News: EG On The Move opens Rotherham site

A repurposed former car showroom in Rotherham has been converted into a new petrol forecourt and convenience retail destination which opened this month bringing new food outlets to the borough.

Euro Garages Limited (EG) received planning permission in 2023 for the site at Templeborough.

"Riverside Way Services" has seen the existing 9,000 sq ft showroom converted into a 24 hr petrol station building with an ancillary retail store and three food-to-go units. A coffee shop has been created in a seperate building to the south of the petrol station, with its drive through lane running along its southern side.

The site at Ickles roundabout has been empty since Burrows moved out to Wickersley.

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Taking the coffee shop and drive thru building is Chaiiwala which is known for its authentic Indian chai and delicious street food.

With its origin dating back to 1927 on the streets of New Delhi, the first location UK location was in Leicester. The brand has expanded through operating a franchise model, going from one to 80 stores in five years.

Famous throughout the world and with a cult following, the menu includes drinks such as the signature Karak Chaii and Chaii Latte and foods such as desi breakfasts, aloo tikki burger and butter chicken roll.

In the main building, a Spar shop (with Iceland offerings to follow) has been joined by food favourites, Greggs and Subway. Another new brand for Rotherham is Sbarro.

Sbarro is operated by Blackburn-based master franchisee EG on the Move and is serving up a variety of pizza flavours including Sbarro’s tradition cheese and tomato, pepperoni and Firecracker Chicken pizza as well as a range of sides including garlic breadsticks, and a selection of drinks and desserts.

At nearby Canklow, Platinum Retail has opened a new bp-branded retail site, marking its first new-to-industry site in over five years.

Planning permission was approved in 2023 to replace an exisitng forecourt, MOT & tyre bay and a bungalow with a 24hr roadside services comprising a petrol filling station with ancillary retail and food to go offer.

A fully-equipped SPAR convenience store has also opened immediately east of the roundabout junction of West Bawtry Road, Bawtry Road and Centenary Road.

Around 1,200 sq ft is available for a food concession at the site which neighbours McDonald's.

A Wild Bean Cafe micro-market is also on site, bringing bp's award-winning food and beverage concept to Canklow. The micro-market features self-serve Wild Bean coffee, freshly-baked pastries and integrated payment. It is the eleventh Wild Bean Cafe micro-market to be rolled out in Platinum Retail's growing network, reflecting its commitment to enhancing customer experience across their estate.

Images: EG On The Move / Chaiiwala / Platinum Retail

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News: Directors in the driving seat at Rotherham-based tour operator

The management team of escorted coach tours company Leger Shearings Group (LSG) have acquired an additional stake in the business following an eight-figure funding deal with NatWest.

The deal sees LSG’s CEO Liam Race, CFO Andy Oldfield and CPO Chris Plummer become majority shareholders of the group which provides escorted coach tours across the UK and Europe. The transaction has enabled the management team to move from their previous minority position as they look to drive the business forward. The additional shareholding was acquired from Ian and Kathleen Henry who will continue to hold a minority shareholding and Ian Henry will serve as non-executive chairman of LSG.

Canklow-based LSG, which has over 200 employees, provided tours to more than 100,000 customers in 2023.

Since the initial MBO in 2019, which saw management obtain a 30% stake in the business, the company has more than doubled in size, with Leger Holidays’ acquisition of the assets of former competitor Shearings in 2020 credited with aiding the growth. The acquisition led to the formation of Leger Shearings Group. Turnover in 2023 was £83m.

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CEO Liam Race, said: “This is a very exciting time for Leger Shearings Group. We made a bold move acquiring the iconic Shearings brand and its assets in lockdown 2020, after its parent company entered administration, but it has certainly paid off. The business has delivered consistent profit growth since the pandemic recovery and we are expecting to exceed last year’s record breaking profit year with another record year for 2024.

“We have a fantastic relationship with the team at NatWest who understand the needs of the business and are committed to helping us reach our strategic goals. Their support has been invaluable over the years.”

Ian Henry, non-executive chairman of Leger Shearings Group, said: “Liam, Andy and Chris have a great vision for the future of the business, and I wish them every success as they move forward.”

Andy Croasdell, Relationship Director NatWest, said: “LSG are moving forward with exciting plans that should enable the business to achieve future profitable growth. We have a long-standing relationship with the business, working beside a first-class management team who navigated the business through an extremely challenging period during the Covid pandemic and, in more recent times, have delivered significant volume and service expertise to a loyal customer base.”

Andrew Gore, Director Credit Delivery at NatWest, added: “We are delighted to support this next phase and will look to continue our support to Liam and his team as they explore new opportunities for business growth.”

The deal was brokered by Whitehart Associates and KPMG for the business. Squire Patton Boggs (Tom Telford and Elysia Watts) provided legal advice to NatWest.

Leger Shearings Group website

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News: Investment continues into new council housing across Rotherham

Rotherham Council has committed £126m for hundreds more Council homes by 2026.

It comes at the same time as planning applications are submitted for council-led housing developments and the authority makes moves to purchase homes built by commercial developers.

Despite the council owning 20,127 homes, which puts it in the top 20 local authority stock owners in England, there were over 7,000 individuals and households on the Council’s Housing Register.

The Right to Buy initiative has also seen 956 Council homes sold between January 2018 and November 2023 with just over 500 affordable homes delivered by the council in that time and 104 acquired from developers. The aim is to deliver over 1,000 homes by 2026.

Plans are being advanced for a number of construction projects across the borough including Canklow, Eastwood, and Maltby, with £430,000 of funding secured to redevelop brownfield land owned by the council. Future sites could also inlcude Boswell Street near Herringthorpe Playing Fields and the site of the former Thornhill School, both of which are in the pre-planning stage.

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Reaching planning application stage are proposals for former council care home sites at Addison Road in Maltby, where 27 dwellings (a mix of flats, houses and dormer bungalows) are planned, and at former Netherfield Court in Eastwood, where 19 affordable dwellings (a mixture of 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom housing) are planned (cgi, below).

Also at Eastwood, the prominent council-owned former car park on York Road is set to be transformed with 12 new affordable house on what is considered to be a gateway site into Rotherham town centre. Here four 2-bedroom accessible flats, six 3-bedroom dwellings and two 2-bedroom dwellings are planned (cgi, top).

Plans for residential developments have also been submitted by the council for the site of the former Parkhill Lodge care home and at Elm Tree Road in Maltby, the site of the former Ship Inn in Swinton, and on land at Princess Street / Albert Road and Princess Street / Winterwell Road in West Melton.

With only limited land in council ownership, homes have been bought in developments such as Harron's "The Paddocks" in Wickersley and Redrow's "Poppyfields" in Ravenfield. Acquisitions are expected at Brecks, Parkgate and Waverley.

Cllr. Sarah Allen, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Neighbourhood Working and Acting Cabinet Member Housing at Rotherham Council, updated councillors on the completed developments, a mix of sizes and tenures, saying that she would be proud to live in any of the houses she has had the privelige to see.

Looking ahead Cllr. Allen said: "We do still have a high demand for council homes, with around 7,000 people on the housing register. Our ability to meet that demand is still being eroded by the Right to Buy initiative. We have, however, just bought back our "first refusal" on a Right to Buy property but one house is only the start of that initiative."

Cllr. Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council called the first refusal scheme "completely nonsense," adding: "The Council were forced to sell Council housing stock under the Right to Buy Scheme at a massive discount. Although the receipts were kept by the Council, they do not cover the cost of replacing those properties. Further, buying those same properties back later, at an inflated value from a private owner, is a waste of public money."

Cllr. Read said that the Council was doing the things possible within the legal framework but stated that the legal framework had to change.

Images: RMBC / Race Cottam

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News: "Hauliers against hunger" launches to support community food banks

A commercial vehicle distributor has launched a "Hauliers Against Hunger" campaign that will support food banks across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Crossroads Truck and Bus - which supplies and services Volvo commercial vehicles - says its depots will be twinned with food banks supported by The Trussell Trust, a nationwide charity that fights hunger across the UK.

The campaign will provide on-going assistance and donations that will be sent directly to the community food banks from Crossroads staff and customers throughout the year.

Crossroads Managing Director Gareth Legg said: "The cost of living crisis is creating unprecedented demand for food banks. We are launching Hauliers Against Hunger to support the vital work of these centres to meet this urgent need. The haulage industry played a key role in maintaining supplies during the pandemic and together we can help keep the food banks stocked."



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Research by The Trussell Trust shows that out of 5.7m people on Universal Credit in the UK, one in three (33%) are unable to afford adequate food.

Laura Chalmers, Trussell Trust Area Manager for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "I am delighted to partner with Crossroads, who will be supporting eight food banks across the region at a time when it is needed the most. Their commitment to fundraising activity, food deliveries and volunteer time will go far in helping to support those in their local communities who will be squeezed the hardest."

The campaign will result in food banks receiving support from the following Crossroads depots: Birstall, Boroughbridge, Hull, Lincoln, Normanton, Rotherham, Scunthorpe and Stallingborough.

Crossroads Truck and Bus will donate £1 for every £1 that staff collect through fundraising events. Customers can also show their support by making a donation when they make use of two special demonstrator trucks, which are decorated in Hauliers Against Hunger campaign livery.

Crossroads Truck and Bus website

Images: Crossroads

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News: Cooper Turner Beck honoured for sustained success in international trade

Cooper Turner Beck, which has significant operations in Sheffield and Rotherham, has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade.

A leading global manufacturer and distributor of safety critical fastening systems, it is the number one global supplier of these highly engineered systems to the wind power industry. It provides a one-stop shop solution for critical applications within their target industry sectors which include Renewable Energy (mainly Wind), Gas Turbine Power Generation, Nuclear Power, Construction, Tunnelling, Rail, Oil & Gas and OEM Heavy Vehicle markets.

Overseas sales have grown by 131% across the last three years and the percentage exported has also risen to 87%. The company’s top markets are USA, France, China, Denmark, and Germany with growing markets including South America, Australia and South Africa. The company wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.

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Anthony Brown, CEO at Cooper Turner Beck, commented: “We are absolutely overjoyed with the news that WATERMILL-CT HOLDINGS LTD T/A COOPER TURNER BECK have won a Queen’s Award for our sustained success in international trade! We’re so grateful to our wonderful manufacturing sites and our amazing team for making all of this possible with their relentless passion, commitment, positivity, and hard work over the years.

"As a British brand with products that are manufactured in the UK, it’s especially humbling to see how our highly progressive business concept, uncompromisingly ethical materials standards and relationship-driven business approach has resonated with customers in so many countries throughout the world."

In 2017 chief executive Tony Brown led a buyout backed by US private equity firm Watermill Group, which acquired a majority stake for an undisclosed sum. The aim was to uncover new opportunities and accelerate the company's growth in the booming international wind sector and beyond. A strategic merger took place in 2019 between Cooper & Turner Ltd and Beck Industries.

The company acquired the former home of Manheim Motor Auctions at Canklow in 2012 and, to support further growth, a new extension was completed in 2013. As well as the Wind division, the site incorporates a 120,000 tonne stock holding facility and the group moved towards a full distribution network.

Cooper Turner Beck website

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News: Rotherham housing development completes

The final phase of Rotherham Council’s site cluster housing programme has now completed as Wates Construction hand over the keys to 80 new homes on Rother View Road, Canklow.

The site cluster approach to housing development was the result of over £30m invested by Rotherham Council to construct new properties across the borough. The Council partnered with Wates Construction to carry out several clusters of developments on unused land. A total of 217 properties for affordable rent and sale have been created on Braithwell Road and Gaitskell Close (Maltby), Conway Crescent and Farnworth Road (East Herringthorpe), Shakespeare Drive (Dinnington), and finally two sites on Rother View Road (Canklow).

Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Dominic Beck, said: “Our site clusters programme has been a key part of our plan to ensure more people in the borough get the high quality homes that they need, at a price they can afford, and at the same time has brought back to life a number of sites that had been almost abandoned for years. From council homes to shared ownership, to straightforward properties for general sale, to specially built homes meeting the needs of older people and those with disabilities, this scheme has set the standard for the kinds of communities we want to see in the future.”

“We’re committed to releasing unused Council-owned sites for residential development, which is part of our 30-year vision for housing. Our housing growth plan has identified 200 potential small sites for new housing and we’re currently seeking developers to partner with us to create new homes for local people on these sites.”

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David Wingfield, business unit director for Wates Construction in Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Remediating and regenerating underused land is a key way we can help solve the shortfall in new housing across the UK, and it’s been a pleasure to partner with Rotherham Council over the past four years to build this varied mix of homes. By working collaboratively, thinking carefully about design and the long-term sustainability of these houses, we’ve been able to support the council in delivering its innovative vision that will meet so many people’s needs.”

Rotherham’s current housing growth plan has an emphasis on housing growth and regeneration of the town centre, as well as homes for good health and independence. Developments currently in progress include three exciting town-centre developments (Westgate Riverside, Millfold Rise and Wellgate Place) which will create 171 new homes. Completing in 2022, these developments will consist of properties for affordable outright sale, shared ownership and council housing.

Images: RMBC

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News: Pulse & Cocktails set for expansion

"Europe's Largest Sexy Superstore" could be about to get even larger as Rotherham Council has approved plans for an extension at the Canklow site.

Previously a mail-order service, Rotherham-based Pulse & Cocktails opened its first upmarket store in the borough in 1997.

The family firm aimed to change the perception and remove the stigma attributed to seedy sex shops by creating fun, bright and friendly retail spaces where the focus is on providing the "Ultimate Sexy Shopping Experience."

The brand has expanded to over 20 stores across the UK, often taking on destination sites such as former petrol stations and roadside restaurants.

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The current flagship store opened at Canklow in 2003 where the 10,000 sq ft premises also includes the firm's head office and storage area. With 7,000 sq ft of retail space and selling 8,000 different products, the Rotherham branch was reported to be the biggest sex shop in Europe when it opened, and the second biggest in the world after the Hustler store in California.

Now a planning application has been approved that will enable the company to extend the building and add an additional 4,300 sq ft of floorspace.

The proposal, which would create six new jobs, involves the construction of a two storey side extension for warehousing, staffing rooms and offices and does not propose any new retail space. It would allow for the existing internal layout to be reconfigured with the central area for warehousing and the south-eastern area for retail.

Shops can turnover £200,000 per annum and the latest branch to open was on the A12 in Essex. A recent focus for growing the business has been on online retail through its own website and third party sites such as eBay and Amazon.

Pulse & Cocktails website

Images: Pulse & Cocktails

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News: B E Webbe opens self storage depot in Rotherham

B E Webbe, a self-storage company based in Derby, has opened its seventh depot, taking on a former woodworking facility in Rotherham.

GD Woodworking relocated from the Barbot Hall Industrial Estate to larger premises at nearby Canklow Meadows in 2016 leaving a 6,100 sq ft warehouse available.

In December, B E Webbe bought the Mangham Road property in a £1m deal and has since spent £300,000 fitting it out.

The company will operate from Unit One, and has created 20,000sq ft of storage space, comprising 105 individual units ranging in size from 15sq ft to 170sq ft.

Phase Two, which is planned to operate in April next year, will double the storage space available.

The building works consisted of demolishing the offices and other facilities, replacing mezzanine floors and building new offices, facilities and reception area together with toilets and loading bays.

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Richard Blount, director at B E Webbe, said: "There is a definite need for such a self-storage facility in the Rotherham area.

"We are catering for anybody who has anything to store, whether its personal and home effects, business or archive items."

All units are individually locked and the depot is fully alarmed with 24 hour CCTV security.

B E Webbe has two self-storage facilities in Derby and others at Burton, Long Eaton, Nottingham, and Sutton-in-Ashfield.

GD Woodworking expanded into a new 80,000 sq ft factory to facilitate significant increase in staircase demand.

Andrew Ducker, director of GD Woodworking said: "The expansion has been a huge success and gives us an even stronger infrastructure to support our clients with everything that they need for high volume staircase projects."

B E Webbe website
GD Woodworking website

Images: B E Webbe

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News: Cooper & Turner's fast growing profits

Historic global manufacturer, Cooper & Turner, which has significant operations in Sheffield and Rotherham, has been named amongst Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing profits over three years.

One of Europe's leading manufacturers of bolts, nuts and washers used in the energy, rail, construction and other engineering sectors is a new entry in the 19th annual Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 league table.

Cooper & Turner has facilities at its Templeborough Works in Sheffield and at Canklow in Rotherham, where the focus is on the wind energy sector.

With profits growing by an average of 57% a year to £9.2m in 2017, the firm is ranked at 86th in the table which is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based networking events and research company, which champions the UK's top-performing private companies and entrepreneurs.

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The group manufactures its products in South Yorkshire, Pueblo, in Colorado, and Ningbo, in China, and international expansion has boosted sales to £52.6m.

In August last year, chief executive Tony Brown led a buyout backed by US private equity firm Watermill Group, which acquired a majority stake for an undisclosed sum. The aim was to uncover new opportunities and accelerate the company's growth in the booming international wind sector and beyond.

Cooper & Turner acquired the former home of Manheim Motor Auctions in 2012 and, to support further growth, a new extension was completed in 2013 to infill the space between the two existing units and create substantially more floorspace. As well as the Wind division, the site incorporates a 120,000 tonne stock holding facility and the group moved towards a full distribution network. Cooper & Turner and McLean Buchanan and Wilson (MBW) joined forces in March 2007.

Joseph and James Turner founded a gun barrel business in Birmingham in the 1800s. Having expanded the business into other areas, including rivet production, the company was amalgamated with Henry Cooper & Co in 1912.

Production was moved to Sheffield and the company continued to be successful, supplying products for a wide range of applications including battleships and Ford's Model T cars. Recent projects have seen its products used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the redevelopment of Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium.

Cooper & Turner website

Images: Cooper & Turner

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News: Cooper & Turner going for growth in wind sector following acquisition

Historic global manufacturer, Cooper & Turner, which has significant operations in Sheffield and Rotherham, has been acquired by The Watermill Group, an American private investment firm.

Family-owned, Cooper & Turner, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of bolts, nuts and washers used in the energy, rail, construction and other engineering sectors. It has facilities at its Templeborough Works in Sheffield and at Canklow in Rotherham, where the focus is on the wind energy sector.

Based in Lexington, Massachusetts, The Watermill Group, targets "businesses at a pivotal turning point," bringing in investors with the aim of helping companies achieve their full potential through strategic transformation.

The deal, for an undisclosed amount, sees the acquisition of Cooper & Turner by taking on Andaray (Holdings) Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

Mid Cap Financial Services, LLC provided debt for the transaction and Grant Thornton UK LLP provided corporate finance, debt advisory, tax and financial due diligence advice to Watermill. K&L Gates LLP provided Legal Counsel to Watermill. Mazars LLP advised Cooper & Turner and Mincoffs Solicitors provided legal counsel.

The vision is to create: "The world's first, truly global mission-critical-fastener supplier with a seamless, one-stop shop solution for the manufacture and distribution of industrial fasteners that meet the highest levels of quality."

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Cooper & Turner senior management, including group CEO Tony Brown and head of group production David Brown, will remain in their current positions and retain a significant shareholding in the company. The Watermill Group are set to introduce complimentary systems and procedures and provide strategic guidance as the company manages the growth in wind energy. Another aim is to support the launch of manufacturing and distribution operations in the United States.

Julia Karol, president and COO, Watermill Group, said: "Cooper & Turner's reputation and track record is virtually unmatched. We are impressed with the company's unwavering commitment to quality and safety, its high customer service levels, as well as its global manufacturing and distribution footprint. Combining Watermill's strategy-driven approach with Cooper & Turner's highly experienced management team, the company has an exciting opportunity to become the world’s first, truly global mission-critical-fastener supplier."

Ronald M. Krisanda, an advisor at Watermill and former president and COO at manufacturing firm, Milacron Holdings Corporation, will serve as the chairman of the Board of Advisors for the organisation. He said: "Cooper & Turner is a compelling business with a highly experienced senior management team, led by brothers Tony and David Brown, whose entrepreneurial vision and operational expertise have been paramount to the organisation's success. We look forward to working with them and their team to uncover new opportunities and accelerate the company's growth in the booming international wind sector and beyond."

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Tony Brown, Group CEO, Cooper & Turner, said: "We are thrilled to join Watermill for this next chapter in the history of Cooper & Turner. For nearly two centuries, this organisation has evolved and thrived – innovating alongside cutting-edge customers and developing industry-leading service levels across established and emerging sectors. Watermill's strategic guidance will be invaluable to us as we continue in this tradition of growth and progress."

Cooper & Turner acquired the former home of Manheim Motor Auctions in 2012 and, to support further growth, a new extension was completed in 2013 to infill the space between the two existing units and create substantially more floorspace. The site incorporates a 120,000 tonne stock holding facility and the group moved towards a full distribution network. Cooper & Turner and McLean Buchanan and Wilson (MBW) joined forces in March 2007.

Joseph and James Turner founded a gun barrel business in Birmingham in the 1800s. Having expanded the business into other areas, including rivet production, the company was amalgamated with Henry Cooper & Co in 1912.

Production was moved to Sheffield and the company continued to be successful, supplying products for a wide range of applications including battleships and Ford's Model T cars. Recent projects have seen its products used in the construction of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the redevelopment of Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium.

Cooper & Turner website

Images: Cooper & Turner

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News: £29m Rotherham Council housing scheme set for sign off

A £29m initiative to kickstart housebuilding on a cluster of sites owned by Rotherham Council is set to be signed off next week.

The Council is seeking approval from the Cabinet and Commissioners' decision- making meeting to proceed to build homes across seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The meeting, which takes place on July 10, will seek approval to build 217 new homes. It is proposed these properties will have a mixture of tenures to include: 83 new homes for outright sale, 36 shared ownership or rent to buy homes and 98 new council homes, of which five will be homes for adults with specialist needs.

The Council identified Wates Residential through a competitive tendering process last year as the preferred developer to build the new homes. If the proposal is approved, it is envisaged that this highly innovative scheme will start in Autumn this year with completion due in 2020.

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With overall developments costs of £29m, the initiative uses a Development Agency Model (DAM), where the Council acts as developer and Wates are the constructor and delivery agent. This is a new delivery route for the Council and creates the opportunity for it to maximise the value of its assets and deliver a greater number of high quality new homes, as opposed to simply selling the seven individual sites on the open market.

Houses sold will lead to sales revenue provided directly to the local authority (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subsidise the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: "We will be delighted to gain approval of this ambitious scheme as it will improve the quality and choice of housing, whilst increasing the number of new homes built in Rotherham.

"We are determined to build more properties to be rented out as Council homes across the borough and this development is a real testament to this aim.

"The development will also increase housing in key areas of the borough, which are underdeveloped at present, providing a much needed boost with the addition of brand new housing, tailored to meet the needs of local people."

Jo Jamieson, managing director at Wates Residential, said: "It is evident that there is an increasing need for a mixture of new housing in Rotherham and the Council's ambitious proposals will go some way to addressing this demand.

"If given the go ahead, Wates Residential will be delighted to work with the council on the development, sharing the risk on planning, construction and market sales, and ultimately building mixed tenure homes that cater to the varied property demands of people across the borough."

The Council is also proposing to buy six two bedroom apartments and three four bedroom houses at the Waverley site from Avant Homes.

Wates Residential website

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News: Wates awarded Rotherham housing contract

Wates Construction has been awarded a key contract to deliver a potential 200 new houses on a cluster of sites owned by Rotherham Council.

The authority has signed off its Housing Strategy which launched over the summer. It sets out how the Council is responding to the various housing challenges and what it intends to do and comes after changes to Government funding left councils with a reduced capacity to deliver housing growth.

It is acknowledged that the Council is having to work differently and embrace working with the private sector much more in order to find ways to deliver the objectives.

One key project is an innovative development model from the Council to bring forward some of its "more challenging" sites. Wates successfully secured a multi million pound tender and will act as the Council's development partner to proceed with the seven sites in Maltby, Canklow, East Herringthorpe and Dinnington.

The Wates Group is one of the largest privately-owned construction, development and property services companies in the UK and has previously worked on projects to provide social and affordable housing in Canklow under its Wates Living Space brand.

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The Council is proposing to build 97 homes for outright sale and a further 88 specialist and affordable homes, the timetable is to obtain planning approval by mid May 2017 and achieve a start on site in the summer of 2017.

The proposal from Wates offered to deliver 185 new homes across the seven sites, which will remain in Council ownership. A report to the council's cabinet and commissoners, stated: "Whilst this is the lowest number of housing units offered overall, there is scope to increase the housing numbers on several sites with design variations."

Under the model, Wates will take the role of a developer agent for the Council with the authority funding the development activities. Houses sold will lead to sales revenue (a prospective £3.8m) provided directly to Rotherham Council (excluding a developer's margin) to cross subside the development. The Council will also receive the majority share of any developer's profit on the schemes, through retaining the development value of the land.

Local authorities can borrow funding on much better terms than housing developers and the Council will bank roll the project for around 18 months until sales revenues are generated.

The Council is also required to underwrite the pre-development and planning stage costs, in the event of the project not proceeding. These are currently estimated at £335,000.

As part of its housing strategy, Rotherham has submitted a bid to the Government's new £1.2 billion Starter Homes Land Fund to help prepare key sites in the town centre for residential development. The Council has also acquired more than 90 new homes for council rent in areas of high demand, acquired properties in Maltby which have stood empty for some time and are in need of investment, and sold a number of its sites to private developers.

Wates website

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News: Plasflow owner in MBO

SWP, the AIM-listed group that operates the Plasflow business in Rotherham, is to go back into private ownership after the board accepted an offer worth £18.3m from the management team.

Based in Cambridgeshire, SWP Group Plc designs, manufactures and installs a range of industrial engineered products and systems, serving international markets in the oil, gas and petrochemical markets as well as in construction and water utilities.

Its Plasflow subsidiary, based at Canklow Meadows, offers specialist services in the fabrication of large diameter plastic pipe work and supplies the UK civil nuclear sector. It delivers the fabrication needs of Fullflow, another SWP subsidiary based in Sheffield that specialises in rainwater management and syphonic drainage systems.

Friars 716 Ltd, a new company established by SWP's management team, has made an offer to purchase SWP Group which will see shareholders receive 9p for each share, valuing the business at about £18.3m.

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An update to the stock exchange said: "Friars intends, upon the Offer becoming wholly unconditional and subject to Friars then owning 75% of the SWP Shares, to take the necessary actions to cancel the admission to trading on AIM of the SWP Shares and re-register SWP as a private limited company."

For the year ended June 30 2015, SWP made a profit after tax, but before discontinued activities of £1.7m and a loss of £0.4m after discontinued activities.

Relying on projects, Plasflow has performed well in recent years but has suffered recently due to the absence of any meaningful orders from the nuclear sector where the company is a respected player in providing pipe solutions for most of the major nuclear plants in operation throughout the UK.

The company was programmed to commence substantial works for EDF but delays to its massive nuclear investment at Hinkley Point have had knock on effects. EDF, unilaterally deferred, for up to two years, a major outage project at one of their UK plants where Plasflow was scheduled to play a prominent role.

Alan Walker, chairman of Friars, said: "SWP is too small to benefit from maintaining a public quotation and AIM has not provided SWP's shareholders with sufficient liquidity, with some feeling trapped. As a private company, SWP will be better able to weather the feast and famine nature associated with transacting a small number of large projects. I therefore believe that the Offer is in the best interests of shareholders as a whole and I look forward with great optimism to working with all stakeholders to continue the successful development of the business."

Alan Smith, independent director at SWP. added: "I am pleased to recommend this offer to shareholders of SWP. The principal operating companies of SWP, being Fullflow and Ulva, are profitable and, in my opinion, well regarded by their peers and customers. However, it is my opinion that the market capitalisation of SWP does not reflect either its financial progress or the continued efforts of my colleagues and that SWP's public quotation is no longer beneficial to its stakeholders, particularly given the very low levels of liquidity in the Company's shares. The offer from Friars gives shareholders a chance to realise value from their investment at a significant premium to the recent share price, while safeguarding the existing employment rights of SWP employees."

SWP Group plc website
Plasflow website

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News: Darron hit by oil and gas downturn

The Rotherham facility of Darron SBO looks set to close as part of restructure plans set out by the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group.

The precision machining specialist operates a Canklow facility with modern machine tools and state of the art manufacturing capabilities supplying a range of high quality components to the oil and gas industries.

The Austrian-based Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG (SBO) and the entire oilfield service industry was hit by the expected slump of drilling activity in the first half of 2015. Low global oil prices has led to declining global drilling activity.

The company launched "initial corrective measures" last year, reviewing operations, reducing expenditure on plant, property and equipment and reducing the number of staff.

As part of this, SBO has decided to merge two UK subsidiaries, moving activity from Darron's site in Rotherham to Techman Engineering's site in Chesterfield.

In a statement, the company said: "Customer restraint in ordering went hand in hand with persistent pressure on prices. SBO started at an early point to take a set of measures to counter this tendency, but they could not fully absorb the effects of the downturn.

"SBO initiated a programme in the third quarter of 2014 to streamline cost structures of its UK activities. In view of the current business environment it was decided to merge operational activities of the two neighbouring subsidiaries "Techman Engineering Ltd" and "Darron Tool & Engineering Ltd" at the location of Techman. As a result, structural and sustainable cost benefits will be created after the programme has been completed.

"Restructuring is running according to plan and should be finished in 2015."

The headcount at SBO, which has operations worldwide, was 1,279 in June, down from 1,720 in December.

Darron Tool & Engineering (Sheffield) Ltd was founded in 1969 and became part of the Schoeller-Bleckmann Group in 2000.

Darron SBO website

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News: Whirlowdale expands with new offices and distribution centre

Whirlowdale Trading Co Ltd, one of the UK's leading suppliers of pallet and transit packet solutions, has expanded into new office accommodation close to its main depot in Rotherham.

The family owned business has been trading for over 35 years and specialises in the supply of new and reconditioned panels to the food, retail, manufacturing, construction and pharmaceutical sectors. It began life as a solution to what to do with unwanted pallets in the food wholesale business and has grown into the UK's largest trader of used pallets.

Operating from its current three acre site on Canklow Meadows Industrial Estate, Whirlowdale is continually looking to grow and further establish themselves as the market leaders in pallet solutions.

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Office staff have recently moved to a high-tech office block on Bawtry Road that was previously home to MSSR, which specialised in building petrol forecourts and ancillary services nationwide, before it went into administration in 2014.

Commercial property agents, Eddidsons confirmed that: "Our agency team has sold this modern, detached office block. The property, extending to 3,268 sq ft was sold off an asking price of £200,000 to a private company on behalf of the administrators."

Whirlowdale said that the office block has ample space for the growing team and added that it has been decorated with recycled material to demonstrate the company ethos.

Andrew Pearce, who took on the CEO role from founding father, Roy in 2009, aims to double Whirlowdale's size within the next few years.

As part of the expansion, which includes a growing export business, pallet operations have been expanded here in Yorkshire, with the acquisition of a well-established Castleford pallet dealer, SKH Pallets.

The acquisition of SKH Pallets has increased the number of Whirlowdale distribution centres to nine. The Castleford site is a dual operation site as they have the machinery to produce new pallets, whilst also having the capacity to repair and redistribute reconditioned pallets.

Whirlowdale website

Images: Whirlowdale

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News: Treeton Auto Services on the move

An enterprising Rotherham mechanic has worked flat out to relocate his dream business to larger premises to cope with growing demand for his services.

Dave Geldard formed Treeton Auto services eight years ago, and after securing new premises for his business at Canklow Meadows Industrial Estate in December, put Christmas on hold to renovate the new site, assisted by his wife Jeanette and two daughters in a bid to get the garage ready to open at its new site in the first week of January.

Dave began his career the day after leaving school, securing an apprenticeship with A TVR sports cars dealer in Harrogate, subsequently moving onto a Peugeot main dealer in Leeds where he became a Master Technician, before embarking on a career with the AA, where he was named as Regional Patrol of the year and progressed rapidly through the ranks to become an area manager.

His career took an unexpected turn, when just days after returning from his honeymoon, he discovered that his position with the AA was being made redundant. A short spell working with the RAC followed, however, Dave became increasingly disillusioned with the quality of repairs and levels of service he witnessed from garages throughout the UK and set about making plans to launch his own garage.

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Since launching Treeton Auto Services in 2008, Dave has secured a 100% quality rating for his services through the Government-backed motor industry body, Motor Codes – the only Rotherham garage, and one of just three across South Yorkshire to have attained a perfect record for the services delivered.

After receiving the keys to the building, Dave and his family set about transforming the empty shell, with all members of his family painting, decorating, building and cleaning Dave's dream garage which includes three service bays and he plans to introduce a new MOT station later this year.

Dave Geldard, owner of Treeton Auto Services, said: "When I told my wife and children that we were going spend to quality time together this Christmas, I think the last thing they expected was painting and decorating the new garage! The support they have given to me has been amazing and we were able to open the doors at the garage for the first time at the beginning of January.

"During my years working in roadside recovery, when cars couldn't be fixed at the roadside, I often had to recover the vehicles and deliver them to nearby garages to allow them to be repaired. I was often left underwhelmed, particularly when it came to the levels of customer service I witnessed and so decided to start my own business.

"We've come a long way over the past eight years. When I first started there was just me, but now Treeton Auto Services currently employs four full-time members of staff and following our relocation, we are looking to recruit additional members to the team.

"Relocating any business can be a challenging, but so far we've received a lot of positive feedback from our customers and we're excited to see what this year has to offer. I am extremely proud of how far this business has come and I believe it can only grow stronger."

To celebrate the re-opening of his business, Dave invited his first customer, Colin Gibson to help carry out the official opening.

Treeton Auto Services website

Images: Treeton Auto Services

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News: EEF take advantage in Rotherham

The Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF), the UK trade organisation dedicated to the future of manufacturing, has taken nearly 7,000 sq ft of office space in Rotherham.

The EEF offers business services, government representation and industry intelligence and around a quarter of the UK's manufacturing businesses are members and many more use its services to help them work.

The organisation has has leased 6,878 sq ft of office accommodation at Advantage House, Poplar Way, Catcliffe in a deal secured by BNP Paribas Real Estate.

EEF has secured the second floor, which comprises self-contained modern, high quality offices within close proximity of the M1 and on the doorstep of the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP).

Stuart Waite, senior surveyor at BNP Paribas Real Estate, said: "Advantage House is located in a prominent position next to the Sheffield Parkway and in close proximity to the M1 motorway, which is one of the reasons why EEF chose this building. The deal itself is positive for the local market, as it is one of the largest deals to complete so far this year."

Newcastle-based JK Property Consultants acted for the EEF in buying its new Rotherham headquarters. JK was able to secure the second-floor offices at a rent of just under £9.50 per square foot before incentives are deducted. The deal allows EEF to move in rent-free for six months and then pay half-rent for the next 12 months during the initial four-year lease.

Andy Tuscher, North East Region director at EEF, said: "This move demonstrates our ongoing commitment to local and regional businesses and ensuring that they have easy access to advice and support.

"As the recovery picks up pace, they will probably need even more help tackling things such as HR issues, legal problems and health and safety concerns. We will now be even better-placed to provide this expertise."

Energy Alloys, the American oil field metals business which has its UK head office at Advantage House, has recently secured planning permission for alterations to the office space within its manufacturing and warehouse facility at Canklow, also in Rotherham. The site processes and holds long products for the energy, stainless and engineering markets and 36 employees are set to move to Canklow from across Rotherham.

EEF website
Energy Alloys website

Images: BNP Paribas Real Estate

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News: Poundstretcher open another Rotherham store

Leading value retailer, Poundstretcher has opened a new out of town store in Rotherham.

The Huddersfield-based firm operates 400 discount retail stores in the UK, providing variety retailing across an extensive range of products at exceptionally cheap prices. It has taken a 10,000 sq ft unit at Canklow Meadows Retail Park.

In addition to homeware, the retailer also sells everyday items such as food, toiletries and household goods. The new opening follows a decision last year to move into larger stores to enable it to extend its food and toiletry ranges.

Existing occupiers include Dunelm and Halfords, and situated close to a Wickes DIY store, the park is owned by Threadneedle Investments with Harvey Spack Field and Wilkinson Williams as agents.

Owned by the Crown Crest Group, Poundstretcher opened a new store on Bridgegate in Rotherham town centre last year. It has a store at Dinnington and previously operated at Parkgate Shopping under the instore brand.

With a store refresh programme and the opening of 35 new stores, Poundstretcher reported an increase in like-for-like sales of 3% in 2013.

Poundstretcher website

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News: Holiday Inn named the best in the country

The Holiday Inn hotel at Canklow in Rotherham has been named Hotel of the Year at the annual Kew Green Awards.

Kew Green Hotels was formed in September 2001 to operate high quality limited and full service branded hotels in prime locations throughout the UK. The company now operate 31 hotels across the UK under six major brands; Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Days Hotel, Ramada and Courtyard by Marriott. They also operate The Richmond Hill Hotel, a four star property in South West London.

In 2008 the Holiday Inn Rotherham – Sheffield was hit hard at the start of the recession and the market became exceptionally tough and business was extremely hard to come by. The award recognised that regardless of this, the hotel never gave up the fight against the market and kept coming up with new innovative ideas which lead them to outperform the market.

2013 saw the Junction 33 hotel record a RGI score of over 130%. RGI (Revenue Generated Index), is the industry measure of success that records the relative share of the market for room revenue the hotel enjoys compared to its competition.

Suzanne Bush, previous general manager at the hotel, said: "I was delighted the Hotel won this award as it recognizes the tremendous amount of hard work, passion and dedication the whole team has put in to making the hotel the success it is today. It is a great way to say thank you for all their commitment and to show them how much their efforts have been appreciated. I'm sure it will spur us on to even greater success in the future."

The hotel, with 104 en-suite rooms, has recently undergone a refurbishment programme, which was completed at the end of 2013.

Holiday Inn Rotherham – Sheffield website

Images: Kew Green

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News: LSM renamed AMG Superalloys

Rotherham-based London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM) has been renamed AMG Superalloys UK Limited.

The firm is a highly successful manufacturer of high specification metals and alloys and an acknowledged global leader in sustainable metal and powder technology. LSM recently celebrated its 75th year.

Last year, the aluminium business of LSM de-merged and now operates as AMG Aluminum UK Limited. The remaining firm has now been renamed as AMG Superalloys UK Limited with both set to continue to operate at the head office and main manufacturing plant on Fullerton Road and both remain part of the Dutch multinational, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.

AMG Superalloys employs around 250 employees in Rotherham, with AMG Aluminum UK employing 80.

In 2007, a number of companies including LSM's parent company, Metallurg Inc. were combined to form the AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V., which is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange. The Rotherham sites come under its AMG Processing division.

AMG Aluminum was formed in 2011 by combining the aluminium activities of KB Alloys, LSM UK, and LSM Brasil with headquarters in Pennsylvania, United States.

The company produces highly engineered speciality metal products for the energy, aerospace, infrastructure, and speciality metals and chemicals end markets.

In the UK, AMG helps to control the cast structure in the production of high quality aluminium alloy products by producing grain refiners, alloying elements and hardeners, and also manufactures a variety of speciality alloys for special applications.

AMG Superalloys produces chromium metal, ferrotitanium, nickel boron and special powders. Compressor turbine blade producers require the very highest quality in their additives and utilise the firm's aluminothermic chromium metal to meet their demands.

Founded in 1938, LSM were awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2013 for outstanding achievement resulting in substantial growth in overseas earnings. It exports over 85% of its specialised products for the steel, aerospace, superalloys, hard facing, welding and glass industries.

Exports account for 87% of turnover and grew over 50% in the previous three years with growth in mature and new markets including the USA, India, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey and Canada.

2013 also saw LSM lift the RBS Business of the Year Trophy at the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards.

In its latest financial results, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. reported that revenue and earnings had decreased in the third quarter 2013 due to the speciality metals industry experiencing "double digit price declines."

An "unfavorable product mix" resulted in a 71% decline in AMG Superalloys gross margins but AMG Aluminum revenue increased 2% compared to the third quarter of 2012, despite slightly lower aluminium prices.

AMG Superalloys website
AMG Aluminum website

Images: AMG Superalloys

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