News: New Rotherham depot for Warrior Link

A nationwide specialist haulage provider has expanded into a new depot in Rotherham, with the help of Wake Smith Solicitors.

Warrior Link, founded in 2021 by industry veteran Lee Hollingworth and previously headquartered in Sheffield, provides transport solutions including palletised freight, contract logistics, and time-sensitive deliveries to sectors including manufacturing, food, packaging and construction.

The company, which offers nationwide coverage through its reliable 28-vehicle fleet, has relocated into a 9,994 sq ft detached premises on Lowton Way on Hellaby Industrial Estate in Rotherham, marking the firm’s biggest facility lease to date.

The former parcel hub site offers Warrior Link warehousing and offices on a large plot of 1.25 acres and allows growth for the sustainable, smart logistics operation.

Christie Smith from Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors’ commercial property team acted for Warrior Link on the lease with Kitty Hendrick, senior surveyor from the Sheffield office of Knight Frank representing landlord Ravensworth Properties.

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Lee Hollingworth, managing director, at Warrior Link, which has added 7 roles to its 49-strong employee count following the move, said: “With over 24 years of logistics experience behind our team, Warrior Link has built a reputation for being a solid partner for smart, flexible haulage solutions.

“Warrior Link has been built on real-world logistics experience, and a passion for delivering exceptional service. We combine decades of transport knowledge with a growing vehicle fleet and team of experienced, forces-friendly drivers.

“Lowton provided the ideal location with excellent transport links to M1 and M18 and is central to the nationwide areas which we service. We have created additional roles with the move to accommodate our growing business.

“Both Knight Frank and Wake Smith Solicitors were excellent and helped the move go smoothly.”

Lowton Way on Hellaby Industrial Estate, already occupied by Pyronix Ltd, Northern Powergrid, Parseq, KP Nuts and Reflex Systems Ltd, benefits from access to the motorway being situated immediately adjacent to Junction 1 of the M18. The M1 and A1(M) are within close proximity.

Warrior Link, which also has depots in Nottingham, Milton Keynes and Doncaster, is driven by military heritage and veteran values, employing many ex-forces personnel as well as supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and prides itself on its professional, uniformed drivers trained in customer interaction.

Services include nationwide palletised freight; contract logistics; time-sensitive and ad-hoc loads; return load/backhaul solutions to reduce empty miles; and ambient, non-refrigerated loads.

The firm quickly grew into a trusted transport partner for manufacturers, construction firms, facilities management providers and more and achieved 20% electrification by the end of 2025, driving change in the logistics sector.

Warrior Link website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Double success as two sets of Rotherham padel plans passed

Two sets of plans for new padel facilities in Rotherham have been approved.

Rothbiz has previously featured updated plans for new padel courts at Hellaby, and at the Grange Golf Club in Kimberworth.

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

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

At Hellaby, Top Play Enterprises has seen plans approved to convert a vacant 33,654 sq ft warehouse. Proposals show how nine padel courts could be created in a vacant building on Sandbeck Way, with one court described as a match court, surrounded by glass and viewing areas.

The ground floor would also include a reception, bar and kitchen, plus a gym and changing rooms. Upstairs on the mezzanine level, plans show seating and viewing area plus studio space and a room for "fire and ice" treatments through a sauna/steam and an ice bath.

The planning permission states that the leisure / gym facilities shall only be used in conjunction with the use of the padel courts and shall not be made available to non members.

Visit Rotherham reports that the new venue is set to be called, Go2Padel.

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At Grange Golf Club, Top Play's approved application is for the installation and provision of three flexi Padel Courts with associated enclosures and lighting and areas of soft landscaping located next to the club house on land which has previously been used as an outdoor event space and the siting of a large marquee.

The golf course is allocated Green Belt and planners at Rotherham Council said that the proposal is considered to be not inappropriate development with the siting of the padel court structure only having a limited impact on the openness of the Green Belt.

In approving the plans, the planner's concluded: "Overall, the principle of an extended recreational facility in this Green Belt location is considered appropriate outdoor recreation in land use terms and its co-location to support the viability of a long established golf club is considered acceptable. The size and siting of the facility close to the existing club house building is considered to be appropriate and will not have a harmful visual impact of the surroundings or on the openness of the adjacent Green Belt.

"The use is not considered to generate any significant noise issues over and above the existing golf club use."

Rothbiz has previously reported on approved plans for a refurbishment programme of the existing club house at Grange Golf Club, and the conversion of former agricultural buildings so that they can be used as holiday guest houses.

Go2Padel website

Images: Top Play

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News: Rotherham-based Parseq acquired

Parseq Limited, a specialist in document, finance, and payment process automation based in Rotherham, has been acquired by Paragon, a leading global business services provider in brand services and outsourced solutions.

Back in 2010 Hellaby-based Documetric began trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the new name of Parseq plc following a successful reverse takeover.

Parseq is a leading provider of business services and technology-led solutions, specialising in automating complex back-office and payment processes. With a history of managing sensitive data for the UK’s largest financial institutions, utilities, and public sector organisations, Parseq helps clients drive operational efficiency, reduce risk, and accelerate digital transformation.

Parseq operates globally with five offices across the UK, Bulgaria, and India. The company processes over £36 billion in payments and digitises 70 million documents annually for more than 75 international clients, including the UK’s top ten banks.

Paragon, which is wholly owned by Grenadier Holdings, a privately held investment company, said that the strategic investment reinforces its standing as a leading player in the business process services (BPS) sector.

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Clem Garvey, CEO of Paragon’s Outsourced Services division, said: "Parseq’s capabilities, talented teams and exciting plans are significantly complementary to Paragon’s strategy. Through this acquisition, we are welcoming a team of committed and talented people into our high-performing culture and we look forward to the promising conversations we can have with our new and existing clients about the value we can deliver as a result. I extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues.

Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO of Parseq, added: “Joining Paragon is a significant milestone that directly benefits our clients. By combining our strengths, we’re able to scale our back-office and payment solutions onto a global stage. This isn’t just about growth; it’s about giving our clients the international reach they need without ever compromising on the rigorous security and service standards they’ve come to expect from Parseq.”

The acquisition involves 354 employees globally. During an interim period, the business will operate with its existing branding before being fully integrated into the Paragon brand.

Parseq website
Paragon website

Images: Parseq

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News: Rotherham padel plans upgraded - new facilities added

Having already secured approval, applicants have gone back to the drawing board to update proposals for a new padel facility in Rotherham - the first of its kind in the borough.

Rothbiz reported last year on approval for plans by Top Play to convert a vacant 33,654 sq ft warehouse at Hellaby.

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

Plans from Top Play show how nine padel courts could be created in a vacant building on Sandbeck Way, with one court described as a match court, surrounded by glass and viewing areas. The plans also included an ancillary café / bar for users of the facility.

Approved without going before the council's planning board, officers concluded that the "proposals are compatible with adjacent existing and proposed land uses and any impact on amenity can be appropriately mitigated."

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Now a new application has been submitted for the same building, with a few changes.

The padel court layouts remain the same, including the glass match court, but new plans for the ground floor show the reception, bar and kitchen remaining but with office space removed to make way for a gym. Changing rooms are now shown on a new area not on the original plans down the side of the building.

Upstairs on the mezzanine level, the seating and viewing area remains but original plans for changing rooms and office space have been replaced by studio space and a room for "fire and ice" treatments through a sauna/steam and an ice bath.

The courts could provide 12 staff positions and the proposed opening hours are Monday to Friday 7am - 10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8am - 9 pm.

52 parking spaces are included in the plans and there is potential for further parking within the site curtilage. Sandbeck Way is subject to a no waiting at any time restriction.

Images: CPP / LTA

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News: Rotherham padel plans passed

Plans have been approved that will enable the fast-growing, fast-paced, social racket sport of padel to be played in Rotherham.

Rothbiz revealed in July that a vacant 33,654 sq ft warehouse at Hellaby would be converted into courts if a change of use application is approved.

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

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) says that since 2020 the number of padel courts in Britain grew from 50 to over 800, while annual participation rose from 15,000 in 2019 to 400,000 players in 2025. The LTA has backed the proposals for what would be the first indoor Padel courts in Rotherham.

Plans from Top Play show how nine padel courts could be created in a vacanct building on Sandbeck Way, with one court described as a match court, surrounded by glass and viewing areas. The plans also include an ancilliary café / bar for users of the facility.

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Approved without going before the council's planning board, officers concluded that the "proposals are compatible with adjacent existing and proposed land uses and any impact on amenity can be appropriately mitigated."

Applicants also showed that the site has been marketed and that there is no demand for an employment use in the unit.

The plans state: “The existing building is not viable for the current uses; the size and height is limited to providing the usage this was designed for. There are currently various modern buildings in the vicinity offering much more viable alternatives. There are currently several units on this site within the local vicinity offering retail uses and commercial uses that have received previous approval and support for a change of use conversion.”

Officers agreed, stating: "In terms of land use conflicts the site is located on the edge of the industrial estate, being the first road off the main dual carriageway access into the estate, where there are multiple nearby units which are being used for a retail or community use such as a food store, a pet food store, and a children’s indoor play area in addition to RMBC maintenance depot and associated offices."

The courts could provide 12 staff positions and the proposed opening hours are Monday to Friday 7am - 10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8am - 9 pm.

52 parking spaces are included in the plans and there is potential for further parking within the site curtilage. Sandbeck Way is subject to a no waiting at any time restriction.

Images: LTA / CPP

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News: Keepmoat lodge plans for 100 more houses on Rotherham greenbelt

National housebuilder, Keepmoat, has submitted a planning application for a parcel of farmland in Rotherham, right next to a proposed development by Barratt David Wilson Homes.

Rothbiz has reported on a number of proposed developments in Rotherham this year that are for sites in the local plan that were designated as "safeguarded land" rather than sites designated for housing. The 2018 plan set out that they may be needed in the future and taken out of the greenbelt after the end of the plan period in 2028.

Planning consultants are hoping to convince the local planning authority that the land should be used now to address the borough's housing needs.

In May, Rothbiz reported on plans by Barratt David Wilson Homes for 260 homes on land at Cumwell Lane, Hellaby.

Now, an new outline application from Keepmoat is for a 3.61 hectare plot of land between Cumwell Lane and the Barratt site, close to the Centenary Hall. It shows how the current farm land could be replaced by up to 101 houses.

Plans drawn up by IDPartnership Northern (IDP) show that the proposed development would feature a mix of houses and includes provision for 25% affordable units.

One vehicular access is shown on the plans, a new priority-controlled T-junction on the western boundary of the site via Cumwell Lane, which would include a pedestrian refuge island to the south-west of the site along Cumwell Lane.

Agents, Lambert Smith Hampton, say that the site is available and in a suitable location where housing is deliverable, stating that: "The site would contribute to an appropriate level of growth in Hellaby which is identified as a ‘Principal Settlement’ in the Local Plan. It would help to support and retain the vitality of the settlement, which is a benefit for existing residents.

"The site is in a highly sustainable location near essential services and facilities to meet the requirements of future residents, such as healthcare and education provision, convenience goods, among others."

Outline planning permission for residential development on the land has been sought for years. Plans were refused numerous times in the 1970s.

The area is now dominated by the huge warehouse development alongside the M18.

Keepmoat is currently building houses across Rotherham at the former Swinden Labs site on Moorgate, and recently submitted plans for the former bus depot at Masbrough.

Keepmoat website

Images: IDP / Keepmoat / Google Maps

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News: Plans served up for first padel courts in Rotherham

Plans have been set out to bring the fast-growing, fast-paced, social racket sport of padel to Rotherham.

A vacant 33,654 sq ft warehouse would be converted into courts if a change of use application is approved.

Rothbiz reported in May that Top Play Limited, which shares directors with Pocket Sports Bars Ltd and other Eyre family businesses, was assessing the potential introduction of new padel courts at The Grange Golf Club in Kimberworth.

Now attention has been turned to a unit across Rotherham, at Hellaby.

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

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

Plans from Top Play show how nine padel courts could be created in the building on Sandbeck Way, with one court described as a match court, surrounded by glass and viewing areas.

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The plans also include an ancilliary café / bar for users of the facility with 37 minimum on-site car parking spaces plus an additional 14 car parking spaces for overspill in the adjacent unit.

Applicants state: "The current building was constructed in the 1970s as factory and warehouse usage. A two-story office extension to the front was constructed in the early 1980s.

"The existing building is not viable for the current uses; the size and height is limited to providing the usage this was designed for. There are currently various modern buildings in the vicinity offering much more viable alternatives."

If approved, the courts could provide 12 staff positions.

The proposed opening hours are Monday to Friday 7am - 10pm and Saturdays and Sundays 8am - 9 pm.

A letter of support from the LTA states: "Padel is a highly accessible sport, with players able to quickly reach a level of play where they can enjoy friendly and competitive games. It can make a significant contribution to the development of healthier lifestyles by encouraging people to be more physically active and it also facilitates social interaction and can positively contribution to improved mental health and wellbeing.

"This site will provide the first indoor Padel courts in Rotherham, and this will help ensure that that the local community is able to participate in this fast growing sport throughout the year regardless of the weather. The indoor venue will also create a sporting hub for local people, as has been demonstrated with the evolvement of other indoor Padel centres, and this will provide a facility where the local community can come together socially and keep physically active."

Images: CPP / LTA

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News: National housebuilder submits plans for 260 homes on Rotherham greenbelt

Another set of plans from another national housebuilder has been submitted to build houses on "safeguarded land" in Rotherham.

Last month Rothbiz reported on plans from Taylor Wimpey that represented the use of safeguarded land rather than land specifically allocated for residential use in the borough's local plan from 2018.

Now, Barratt David Wilson Homes has submitted an outline planning application proposing up to 260 homes on land at Cumwell Lane, Hellaby.

An application for houses on the agricultural land was refused in the 1960's but it was included in the local plan as land that may be needed in the future.

The land is close to where a 715,000 sq ft industrial development was built on former agricultural land next to the M18.

Planning consultants for Barratt are now hoping to convince the local planning authority that the land should be used now to address the borough's housing needs.

Lichfields state that Rotherham Council has not published an up-to-date five-year housing land supply position since 2019, and that the "failure reflects a dereliction of duty by the Council to properly understand what its five year land supply position is."

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Rotherham Council identified a larger 15.2ha site at Hellaby as being a large site with constraints, suitable for housing development with dwellings expected to be delivered from 2028/29.

Applicants argue that the site has already been "removed from the Green Belt" with the safeguarding designation but that the decision was based upon a housing "need" that is now out of date.

An accompanying assessment puts forward that housebuilding targets are not being met in Rotherham and concludes that there is a shortfall of 2,367 homes.

The plans state: "The only realistic solution to address the housing land supply shortfall in the short term is to bring forward Safeguarded Land, which has already been removed from the Green Belt to meet future housing needs."

The proposed development would deliver up to 260 homes while addressing site constraints and incorporating mitigation measures such as structural landscaping, drainage requirements, and ecological buffer zones. The proposal also includes 25% affordable housing.

The plans show that the development would have two vehicular access points: one via Cumwell Lane to the south west and one via Bateman Road to the north. Access for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists would be provided through a priority T-junction with a ghost island right-turn facility onto Cumwell Lane. A secondary access point, for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, would be provided by upgrading the site's existing access via the southern arm of the Bateman Road/Clifford Road/Ridgway Close priority crossroads junction.

Barratt website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Parseq opens e-commerce warehouse at Rotherham HQ

Parseq, one of the UK’s largest independent managed service providers, today announced that it has repurposed almost 750,000 cubic feet of storage space at its Hellaby headquarters to meet growing demand from UK e-commerce companies for logistics and fulfilment support. Six e-commerce companies have already taken space in the new facility.

The new warehouse provides secure storage space for up to 6,500 pallets and a team of people available on-demand to support same-day dispatch of goods ordered before 4 pm. Parseq has automated large parts of its fulfilment processes to minimise costs for clients and integrated its warehouse management system with more than 60 e-commerce platforms — including eBay, Etsy, and Shopify — to automatically trigger shipping requests.

Parseq has opened its new facility to serve the growing number of small and medium-sized e-commerce companies operating in South Yorkshire and across the UK. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of UK retail sales were made online in 2024, and the rise of online shopping has driven an almost tenfold increase in UK e-commerce startups over the last decade. 73,000 new e-commerce businesses were registered at Companies House in 2024, more than 800 of which were based in South Yorkshire.

The facility is located near the M1/M18 interchange in an area of South Yorkshire that is now a significant logistics hub. Parseq’s proximity to distribution centres operated by Royal Mail and other courier companies provides a strategic location in the centre of the UK. From here, couriers can reach 95 per cent of the UK population within a 4.5-hour drive.

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Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO at Parseq, said: “The UK has become a nation of online shopkeepers, with growing numbers of online retail specialists in South Yorkshire and across the country. These are often small businesses, succeeding online but struggling for time and space to fulfil orders quickly.”

“With this new facility and the technology that underpins it, we offer a fast, flexible and affordable way for e-commerce companies to deliver any number of orders without expanding and hiring more staff, and without the complex and costly contracts that are common in warehousing and fulfilment.”

Parseq previously used its warehouse space to store millions of sensitive documents for public-sector organisations and major financial institutions. It continues to provide document storage, management, and digitisation services at its facilities in Rotherham, Runcorn, and Lisburn.

Rothbiz reported in 2023 that a Belfast-based third party logistics operator that expanded into Rotherham had gone into administration. Selazar provided e-commerce fulfilment services and opened a 26,000 sq ft warehouse operation in October 2022 in partnership with Parseq.

Parseq website

Images: Parseq

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News: Fit Out UK given OK to fit out new Rotherham facility

Fit Out UK, a leading interior fit out and logistics service provider, has secured planning permission to redevelop a prominent vacant industrial property in Rotherham.

Established in 2000, the company operates throughout the UK with offices in London and Sheffield and serves an impressive client list featuring Lloyd’s Bank, PureGym, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tesco and Westfield.

Taking on "Hellaby 90" - the former home of Eldon before its acquisition by nVent and relocation accross the borough to Woodhouse Link - Fit Out UK has secured permission for a for a phased development.

The first phase will see the construction of a new unit to the rear of the altered existing unit which will remain operational. The second phase will then comprise the demolition of the existing unit and the extension of the new unit to create one single, larger unit of 156,000 sq ft.

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Plans explain that the site is currently used by the applicant as a storage and distribution centre, however due to demand the current facilities have become inadequate and a larger centre is required.

Analysis by local commercial property agents, Knight Frank shows that the property was acquired for £4.85m in 2023.

Fit Out UK already has an 80,000 sq ft joinery, metal fabrication and powder coating facility plus 400,000 sq ft of warehousing space across facilities in London, Sheffield and Doncaster.

The application for a modern unit alongside the M18 was approved without going to the planning board with planning officers at Rotherham Council concluding that there would be no severe impact on the surrounding highway network as the the overall trip impact at M18 JN1 "is likely to be less than 30 two way trips and therefore will not have a material impact in this location."

A local labour agreement between the applicant and the council indicates that 40 jobs would be based at the redeveloped Rotherham site.

Fit Out UK website

Images: Fit Out UK

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News: Logistics firm enters administration

Carlton Forest 3PL Ltd, a logistics firm with a significant warehouse operation in Rotherham, has gone into administration.

James Lumb and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Carlton Forest 3PL Ltd and Green Forest Solutions LLP on 25 March 2024, and to Carlton Forest Group Holdings Limited on 28 March 2024.

Based in Bawtry, Carlton Forest 3PL Ltd is an award-winning warehousing, distribution and logistics business. Employing 90 people, the company operates over 1.2m sq ft of warehouse space across four sites in Bawtry, Worksop, Tuxhill and at Maltby in Rotherham.

Carlton Forest took on the former Wincanton depot on Rotherham Road in 2020. It had been vacant for over ten years having previously operated as a chilled distribution centre for retailers such as Sainsbury's and Tesco.

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Administrators said that, in common with a number of other companies operating in the third party logistics sector, Carlton Forest 3PL had been battling industry and wider economic headwinds, including rising costs, significant excess warehouse capacity in the market and decreasing storage rates.

With pressure on the company’s cashflow increasing, the directors sought to undertake a review of their options, including sale and investment options. However, when a solvent solution could not be found, they took the difficult decision to seek the appointment of administrators.

James Lumb, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “We are seeing a lot of businesses in UK logistics which are facing similar issues to Carlton Forest, driven by new warehouse capacity hitting the market over recent years, and the general destocking of the UK consumer economy as Covid-related supply chain disruption has subsided.

“Carlton Forest, like many of its peers in the market, had grown to meet demand and this has had the effect of increasing its overheads. Unfortunately, however, the race to the bottom on pricing and the loss of a key customer ultimately contributed to Carlton Forest’s inability to keep trading.

“Our immediate priority has been to work with employees, suppliers and customers to repatriate stock as quickly as possible, minimising disruption to customers as best we can.”

Images: Google Maps

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News: Parseq kicks off 2024 with double appointment

Rotherham-based business services and IT provider Parseq has expanded its senior leadership and account management teams with two new hires.

Keith Wright has been appointed as Group Operations Director, bringing with him 35 years of operational experience in document management and business process outsourcing (BPO).

He joins from business services provider Paragon Customer Communications, where he was Director of Operations. At Parseq, he will oversee the day-to-day delivery of Parseq’s full range of digital back office, finance and accounting, payment, secure print and warehousing and e-fulfilment services across its five UK offices and its sites in Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, Emma Fulker joins Parseq as a Senior Account Director, bringing 25 years’ experience in account and relationship management from global business services provider Communisis.

In her new role, she will be responsible for leading several key accounts and overseeing secure print solutions across Parseq’s client portfolio. Keith and Emma’s appointments follow recent business and team growth for Parseq.

In January 2023, the company acquired secure print and payment solutions specialist TALL Group and merged with Column Software Solutions, an IT services specialist. This strategic move positioned Parseq as one of the UK's largest independent providers of business services and IT solutions and expanded its service offering.

Subsequently, Parseq significantly expanded its sales team in July 2023, appointing new directors to help build on this momentum.

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Keith Wright, Group Operations Director, Parseq said: "Parseq stood out to me as not only a solid service provider with an enviable reputation in its key markets, but crucially as a people-focused business.

“It is committed to building lasting partnerships with its clients, and prides itself on championing its employees’ development – something that shines through in the commitment, skill and experience of its team and the results it delivers.

“This is a particularly exciting time to be joining the business, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to bear in helping deliver even more flexible, scaleable and technology-driven solutions that anticipate and meet clients’ ever-evolving needs.”

Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO, Parseq said: “After more than doubling in size last year, we have an ambitious strategy to leverage our broader product range, and deeper pools of insight to add new value to our clients.

“We're excited to have Keith and Emma join us on this journey. Their experience and expertise will be incredibly valuable as we look ahead to 2024 and our next stage of growth.”

Parseq, headquartered in Hellaby, is one of the largest independent business services and IT providers in the UK, with a global client base spanning FTSE 100 financial services companies, major utility providers, leading telecoms operators, manufacturers and local authorities.

Every year, it processes £36 billion of payments, digitises 70 million documents, prints 117 million secure documents and has delivered over 220 IT implementation projects globally.

Parseq website

Images: Parseq

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News: Work completes on high spec Rotherham industrial unit

Work is complete on a new state of the art industrial unit and modern office space, that has been built next to the M18 in Rotherham and is now ready for immediate occupation.

The 72,685 sq ft unit, known as Focus 72, has been built by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, at Hellaby Industrial Estate, on behalf of Vinter Estates. The unit is now being marketed by joint commercial agents Savills and Heaney Micklethwaite.

Vinter originally secured planning consent for Focus 72 in July in 2021 with ammended plans approved in October 2022.

The self-contained building offers 69,685 sq ft of warehouse space and 3,000 sq ft of office accommodation, with a substantial yard and parking area, within a fully fenced and secure 4.1 acre site. The unit also benefits from 12.5m eaves, seven loading dock levellers, two ground level drive in access doors and a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

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Joe Booth, Business Development Director, from Hobson & Porter, said: “We’re very pleased to complete work on Focus 72, working in collaboration with our dedicated local supply chain. It’s been well-publicised that there is a shortage of new and speculatively built mid-sized industrial units in the region, and this unit is built to an exceptional standard and will help to address the lack of supply in the market.

“Crucially, the project also reaffirms our reputation as a specialist in the construction of high-quality industrial sheds and distribution units up to 200,000 sq ft.”

Tom Asher, from Savills, added: “Focus 72 is a superb, high quality warehouse unit, manufacturing site or distribution centre. It also benefits from immediate access to the national motorway network and is located right next to junction 1 of the M18, as well as being just five miles from Rotherham town centre and approximately nine miles from Sheffield city centre.

“It will therefore suit a wide range of occupiers looking for a modern, landmark facility in a central South Yorkshire location and we’re already generating strong levels of interest in it.”

Other neighbouring occupiers at Hellaby Industrial Estate include Clipper, Stanley, Acorn Industrial Services and KP Snacks.

Hobson & Porter website

Images: Hobson & Porter

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News: Logistics firm in administration

A Belfast-based third party logistics operator that only expanded into Rotherham last year has gone into administration.

Headquartered in Belfast and with facilities in Warwickshire, Rotherham and County Antrim, Selazar is a third party logistics (3pl) operator providing e-commerce fulfilment services, primarily for medium-sized and bespoke retailers throughout the UK.

Stuart Irwin and David Pike from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Selazar Limited on 21 September 2023.

Admomistrators said that, in common with a number of other companies across the e-fulfilment sector, in recent times Selazar had seen significant inflation across its fixed cost base. This, coupled with the highly competitive nature of the market, had led to liquidity challenges.

In response to mounting cashflow pressures, the directors sought to explore their options including marketing the business for sale on an accelerated business. However, with no solvent outcome available, the directors took the difficult decision to seek the appointment of administrators.

Immediately following their appointment, the administrators sold the company’s assets, including its Intellectual Property and the Selazar trading platform, to Petra Financial Technologies LLC and MPN Technologies Ltd, entities within the Petra Group associated with the incumbent lender.

The business ceased to trade on the appointment of the joint administrators and the majority of the company’s 54 staff have been made redundant. Customers’ stock is currently held in warehouses formerly used by the company.

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Stuart Irwin, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “The logistics and e-fulfilment sector is currently experiencing a number of headwinds including rising costs and softening demand in the wake of fragile consumer confidence.

“Due to the cessation of trade and the sale of the assets, no further orders can or will be fulfilled by the Company, its warehouse partners or the purchaser. Customers are therefore advised to contact our team as a matter of urgency to make arrangements for the collection of stock.”

Irwin added: “As a matter of priority, we will also be providing support to those members of staff impacted by redundancy, including providing them with the information required to submit claims to the Redundancy Payments Office.”

Selazar opened a new 26,000 sq ft warehouse operation at Hellaby in Rotherham in October 2022. Operated in partnership with business processing outsourcing firm, Parseq, the aim was to increase its reach across the north of the UK. Selazar said at the time that up to 50 local jobs could be created as a result of the warehouse opening.

The business was founded in Belfast in 2018 and secured £20m from a large global investment group in 2021 to help the company to fast track its global expansion.

Selazar website

Images: Selazar

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News: Strike action at KP Nuts in Rotherham

The production of the famous salted and dry roasted peanuts in Rotherham could grind to a halt for a week in September as Unite union members prepare to strike at KP Nuts.

The workers at KP Snacks have voted overwhelmingly by 83% to take strike action for a week beginning on September 5. The union is warning that unless the company ups its pay offer strike action will escalate. The Hellaby factory is the sole producer of KP Nuts so the walk-out will stop the production of one of Britain’s favourite snacks.

The workers have rejected a below inflation 8% pay offer. The company has increased its profits by 275% since 2018. In stark contrast, average pay at KP Snacks has fallen in real terms by 14% since 2018.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s message to KP Snacks is if you pay your workers peanuts, expect strike action.

“The company has increased its profits by an astonishing 275 per cent since 2018. But the workers’ pay has fallen 14 per cent in real terms over the same period. That’s why workers are refusing to accept anything less than a pay deal which keeps up with the cost of living.

“The workers have Unite’s total support in their drive for a fairer share of the company’s huge profits.”

The snacks brand has made matters worse by refusing to offer the lowest paid workers a consolidated pay rise. Instead, management is offering the workers a one-off payment. The hygiene team earns just £10.66 an hour, “the KP living wage”.

Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said: “If bosses want to avoid a nut shortage across pubs and supermarkets they need to put a fairer pay offer on the table.

“KP Snacks made £54 million in profit last year, the company can easily afford to pay workers more. Management should be focused on negotiating an end to the dispute or strike action will escalate.”

KP Snacks website
Unite website

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News: Workers at KP Snacks in Rotherham won’t accept “peanuts”

Workers at KP Snacks in Rotherham are voting for strike action.

135 workers at KP Snacks at Hellaby, including low-paid cleaners, will begin voting on strike action today. Strike action would shut down the factory and disrupt supplies of KP Nuts to pubs and supermarkets.

Unite the union said that the company made £54m in profit and has increased its profits by 275% since 2018. In contrast, average pay at KP Snacks has fallen in real terms by 14% since 2018.

The famous snacks brand has excluded the lowest paid cleaners from its pay offer. The hygiene team earn just £10.66 an hour, which is called by the firm, “the KP living wage”.

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Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “KP Snacks has increased its profits by 275 per cent since 2018. This year workers won’t accept being paid peanuts.

“To exclude the lowest paid workers from the pay negotiations all together is corporate greed in action. Especially when KP Snacks made £54 million in profit. The workers have Unite’s steadfast support.”

The current company offer is a below inflation 6% increase plus a £1,000 one-off payment. Taking on the 141,000 sq ft Hellaby 140 building for its new £16m state of the art nut processing and packing facility, the factory is the sole producer of KP Nuts.

Unite regional officer, Chris Rawlinson said: “KP Snacks in Rotherham is the sole producer of KP Nuts. So if the strikes go ahead pubs and supermarkets will be hit hard. Unite members are determined to get a fairer portion of the company’s huge profits. It’s time for management to put a serious pay offer to the workforce.”

Previously based at Eastwood, in 1968 it became part of United Biscuits before it was sold to German-headquarted multinational group, Intersnack, in 2012.

At the end of 2022, 700 workers employed by Greencore at its Waleswood site in Rotherham secured pay increases following a pay deal negotiated by Unite.

KP Snacks website

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News: Rotherham transport scheme underway

A £2.4m scheme to improve bus journey times between Maltby and Rotherham town centre is underway, with Rotherham Council awarding another contract to the Esh Group for the work.

New bus lanes along the A631 between Addison Road in Maltby and the Bramley Roundabout/M18 Junction 1 will improve bus times and reliability, as well as benefitting other road users.

Work started on the new bus lanes this week, and will take 14 months to complete. Traffic management on the A631 will be used throughout the works, and signage announcing roadworks will be displayed in advance.

The bus lane, which will be an addition to existing lanes for general traffic, will run between Addison Road in Maltby, and Denby Way at Hellaby, and there will be an extension of the existing bus lane at Wickersley School towards the water works.

Buses will spend less time queuing and pulling into traffic flows, making services more punctual, particularly the X1, X7 and X10 services linking Maltby to Rotherham and onwards to Sheffield City Centre via Magna and Meadowhall.

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The scheme is being delivered by funding secured by Rotherham Council from the Department for Transport’s and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, Cllr Dominic Beck, said: “Bus services in our area have been going through a really difficult time since the pandemic and it's important that we do all we can to try to ensure they're sustainable for the future. One of the ways that the Council can help in this case is by helping to improve the reliability of services by making these improvements, funded by the government grant that we have secured. The route between the centre of Rotherham and Maltby is a key part of the bus network and I hope the passengers will soon be benefiting from this additional investment.”

The council has recently awarded a £6.9m contract to the Esh Group for the detailed design and civil works for the Maltby Bus Corridor and for Sheffield Road phase 2 and 3 Cycleways.

Rothbiz recently reported that multiple projects have been secured in the borough through the YORcivil2 framework, with Esh recently commencing work on a cycle lane project known as Wellgate and Broom Road. Other work includes early contractor involvement (ECI) work for a design and build contract on Rotherham’s Riverside Residential Quarter.

RMBC website
ESH Group website

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News: Global deal sees Rotherham-based IBCS acquired

Rotherham-based Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers, has been acquired by EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications.

IBCS helps businesses maximize the performance and lifespan of their battery systems. Established in 1984, it moved from its original base in Darnall, Sheffield, to premises at Hellaby in 2012.

Listed on the New Yorks Stock Exchange, EnerSys is the largest industrial battery manufacturer in the world, operating manufacturing and assembly facilities worldwide for customers in over 100 countries. It is headquarted in Pennsylvania, USA with regional headquarters in Zug, Switzerland and Singapore.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, represents a strategic move for EnerSys, enabling the company to expand its motive power service offerings and strengthen its presence in the UK market. With the addition of IBCS, EnerSys will be able to further enhance its comprehensive range of battery-related services, from installation and maintenance to repair and replacement.

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Vincent Baudelet, VP Sales and Service, Motive Power EMEA, at EnerSys, said: "We are excited to welcome IBCS to the EnerSys family. Their expertise in battery service and maintenance will enhance our ability to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers, and their strong reputation in the UK market will help us grow our business in the region."

IBCS will continue to operate under its current name and branding, and its management team is expected to remain in place.

Paul Hewson, Managing Director at IBCS, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with EnerSys. This partnership will allow us to offer our customers even more comprehensive and integrated battery solutions, including top-of-the-line lead acid batteries, proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead technology (TPPL), and the industry’s most advanced lithium battery while also providing new opportunities for our employees.”

IBCS website

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News: Rotherham furniture manufacturer packs in following economic downturn

A Rotherham-based furniture manufacturer was placed into administration after suffering from significant losses and a historic under investment in machinery. It had around £2.5m in debts.

Addspace Furniture Ltd was based at 85,000 sq ft premises in Hellaby and supplied domestic flat-pack or contact furniture to high street retailers such as Argos.

Administrators were appointed in January 2023 and 62 employees have been made redundant.

A report filed by administrators, Kroll, showed that the company posted significant losses for the past few years. Accounts show a loss before tax in 2021 of £432,437 and £369,259 in 2020. Directors attributed this as a direct result of the economic downturn in the UK, reduced customer orders, together with lower margins resulting from cheaper overseas competitors entering the UK market.

Administrators explained that "as a result of the losses, HMRC liabilities and trade creditors had been stretched. Repayment plans were put in place with these Creditors in order to improve the short-term cash flow of the business whilst trade performance initiatives were undertaken."

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The report adds that: "The Company historically suffered from under investment in new plant and machinery which in itself compounded the Company's problems of a deteriorating cash position. Regular machinery breakdowns disrupted sales activity and customer confidence. The majority of the plant and machinery needed modernising to benefit from more complex cutting and finishing to existing product lines, as well as adding new product offerings to the Company's customers. New technology would also have significantly reduced the time taken to manufacture many of the customers product lines.

"In order to invest in new technology and reduce the accruing creditor arrears, the Directors looked to secure investment from outside sources. An investment of £250k was introduced into the Company in February 2022 from one of the customers, Accentuate Group Limited, in exchange for 25% shareholding in the Company. These funds were ultimately utilised to fund restricted trade credit facilities and therefore the Company was unable to upgrade any of its machinery.

"The Directors went back to the market during November 2022 seeking further investment to provide additional working capital and capital expenditure funding. Whilst there were several parties willing to look at the opportunity, no additional funding was obtained."

Kroll undertook work to find investment, or a buyer for the company and despite ten parties signing non-disclosure agreements, no offers were forthcoming and options to resuce the company were exhausted. Trading ceased at the end of February.

Lender, Close, has been repayed in full after chasing debts but the company's bank, HSBC, may struggle to be repaid for its Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and other debts.

In total, unsecured creditors totalled over £2m, with HMRC also owed around £500,000. Administrators say that as there has been no sale or investment, "it is not anticipated that there will be sufficient realisations to enable a distribution to the unsecured creditors of the company."

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News: Rotherham-based Parseq grows through acquisition

Rotherham-based business process outsourcer Parseq has announced the acquisition of the TALL Group, a UK leader in the provision of secure print and payment solutions.

Based at Hellaby, Parseq is a trusted business services partner, with a global client base including leading telecoms operators, major utility providers and FTSE 100 financial services companies.

The TALL Group’s secure document and payment processing solutions will be incorporated into Parseq’s own established systems, allowing clients to benefit from the operational synergies and economies of scale offered by the integration.

The acquisition establishes Parseq as one of the largest independent providers of specialist document and payment processing services in the UK, increasing its headcount to more than 520 staff based in 12 offices across the UK, Bulgaria and India. The TALL Group’s secure document and payment processing solutions will be incorporated into Parseq’s own established systems, allowing clients to benefit from the operational synergies and economies of scale offered by the integration.

The TALL Group will be transferring across to Parseq in its entirety, including TALL Security Print, Checkprint and DLRT which combine to form the TALL Group of Companies. It operates from three sites in Runcorn, Hinckley and Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and counts major UK banks and blue-chip companies among its clients. These will be incorporated into Parseq’s existing global client base including leading telecoms operators, major utility providers and FTSE 100 financial services companies.

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The TALL Group’s managing director, Martin Ruda, will work with Parseq’s CEO, Craig Naylor-Smith to help set a strategy for the combined business. Parseq is a portfolio company of Parabellum Investments, a family office operating as a global private equity firm. Led by founder and CEO Rami Cassis, Parabellum Investments is a hands-on, highly active investor. It uses its own capital to grow companies both organically and through acquisition, leveraging its principal’s first-hand management experience and pan-sector track record.

Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO, Parseq, said: “This is an important milestone for our business. Bringing the TALL Group into the fold will give us the offering we need to continue our international expansion and deepen the existing relationships we have with some of the biggest businesses in the UK. The acquisition of the TALL Group, together with other exciting opportunities in the pipeline, means we are entering 2023 on a very firm footing for further growth.”

Martin Ruda, Managing Director, the TALL Group, added: “We have worked in partnership with Parseq many times, and offer complimentary, technology-led services, which makes us joining forces a natural evolution of our relationship that will make it easier to accelerate growth and expand the services we offer as a part of a bigger organisation. We also share the same vision and values and are committed to helping our clients run more efficient, secure businesses, all to the ultimate benefit of their customers.”

The TALL Group directors William Lamb and Peter Andrew are retiring after more than 30 years with the business.

Parseq website

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