally bought more stock than ever before, as last year we were occasionally caught short by massive demand, and as a result we are seeing record revenues for this time of year. On top of the celebrations for the Queens Platinum Jubilee, there are hundreds of thousands of happy couples who have had to postpone their weddings throughout the pandemic who are now able to make real plans to get hitched.

“We have been hit by material cost and price increases like everybody else, and we are extremely fortunate that our products remain in high demand. Our workforce has seen wage increases to try to help with their burdens, and hopefully it will ease off sooner than later. For now, we will continue to press on and aim to drive even bigger growth. If we achieve it in the current climate, this could be our biggest achievement yet.”

Recommended reading: Ways to Treat Your Clients and Staff in South Yorkshire

The wider business has also recently expanded with the launch of Gala Education & Marketing Ltd (GEM). It was created as a result of the huge successes Gala Tent's marketing team has achieved over the course of the past few years after it stopped working with third party marketing agencies.

Jason said: “Back in 2016 and 2017, we were using a digital marketing agency to manage our website discoverability and paid advertising online, and while we saw some incredible successes with the revenue they generated and the traffic they brought in, they spent obscene amounts of our money to do it, and then took a slice of the pie themselves, so it was barely worth the effort. I thought there had to be a better way, so I set up an in-house team to do the work for us. However, they weren’t actually trained in marketing, but I knew they had it in them to gain the skills they needed, so that’s what they did.”

Gala Tent website

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News: New Indian restaurant opening in Rotherham

A new Indian restaurant has arrived in Rotherham and is ready to set tastebuds alight.

Experienced entrepreneur brothers, Mamun and Masum Ali (pictured), whose Goa Spice franchise has restaurants established across South and West Yorkshire, have set up their latest creative dining endeavour in Thurcroft.

Mamun said: “We are very excited to be expanding our reach into a great new location in Thurcroft. Goan cuisine consists of regional foods of the Goan state, which is located along India’s west coast on the shore of the Arabian Sea. It is sure to spice things up in Thurcroft.”

Purchased by local Entrepreneur and CEO of Gala Tent, Jason Mace, in 2013, the Double Barrel has long served the area as a steakhouse bar and restaurant. The venue, which is also licenced, will serve Indian lager on draught, plus a range of additional bottled refreshments and a selection of wines from around the world.

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Masum added: “We will be investing over £60,000 in new specialist kitchen equipment, mood lighting and authentic décor, everything down to the tablecloths are really high end as we want to compliment the building as much as possible. The menu is extensive, and we believe we have created affordable luxury for the local community to enjoy.”

“Our chefs have a real passion for creating quality Goan spicy food using fresh ingredients that will spice up you’re evening. To add further value, we will be offering a collection and delivery service so you can enjoy Goan cuisine in the comfort of your own home.

Mace added: "I have worked with Mamun and Masum previously with their Mexborough outlet within the Empress Building, which has been a phenomenal success due to the classic location and of course the amazing food they create.

"The Double Barrel will prove to be a much larger scale operation, as it is a huge venue which seats around 140 inside, and there’s space outside for more than 70 additional seats, so any COVID 19 retractions should not hold this restaurant back. The venue genuinely is one of a kind and specialises in large party bookings and exclusive room hire-out."

The Double Barrel was built in 1971 and since then has been a well patronised venue and large part of the community. The new themed Goa Indian restaurant and takeaways will certainly spice things thing up for locals and wider-field visitors alike.

A grand opening is scheduled for June 2021.

Goa Spice Facebook page

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News: Gala Tent breaks records as it adapts to the "new normal"

Entrepreneurial management and the ability of the business to adapt quickly, has seen Rotherham-based Gala Tent rebuild and go on to process over £1m of orders in the month of July.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos.

Its marquees, that are usually the lifeblood of the hospitality and events industry, are now resurrected as pop-up coronavirus testing stations, social distancing queue shelters, entry and exit checkpoint tents, as well as providing garden shelter for homeowners and home workers. Pubs and hotels are snapping up commercial grade structures to increase capacities during the social distancing era.

The Manvers company is almost back to full strength, following the Prime Minister's recent easing of lockdown restrictions and a massive boom in marquee and gazebo sales.

Jason Mace, CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, left), said: "There were plenty of other firms and individuals in the same boat as us. Too successful for some financial concessions, not successful enough for others, and of course insurance covered very little so we had to remain open. We’ve always battled whatever came at us, though, and we've always won."

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The first month of lockdown was particularly brutal for Gala Tent. Jason, alongside co-owner and brother-in-law Mark Thompson, were forced to furlough a majority of our colleagues, retaining a small skeleton team and our bosses themselves were working shifts in the distribution centre for zero wage to ensure the business stayed alive.

Behind the scenes, the team working from home spent their time pivoting our strategies to reflect the current climate, and quietly set about improving the business operation to prepare for when life might return to normal.

Thompson said: "You do what you have to do to survive. We spent the early years of the company doing just that, working all hours for no wages, to build it up to what we are today. Nobody at Gala Tent is scared of a little hard work."

Using a restructured finance facility with HSBC UK, the company has been able to pivot the business.

In June, Gala received the biggest ever monthly web traffic to the site, but that was nothing compared to July. Only four months after Prime Minister Boris Johnson locked down the country in an effort to stem the flow of the coronavirus outbreak, Gala Tent staff processed £1.1m of orders. In the process, the firm posted a massive 34% growth versus last July, and had a further 25% increase in traffic to the website.

Another businesses under the Gala umbrella, Gala Graphics, has also seen a recent influx of demand for its printed services which includes the launch of a series of exclusive Social Distancing Floor Markers, Banners and Signs.

Meanwhile, Gala Technology, which specialises in customer not present payment solutions, has seen a major update in providing payments solutions for home workers along with some major partner deals.

Mace added: "It's amazing. It's a credit to my team that we were all able to pull together when things were at their most uncertain, and keep the ship steady. It’s important to have that confidence that if a crisis occurs and you find all roads closed off, you know you can head off road and find success on your own terms."

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: World first as Gala Technology extend secure payments to video

Gala Technology, the innovative Rotherham-based company behind the multi-award winning 'Cardholder Not Present' (CNP) payment solution, SOTpay has announced that they have conducted a successful proof of concept for use over video technologies.

The Manvers firm has processed secure and PCI DSS compliant payments across numerous video meeting technologies, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex and GoToMeeting in what is believed to be a world's first.

Integrating SOTpay enables merchants to protect themselves from the ever-growing threat of fraud related chargebacks and the associated costs.

The Fintech company, who also picked up the "Best International Card Not Present Solution" at the CNP Awards in San Francisco earlier this week, has worked alongside their sister company, Gala Tent, the largest manufacturer and retailer of commercial quality marquees and gazebos in the UK, in order to trial the pilot, which will enable cardholders to complete transactions, whilst face to face with an employee, albeit via video technology.

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Steven Jones, commercial director at Gala Technology, said: "Remote virtual meetings are now commonplace, and usage has increased massively across a range of digital platforms.

"Zoom are boasting that users have soared from ten million daily meeting participants back in December to 300 million in April and rivals like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet are also showing significant traction. Microsoft reported a 70% growth in the last month to 75 million daily users and recorded 200 million meeting participants in a single day in April.

"This evidences that these technologies have become a way of life, albeit somewhat enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that they will continue to be used as part of the ‘new normal’ as organisations consider life after lockdown, with continued social distancing and working from home expected.

"It was our thought process that whilst these platforms are used predominantly for either B2B meetings or a way for families and friends to engage with each other remotely, we could encourage business to open up the facility to firstly interact with their customers ‘face to face’ and then to accept secure and compliant B2C payments via this method, by using our SOTpay technology which already supports merchants across telephony, web chat, SMS and social media channels."

Gala Technology website

Images: Gala Technology

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News: Gala Tent wins contract to supply new Nightingale Hospital

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has won the contract to supply thirty six large commercial emergency tents to be used as drive-through test stations at the recently opened Nightingale Hospital at the NEC exhibition complex in Birmingham, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

The latest deal sees the tents used on entry to the emergency hospital to provide preliminary testing to those admitted and will form a vital part of the operation which is being installed by global construction giant Interserve.

Jason Mace Managing Director at Gala Tent, said: "It's no secret that Covid-19 is hitting the personal and professional lives of every person in Britain and the wider world, so there’s little pleasure in knowing what the tents will be used for, as we all wish it wasn't necessary at all, but there’s huge pride in knowing that Gala Tent has contributed in such a significant way to fighting this horrible virus."

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The NEC Nightingale is the second such hospital to be built in the UK to help the NHS cope with a massive increase in Covid-19 related cases with the peak still yet to come, but it is the first to use Gala Tents in this way. It is the biggest such project that Gala Tent has been involved in during the pandemic, but just the latest of many that the company has supplied to, following Farnham Hospital's own testing station being launched last week.

Ryan Bracha, Business Development Manager at Gala Tent, said: "It's definitely bittersweet, but I'm really proud of the guys who went out of their way at the last minute to get in and get everything ready for dispatch. I was in Birmingham personally dropping off some other essential items that were needed at short notice, so I've seen what's going on in the grounds of the NEC, and the scale of the thing is immense. Interserve crews are working 24/7 to get it finished so more lives can be saved."

The overall site includes testing zones, an initial 500 emergency hospital beds, potentially raising to 5000 if necessary, and a mortuary. It is intended that the site will accept patients when local hospitals reach capacity, ensuring that treatment is delivered in the best place possible at all times.

Paul Cunnington, Project Manager at Interserve, said: "We've all pushed hard to get everything finished as soon as possible so that the hospital could begin to accept patients and lives could be saved. We got the tents up in a matter of hours, which was important as we didn’t have the luxury of a few days to erect a larger structure and Gala Tent was able to deliver."

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala Tent has it covered

Rotherham-based Gala Tent is becoming more creative and has a number of solutions for those affected by COVID – 19.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

Jason Mace, managing director at Gala Tent, said: "I believe the country has a rough ride ahead over the next quarter, but we remain optimistic as in these types of situations is where Gala Tent becomes more creative.

"We are already seeing signs of where we can provide a vital service. The emergency services are some of our biggest market bases right now, where our Patent covers and easy to deploy pop up frameworks provide instant cover for Crime Scene Investigations, and we are also seeing an uptake in orders for tents for storage for hospitals. We are also ready to deploy portable hygiene testing tents when we get the go ahead."

Mace has already pledged that his staff will be paid in full until this pandemic is over.

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Gala are also seeing an increase in enquiries for home workers looking to bring the outside in, where individuals trapped at home can still work, play and rest under a Gala Tent cover.

Darren Perry, sales manager at Gala Tent, said: "We have even had orders where individuals who would normally take their mother for Sunday Lunch have chosen to order a Gala Tent instead. Mums love the garden so why not? And especially if they are to isolate for up to three months, it seems to be the most logical gift."

Gala's sister company Gala Technology is also enjoying an uptake in business, with its homeworking payment solution SOTpay.

Gala Tent website



Images: Gala Tent

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News: Rotherham tech firm in jobs drive

On the back of another record-breaking year, Rotherham-based Gala Technology, the innovative development team behind the card data protection solutions system, SOTpay, has announced exciting expansion plans as they look to expand their team with nationwide opportunities.

Having won a multitude of industry awards, the Manvers firm has enhanced their glowing reputation, as they look to provide businesses of all shapes and sizes, with cost effective, secure card payment technologies.

Cloud based, secure and PCI DSS compliant, SOTpay is a unique payment transfer system which uses a series of rigorous card and customer checks to prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place.

SOTpay is designed to secure mobile payments by directly sending a link to the cardholder via email or text. The software enables merchants to check the payment process step-by-step in real-time.

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Fraud related chargeback is a big issue for online retailers. Losses to payment card fraud have risen to £671m in the UK.

Jason Mace, chairman of Gala Technolog, said: "Gala Technology demonstrated exceptional growth in 2019, as more and more organisations look to protect their customers sensitive card information, whilst protecting themselves from the ever-growing threat of fraud related chargebacks and reducing cost and risk.

"Working in conjunction with industry partners, we are now looking to expand our team and services to include other merchant services across a whole host of channels and create 50 jobs with exciting nationwide opportunities offering uncapped commissions and flexible working options."

Gala Technology website

Images: Gala Technology

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News: Gala Tent tightens grip on industry

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has acquired an important patent which relates to the fixings used on its marquees and gazebos.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. It has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

The patent relates to the manufacture and use of new type of fixing known as Spirotite. This type of fastener has all the advantages of threaded fasteners – without the disadvantages of the thread. Whereas thread can work loose under vibration and makes maintenance difficult and sometimes costly, this innovative fastener works on compression, so it is not affected by vibration, and will not work loose.

Spirotite fittings are seen as safer and more secure than traditional threaded fittings and offer a faster set up and lower maintenance of a product. It is also much more effective than a traditional nut and bolt system, which is less secure, less durable and can easily become loose. Due to the faster production process, Spirotite fasteners are also lower cost to produce, so are more affordable for the end user.

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Jason Mace, group CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, right), said: "We are really excited about this innovation, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, from automotive to tool manufacturing to engineering. As well as being an extremely effective and user-friendly product, Spirotite is produced to the highest quality standards here in the UK.

"The grant of these key patents strengthens Gala Tent's position as a consolidator of IP in this space and provides our customers with access to a wider range of opportunities and potential development of further applications."

Mark Thompson, CEO at Gala Tent (pictured, left), added: "We have developed an innovative fastener that is set to revolutionise the way fasteners are used in industry.

"The idea for Spirotite was originally developed for Gala Tent for its marquee joint and it means that all the company's structures are easier and safer to erect. The fixing can also be scaled for the larger commercial modular structures, which will also enhance the security of the marquee, and speeding up the erection time in the process."

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala boss aims for further growth

Rotherham-based Gala Tent has shown double digit growth for January 2019, despite the continued uncertainty around Brexit.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. It has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

Jason Mace, founder of Gala Tent (pictured second left receiving the latest award), said: "We believe our recent growth is mainly down to trust amongst our many clients, that we are a strong brand producing quality products for the event industry."

Gala Tent has successfully maintained its relationship with several international distributors for its products in Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Malta, Iceland and Holland. With more ambition of becoming an international player in the Marquee business, Jason is hoping to expand on this and gain further distributors around Europe and eventually the rest of the world.

Jason added: "Expansion is the key to Gala Tent's success, tapping into countries we hadn't previously sold in provides us with a wider market to supply to. We hope to become a serious European player in the marquee business over the next few years, with a showroom in every country on the continent."

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On Brexit, Jason said. "I don't see a problem with Brexit. For me, in business there is always a positive in any situation. If you're looking for the negatives, then of course you will find them. I believe there will be a lot of commercial opportunity after we leave the EU, even if there is no deal reached, and I fully intend to grab those opportunities for my business."

The past 12 months have also been fruitful for Mace's other business interests which include the Gala Performance brand, which supplies the Motorsport sector, recording an impressive 95% year on year growth, and holds high hopes of similar growth in the new year. Gala Graphics, which produce wide format print and promotional work, are also expanding in to the branded clothing market this year.

Gala Technology has also seen major traction with SOTpay, a unique payment transfer system which uses a series of rigorous card and customer checks to prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place. The award-winning technology has recently been paired with Cardstream, the UK's largest independent provider of white label payment software and services.

Mace also found time to save the iconic Empress Building in Mexborough.

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala Technology partner with Cardstream

Cardstream, the UK's largest independent provider of white label payment software and services, has collaborated with Rotherham-based Gala Technology, a card data protection solutions provider, on preventing chargeback fraud.

Manvers-based Gala Technology has invested in the development of SOTpay, a unique payment transfer system which uses a series of rigorous card and customer checks to prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place.

Cardstream will integrate Gala's SOTpay technology into its Merchant Management System used by reseller partners and merchants.

SOTpay is designed to secure mobile payments by directly sending a link to the cardholder via email or text. The software enables merchants to check the payment process step-by-step in real-time.

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Adam Sharpe, CEO of Cardstream, said: "SOTpay ensures that our partners' merchants have full visibility of every MOTO transaction and an audit trail live on their screens that will further protect them against the growing threat of what has come to be known unacceptably as "friendly fraud.""

Jason Mace, chairman of Gala Technology, added: "SOTpay is a smart, secure and innovative payment platform that enhances the security of telephone payments. Placing SOTpay's niche technology in front of Cardstream's global network of merchants is set to bring them major relief from exploitation of the chargeback system."

As part of the partnership, Gala developers will have access to Cardstream's one-click API that enables optimised online payment for its merchants and consumers.

Sharpe added: "As is often the way in the Cardstream ecosystem, SOTpay originally became a partner to use our white label payment gateway solution. Now we've added the option of their service for all our partners' merchants."

SOTpay website
Cardstream website

Images: SOTpay

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News: Gala Graphics on course to achieve a £1m turnover

Gala Graphics, the Rotherham-based graphic design and promotional print specialist, is on course to achieve a £1m turnover, just four years after it was established.

After doubling its income in 2016 and 2017 and securing a number of major new contracts with businesses including Company Shop and FlexSeal, Gala Graphics is once again expecting to double its turnover this year.

Gala Graphics has recently experienced growth within the motorsport sector – a key sector serviced by its sister company Gala Performance. As a result, the company is now looking to appoint three new members of staff within its sales team this year and extend its product range to meet increasing demand.

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Glen Robinson, managing director of Gala Graphics, said: "It has been a fantastic few years for the company. Our ongoing success is due to our commitment to employ highly skilled people and consistently invest in our equipment and services. We’re all excited to see what the future holds for Gala Graphics as we continue to break into new markets."

Gala Graphics specialises in producing high quality, bespoke promotional products such as banners, flags, roller banners, cafe barriers and exhibition stands and walling solutions.

The company is based in a custom-built facility in Manvers, which allows the team of experienced designers and print technicians to work side by side, serving customers from around the UK and the rest of Europe, on both domestic and commercial levels.

Gala Graphics is a division of Gala Tent, a company with over 17 years' experience in design, manufacture and supply of marquees and gazebos to the events industry.

Gala Graphics website

Images: Gala Graphics

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News: Businessman brings Empress Building back to its former glory

The iconic Empress Building in Mexborough is being officially reopened next month and this includes revealing a brand new bar, bistro and coffee lounge, thanks to investment from local entrepreneur Jason Mace, managing director of Manvers-based Gala Tent.

The "Empress Rooms" bar and bistro will be officially opened on June 14 at a special VIP event, as part of a £150k investment to return the building to its former glory.

Over the past ten months, Jason has invested in refurbishing the former Empress Building ballroom and dance hall into a hub of business, health and community activity. The building, which dates back to the 1920s, was built to mirror the great dance halls in places like Blackpool and for decades it was the hub of social activity in the area but in recent years had fallen into disrepair.

Restored to its former glory, damaged rotten timber windows have been replaced with new PVC-u windows to improve its appearance, let in more light and make it more energy efficient for tenants using the building. Jason has invested in upgrading other empty rooms in the building for new businesses to lease, where customers will be able to undergo beauty or cosmetic treatments.

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Mace said: "The opening of the Empress Rooms is the culmination of many months of planning and significant investment in the building. This bar-bistro-lounge is just what Mexborough needs – somewhere that local people can meet up with friends, family or business colleagues and enjoy a meal, or just catch up over a coffee, Prosecco or a few beers! We're looking forward to bringing the buzz back into this part of the town."

Michelle Carr, who runs the nearby Park View Bar Grill and Function Suite in Swinton, was looking for a new business venture and, after viewing the premises, decided the Empress Building was ideal. She named the bar and bistro The Empress Rooms to capture the nostalgia of this iconic building. In the last few weeks, Michelle has been busy recruiting and will create several new jobs for people in the local area, including bar, waiting-on, kitchen and cleaning staff.

The bistro also has a new Head Chef, Chris Cole, who is passionate about health and is a qualified nutritionist. Chris and Michelle have worked together to create a menu of tasty dishes, which will be prepared daily from locally sourced goods.

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Michelle Carr said: "We are really excited about what we have planned for the Empress Rooms. It will be quite unlike anywhere else in the area and we hope will help to revitalise this part of Mexborough and bring more visitors into the town. Chris has a real passion for good quality food and locally sourced fresh ingredients and we'll be serving a variety of mouth-watering dishes to suit all tastes."

The Empress Rooms will be open from 8am Monday to Saturday. It will serve breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas and will host a number of themed dining evenings such as steak and Italian nights. The venue can also be hired out for private parties, anniversaries, christenings, birthdays, Christmas parties, corporate meetings and charity fundraising nights for up to 100 guests, on Sundays and after hours on certain week nights. The Empress Rooms will also be offering diet planning and advice, weekly and monthly prepared diet packages.

The Empress Building, which sold at auction in 2017, is currently occupied by a number of organisations, including the charity Dearne Valley Personal Development Centre, the Personal Training Room, Grafters Ironworks Gym, Micky's Athletics and Sally Salter Sports Massage.

Empress Building website

Images: Mark Jenkinson & Son

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News: Racers boosted by Gala Performance

Gala Performance, a division of Gala Tent based Rotherham, which specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of marquees and gazebos to the events industry, has pledged its support to seven racing rising stars.

As part of its ongoing support for grassroots motor racing, Gala Performance has supported seven up-and-coming motorsports competitors by supplying them with fully branded Gala Pro awnings which will give them the right image and high quality cover to use when competing.

The Manvers firm is supporting two under 18s, including Lewis Kent and Jake Aldridge from Essex. Lewis, who is in his first season competing in the TCR UK (Touring Car Championship), came second in his class for the 2017 season in the BRSCC Ford Fiesta Championship. Jake Aldridge at 16 years old is the youngest competitor receiving support and also the first motorcycling competitor. He is just embarking on his second season in the Thundersport GB Championship.

Also included are two competitors in the British Drift Championship (BDC). Danny Grundy is a talented drifter and drift instructor who was the 2016 BDC Pro-Am champion and stepped up to the Pro category in 2017. Danny Grundy said: "I am really excited for this season and so delighted to be supported by Gala Performance. I can't wait to start using my new tent!"

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Kirsty Widdington from Bicester in Oxfordshire has also set her sights high in British Drift Championship. Kirsty is well known on the circuit as being an extremely talented and tenacious drifter.

Gala Performance is also sponsoring Lewis Rose, from Norwich and Daniel Reason, from Cumbria, who compete in the TCR UK Support Series, The Civic Cup. Although they are both relatively new to motor racing, they have already shown great potential with P1 (Daniel) and P2 (Lewis) placings in the first race of the season at Silverstone.

Lewis Rose said: "I have found it hard to gain sponsorship in club level motorsport over the past three years, so I was delighted to receive support from Gala Performance. It is clear that the company is passionate about supporting grassroots motorsport."

The final of the recent grassroots sponsorships is with Nick Holmes. Nick, who is from Dorset, competes in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club (CTCRC) and is known in the sport for being the founder of the Club Racing group. This is his first full season as a racing driver and Gala Performance has high hopes for him.

Ryan Bracha, business development Officer for Gala Performance, said: "This year we have made our biggest ever commitment to grassroots motor sports. We did a fair bit of talent spotting last season and are really proud to be supporting such a great set of rising stars!"

Gala Performance is a specialist in supplying shelters and awnings, premium garage flooring, exclusively developed pit walling systems, racewear, tools and lifting equipment, as well as pit, paddock, and promotional solutions to the motorsport industry.

The firm has sponsored a number of teams and championships and recently also pledged its support for SURTES (Surrey University Formula Student Team) Race team.

Gala Performance website

Images: Gala Performance

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News: Gala's year of performance

Gala Performance, based in Rotherham, is demonstrating its commitment to amateur motorsport by securing the title sponsorship for the popular Toyota MR2 Championship.

A brand of the highly successful Manvers-based events industry supplier Gala Tent, Gala Performance is a specialist in supplying shelters and awnings, premium garage flooring, exclusively developed pit walling systems, racewear, tools and lifting equipment, as well as pit, paddock, and promotional solutions to the motorsport industry.

Following the deal, the series will now be known as the "Gala Performance Toyota MR2 Championship" for the 2018 season.

The championship features a total of eight race weekends as part of the 750 Motor Club's racing package, of which four rounds will be televised on dedicated programmes on Motorsport TV. The UK's most affordable mid-engined sports car racing series attracts grids of up to 50 cars, all of which will be displaying the Gala Performance brand name.

Ryan Bracha, business development officer for Gala Performance (pictured, right), said: "Securing this title sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to becoming the supplier of choice to grassroots and club level motorsports teams.

"The MR2 Championship attracts a lot of drivers to come and get on the grid, as well as having the full support of Toyota, so it's an excellent business opportunity for us too. We're very excited about this new sponsorship and look forward to following the success of the championship during this its tenth anniversary year!"

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The Gala Performance team will be on hand to support the series and the competitors, hosting the Gala Performance Toyota MR2 Championship hub at every date in the championship calendar. The first of which was at Donington Park on last month, but it will also include Brands Hatch, Mallory Park, Rockingham, Cadwell Park, Silverstone (incorporating tenth anniversary celebrations for the championship) and Snetterton.

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Patrick Mortell, championship co-ordinator (pictured, left), said: "Gala Tent has been a part of the MR2 Championship paddock since we first started, as many of our competitors use the company's durable pop-up structures as awnings, temporary workshops or garage space. Gala Performance offers motorsport specific variants of the products that can be branded to suit along with other paddock staples such as flags, banners, folding tables and chairs. As we celebrate our tenth anniversary as an MSA championship, Gala Performance will help to bring a professional look to our grassroots racing series."

The Gala Group of companies sponsored United Autosports in 2016, which went on to win the European Le Mans Series LMP3 class championship. In 2017 the sponsorship deal was renewed under the Gala Performance name, placing the company's branding onto the LMP3 cars for a second season as the team defended its title.

The firm's directors have also set up their own race team - Gala Performance Motorsport. Working closely with 2015 GT Cup champion Rob Gaffney of Amigo Motorsport, the team is set to compete in the C1 Racing Club endurance series that starts at Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby in May.

Gala Performance website

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News: Gala Technology appoints CEO

Gala Technology, the Rotherham based company specialising in developing secure digital payment solutions for the card not present (CNO) mail order/telephone order (MOTO) channels, has appointed Mike Cheshire as CEO.

Mike has extensive experience gained over 25 years in the data security and telecommunications industry. He first became aware of Gala Technology whilst running his own company BBF Data Security Limited, where he recognised the benefits of its SOTpay product.

Jason Mace, director of Gala Technology, said: "Mike joins us at a very exciting time for our business, with our Secure Order Transfer (SOTpay) payment protection technology ready to go to market and a number of major retailers interested in using the technology.

"Mike's experience in data security will be invaluable as we enter an era when many businesses are concerned with compliance to GDPR regulations introduced this May and meeting PCI DSS requirements. He will also play a key role in developing new business opportunities for SOTpay through innovative new platforms."

SOTpay (Secure Order Transfer) has been developed to prevent fraudulent telephone transactions and ensure businesses can deliver to third party billing addresses with confidence. The technology ensures a retailer or seller remains compliant, whilst making payment services more efficient and cost effective.

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The unique system was developed after the parent business fell victim to fraudsters in 2014. Chargeback or "friendly" fraud sees the merchants rather than the banks left accountable when fraudsters request a chargeback from the banks having received goods ordered online.

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Mike Cheshire, CEO at Gala Technology, said: "I spotted straightaway that SOTpay was an excellent product and that my experience in security compliance and GDPR could help to move this technology forward. I will be working closely with the payment service providers (PSPs) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) to ensure that SOTpay becomes widely recognised as the leading mail order/telephone order security system for businesses.

"SOTpay is essential for any business that carries out mail order or telephone order transactions. We will be demonstrating to businesses, large or small, how they can protect themselves and their customers from fraud – and do this affordably. This technology will potentially save businesses across the UK millions of pounds by preventing fraudulent transactions."

SOTpay was winner of the Security Innovation Of The Year​ at the National UK IT awards.

The technology is quick and cost effective to deploy and is set to revolutionise the way businesses handle telephone transactions globally. With card fraud at £618m in 2016 in the UK alone, SOTpay helps businesses to meet PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and GDPR requirements that organisations of any size must comply with or face hefty chargebacks, penalties and reputational damage.

SOTPay website

Images: Gala Technology

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News: Gala Graphics invests to keep more work in-house

Gala Graphics, the Rotherham-based graphic design and promotional print specialist, has introduced a new in-house dye sublimation printing service as part of a recent £75,000 investment in new equipment.

Gala Graphics is a division of Gala Tent, the Manvers company with over 17 years' experience in design, manufacture and supply of marquees and gazebos to the events industry. The sister company offers vast printing capabilities, providing anything from a business card to banner flags, full branding packages and bespoke printing orders as well as a variety of accessories.

With the latest investment, Gala says that it will be one of only a handful of print companies based in the UK who are able to offer this specialised service, which often has to be outsourced to businesses in other countries, such as China.

Dye sublimation printing uses heat and pressure to transfer high-quality images onto a variety of materials including fabric, plastic, metal and wood. The process relies on a specialised ink, which when heated changes from being a solid dye to a gas, without passing through a liquid stage. The dye is sublimated into the fabric, so cannot flake off and won't fade over time, creating a brighter, more premium finish compared to traditional processes.

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Glen Robinson, managing director of Gala Graphics, said: "We recognised that there was demand in the market for printing on specialist materials for a wide variety of industries including visual marketing, textiles and household.

"As we can now carry out dye sublimation printing in-house this means lead times are significantly reduced. As a result we expect this new service to attract further business from across the UK and Europe, which will create more employment opportunities for local people."

By purchasing this new printer, Gala Graphics can offer a more premium finish on all of its products, whilst also being able to print onto the most delicate of fabrics. The dye sublimation process also offers unlimited colours to choose from as the new technology has the capabilities to produce any pantone required.

As part of the £75,000 investment, Gala Graphics has also upgraded its solvent printing capabilities with the purchase of a new Roland TRUEVIS 640.

The company is based in a custom built facility in Rotherham, which allows the team of experienced designers and print technicians to work side by side, serving customers from around the UK and the rest of Europe, on both domestic and commercial levels.

Gala Tent Ltd is the UK's leading distributor of marquees and gazebos and has grown from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

The ambitious firm announced that it had secured £3.6m of funding from HSBC to back its growth plans at the start of 2016.

Gala Graphics website

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News: Gala Tent's record start to the summer

Rotherham-based Gala Tent Ltd, continues to set out its stall as one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos, by posting record sales.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, along with around 100,000 event accessories and furniture products. It grew from a table top operation in Grimethorpe to a company with a turnover of £10m having moved into new 53,000 sq ft headquarters at Fairfield Park in Manvers in 2011.

In June 2016, the company's income for a single month exceeded the £1m mark, for the first time in its operating history. This year, the firm has gone one better and beat the sales for June and posted two £1m months of trading in a row.

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The firm has seen a marked increase in demand for its marquees, gazebos, furniture and printed products from commercial and domestic customers throughout Europe.

With May 2017 also being a £1m sales month, summer 2017 has seen the firm already post a record revenue for a single month and the best ever revenue for the month of June.

Mark Thompson, managing director at Gala Tent, said: "We're over the moon to have broken such a great record. It shows that Gala Tent is still going in the right direction when there are others falling down around us. This kind of achievement should really give our customers great confidence that they are buying from the right place. We're really looking forward to seeing what Summer is going to bring."

Gala Tent website

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News: Gala Tent re-ignites Electric Avenue

Rotherham-based Gala Tent Ltd, one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos, has helped breathe new life into Electric Avenue, one of London's most famous market streets.

Gala Tent were appointed by Lambeth Council after winning a competitive tender to provide temporary market structures which forms part of a million pound makeover of the world-famous Electric Avenue arcade, funded through the Mayor of London's High Street Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Lambeth Council.

The temporary structures provided by Gala Tent will be used to replace older outdated market stalls and will complement the extensive overhaul of Electric Avenue which has seen the installation of new LED lighting, the creation of new hard landscaping and new power units for market traders.

Celebrations to commemorate the re-opening of Electric Avenue were led by Eddy Grant, singer of 1980s hit "Electric Avenue" who unveiled a new neon sign to mark the completion of the refurbishment project.

Since launching in 1999, Gala Tent has developed a range of bespoke marquee and gazebos aimed specifically at market owners, which have been used to support a range of weekly events taking place across the UK through its partnerships with a number of local authorities and outdoor market organisers including Group Geraud, NABMA (National Association of British Market Authorities) and the national market initiative, Love Your Local Market.

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Jason Mace, managing director of Gala Tent, said: "It is an honour for us to see our marquees and gazebos as the focal point to one of the most famous markets held in the UK. Electric Avenue is a world famous street, with an equally iconic market. We worked closely with Lambeth Council throughout the summer and they will be able to benefit from our tough, durable and flexible range of products which have been specifically developed with market owners and traders in mind.

"Street traders will benefit from a brand new marketplace and it's plain to see the work undertaken will help to play a vital role in regenerating the locality. It has been a real pleasure to support this exciting regeneration project and it's been an interesting, enjoyable project that we're proud to have contributed towards."

Cllr. Jennifer Brathwaite, cabinet member for environment & transport, at Lambeth London Borough Council, added: "Electric Avenue was the first street to be lit by electricity in Britain and the street has an enormous amount of cultural significance within Brixton. The regeneration work we have undertaken will help to restore this popular area to its former glory, delivering a much improved environment for traders and local residents, boosting trade, making it easier for people to shop and increasing visitors to the town centre.

"The launch of the refurbished street was a huge success which was made memorable by the Mayor of London and of course Eddy Grant, who helped to make the name Electric Avenue known throughout the world."

Gala Tent website

Images: Lambeth Council / YouTube

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News: Wine bar paired with Rotherham steakhouse

Glasses were raised as a new wine bar was officially opened alongside the recently re-opened Double Barrel Steakhouse in Rotherham.

Croft Wine Bar at Thurcroft was officially opened by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Lyndsay Pitchley and guests which included former premiership chairman Sir Dave Richards and champion racing driver Christian England, whose team has since gone on to win the European Le Mans LMP3 race series.

Guests were treated to an exclusive wine tasting hosted by Kieron Atkinson, an ex-army captain who has been responsible for leading the resurgence in English wine production.

The new wine bar is the first in South Yorkshire to specialise in English produced wines and brought together a range of ten varieties which have been carefully developed by Kieron using hand-picked grapes produced in his vineyards at Renishaw Hall, Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire and Welcombe Hills, Warwickshire.

During the opening evening, visitors to Croft Wine Bar were given a chance to see United Autosports Ligier LMP3 Le Mans racing car driven to victory on some of Europe's top circuits.

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Since May, Rotherham-based Jason Mace, the founder of Gala Tent, has invested more than £100,000 into the Double Barrel which has included an extensive refurbishment of its steakhouse restaurant and the introduction of a new coffee shop in a previously unused area of the building. Twenty jobs have been created in Thurcroft as a result of the investment.

Jason Mace, Owner of the Croft Wine Bar, said: "When people think of fine wines they instantly cast their minds to those produced on the continent, but few people are aware of the many different choices and varieties available from English producers. In recent years there has been a lot of interest in English wines which are admired by wine connoisseurs across the world for their delicate and subtle flavours. We wanted to give wine lovers in Rotherham a chance to experience the unique tastes on their doorstep.

"I first met Kieron a few months ago and I was immediately impressed by his passion and knowledge of English wine production. After sampling his selection, I had no hesitation in supporting his work and bringing his selection of award-winning wines to Rotherham for the first time.

"There are a wide selection of wines and champagnes available at Croft Wine Bar, from still and sparkling to reds and rosés. For those who prefer brews to bottles we also offer a selection of craft bottled beers and an extensive cocktail menu, so there is definitely something for everyone."

Croft Wine Bar website

Images: Croft Wine Bar

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